@Shiebs:
Do you guys think we'll see Yokai in this arc? I mean kawamatsu turned out to be just a fishman and Shutenmaru just a normal guy
maybe the numbers and Kaido? I really hope some Yokai turn up this arc, I love a good monster, and with Oda's ability to create intricate detailed character designs I really hope he show us some Yokai
Also have we met the witching hour boy yet? and how many more chapters does this backstory have?
We got The Tengu, in Tengumatsu
And they seem responsible for the Cursed Kitetsu blades(abilty to use "curses")
And as Greg said there's the "Koma" animals
So we have the Yokai. The story just isn't focused on them.
Plus aren't Oni, Yokai? I think it's obvious Kaido is one, but we need full confirmation from Oda obviously.
And if he is that's another one for you.
I think it simply comes down that the story isnt focused on them. Theres alot of interesting things in Wano from the ninjas, the dolls, monks, samurai etc.
But they prolly wont be payed attention to until later given the story is not focused on them
hell Wano is where sea stone is made, and besides Hawkins mentioning of it, there hasnt been any focus.
fact is alot of items, races, abilties we want to see wont be paid attention to for right now. Unless it involves beating Kaido.
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@Greg:
Komainu may be considered (by technicality) youkai. I wrote an article about it at the start of Wano. Other than the 'koma' animals, no, the theme seems to be that Oda is keeping the spiritual aspect well-grounded in his world's reality. Naturally that will change if there's a strong link to the afterlife established via Haki.
@underline: what do you mean by that? just curious so I wont be misconstruing what your saying
@bold: Plus given the Asura(Zoro) thing, Sword God, souls in swords/living swords(Enma) etc
I think there's a already established link it just needs to be further fleshed out to see if this is not Haki or if it is
Breath of all things, can also be considered as a link or hint of showing Hakis link to the afterlife, given its a state of someone on the verge of death
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@NamiRobinFrankyAce:
Greg i dont know if Oda is really skipping the 1vs1 fights only because he has to cut something to end the series in 5 years. I think he is mostly doing it because its really hard to make all the Strawhats fights still originals after all this time. For example,Usopp: he used so many times the scheme "Usopp is scared,he runs away,then he has a brilliant idea or a realization,and he finally wins the match" so i think at this point Oda just want to avoid to repeat himself. With Nami its the same thing,altough that now that she has Zeus she could have an original fight again. For some other characters like Chopper or Robin i think that might be the main reason why he doesnt give them a 1vs1 fight. But in the final battle i am sure all of them will get a 1vs1 fight again.
By the way love the fact that he is planning to watch Mandalorian. So does he likes Star Wars?
i dont see how he would be repeating himself?
Usopps pop greens allow him to have a good variety of projectiles and tricks
Namis weather abilities are also versatile
Chopper can change into a variety of forms
Brook has his music, swordsmanship, ice abilities etc
No SH would be repeating themselves in a fight. Only Robin might be repetitive
Each of the SHs have a good versatile moveset that can lead to some interesting fights. Plus Oda has shown he still has the abiltiy to change the setup of fights, like how he Had Luffy eating alot in WCI.
I think its simple that the story is so crampacked that the SHs fights just haven't been a focus point. It relates and goes back to what I said above^ about not seeing/or seeing enough Yokai. Alot of things are gonna be ignored for Oda to progress through the story likely.
But I think that might change with Wano(hopefully).
sorry for responding to this so late, but I been meaning to respond to this, but I have been having login issues and I finally got in.