Jump Festa 2016 (19-20 December): One Piece Stage

Watch-man

@uniaka:

I sure hope so because then Sanji would be able to do this attack:

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/20150302/5179995/frieza-death-ball-o.gif

New power up for sanji, Hell's ball! Who's not on par with luffy and zoro now, betches!

Seriously though we still didnt seen much from Sanji. We seen him mostly doing Diable Jambe moves and so on but in total out of monster trio we seen Luffy fighting the most, then some of Zoro and then Sanji who did even less fighting with strong enemies than Zoro.

I also bet that Hell Memories is not Sanjis trump card attack. Oda should soon show Sanjis CoO skills and then something comparable to DJ reveal(doing it during Holy Land arc with CP0 as enemies could be sweet way to go).
It would be resonable imo to expect Blue Fire attack with some name related to angels/ heaven/ all blue being Sanjis strongest move now.

Its certain that more we will see from Sanji, more we will change how we seen scenes from previous arcs.

For example when I look now at Luffys fight with Hody I wonder how far he would fly away if Luffy would be using Gear 4th at that time

Other example for how Gear 4th changed how I view possible fights from past- Vergo would get Blueno kind of fight if he would fight against Gear 4th Luffy.. If Doflamingo saved himself mostly with playing for time and using his Ito Ito then Vergo would be pushed into direct fight against Rubber man, with blunt weapon to add. That fight would be neatly one sided I guess.

Same with Zoro just slashing through fullbody CoA Pica who hyped his own haki- Its very likely that it would be same if Zoro went against Vergo on Punk Hazard and still it feels like Zoro has even stronger techniques(we seen 0 Ashura after timeskip).

My point is that we didnt expected Luffy to get THAT STRONG within one fight(Gear 4th) and we cannot be sure how we will see Sanji after he will go all out - with all of holding back, nasty match ups and so on that Oda put Sanji into since timeskip and now with plot possibly getting Sanji-centric all hints towards all kinds of developments for Sanji.. + Sanji has to be shown in all Glory before Zoro gets to Wano..

Jabberwok

But exactly what kind of alien prince is Sanji? My money is on Andalite warrior prince.

Also, Oda frequently draws Sanji with sunglasses, which are often associated with a hidden identity or celebrity. The clues are around.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

Also, Chopper is the Yamcha. No one is Chiaotzu.

Helter Skelter

@Jabberwok:

Also, Oda frequently draws Sanji with sunglasses, which are often associated with a hidden identity or celebrity. The clues are around.

Hey, that makes me think about his hair. If he was trying to hide who he was, maybe that's why he always hides one eye. Maybe the curlybrows (both to the same side) are a family trait that would be easily recognizable by the Government.

And I really like the theory that he's a prince from outer space.

HeartOfDarkness

@fana:

I can agree that Sanji didn't get a really badass moment post time-skip.
But honestly, besides Luffy of course, and Usopp and Zoro very recently, no one in the crew did and he has only been involved in 2.5 arcs.
Also, saying he has just been a "joke" character or a "hype tool" is having a really selective memory.
For example, all his interactions with Kinemon in Punk Hazard seem to be forgotten because of one pervert joke while he was in Nami's body.

So yes, he still didn't get a badass/major feat that people are waiting for (the Luffy "solo" arcs didn't help), but I never worried that his time to shine would eventually come.
Even before the bounty poster reveal, I was sure that Oda had big plans for him.
It's good to see Oda confirming it.
It's coming sooner than I expected but it could be a great way to make him a lot more famous just before Jinbe joins the crew.

As I said in another thread, I'm expecting every crew members to get a chapter titled like Zoro's in Thriller Bark : "Straw Hat Pirates : <nickname><name>".
Sanji seems to be next.</name></nickname>

Franky got some really good moments in Dressrosa.

Cyan D. Funk

@Jabberwok:

But exactly what kind of alien prince is Sanji? My money is on Andalite warrior prince.

<approximately 10="" of="" your="" years="" before="" we="" reach="" raftel.="">"Sanji, they're everyone's years."</approximately>

Mortein

Sanji deserves it.

maxterdexter

If sanji is a prince from.space, he will fall in love with a rose? Or identify correctly when a snake eats jack, funkfreed or zounesha?

Omni

Sanji is Vegapunks son. Vegapunk is dying and needs an organ transplant this why the World Government is trying to capture him alive.

Owain

Maybe Sanji will finally get his head out his ass and kick a woman

RomanceDawn

No, people like Sanji need to exist in this world. Let Luffy continue to knock out the ladies.

.access timeco.

People once thought Oda was purposely making Sanji look bad to justify him getting a powerup (namely, the Mera Mera no Mi). That was back in Dressrosa, obviously.

As wrong as that could be (thankfully), I wonder the part about Oda making Sanji look bad on purpose could be right. My guess is that Sanji is much stronger than he is showing, but do properly access the new abilities he got during the timeskip, he needs to enter Okama mode and thus he is holding himself back out of pride. Eventually he will woman up and display the power people are expecting of him.

There.

HTC

Several clues have been left for Sanji:

he called himself "Mr. Prince"
he said he was born to "love the ladies"
he treated food like some rich kid would, until being stranded with Zeff before Baratie restaurant
the marines didn't know who he was until this latest bounty poster, suggesting he's the son of somebody with importance
he's from north blue, same as Law and X. Drake
his birth is directly mentioned in this year's Jump Festa

My guess is that, just as there is an island where all the inhabitants are transvestites, there's an island where all the ladies are loved, and said island is in north blue. Sanji is a prince from said island and he left it when he witnessed something: whatever it was, it was strong enough for him to abandon his family.
I don't think he's a tenryuubito (SP??), or his reactions back @ Shabondy arc would be different, but i'm convinced he's the son of a noble: an important one because the marines changed the "dead or alive" part of the bounty into "only alive", but not as important as a tenryuubito.

Razh

@HTC:

My guess is that, just as there is an island where all the inhabitants are transvestites, there's an island where all the ladies are loved, and said island is in north blue. Sanji is a prince from said island and he left it when he witnessed something: whatever it was, it was strong enough for him to abandon his family.
I don't think he's a tenryuubito (SP??), or his reactions back @ Shabondy arc would be different, but i'm convinced he's the son of a noble: an important one because the marines changed the "dead or alive" part of the bounty into "only alive", but not as important as a tenryuubito.

Normal island? :ninja:

! Don't mistake this for homophobia, lol.

uniaka ikuzakas

@.access:

People once thought Oda was purposely making Sanji look bad to justify him getting a powerup (namely, the Mera Mera no Mi). That was back in Dressrosa, obviously.

As wrong as that could be (thankfully), I wonder the part about Oda making Sanji look bad on purpose could be right. My guess is that Sanji is much stronger than he is showing, but do properly access the new abilities he got during the timeskip, he needs to enter Okama mode and thus he is holding himself back out of pride. Eventually he will woman up and display the power people are expecting of him.

There.

Lel, if Sanji had any badass drop left in him, he will erase it forever if he goes okama mode.

Besides, he hates okamas. If you hate them, you don't join them even if you risk to lose.

As we saw, Sanji gained sky walk and blue walk because he self trained himself those running from okamas. Likely at some point, Sanji was not able to run anymore from okamas, so he had to fight them back. There's where his fire attacks start to show up.

! And likely that was just a joke…and I fell for it, damn it!

HTC

@Razh:

Normal island? :ninja:

! Don't mistake this for homophobia, lol.

With the same "over the top" kind of thing as Kamabakka (SP???).

What if it were an island with only men, much like Amazon Lily's island with only women?

Razh

@HTC:

With the same "over the top" kind of thing as Kamabakka (SP???).

So a sleazebag island.

Anything is possible. Like, in contrast to feminine island Kamabakka, there's a manly island where everyone acts like Senor Pink.

HTC

@Razh:

So a sleazebag island.

Anything is possible. Like, in contrast to feminine island Kamabakka, there's a manly island where everyone acts like Sanji.

Fixed that for you.

maxterdexter

Sanji didn't treat food as a rich kid, he treated it as someone who had never suffered hunger, it was customers leftovers, some fishbones and stuff, I doubt there are many people in this forum that would eat some stranger's leftovers under regular circumstances.

HTC

@maxterdexter:

Sanji didn't treat food as a rich kid, he treated it as someone who had never suffered hunger, it was customers leftovers, some fishbones and stuff, I doubt there are many people in this forum that would eat some stranger's leftovers under regular circumstances.

Thank you for correcting me: much more accurate.

Razh

@HTC:

Fixed that for you.

You broke it. :sad:

HTC

@Razh:

You broke it. :sad:

Did not!

An island full of Sanji like men with ZERO women …

sggupta

@maxterdexter:

Sanji didn't treat food as a rich kid, he treated it as someone who had never suffered hunger, it was customers leftovers, some fishbones and stuff, I doubt there are many people in this forum that would eat some stranger's leftovers under regular circumstances.

yeah,i agree.and also,he was a kid,who let's just say are not the best examples of saving food.

DARK_RITUAL

@RomanceDawn:

I don't know if I'm ready for something like that. First time I saw woman who was victim of spousal abuse, the child inside of me shrunk by 8 times that day. Something like that would justify his behavior in my eyes. But I won't be totally satisfied unless the dad was from a place further than the endless vearth and because of that became colleague of Vegapunk who some how infused Sanji with the swirly spirit of a devil. I'm not entirely joking either, I think Sanji's eye brows have major significants.

So does the year of Sanji mean another year with no Jinbe in the story? Sanji could have crossed paths with Jinbe on his lone journey, right guys?

Guys?

Scratch that my theory. I just read enies lobby again and Sanji said to Nami and Chopper that he was "raised" to never hit a woman,
Key word here- RAISED
So Sanji not being able to hit a woman is not something he suddenly came to be after some accident but rather something he was taught to do right from birth.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Owain:

Maybe Sanji will finally get his head out his ass and kick a woman

I highly doubt that Oda will make Sanji hit a woman, after Sanji has said over and over he will rather die.

In fact there is more possibility to Oda giving Sanji King Haki to use and knock out women than hit one..

And wait for 2016, Oda about to give us a reason why Sanji would have King Haki.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@maxterdexter:

Sanji didn't treat food as a rich kid, he treated it as someone who had never suffered hunger, it was customers leftovers, some fishbones and stuff, I doubt there are many people in this forum that would eat some stranger's leftovers under regular circumstances.

Well I don't disagree with you but nothing shows that it was customer leftover, even one of the chef asked Sanji are you not going to finish your food?

Owain

@DARK_RITUAL:

Scratch that my theory. I just read enies lobby again and Sanji said to Nami and Chopper that he was "raised" to never hit a woman,
Key word here- RAISED
So Sanji not being able to hit a woman is not something he suddenly came to be after some accident but rather something he was taught to do right from birth.

Not necessarily. He was young enough when Zeff picked him up that anything he learned could still count as something he was raised with.

@DARK_RITUAL:

I highly doubt that Oda will make Sanji hit a woman, after Sanji has said over and over he will rather die.

In fact there is more possibility to Oda giving Sanji King Haki to use and knock out women than hit one..

And wait for 2016, Oda about to give us a reason why Sanji would have King Haki.

Thats exactly why Sanji should kick a woman. Someone mentioned the possibility of getting a "member of the crew" chapter title. For Zoro, he had to get that by throwing away his pride, and going back on what he said about letting Luffy die if he got in the way of his goal. whole. For Sanji, it could be for throwing away his chivalry.

RomanceDawn

@Owain:

Not necessarily. He was young enough when Zeff picked him up that anything he learned could still count as something he was raised with.

Thats exactly why Sanji should kick a woman. Someone mentioned the possibility of getting a "member of the crew" chapter title. For Zoro, he had to get that by throwing away his pride, and going back on what he said about letting Luffy die if he got in the way of his goal. whole. For Sanji, it could be for throwing away his chivalry.

But Sanji got his chapter title already. There was no question regarding his loyalty to the crew or his resolve to find the All Blue with them. It was Nami, Usopp, Robin and Chopper who didn't get their's for a while(or at all)because of some subtle hanging threads that need or needed to be addressed.

Edit: never mind I think you were talking about something else.

I know people want Sanji to knock off the chivalry and strike a woman but I love that he doesn't and don't ever want him to. In the real world there are people and places that are on the complete opposite end of Sanji's ideology and some in between. Let Sanji be Sanji. Him striking a woman won't lead to some ground breaking epiphany that leads him to new heights.

King Cannon

@Owain:

Thats exactly why Sanji should kick a woman. Someone mentioned the possibility of getting a "member of the crew" chapter title. For Zoro, he had to get that by throwing away his pride, and going back on what he said about letting Luffy die if he got in the way of his goal. whole. For Sanji, it could be for throwing away his chivalry.

Uh, Sanji not being able to kick women was supposed to be a positive trait. So much that Nami praised him for sticking with it.

Principles and all that. No different than Luffy telling Issho where he was going to strike during their fight.

Shadowgreed

@DARK_RITUAL:

Well I don't disagree with you but nothing shows that it was customer leftover, even one of the chef asked Sanji are you not going to finish your food?

I read that chapter yesterday and one of the chefs complained about the customers not finishing the dish that he made and now he has to finish it for them.

Robby

@RomanceDawn:

Edit: never mind I think you were talking about something else.

Zoro has gotten his "first person" chapter, but he also had another chapter way later the declared him a crewmember that had a different format.

ANd currently CHopper and RObin are both still missing theirs.

DarkHamster

where da f*ck are my fellow sanji fans at!?

THE HYPE IS REALLLLLLLLLL!!!! @.access:

he needs to enter Okama mode and thus he is holding himself back out of pride.

Had the same theory, not sure if it'll check out though b/c it seems unlike oda @Greg:

I guess it's just amazing to me that anyone reading One Piece for longer than 14 years or so could see Sanji as being anything other than a shadow of his former self.
The fanbase over here, who will give their fav. characters the benefit of the doubt in any scenario, even wholeheartedly agree that Sanji has been held held back. That's not to see he's been weak since the time-skip, just, he has NOT had a chance to shine like he did in the past. The closest he came was going fisticuffs with Doffy but that was clearly conceived to give Sanji fans something to gnaw on until we got to….well....here basically.

totes agree. doffy fight, he got his ass handled to him. Like wtfffffffffff

Jabberwok

@King:

Uh, Sanji not being able to kick women was supposed to be a positive trait. So much that Nami praised him for sticking with it.

Principles and all that. No different than Luffy telling Issho where he was going to strike during their fight.

It's kind of been zigzagged. The two major times it's come up, Kalia and Violet, I feel like we're supposed to be frustrated that he's actively impeding the mission but give him grudging respect for sticking to his values.

On the topic of Sanji's chivalry, I think it would really help if he was shown giving older women the same sort of treatment. He doesn't even have to like doing it, but seeing Sanji protecting or refusing to strike any woman, not just an attractive one, would frame him as a character with more integrity

PandaG

@Jabberwok:

He doesn't even have to like doing it, but seeing Sanji protecting or refusing to strike any woman, not just an attractive one, would frame him as a character with more integrity

I guess it doesn't really count, but didn't his shadow inside the penguin do that with with Lola?

Mr. Luffy

@Jabberwok:

On the topic of Sanji's chivalry, I think it would really help if he was shown giving older women the same sort of treatment. He doesn't even have to like doing it, but seeing Sanji protecting or refusing to strike any woman, not just an attractive one, would frame him as a character with more integrity

Well, with Violet he was also vaguely in love with he apparently had some sort of faith that he be able to reach her better half.

As far as we know, his code extends to all women, period. He just doesn't find the homely ones attractive, so they don't he doesn't give in to his "heart eye" weakness.

Also in regards to Kalifa, people seem to lump his inability to hit a woman as the reason he performed so poorly. It was in fact his extreme weakness at the mere sight of a beautiful woman that ultimately did him in. This was seen earlier with Bon Kurei in that even the sight of a beautiful woman (Nami) would incapacitate him even though he knows Kurei is not a woman.

Turning to jelly at the sight of a beautiful woman trying to kill him–that is a handicap that he should overcome. At least to the point where he doesn't become a punching bag.

Lastly, note that he DID depict his code against arguably the ugliest woman in the series – Lola in thereanimated corpse of a giant boar. Such a stunning display of chivalry that Chopper & Co were stunned that he could even determine the foe as female.

Jabberwok

@Mr.:

Well, with Violet he was also vaguely in love with he apparently had some sort of faith that he be able to reach her better half.

As far as we know, his code extends to all women, period. He just doesn't find the homely ones attractive, so they don't he doesn't give in to his "heart eye" weakness.

Also in regards to Kalifa, people seem to lump his inability to hit a woman as the reason he performed so poorly. It was in fact his extreme weakness at the mere sight of a beautiful woman that ultimately did him in. This was seen earlier with Bon Kurei in that even the sight of a beautiful woman (Nami) would incapacitate him even though he knows Kurei is not a woman.

Turning to jelly at the sight of a beautiful woman trying to kill him–that is a handicap that he should overcome. At least to the point where he doesn't become a punching bag.

Lastly, note that he DID depict his code against arguably the ugliest woman in the series – Lola in thereanimated corpse of a giant boar. Such a stunning display of chivalry that Chopper & Co were stunned that he could even determine the foe as female.

Regarding Kalifa, it was a combination of the two. Sanji showed the desire to hit and defeat her, even if he was subconsciously holding back. His chivalry was the reason he couldn't win, but his perviness was the reason he lost.

For Lola, that's discounted by him not knowing who he was. It doesn't register the same as seeing Sanji in his own body do that, even if it was arguably the most noble thing he's done.

Iggy

@MasterKingJC:

Mysterious birth?

Thanks for the evening entertainment inspiration. Just watched all 3 MiB movies with my family

RomanceDawn

@Robby:

Zoro has gotten his "first person" chapter, but he also had another chapter way later the declared him a crewmember that had a different format.

ANd currently CHopper and RObin are both still missing theirs.

Right, after I reread, I figured he was talking about the awesome chapter during Thriller Bark. I would be overjoyed if everyone received a shining moment that held just as much(if not more) weight. It seems like Sanji's moment could be coming within this very saga.

@PandaG:

I guess it doesn't really count, but didn't his shadow inside the penguin do that with with Lola?

Oh it counts alright. And despite being somewhat forgettable to me until you mentioned it, when I look back that really was a great display of Sanji's character and morals.

Owain

@King:

Uh, Sanji not being able to kick women was supposed to be a positive trait. So much that Nami praised him for sticking with it.

Principles and all that. No different than Luffy telling Issho where he was going to strike during their fight.

I agree that it was meant to be portrayed as a good thing, though I disagree with Oda there. However, that's what I'm saying- Zoro's single-minded determination not to die until he became the WGS was also portrayed as a good thing, but when Luffy needed him, he gave up his pride. It was a major moment for Zoro, and probably his biggest development in the story. I think a similar situation with Sanji and his "chivalry" would do a lot to repair his reputation, more so than simply beating a strong, male subordinate would.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Jabberwok:

On the topic of Sanji's chivalry, I think it would really help if he was shown giving older women the same sort of treatment. He doesn't even have to like doing it, but seeing Sanji protecting or refusing to strike any woman, not just an attractive one, would frame him as a character with more integrity

He did have a moment in Skypiea where he was happy to dance with an old lady, so it's not like he's only nice to young attractive ones.

King Cannon

@Jabberwok:

It's kind of been zigzagged. The two major times it's come up, Kalia and Violet, I feel like we're supposed to be frustrated that he's actively impeding the mission but give him grudging respect for sticking to his values.

On the topic of Sanji's chivalry, I think it would really help if he was shown giving older women the same sort of treatment. He doesn't even have to like doing it, but seeing Sanji protecting or refusing to strike any woman, not just an attractive one, would frame him as a character with more integrity

@Mr.:

Lastly, note that he DID depict his code against arguably the ugliest woman in the series – Lola in thereanimated corpse of a giant boar. Such a stunning display of chivalry that Chopper & Co were stunned that he could even determine the foe as female.

@RomanceDawn:

Oh it counts alright. And despite being somewhat forgettable to me until you mentioned it, when I look back that really was a great display of Sanji's character and morals.

Here's Sanji actually protecting an old lady that he was not attracted to.

Jabberwok

@Owain:

He did have a moment in Skypiea where he was happy to dance with an old lady, so it's not like he's only nice to young attractive ones.

That sort of thing needs more attention. I miss Sanji being a lovable dork.

@King:

Here's Sanji actually protecting an old lady that he was not attracted to.

Can't see it but I'm guessing it's Kureha. It's nice, but it's nothing like his heroic entrances for Tashigi, the Swirlyhats, and so on.

goty

@Jabberwok:

It's kind of been zigzagged. The two major times it's come up, Kalia and Violet, I feel like we're supposed to be frustrated that he's actively impeding the mission but give him grudging respect for sticking to his values.

On the topic of Sanji's chivalry, I think it would really help if he was shown giving older women the same sort of treatment. He doesn't even have to like doing it, but seeing Sanji protecting or refusing to strike any woman, not just an attractive one, would frame him as a character with more integrity

That did happen already. I was about to bring up Kureha, but King Cannon beat me to it.

Regarding Violet, i can't agree with that. The whole point was that he saw in her eyes all the time that she was really desperate and in need of help, so she never saw her as an enemy, and he shouldn't. That's the reason she was moved by his actions and decided to trust the crew in the end.

@Jabberwok:

Can't see it but I'm guessing it's Kureha. It's nice, but it's nothing like his heroic entrances for Tashigi, the Swirlyhats, and so on.

It actually is. His line after he does it ("what kinda afro-bro goes around throwing his afros at a lady?") is not different from one he would say protecting a young, pretty girl. And he seems pissed off.

RomanceDawn

@goty:

That did happen already. I was about to bring up Kureha, but King Cannon beat me to it.

Regarding Violet, i can't agree with that. The whole point was that he saw in her eyes all the time that she was really desperate and in need of help, so she never saw her as an enemy, and he shouldn't. That's the reason she was moved by his actions and decided to trust the crew in the end.
.

That was such a feel good moment for me and I think an activist group leapt into action over that one.

Silence

I agree with Greg: I can't WAIT for the return of Mr. Prince. Sanji used to be my favorite Strawhat, behind Nami. He really propelled the plot forward in his own, unique cool way.

And if you're a ONE PIECE fan for whom the utilization of the character is "good!" as long as they get to kick or punch something once an arc I feel bad for you son

Wintermute

@Robby:

Zoro has gotten his "first person" chapter, but he also had another chapter way later the declared him a crewmember that had a different format.

ANd currently CHopper and RObin are both still missing theirs.

What I don't understand about this theory is, both Chopper and Robin already quitted and reentered the crew already. Robin in the most spectacular way possible. So Oda just needs to name a random chapter in the future (or one where they shine) after them?

Robby

@Wintermute:

What I don't understand about this theory is, both Chopper and Robin already quitted and reentered the crew already. Robin in the most spectacular way possible. So Oda just needs to name a random chapter in the future (or one where they shine) after them?

When did Chopper quit the crew?

Anyway, I figure Zou is an ideal time for him to get his… an island of animals where he is loved and respected and might be asked to stay, maybe?

As for Robin, no idea. Something with the revolutionaries or something.

It's also possible Oda just missed a beat when he got to the chapters that should have had those titles, rather than a master plan in that respect.

Wintermute

@Robby:

When did Chopper quit the crew?

Foxxy arc. Ok he was forced to do it, but it was a great Chopper moment as he composed himself.

sggupta

@Robby:

It's also possible Oda just missed a beat when he got to the chapters that should have had those titles, rather than a master plan in that respect.

personally,i can't see it as being anything other than this.if it was just chopper,then yeah i could see it as something he'll get later,but for robin not to get one in enies lobby is just oda forgetting about this,imo.
also,i think that we have come so far since they joined that getting one now would feel too late.
of course,if they do get one i'll be eating my words,but i think it's pretty unlikely.
maybe afterwards he'll just rename some chapters in the kanzenbans:ninja:?

Ordinary

@maxterdexter:

If sanji is a prince from.space, he will fall in love with a rose? Or identify correctly when a snake eats jack, funkfreed or zounesha?

Luffy's hat isn't actually a hat.

Don Quichotte De Flamingo

@Robby:

Anyway, I figure Zou is an ideal time for him to get his… an island of animals where he is loved and respected and might be asked to stay, maybe?

Choppers loyality and strong bondage to the SHs is in no doubt, it´s more his usefulness.
Showcasing what doctor he has become and his fighting skills to help the crew, would be more reason to underline his importance to the crew and with that his "crewmember-chapter".

I also thought that Zou would be a place for Chopper to shine, but with the minks all being able to talk, his ability to talk exclusively with animals has no importnce here.
Still we have the giant elephant and for him Chopper could be a key player.

Shadowgreed

@Don:

.Still we have the giant elephant and for him Chopper could be a key player.

The Elephant should be reserved for Luffy and the voice of all things! That ability is still dormant and what a better place to awaken it then here.

Boing

@Silence:

I agree with Greg: I can't WAIT for the return of Mr. Prince. Sanji used to be my favorite Strawhat, behind Nami. He really propelled the plot forward in his own, unique cool way.

And if you're a ONE PIECE fan for whom the utilization of the character is "good!" as long as they get to kick or punch something once an arc I feel bad for you son

No, Sanji has been good to me post skip because I still really enjoy his character interactions/think he's funny and believe that he's had good character moments.
His fighting which I think has been good is secondary to me.
I believe he was as good as he's ever been in Punk Hazard.
Not in that he had his best moments but in being base, regular Sanji who did cool and funny things.

Greg

Not in that he had his best moments but in being base, regular Sanji who did cool and funny things.

And that's it right there, isn't it?

He's been base, regular Sanji. The great part about One Piece is seeing the main cast go above and beyond expectations, not stagnating in their roles.