#ch419

There’s a lot to like in this spread, too. I think Usopp might be the only character other than Luffy to get this heroic lens flair treatment , with the sun of course being the in-universe symbolism for freedom and liberation. He absolutely nails the heroic pose, too.

Imo, AFO doesn't get upset about people (who he thinks "belong" to him) rebelling against him. He seems to enjoy their struggling because he will always, 'ultimately,' come out on top.

But AFO loses it the moment someone gives his victim a helping hand. Like Kudo helping Yoichi, like Izuku getting Tomura to be vulnerable about his feelings. AFO cant stand that someone is willing to help his victims escape his control and that its working.

So AFO snaps and just... Kills Yoichi and Tomura bc they are getting too much autonomy. Bc he doesn't want them leaving him behind.

And then when he kills them, or gets rid of them 'for good', he cant even say their names in that moment. Maybe he feels remorse, or maybe he's just upset, about how neither of them are there with him anymore. But its off putting how he distances himself by saying "the vessel" and "my little brother" here

This last little rant by Spandam is my favorite of his, because it hammers home just how much he and Robin are such perfect narrative foils for one another. I honestly don’t think you could build a more perfect anti-Robin if you tried, but they will be forever connected by the Buster Call on Ohara.

Seriously, folks, it doesn’t get any better than this.

I’ve seen some criticisms for both Arlong Park and Enies Lobby that Nami and Robin don’t really get to do anything and are reduced to damsels in distress, which is frustrating because a large part of their arcs (and One Piece as a whole) is learning to depend on others to help you out of situations you’re unable to deal with by yourself. Hell, Ace’s arc is functionally identical to Robin’s , just played for tragedy, so it’s not like this treatment is reserved for female characters.

More to the point, Robin’s done what she can. She tried running away, and it didn’t work. She tried literally biting the bridge, and it didn’t work. And now, after getting the absolute shit beat out of her, she’s made herself dead weight, forcing Spandam to drag her the rest of the way. Without Robin resisting every step of the way to the best of her ability Usopp doesn’t have time to shoot her free. And she does it all while putting her trust in other people, something she hasn’t been able to do for twenty years.