Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 9 - Yamato vs. The World)

[electricmastro]

@Shiebs:

If someone doesn’t join this arc I wonder when the next character to join will appear? we probably only have a few islands left until Raftel, so maybe Elbaf?

Which may lend to the idea that even if Yamato knows a crucial piece of info about Laugh Tale, then maybe it wouldn't be so devastating, following on from how it has been years since concepts like Joy Boy and the Dawn of the World were first mentioned, and that the end of Wano would be the time to present some significant developing follow-up.

[Cockycent]

Yamato is surrounded by Straw Hats, but keeps getting pulled into Momo duty. Babysitting is over for now at least. Maybe later on no more games of keep away from the Straw Hats.

[BobLoblaw]

@Cockycent:

Yamato is surrounded by Straw Hats, but keeps getting pulled into Momo duty. Babysitting is over for now at least. Maybe later on no more games of keep away from the Straw Hats.

It's intentional at this point. There have been enough opportunities for him/her to come into proximity with other SHs. The most obvious was when he/she left Momo and ended up on the rooftop in like one chapter. I don't see how it's possible to go from the first floor to the roof without getting close to any of the SHs. Oda obviously didn't think it was important enough to consider, which seems telling. It was basically, "I need to get Yamato to the roof" and that was it.

[otakufan]

Yamato getting pulled into "Momo duty" is about exactly one thing - passing the torch.

[electricmastro]

@Cockycent:

Yamato is surrounded by Straw Hats, but keeps getting pulled into Momo duty. Babysitting is over for now at least. Maybe later on no more games of keep away from the Straw Hats.

Keeps being pulled into it even though she left Momo to his flame clouds?

[Cockycent]

@electricmastro:

Keeps being pulled into it even though she left Momo to his flame clouds?

Yeah, this time Oda has no excuse.

[Blowfish]

This weird linear focus on Yamato being solely responsible for Wano and Momoshiki is strangely or perhaps tragically reminiscent of Jinbe with Fishman Island and The Neptune Family. Shirahoshi to be specific.

[King Cannon]

@BobLoblaw:

It's intentional at this point. There have been enough opportunities for him/her to come into proximity with other SHs. The most obvious was when he/she left Momo and ended up on the rooftop in like one chapter. I don't see how it's possible to go from the first floor to the roof without getting close to any of the SHs. Oda obviously didn't think it was important enough to consider, which seems telling. It was basically, "I need to get Yamato to the roof" and that was it.

Funny thing is that the opportunity is still there since Yamato is likely to return to the castle anyway.

[BobLoblaw]

@King:

Funny thing is that the opportunity is still there since Yamato is likely to return to the castle anyway.

Yamato is heading to the basement where the weapon cache is located and none of the SHs. Kazenbo has already been sent there and we know there will have to be some sort of confrontation between the two. That will likely come near the climax of the Luffy/Kaido fight, so at best Yamato wouldn't see any SHs until after the battle is over, which would be weird af for a NN. It's been almost 60 chapters since Yamato's debut and the number of interactions with any one on the crew is really small. I'm too lazy to count Yamato's panels with a SH vs Momo, but it's probably like 10 to 1.

[Zik]

Still rather insignificant and irrelevant.

[electricmastro]

@Blowfish:

This weird linear focus on Yamato being solely responsible for Wano and Momoshiki is strangely or perhaps tragically reminiscent of Jinbe with Fishman Island and The Neptune Family. Shirahoshi to be specific.

Well Jinbe left Fishman Island the join the Straw Hats even though Shirahoshi was previous attacked and is an ancient weapon. If that didn't obligate him to stay behind, then I don't think Wano should get in the way of Yamato wanting to go elsewhere either.

[Blowfish]

Momoshiki was whole ass aged up. Like come on.

[electricmastro]

Even though many people don't care about Drake as much as the Straw Hats, it was suggested to me that him meeting Yamato could still be significant, because along with his name being "Diez/X Drake," he also positions his weapons in a way that form an "X" when her kanabo strikes them, implying a possible hint that maybe she's the 10th Straw Hat recruit, or maybe she isn't.

[DarthAsthma]

People going crazy. That reasoning is a bit far fetched and I ain't believing that until it comes out from Oda himself. Ngl there is probably going to be a lot of cringe thinking once Yams joins with people going back and going a bit too far interpreting everything as a sign of them joining.

[Shiebs]

I'm still getting over the fact that our last member won't be a logia user, it's nagging at my OCD

[Zik]

@DarthAsthma:

People going crazy. That reasoning is a bit far fetched and I ain't believing that until it comes out from Oda himself. Ngl there is probably going to be a lot of cringe thinking once Yams joins with people going back and going a bit too far interpreting everything as a sign of them joining.

It still kills me when ppl say Nami was wearing Robin's clothes back in Loguetown.

So dumb and such a reach cuz they need to have meta clues for everything.
@Shiebs:

I'm still getting over the fact that our last member won't be a logia user, it's nagging at my OCD

Only if it's actually the last member.

[electricmastro]

@DarthAsthma:

People going crazy. That reasoning is a bit far fetched and I ain't believing that until it comes out from Oda himself. Ngl there is probably going to be a lot of cringe thinking once Yams joins with people going back and going a bit too far interpreting everything as a sign of them joining.

Thing is is that the story could have easily have Yamato meet up with Usopp or defend Robin from CP0, yet it took the time to present it in such a way just to have Yamato strike an "X" before meeting with any other Straw Hat. Why have her meet Drake as opposed to anyone else?

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Zik:

So dumb and such a reach cuz they need to have meta clues for everything.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised since this is cited as foreshadowing for the Pirate King's shipwright:

[Shiebs]

@Zik:

Only if it's actually the last member.

I think we’re only getting one more member, Luffy said he wanted ten crewmates and Black Beard has Ten Titanic Captains, it seems to just make sense

That being said, I would love to have a few more crew members, I know that’s an unpopular opinion because the Straw Hats we have now aren’t even getting enough screen time but I say the more the merrier, especially if it means a logia user

Although if Black Beard expands his roster I’ll rethink that

[electricmastro]

@Shiebs:

I think we’re only getting one more member, Luffy said he wanted ten crewmates and Black Beard has Ten Titanic Captains, it seems to just make sense

That being said, I would love to have a few more crew members, I know that’s an unpopular opinion because the Straw Hats we have now aren’t even getting enough screen time but I say the more the merrier, especially if it means a logia user

Although if Black Beard expands his roster I’ll rethink that

Honestly, I think there has been quite a bit of criticism already that not enough attention has been given to the Straw Hats as is, including Zoro and Sanji. I suppose it's not helped that the New World has focused quite a bit of time on Oden's followers and, at least in Dressrosa's case, the Grand Fleet.

[BobLoblaw]

People have lost their damn minds. Look. Carrot's birthday is 5/24. 5+2+4 = 11. That's why she's definitely the last SH amirite? People need to stick to what we're actually seeing. Clues aren't that off the wall.

[Shiebs]

@electricmastro:

Honestly, I think there has been quite a bit of criticism already that not enough attention has been given to the Straw Hats as is, including Zoro and Sanji. I suppose it's not helped that the New World has focused quite a bit of time on Oden's followers and, at least in Dressrosa's case, the Grand Fleet.

Yeah Oda’s trying to make it so that there’s a huge group of support characters to justify beating a Yonko, but I don’t love any of them near as much as I love the Straw Hats

For example I was really looking forward to seeing nami use her new tech she got during the timeskip, like the weather balls and all the other stuff and she’s barley used them

[Solid]

Sorry Yama-o fans, looks like Apoo will recruit him.

[Coookie]

@Solid:

Sorry Yama-o fans, looks like Apoo will recruit him.

Nah, Yamao doesn't give two shits about Apoo. He will defeat him, take control of the numbers (Fuga is obviously already a big fan of Yamao) and found the Horny Pirates.

[astagadragon]

@electricmastro:

Honestly, I think there has been quite a bit of criticism already that not enough attention has been given to the Straw Hats as is, including Zoro and Sanji. I suppose it's not helped that the New World has focused quite a bit of time on Oden's followers and, at least in Dressrosa's case, the Grand Fleet.

Agree on this.

Oda is obviously struggling at giving the crew enough screen time as it is (Chopper or Usopp anyone?), so adding even more crewmate will make it even worse.

And as much as I like Yamato, even I feel that her screentime is way too much at this point… who's to say that she won't hog even more screentime from "low tiered SH" once she joins?

[electricmastro]

@astagadragon:

Agree on this.

Oda is obviously struggling at giving the crew enough screen time as it is (Chopper or Usopp anyone?), so adding even more crewmate will make it even worse.

And as much as I like Yamato, even I feel that her screentime is way too much at this point… who's to say that she won't hog even more screentime from "low tiered SH" once she joins?

I get the feeling Oda is used to it by now since he had Kinemon and Law tag along for Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, and Zou, as well as Pekoms, Carrot, and Pedro for Whole Cake. I presume once Wano finishes and the Oden's followers subplot finishes, he'll be able to focus on the crew dynamics more akin to how he did at Whole Cake, including any welcomed additions he decides to add to the crew and making up for anyone "low tiered".

[King Cannon]

@astagadragon:

Agree on this.

Oda is obviously struggling at giving the crew enough screen time as it is (Chopper or Usopp anyone?), so adding even more crewmate will make it even worse.

And as much as I like Yamato, even I feel that her screentime is way too much at this point… who's to say that she won't hog even more screentime from "low tiered SH" once she joins?

That's a strange concern considering Yamato is a newly introduced character. She needs the screentime.

Usopp and Chopper already have hundreds of chapters displaying their feats and achievements.

[Robby]

Man, why is Franky getting THREE battles at Enies lobby when Usopp isn't getting any? Especially when Nami's fight was so bad?
And he's so tough, nothing can hurt him! What challenges could he possibly have? And he's got so many weird powers and quirks, how can the rest of the crew compete? No one else will be able to shine if this guy is around!
It's too much, he's going to overshadow the rest of the cast if he joins!

Actual conversation circa 2006

[Deicide]

@Solid:

Sorry Yama-o fans, looks like Apoo will recruit him.

I know this is a joke, but I'm curious about where Apoo/Drake/Yamato is going. I couldn't predict at all that somehow Yamato's path would lead to those two, and I'm always excited when a story leads to a unforeseen plot.

[black-leg jex]

I think Oda can focus on all the crew in one arc easily, I think he struggles when there are so many important side characters in an arc that take away from that, which is a problem that both Dressrosa and Wano has. Punk Hazard and Fishman Island was able to pretty concisely focus on each member of the crew and give them stuff to do.

[Nidhoeggr]

@Robby:

Man, why is Franky getting THREE battles at Enies lobby when Usopp isn't getting any? Especially when Nami's fight was so bad?
And he's so tough, nothing can hurt him! What challenges could he possibly have? And he's got so many weird powers and quirks, how can the rest of the crew compete? No one else will be able to shine if this guy is around!
It's too much, he's going to overshadow the rest of the cast if he joins!

Actual conversation circa 2006

Franky's purpose as a carpenter was always more well-defined than whatever role Yamato could fit in, though. At this point I think the crew is already big and diverse enough as is; Oda already doesnt manage to shine a light on each member equally so we don't need to increase this narrative burden further.

[StrawHatJedi]

I do not remember any sentiment about Franky overshadowing the other Straw Hats in those conversations. I was on a different One Piece forum at that time, but it was still quite large and I don't remember Franky ever being considered overpowered relative to the rest of the crew.

[Robby]

I realize its been like 15 years, but there were definitely issues at the time about Franky being too strong and too weird and outshining the rest of the crew. What with his transformations and outlandish outfit and his cola abilities and breathing fire and launching his fists and whatever else… he was crazy and over the top and clearly eating up way too much screen time.

I know as a fact these complaints existed because I myself made at least some of them.

More recently we had a solid decade of Jinbe being too strong and messing up the monster trio. (Along with "too boring" and "I don't like the design")

[Nilitch]

Jinbei may have been "too strong" to join right after the war. But now, it's alright. Oda probably knew this. Like, why didn't he join right there and dealt with his problems while being in the crew ? Just like Robin and Sanji ? Because Oda wrote his story to make him dramatically strong

[electricmastro]

@Nidhoeggr:

Franky's purpose as a carpenter was always more well-defined than whatever role Yamato could fit in, though. At this point I think the crew is already big and diverse enough as is; Oda already doesnt manage to shine a light on each member equally so we don't need to increase this narrative burden further.

If there were too many members already that were too much for him to handle, he wouldn’t have that many to begin, so I don’t think that adds up. In light of the guardian theme with her fruit, I suppose a role would have something to do with that. Franky was already mentioned before as being bland if there were two martial artists on the crew for example, as if two is too many, so I really don’t get the feeling Oda is one to largely hold himself back on there being too many people at this point.

[DarthAsthma]

Imo it's easy to shit on Franky doubters now but I honestly think doubting until the tom flashback is absolutely fair for Franky. I think it's mostly post that where it gets very ridiculous. Just mentioning because I actually don't know from memory where exactly those post would have been made during the arc.
Now if you want to make fun of the wild ass Kaku supporters after the Iceberg reveal xD go ahead cause that was some wild drugs.

[Zik]

@Robby:

Man, why is Franky getting THREE battles at Enies lobby when Usopp isn't getting any? Especially when Nami's fight was so bad?
And he's so tough, nothing can hurt him! What challenges could he possibly have? And he's got so many weird powers and quirks, how can the rest of the crew compete? No one else will be able to shine if this guy is around!
It's too much, he's going to overshadow the rest of the cast if he joins!

Actual conversation circa 2006

LOL

Hahaha

Its a bit embarassing readers can't break out of this cycle.

[uniaka ikuzakas]

SHs Have to surpass all crews in history, including the one that had Linlin, whitebeard, shiki, kaidou in the same crew, so strong members had to join.

[Robby]

@DarthAsthma:

Imo it's easy to shit on Franky doubters now but I honestly think doubting until the tom flashback is absolutely fair for Franky. I think it's mostly post that where it gets very ridiculous. Just mentioning because I actually don't know from memory where exactly those post would have been made during the arc.
Now if you want to make fun of the wild ass Kaku supporters after the Iceberg reveal xD go ahead cause that was some wild drugs.

Those arguments were still hapenign well into Enies Lobby. AFTER the color spread that included him min the group.

I know because I didn't catch up to the scanlations until after the Sea Train, and didn't find forums until after that.(My join date is a few months after I'd been lurking.)

At that point, having not really discussed or thought about or analyzed the series at all, and having just binged, my general take at the time was "Franky seems like he's definitely the one joining… but I'd prefer if it was the less crazy Paulie." But I came in too late to really be part of those debates or have any real analysis.

[electricmastro]

@uniaka:

SHs Have to surpass all crews in history, including the one that had Linlin, whitebeard, shiki, kaidou in the same crew, so strong members had to join.

Yep, Luffy has had his ass kicked by Emperors multiple times now and basically resulted in Yamato holding Kaidou off from hurting anyone else for one of them. I think people should always be open to letting strong people join since they'll possibly go up against Akainu, Blackbeard, and Im's forces, and that monster trio powerscaling or whatever shouldn't get in the way of that.

[astagadragon]

@King:

That's a strange concern considering Yamato is a newly introduced character. She needs the screentime.

Usopp and Chopper already have hundreds of chapters displaying their feats and achievements.

What I'm saying that the likes of Usopp and Chopper could get more spotlight to show their achievements.

What did Usopp do again? Crying against Ulti when he used to receive a 4 ton bat to the face? Chopper, after his good showing at creating ice oni anti virus, reduced to a mere blatant mascot? I want to see more of them being badasses!!

Yamato is cool and all, but I still want to see other SH being cool, dammit!

[Blowfish]

Your post literally sounds like the one Robby just posted in a weird way.

[electricmastro]

@astagadragon:

What I'm saying that the likes of Usopp and Chopper could get more spotlight to show their achievements.

What did Usopp do again? Crying against Ulti when he used to receive a 4 ton bat to the face? Chopper, after his good showing at creating ice oni anti virus, reduced to a mere blatant mascot? I want to see more of them being badasses!!

Yamato is cool and all, but I still want to see other SH being cool, dammit!

Well, the story had a chance to make Chopper look cooler, and for some reason emphasized on his failure to damage Queen and turned into a baby gramps thereafter.

[Shiebs]

I’m just really hoping if Yamato joins he gets another backstory outside of the two we got

The first one didn’t really have him in it at all and the second one was to short and just felt lacking compared with the epic backstories the other straw hats got (well besides Zoro and Usopp)

[electricmastro]

@Shiebs:

I’m just really hoping if Yamato joins he gets another backstory outside of the two we got

The first one didn’t really have him in it at all and the second one was to short and just felt lacking compared with the epic backstories the other straw hats got (well besides Zoro and Usopp)

Dunno, losing your role model and getting starved and beaten is pretty bad already.

[Robby]

@astagadragon:

What did Usopp do again? Crying against Ulti when he used to receive a 4 ton bat to the face?

Usopp is currently going around claiming its his haki doing Big Mom's work and giving some general orders. Building his reputation. And he's on his way to help Kinemon.

Arc isn't over yet and he's still relatively fresh.

Chopper, after his good showing at creating ice oni anti virus, reduced to a mere blatant mascot?

He also took his Monster form far past its previous limits and fought Queen for half an hour before the side effect? He also has the realization "this form isn't enough" which is likely going to lead to new power up later.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Shiebs:

The first one didn’t really have him in it at all and the second one was to short and just felt lacking compared with the epic backstories the other straw hats got (well besides Zoro and Usopp)

That seems like it was almost certainly just a partial hint at what's to come. We don't even officially know what happened to those samurai. (We know, but we don't KNOW.)

If Oda does his Oda thing, it seems likely we'll be getting a full blown Kaidou flashback after all the other fighting is settled, and Yamato's will tie into that as well. Raise the emotional stakes of the whole conflict, but wihtout interuptng the overal flow and build up of tension. Similar to how he did in Drum and Skypeia

[Nilitch]

Yeah, I wonder how many SHs will have chosen Haki by the endgame. Luffy and Zoro are confirmed. Next will eventually come Ussop. If Zoro has it, Sanji will need to figure out a way too. And there is Yamato who is on the way to joining…

[Zik]

@astagadragon:

What I'm saying that the likes of Usopp and Chopper could get more spotlight to show their achievements.

What did Usopp do again? Crying against Ulti when he used to receive a 4 ton bat to the face? Chopper, after his good showing at creating ice oni anti virus, reduced to a mere blatant mascot? I want to see more of them being badasses!!

Yamato is cool and all, but I still want to see other SH being cool, dammit!

I've come to the more obvious conclusion that if Oda wants to give certain strawhats more spotlight he will do it whether there's 3 strawhats in and arc or 300.

This isn't Oda saying I need to give some of the crew a closer focus in the next arc and he just keeps happening to pick the same ppl over and over. Oda is deliberately choosing who he wants to write about and is either putting off focusing on who you think he is ignoring or he simply does not want to focus on who you think he's ignoring at the time.

So it doesn't matter if Yamato joins to make the crew 11 ppl or if 2 more ppl join after Yamato. Oda has it made up in his mind who he thinks needs what. The crew total doesn't matter. Its not like he ever spent an arc trying to cram character development in to 6 or 7 crew members. If the crew was 4 ppl right now and you felt Chopper wasn't getting enough spotlight even with 4 members Oda would probably just start focusing on the temporary supporting character or the multi-arc ally.

That's just how it is.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Shiebs:

I’m just really hoping if Yamato joins he gets another backstory outside of the two we got

The first one didn’t really have him in it at all and the second one was to short and just felt lacking compared with the epic backstories the other straw hats got (well besides Zoro and Usopp)

And Jimbe.

Lets not pretend his flashback was epic or even focused on his trials and tribulations.

As bland as I think he is, there definitely is a cool story in showing how Jimbe went from being like Arlong to how optimistic he is now and open to befriending humans to the point he's basically the opposite of Hody Jones. All it would've took is a closer look on how the whole Otohime and Fisher Tiger actions and their deaths affected him and then show him meeting Whitebeard for the first time, ay younger Jimbe challenging the so called strongest human man, gaining respect for him similar to how he views Tiger, then seeing how WB putting Fishman island under his protection impacted Jimbe.

But I digress. Probably no time to make Jimbe seem cool to ppl who might be on the fence about him.
@Robby:

He also took his Monster form far past its previous limits and fought Queen for half an hour before the side effect? He also has the realization "this form isn't enough" which is likely going to lead to new power up later.

I look forward to Oda putting some of that gears creativity in to the next level of rumble point Chopper transformations.

Similar to the gear 4, I'm thinking of something that can incorporate horn point, monster, arm, and jumping. Maybe a reactive guard point.

All while being much larger than Franky. Maybe inbetween Whitebeard and Big Mom.

[Jonouchi]

This post is deleted!

[electricmastro]

Can't wait for the Straw Hat antics with the oni lady up ahead. lol

[Nilitch]

@Jonouchi:

Pretty much confirmed in Volume 100 with its cover.

I don't think it confirmed it. But that's slightly suspicious yes