@Daz:
I find it curious that in this recent spat of Carrot debate, no one is really talking about how she is presented in the actual current chapters. Because unlike for most of Wano, now she has moved from Present in a general sense, as in somewhere on the island to actually present at the current focus of action.
Now, I’ve gone on record several times lamenting the decrease in crewmember spotlighting in this arc, but even compared to the actual crewmembers Carrots focus comes off as anemic. She’s been pretty much relegated to be an accessory to Nami, reacting or acting alongside her. Its not just that she shows up on 1 panel in the most recent chapter I’m not sure theres been a single case in this raid of a panel dedicated entirely to her, or even a panel where shes highlighted as the main focus? I pretty much mainly remember her being in the background as Nami has been in the foreground.
Now again, its not like all the other Straw Hats have been getting exposure left and right, but even currently-off-screen Jinbe and Robin got some highlight panels that showed of them specifically in fun ways.
For the last while I’ve not posted here because I felt arguing storytelling shortcomings of Carrot as a crewmember felt stupid considering how much I criticize Odas recent storytelling choices, but now we’ve seen not only a slight uptick in Straw hat exposure, but even that Oda can still do extended exposure for a new character, in the form of Yamato.
Hence: From the POV of Carrot supposedly being the Next Big Thing you’d really think she’d be highlighted more, even on a level comparable to the existing crewmembers.
Back when Jinbe was introduced, Oda was being very careful with how he laid out the clues to him joining. Years of buildup, nothing too overt, and even after he was invited, Oda kept that lid on the pot for years and years.
In the same way, he’s been giving Carrot only the bare minimum that she needs to remain relevant. Subtle introduction, subtle inclusion in the group dynamics. It was only Pedro’s death that tipped Oda’s hand at Carrot’s true reason for being there through everything.
The second that Carrot does something important in this final battle, it’ll be like blood in the water. Everyone’s gonna notice, everyone will put their hat into the ring arguing for or against her with renewed enthusiasm. The only reason that wave has been held back is because Oda’s been keeping her presence very, very subtle. She’s there, she’s with the crew, and with Shinobu and Yamato off with Momo, she's once again the sole ally alone with them. She doesn’t have to do anything until her big moment arrives, the string is that taut. She's Chekhov's rabbit.
