Redpanda's Lounge

1. Manga version (2003)

(chapter #275)

2. Anime version (2004)

(episode #180)

3. One Piece: episode of Skypiea (2018)

4. Robin's flashback (2026)

Hello again, fellow Zorobiners, this is part two to the Skypiea edition of my Zorobin pack, showing some panels I wasn’t able to include in the last post due to the image limit, as well as discussing a very popular dismissing technique, the notorious; “But they don’t even interact!”

As many of you pointed out, and as this post from @kushinauwu pointed out, this is verifiably false, even Post Time-Skip where they try to make their case strongest. When the two are together, they interact quite a lot, though due to their personalities, it may not be as in your face as say Luffy’s shenanigans, especially in Post where lots of things be happening at the same time.

I’m going to start off with sharing more panels of the two, that visually show the two close together. Another technique to shrug this off is by saying, “they’re just standing together”.

This stance doesn’t take into account the whole narrative or the purpose of certain visual choices. For one, why are they so consistently shown close together, especially in the timeframe where Zoro makes it known he “doesn’t trust her”.

Ask yourself this; would you stay close to someone you don’t trust, especially if that person has the power to break your neck and spine with ease? I wouldn’t, especially when it was shown in earlier arcs that Robin could easily slap away Zoro’s weapons should she choose to do so.

And just as we visually see the two together, we are given more subtle visual shows of their actual bond. The man who claims to not trust her, but yet, throws the ship’s doctor at her.

You could just say this is a coincidence since Usopp got Sanji and Robin was the only one with free hands (heh), but why in this arc, and just in general, Zoro and Robin are always the ones taking the most care of Chopper than say any of the other crew members? This visually shows us some form of bond, even if it may not be verbally said.

Robin looks pretty relaxed given the circumstances and being still quite new to the crew, while an older member is clearly nervous. Yes, it’s played for a comedic gag, Ussop is usually cowardly, but multiple things can be true at the same time. Also another interesting thing to note is the doubting bubble is next to Ussop, while the bubble encouraging Zoro is right next to Robin.

Contradictory actions. Zoro claims to not care, yet noticed when Robin left. Also is seen smiling back in her direction. He clearly would not be smiling at Sanji, and behind Sanji is Robin waving. If he is smiling for the thrill of running away, why not look forward to see where you’re going? He is portrayed as kind of a tsundere in personality, so these panels do match that archetype.

Now, let’s get to my favorite section; the interactions.

The ones that apparently do not exist, so you guys might be just seeing a bunch of blank space:

And of course, the famous “She’s a woman” scene, with us getting a frame of it in the latest episode in Elbaf. So much for “insignificance” and “so long ago so it doesn’t matter anymore”.

The whole crew pic is under the cut:

One Piece Episode 1163.

I was really looking forward to this episode, and I'm so happy! Not just for Robin, but for Zoro too! Because I think they're the final couple, and this episode is important for him too!

And in this post, I'll share my thoughts on some of the points. (These are my first thoughts after watching, so the post may be updated)

Am I the only one who thinks the swordsman is standing there looking a bit lonely… Like someone's missing next to Zoro? Some archaeologist girl.

Now, everything is fine…

Very often someone is placed between them But now Zoro is happy because his wife is back…

I noticed this back in the manga and was going to mention it in the Elbaf post as a guess, but now my hunch has been confirmed in the anime.

Let's begin: Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Franky, Brook, and Nami.

Who's missing? Sanji, Jimbei, and Zoro.

Sanji is probably lying on Gerd's chest. Jimbei and Zoro have similar personalities and are the most "mature" members of the crew (other than Robin), which has been demonstrated repeatedly throughout the saga (and will be shown again in the chapter and episode).

But isn't Zoro interested in the "land of warriors"? Remember how intrigued he was when he heard about the "samurais" on Punk Hazard?

Or would he like to have a drink at the feast? He loves sake so much!

Unless he loves someone else more…

I think Zoro, as a Jinbe, due to his "maturity" (and in Zoro's case, also his love for Robin), understood everything, so he didn't go with them, but stayed by Robin's side. He knew how much she wanted to meet Saul, so he thinks it's more important for them to meet first, and then they can all feast.

I find this moment very interesting!!!

Even Robin was surprised!

Really, Luffy, where did you hear that? Or from whom?

Maybe you have a best friend who often guides you like a "voice of reason" or a "compass"? And who cares about Robin as much? Who could that be?…

Yes. It might seem like he's upset that they're "making noise" and disturbing his sleep. But that's not true.

First — Zoro never sleeps when Robin is around. Second — he simply won't have time to sleep because they'll be there quickly. Third — look at the second picture; he's not "annoyed" by Jimbei's laughter, who's sitting and laughing next to him!!!

So what "worry" Zoro so much? Perhaps Robin's question?

Robin: Luffy, where did you hear that? Zoro's thoughts: "Don't give me away, fool" Luffy: That's just how it is. Zoro's thoughts: "Whew, that was a relief…."

I think Zoro was the one who told Luffy to go with Robin!!!

Not only are they "together", but Zoro will also turn toward Robin. And Bonney... It also reminded me of a similar shot in Wano..

Great posts about "composition" in anime by @hapifangurl (pic from there, thanks!)

Again, there is "someone" placed between them, in this case it is Luffy, so it's good xd Next comes a showing/listing of various moments with Robin. I'll just select few frames, with my comments, if you don't mind~

She always look at him...

"It was a one-time thing!" "Skypiea was a long time ago!" "It doesn't mean anything!" Yeah 🙂

To me Punk Hazard always looked like Zoro and Robin "date".

The first one to be shown from the crew. These are most likely Robin's memories of the crew. I've watched it a few times, everyone else on the crew is just "smiling/laughing" but only Zoro has food residue on his face.

As if someone wanted to single him out from the rest for the audience? Or was it just Robin who remembered him like this in a more "intimate" setting? Which again does not exclude the first. And yes, the whole crew is shown in order., but shouldn't Luffy be the first?! Don't you find that odd? I don't. 🙃 Zoro is always first when it comes to Robin. And yes - He always hear...

Zoro sits first and is therefore closest to Robin. It may not seem like it, but the next frame proves it.

I was expecting them to animate the moment where Zoro "turns away slightly", which was in the manga. But that didn't happen. Maybe for the better, maybe not, who knows.

I was interested in how it would be shown. But we always knew his reaction! You can read more here~ by @hapifangurl and @queen-of-andor

The entire crew, I repeat, the entire crew, always protected, rescued, and cared for Robin.

But there's only one person who has saved her more often than anyone else… Skypiea — from Enel Long Ring Long Land — from Aokiji Water7/Enies Lobby — from the Government Fishman Island — from Hyouzou Punk Hazard — from Monet Dressroza — from Pica Egghead — from Seraphim's Mihawk and Kuma

7 times. Zoro has saved/protected Robin — 7 times. At least. (I didn't count Thriller Bark, although one could say that Robin was indirectly saved there too. Saving Luffy = saving the crew = saving Robin. But okay.)

I'd like to ask — who saved her more?

Is it cruel not to show the reaction of the one who saved/protected her the most? Or is it, on the contrary, merciful? I think, Oda wasn't able to show Zoro's reactions in a way that people who aren't familiar with Zorobin wouldn't immediately guess their relationship.

And this is a case where — it was easier for Oda to show this in the manga than in the anime.

In one of posts, @hapifangurl wrote something like: Oda didn't show Robin and Hiyori in the same frame until the end of Wano because he couldn't portray Robin as "not a jealous wife".

(Sorry, I haven't found the post with this yet; I found another one. I'll add it when I find it) And here it could be exactly the same case, Oda simply could not portray Zoro in any other way except so that he would look like a loving and happy husband.

So yes, meeting Saul was a very important event for our couple. For both Robin and Zoro.

You can read more at the links above~ Here I also talk a little about Oda's "composition" in the manga in relation to our couple.

The one who didn't say a word, the one whose reaction wasn't even shown, saved her more than anyone else....

Thanks to the newest official one piece art we got Zoro's reaction:

He's smiling!

Chapter 1019.

You can read more on Joe's blog at the link below.

Spoiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The color spread cover from the new One Piece chapter 1183.

Very clever, Oda, but we know your tricks. Sorry, Sanji. Robin always looks at him… And yes, Oda, we know Zoro looks great in purple~

Thanks, Oda!

May be updated in the future

upd: Cover in quality. upd: Indeed, as @ashlovesroronoazoro noted in the comments:

upd: And I totally love @queen-of-andor idea:

Thanks for the wonderful comments and your thoughts! Check/write in the comments, sometimes it's interesting there (;

I've said that I would post a blog about why was Zoro was intended to have the key to Robin's cufflink.

Before I could explain why, we should know first about Oda's way of how he plans the strawhats battle.

The strongest of their enemy is always reserved for Luffy to fight it's usually the leader/captain and that's why we always see Oda put Luffy into disastrous situation like being swallowed by a snake or him having the enemy move.

His fight will always be at the end.

The one who rank third will always meant for Sanji to fight. His enemy usually have this in common, they insulted or even hit women/a member of strawhats. Just like his codename he's mr. prince his strength usually came from the anger towards his enemy.

Now for Zoro he's usually fighting the second to the strongest. His enemy usually have dark skin- I'm sorry this is a joke, they're usually swordsman like him or the one who have an unwavering loyalty to their leader/captain.

(although Oda had followed this concept the battle in The Arlong Park Arc deviates from this Kuroobi was considered the second to Arlonh and Hachan was the weakest among the group)

now please look at below.

The strongest in the cp9 is Lucci, followed by Kaku and third Jabra.

Now why did Oda intended for Zoro to have the key?

It's because of the power level, Kaku is the second strongest in cp9 it's only right to leave the right key to the strongest person.

Of course they cannot leave it to Lucci because Lucci was escorting Spandam and Robin. The only option is to leave it to Kaku.

So Zoro having the keys to Robin's freedom was not a random chance it was planned.