@SeaOfHope said in Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 9 - Yamato vs. The World):
After 2 years of debating, it's really nice to just say "I told you so."
Granted, the reason for why Yamato decided to stay behind is completely inane and dissolves her off any chance of developing as a character, but the simple notion that she was a red herring all along and that I and many others were right in being skeptical makes this kinda worth it.
This. This. All this. Yamato always seemed like a huge red herring being geared more toward Momo than the SHs and it was only Oda's sheer insistence that ever made me give her consideration at all but the way the resolution was actually handled was atrocious. No coming to grips with her Oden fixation. No deciding that what Oden did was a mistake and deciding to branch out. Just "well this would be MORE Oden." Terrible writing. Like Act 3 in general.
But my gosh is it cathartic after all the poop we had to eat for daring to question the absolute certainty of Yamato joining. No flak to those who believed in her joining. Only to those who were unpleasant about dissenting opinions.
Still placing my money on the Carrot stowaway theory. And I can definitely see Inu and Neko laughing for reverse psyching her into it. I'll accept defeat if we don't see her the next time we see the Sunny. Again, she was horribly mistreated (so were a lot of actual SHs) and the 1056 tease was an almost out-of-nowhere resurrection of her chances so it won't be the most satisfying victory (if it happens) but we shall see.
Also agree that Deicide deserves respect for having to fight off all sides.
And I hope Oda just confirms soon if the crew is complete. NN discussion is hallmark of the community but after 25 years I'm ready for it to end.