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Curious question- think they're going to get a new VA for Momo? Or are they going to use the same VA with an age-appropriate tone?
On the one hand same VA makes sense since seiyuu have a pretty big voice range, on the other hand 20 years is quite a jump and I'm wondering if they would want to get him voiced to sound more like Oden, since he's a much closer age to Oden in flashbacks.
Honestly, I doubt they'd recast Momonosuke, particularly in Japanese. If Nozawa Masako can keep playing Son Goku not just into adulthood, but well into his 40s (as of Dragonball Super), I don't see much reason for Momo's VA to change.
On the other hand, they did give Sabo and Ace separate child/adult actors. It could really go either way.
Like the Avatar? / Like the Miis?
Dragalia Lost ID: 97617932505
I’m still not sure that Yamato being nowhere near the Straw Hats in the color spread hurts his chances but I definitely don’t think it helps
To me… Oda probably just wanted to Put Yamato next to Oden bc it would look cool. I don't think a deep dive is really necessary for this
Here’s how Naruto should end: Last panel is Naruto standing proudly over Konohagakure. Slowly zoom out to reveal Luffy staring into a snowglobe with a miniature Konoha inside it. Usopp asks him what he’s doing. Luffy replies “Thinkin’ bout ninjas! Ninjas are cool!” and then chucks it off the ship
To me… Oda probably just wanted to Put Yamato next to Oden bc it would look cool. I don't think a deep dive is really necessary for this
Also I guess it bears outright stating it but I doubt this will be the last color spread during the Wano arc.
Especially when this one is specifically for the global popularity poll.
To me… Oda probably just wanted to Put Yamato next to Oden bc it would look cool. I don't think a deep dive is really necessary for this
This is a good point, I'm probably blowing things out of proportion
The Vivre Cards seem to imply Yamato wasnt born in Wano.
Ooh Oda, what mistery are you hiding now:ninja:
The Vivre Cards seem to imply Yamato wasnt born in Wano.
Ooh Oda, what mistery are you hiding now:ninja:
As if to say that Kaido didn't meet his lover at Wano, and that he must have arrived at Wano like 25, 27 years ago max.
The hype is real
I know this doesn't mean he's necessarily joining the crew but it does look cool to see him next to all the others
although I'd still prefer Crocodile or Caribou :ninja:
The hype is real
[qimg]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/779276855970103308/883463191542255666/1630702900154.png[/qimg]I know this doesn't mean he's necessarily joining the crew but it does look cool to see him next to all the others
although I'd still prefer Crocodile or Caribou :ninja:
Nah, those are just towels, so they’re not worth reading into after all.
Even the bath towels think its a done deal.
There have been similar sets of products with Tama and Law included with the Straw Hats. Not saying Yamato won't join, but merchandise does not make it a 'done deal.'
But it is interesting, perhaps notable - if she does join, there is consistent use of the teal blue color.
I noticed a similarly consistent use of lime green for Carrot.
The hype is real
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/779276855970103308/883463191542255666/1630702900154.pngI know this doesn't mean he's necessarily joining the crew but it does look cool to see him next to all the others
although I'd still prefer Crocodile or Caribou :ninja:
A pretty huge deal if you ask me.
I know a lot of people hate Yamato being who she is ("another Nami clone", "Oden fangirl", etc), but Oda (and the marketing team of OP) is really pushing her to become the next SH nakama.
I would be happy if she joins at the end of Wano, so these news are great for me. 
Have there been other merchandise sets where it's the Straw Hats and only one more character who didn't end up joining?
Have there been other merchandise sets where it's the Straw Hats and only one more character who didn't end up joining?
If we're excluding Vivi (on the basis that she IS a SH), the only one that comes to mind is Law during Punk Hazard/Dressrosa.
I remember seeing it, have to find the picture.
Have there been other merchandise sets where it's the Straw Hats and only one more character who didn't end up joining?
Yes, as noted Tama's been the marketing figurehead the last couple years, and Law before that.
The fact that they're all in their Wano battle outfits is also a thing that sets it pretty prominently for the "right now" of the anime.
Still feels pretty definitive. We're a while away from when Nami-face seemed like a definitive counter-argument.
Hey remember back during the time of Dressrosa or Punk Hazard Oda said the next crew mates would join consecutively? Then we got the grand fleet. But… Jinbei and Yamato back to back!
Also when I look at those towels I'm reminded that the later half of the Straw Hats joined pretty close to one another. At least in pairs.
Drum/Chopper & Alabasta/Robin
Water 7/Franky & Thriller Bark/Brook
Whole Cake + Wano/Jinbe & Wano/Yamato
Not sure if you throw Whole Cake in there but I think you get my point. In real time going from Skypiea to Water 7 seemed like absolutely forever. Having Brook join so soon after seemed too soon at the time lol.
Ocre and Teal aren't too far from the Brown and Turquoise I predicted for the last two members joining.
That straight line with all the SH´s with their colors in the backround looks pretty nice, it would make a great signature or if rearranged, it'll look great in your phone.
If we're excluding Vivi (on the basis that she IS a SH), the only one that comes to mind is Law during Punk Hazard/Dressrosa.
I remember seeing it, have to find the picture.
Yes, as noted Tama's been the marketing figurehead the last couple years, and Law before that.
The fact that they're all in their Wano battle outfits is also a thing that sets it pretty prominently for the "right now" of the anime.
I was thinking of sets of individual items like the towels or the coins someone mentioned before
I just noticed, the shots on the towels are from that one doublespread of which Greg said it's how Oda envisioned the full crew at the start of the series, and now there's Yamato alongside them… :ninja:
Towels, Figures, etc. Alongside the VA reveal and We Are One episode coinciding with the Yamato's first Anime appearance. Really is the week of Yamato.
Of course, the merch doesn't mean much, but I do want those towels lol
It's a set deal.
Dunno why people don't want to see it
Narratively, Yamato has been positioned intimately to fit within the Straw Hat Pirates. No other character within the crew (or within the story that is alive) brings what he does in terms of their relevance to the main threads of the One Piece story. Even Robin was kept separate from the story/role of Joy Boy until her discovery on Fish-Man Island just over a month ago within the story time. Yamato has been connected to Oden, Kaido and King who all have connections to Joy Boy (assuming the Lunaria people were linked to the Ancient Civilisation) and that will come into play with Yamato down the line.
Just as how Oden learned about the Kozuki history through his journey across the Grand Line with Whitebeard and Roger, Yamato will learn about the history of his blood (the race or races he belongs to) through the journey with the Straw Hat Pirates. Focusing just on Kaido (as Yamato's mother may yet become relevant), he isn’t just some human. He does not merely have horns. There is reason why Kaido is referred to as the Strongest Creature in the World. There is story behind his blood and the reason why he too is interested in Joy Boy. Kaido didn’t stumble upon Wano Kuni but specifically chose it. Oda has set-up the story of Yamato to extend beyond his admiration of Oden and the goals Oden held. The dream Yamato holds which Oda has reiterated several times across the arc is testament to the independence Yamato has to Oden’s story. Yamato will carry on Oden’s will and see it through but at the same time, he will follow his own desires and path before him.
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They know Yamato is popular overseas and has an immense potential in Japan. He's Kaido's son, a potential crewmate, has boobs, and is already the 11th most popular character world wide, so no way merch wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
Yamato merch will be all the rage for the next months/year, so it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Now, if merch starts calling him a Straw Hat in some direct way (like those coins did with Jinbe all the way back), instead of just putting him alongside them, then there may be some insider info involved.
Aside from calling Yamato a Straw Hat Pirate within the current merchandise, isn't this the next best thing?
Also I don't know much about the merchandise, but when did the coins convey Jinbe as a Straw Hat Pirate? Was this after Luffy invited him in Fish-Man Island?
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Interesting. After some research seems those gold coins were talked about way back in April 2011 when the Fish-Man Island Arc was still in its early parts.
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That IS quite something supporting Jinbe way back.
Aside from calling Yamato a Straw Hat Pirate within the current merchandise, isn't this the next best thing?
The thing is that merchandising isn't done by Oda. The companies buy the rights to do stuff and do stuff.
Also I don't know much about the merchandise, but when did the coins convey Jinbe as a Straw Hat Pirate? Was this after Luffy invited him in Fish-Man Island?
Nope, it was pre-timeskip, I believe in the post-war days.
The coins were a very special case because it wasn't just Jinbe + Straw Hats, but several other characters, and some characters got copper coins, some got silver coins, and only the crerw got gold coins. Jinbe was the only non-SH with a gold coin.
Now, to this day we don't know if the company had insider info (maybe Oda suggested giving Jinbe a gold coin) or just made an assumption and hit the jackpot, thought in this case I feel Oda or his team could have veto'ed the Jinbe coin if they wanted to avoid confusion/spoilers.
That IS quite something supporting Jinbe way back.
Yes, it was, in essence, a very special case.
If merch starts calling Yamato a Straw Hat in some non-subtle way like that, then the deal would be almost done. But just lumping them together is not enough.
There are ways to capitalize on the merch opportunities of an unexpectedly popular character without hinting at them being part of the main cast. Yamato feels like a character that's been specifically designed for the ground-up to have most of Carrot's assets as a potential nakama (naivety, powerful zoan-like form) without her drawbacks (uninteresting background, seasonality of said powerful form).
The publicity around Yamato exceeds almost every other nakama candidate that I've seen, add this to the incredibly prominent role they're playing in the arc's climax and you get a very, very likely candidate to join. Any denial of this is honestly wilful obtuseness imho
On the topic of Yamato's overlap with the Mink, I did want to expand on a post I made in the chapter 1023 thread.
Sanji may be right, unlike his siblings, he may not be modified in the same manner but I wonder if enhancements to his biological structure were still carried out by Judge. We know that Judge, Vegapunk and the rest of MADS were conducting research on the Lineage Factor. Such research allowed Vegapunk to create an Artificial Devil Fruit and provide the base on which Caesar could create the SMILE Fruits. It also assisted Queen in developing his viruses that affected the biological structure of his victims. What if Judge took it further and rather than create the Fruit, he used the components that would provide the Fruit with a power and incorporated it directly into a human subject i.e. his children and in particular, Sanji. Could Judge have gotten his hands on the DNA of a Lunarian subject and infused it with Sanji’s biological structure? Such a modification could be allowing Sanji to burn with passion hotter than the heat of flames.
If this is the case, it does raise the question, could what gives the Devil Fruit their powers be the DNA of elements the Fruits are exposed to. For example, the Mera Mera no Mi, could it have something to do with the Lunarian people and their ability to burst into flames? Could a member of the Lunarian race have indirectly created the Mera Mera no Mi via their DNA as it merged with the tree/fruit that grew. Would the coalescence be natural or the result of a certain power i.e. Uranus. Could the Ancient Civilisation have created a device to lock a certain power within a Fruit. The people of D could be responsible for the items known as Devil Fruits. Similar to how Vegapunk discovered how to “feed” a Devil Fruit to an inanimate object, the Ancient Cvilisation had a way of encapsulating a Fruit with a particular power. Curiously, the owner of the Mera Mera no Mi was last seen at a place where the Lunarian people were said to have been based in the past. I wonder if Sabo will uncover further truths that the Tenryuubito hid away atop the Red Line with the passing of time.
There are further applications to this that I can think of but I'll cover that at a later time.
Going even further, Yamato’s Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, it looks awfully a lot like a Sulong awakened Mink. What if a Mink from the past was indirectly responsible for the Devil Fruit’s existence? Such an honoured Devil Fruit within the Wano Kuni culture also being linked to the Mink would make a lot of sense. The reason for its worship could be its known connection to the Mink or at the very least, a indirect response from the Wano people’s inherent bond with the Mink. Is this why Oda has avoided having Mink encounter Yamato? In order to avoid a scenario he wishes to save for later? Could Yamato not only be the representative for Wano Kuni but also the Mink through the Okuchi no Makami form he possesses sourced from the Devil Fruit he consumed? It's possible but I really do wonder.
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On the topic of Yamato's overlap with the Mink, I did want to expand on a post I made in the chapter 1023 thread.
Going even further, Yamato’s Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, it looks awfully a lot like a Sulong awakened Mink. What if a Mink from the past was indirectly responsible for the Devil Fruit’s existence? Such an honoured Devil Fruit within the Wano Kuni culture also being linked to the Mink would make a lot of sense. The reason for its worship could be its known connection to the Mink or at the very least, a indirect response from the Wano people’s inherent bond with the Mink. Is this why Oda has avoided having Mink encounter Yamato? In order to avoid a scenario he wishes to save for later? Could Yamato not only be the representative for Wano Kuni but also the Mink through the Okuchi no Makami form he possesses sourced from the Devil Fruit he consumed? It's possible but I really do wonder.
! https://12dimension.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/one_piece_v101_ch1019_p019-yamato-and-mink-v12.jpg
This is very interesting stuff imo, I always had the theory that Devil fruits were a means of the Ancient Kingdom to preserve something.
You also unintentionally hit something I've always been meaning to bring up, and that is how despite the current focus on Yamato, there's a big sense that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg, there's a lot of characters they haven't interacted with, and a lot of potential lore where they can fit in. I can't see this trait in any other character that has been mooted for Nakama before in the past decade imo.
I think we really are looking at the future nakama here, the amount of evidence that has been piling-up both in-story and in meta terms is simply too much to ignore.
The thing is though that these towels, or merchandise in general, don't exist in a vacuum.
We have a character who, despite his late introduction in an arc already overflowing with characters, received a ton of focus and background story. He's been indirectly tied to Luffy ever since Alabasta (though that might as well be a retcon), is one of only a handful of people who know Luffy's secret dream, has been waiting for Luffy specifically for a long time. The story reiterated multiple times that Yamato will leave Wano once Kaido is gone and that he has an explicit desire to do so under Luffy's command. We know he has hints of a tragic backstory and an innate and selfish desire to achieve something, and both still need to be fleshed out. Few characters can claim to gain so much popularity within such a short time span, and without anime support at that. It's almost as if Oda spent a lot of effort to make us like him, which begs the question why. For a one-arc character that wasn't even around for most of his arc?
He has all the ingredients the other Straw Hats had, and now some of the merchandise treats him like an equal to them. It's not like we treat it as big, definitive proof or some huge revelation, but rather as another piece of evidence to throw onto the pile Yamato already has going for him. If it walks like a duck, makes sounds like a duck, looks like a duck and then merchandise throws him together with other ducks, then sure, there's a possibility that it's a weirdly dressed up goose. But maybe it's just simply a duck.
Yes, other characters share some aspects with Yamato, like Tama having a bond with Ace, or Caribou asking for a ride, but none of them can claim to have as many as Yamato does.
If Carrot has ranked even higher than Yamato in the polls, and has been closed and travelled with the Strawhats… why isn't she also present in merchandise?
Yamato can be marketed towards both the furry and non-furry loving clientele!
If Carrot has ranked even higher than Yamato in the polls, and has been closed and travelled with the Strawhats… why isn't she also present in merchandise?
Because Carrot never received as much focus as Yamato, especially after fading into the background ever since Wano started. Again, it's not just one or two factors, in this case the placement in the popularity poll or traveling with the Straw Hats, but the sum of them all. Yamato easily outpaces Carrot in the grand scheme of things.
Also, Yamato is the new shiny toy.
Interesting. After some research seems those gold coins were talked about way back in April 2011 when the Fish-Man Island Arc was still in its early parts.
! https://i.imgur.com/A3KFQ.jpg
! https://i.imgur.com/OtSqx.jpg
That IS quite something supporting Jinbe way back.
As someone who was on the forum when these coins came out, this wasn't just some support for Jinbei, this was THE biggest support for Jinbei. Especially because allies also got coins but of silver and bronze.
As someone who was on the forum when these coins came out, this wasn't just some support for Jinbei, this was THE biggest support for Jinbei. Especially because allies also got coins but of silver and bronze.
Yes, I recall shitting all over the coin angle.
Official is out.
This truly is Yamato's week.
Yeah, in a single chapter:
Lots of nakama concerns addressed. Not bad.
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Also, it dispeled the notion that Yamato's "Oden identity" is something that needs to be outgrown, since Ushimaru and the other samurai considered it a valid trait to have. In the end, it's just Yamato's own unique brand of admiration.
This little flashback feels like a prelude to a bigger flashback.
It's got vibes similar to the Drum Island flashback.
Seems interesting that flashback Yamato said: I am Oden, while present day Yamato only said: I like Oden. Seems like he's changing from impersonating to admiration
Impersonation is always a form of admiration.
I think its interesting that the Beast Pirates called him a princess but Yamato still calls himself Kaidou's son. It brings into question whether Kaidou calls him that at this point in time or not.
It looks like Yamato got something of a traditional flashback, which is a point in his favor. I doubt that's it since need to learn more about "Nobody Important," but I am curious as to what happens next. However long it goes, I imagine it'll have to conclude right as Luffy and Momo appear because at that point, only Kaido's should be left.
Besides that, I've mentioned before how Yamato's strength would really disrupt the crew's dynamic and that remains one of the biggest problems I have. We've seen the traditional "boss plus three top fighters" for a while now. Doflamingo and his three, Big Mom and her three, Kaido and his three, presumably Shanks and his three (Lucky, Yasopp, Benn), and we don't know enough about Blackbeard's structure yet.
Point is, having someone with a strong DF and CoC that can go toe to toe with Kaido for half an hour would blow up any sense of threat that the SHs could potentially face in the future. We know that we had to wait years before Jinbe could join and that was likely due to his bounty, the need to not trivialize other content with someone so strong, and the need to keep the "monster three" as the top fighters in the crew. Throwing Yamato in as the second strongest fighter at this point would blow up the power dynamic that Oda-sensei has been working on for years.
Some thoughts after chapter 1,024:
This is the first time that I saw Yamato as a character rather than just a plot device for exposition.
Remember we talking about foreshadowing a flashback? This was foreshadowed, but Oda was really clever in hiding Yamato's mentor in Zoro's character arc. Really good diversion, Oda, I didn't see it coming at all. Another storytelling trick to learn in that.
This flashback carries a lot of potential, but there's some things that people should be aware of about.
First, is that this is not a traditional flashback that cuts the present action to tell a tangential story. It seems more like the first in a series of flashbacks, like Vivi's or Rebecca/Kyro's. Either that, or it's a new flashback format, used in other media but never by Oda, in which the scenes from past go back and forth to complement the story being told in the present. However, I must add that using a different format of flashback does not reduce Yamato's chances at all. The content of that flashback is what matters in the end. Also, this flashback may transition into a traditional one later, it may just be a prelude. Let's see.
Second, I'd say having 3 samurai as mentors may not favor Yamato's chances of joining. We know of Yamato's childhood desires, they've been hammered down many times over this act. But we don't know how these mentors will influence Yamato going forward, what kind of will or objectives he will from them. This flashback may reinforce Yamato's original dream further, but it could instead further cement Yamato as Wano's guardian. Because it's too early to tell which direction this will go, we need to wait for more scenes to judge.
3 mentors does not favor him joining but considering all the other factors involved, at this point it would be narratively dishonest to not have him join the Strawhats.
You can only take 'red herrings' so far, and really we're quite well beyond any red herrings here.
At best we can still discuss merits of other characters still joining, but we're quite well beyond any argument against Yamato actually joining when all signs are pointing straight at it narratively.
Yamato having such powerful conqueror's haki gives me some pause - she's far more proficient than Zoro is presently.
Obviously there were narrative reasons, but I also believe Oda dragged his feet on Jimbei joining partially so that he doesn't upset the power dynamic of the monster trio which has just recently been reasserted with Zoro and Sanji fighting King and Queen, referred to as Luffy's two wings. Which may even mean them surpassing Jimbei's bounty after Wano.
So far Luffy is the only one who can control Conqueror's Haki and Zoro is just beginning to awaken his.
There are certainly a lot of things in Yamato's favor and I do imagine this small vignette from her past is the first in a series of small flashbacks focused on Kaido and Yamato's backstory. The biggest thing in her favor is the hint of more yet to be told story which can establish Yamato as her own character when she eventually sets aside the desire to play the part of Oden.
But for me, every time something seems to move the needle toward her joining, another points in the opposite direction. Which is why I still say there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty regarding Yamato.
3 mentors does not favor him joining but considering all the other factors involved, at this point it would be narratively dishonest to not have him join the Strawhats.
You can only take 'red herrings' so far, and really we're quite well beyond any red herrings here.
Don't confuse your expectations for the author's plans. Luffy never said "yes". Luffy never even called Yamato by name. The story is ongoing, and a lot still needs to happen. Until then, whatever "proof" you accepted is your own mind trying to predict a puzzle's image without all of its pieces assembled.
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By the way, after reading the official translation, something called my attention.
The early scanlations had Yamato say he'd fight for Wano in 20 years, then go to the sea and become stronger.
The official one has Yamato saying he'd fight for Wano in 20 years, because he would already have gone to the sea to become stronger.
For readers with access to the original and understanding of japanese, can anyone comment which version is more accurate. I'd usually say it's Stephen's, but in this case I'd like extra confirmation.
Wano predictions: There will be 5 acts; All Straw Hats will get fights, some in Act 4; Big Mom Pirates will arrive; Carrot will have her moment, but won't join; Yamato will be a Kouzuki samurai and Wano's Guardian; Shanks will visit Luffy in Act 5; Next arc is Mary Geoise.
Can't wait for Yamato to sail the seas with Luffy and get stronger in the process.
I think Ushimaru is extra dead, but if it isn't I hope he tells Yamato about sending his family to the East Blue and asking her to deliver a message, sort of like Brook who has to meet with Laboon at some point.
I also think there's nothing wrong with the crew that will surpass Roger's, to have the same amount of CoC users in it.
