SPOILERS!! SPOILERS!! SPOILERS!!
Okay, so, I just finished reading chapter 1005 and it was a wild ride. First off, Oda was really playing up our expectations by using Black Mariaâs ladies as representations of (what I imagine) is the beliefs of many readers (except more smitten lol). Theyâre so sure that Sanji is going to remain stoic and silent and refuse to call for Robin â
And then he didnât!! He didnât act âmanlyâ and suffered the pain â he called out for help! He was emotional! OPENLY VULNERABLE. Sanji didnât play off his predicament as anything less than DEADLY.
Iâll be honest here, at first I wasnât sure what to think or feel. I went into the chapter with no real expectations beyond knowing that Robin would come help him eventually. But I didnât anticipate Sanji doing that and I hadnât expected it to be broadcasted to Onigashima as a whole!! One of Hawkinsâs subordinates says âhow pathetic!â and Franky comments âwhat kind of man does this!?â â reflecting what a lot of readers likely felt as they read it. I actually felt a vague sense of embarrassment when I did â isnât Sanji supposed to be among the strongest of the crew?? This is how one of the weakling trio would act! ⌠And you know what?
Thinking back to Zou and Whole Cake Island, this moment shows just how much Sanji has developed as a character. The Sanji before bottled up his fear and his pain and withdrew from the others. He didnât want them to get dragged into his problems and risk getting hurt. It took Luffy punching him and yelling at him to tell him what he actually wanted for him to finally reach out and ask for the help he so desperately wanted and needed.
Sanji now didnât hesitate to reach out and he didnât care if it made him look âweakâ. Because he trusts his crewmates and believes that they are strong enough to deal with what he cannot. Robin being a woman does not change this perception â she is an incredibly capable character and since Sanji drinks his respect-women-juice religiously he doesnât underestimate her in the least. This moment shows both his character growth and how secure he is in his own strength and masculinity â he knows his limits and he is no longer afraid of asking for help when he needs it! Also, it subverts toxic masculinity beautifully and I find it quite refreshing.
Also, just look at this! Heâs openly crying with relief and joy!! My man Sanji doesnât give a single fuck about your traditional masculinity bullshit! (also, Robin is looking fine here, god damn)
 And sheâs so happy that heâs trusting her abilities! Look! At! That! Smile! Itâs beautiful!
Also, letâs take a moment to appreciate Brookâs outfit?? Itâs so simple and elegant?? I like it!
Heheh, yet again, Sanji understanding his own limits and relying on the others <3 Their response is also <333
Some will in this situation ask - are you Robin or are you Brook? And my answer is yes. But who?? The answer remains yes.
Lastly! ... Momo... you lucky little shit.
... And Iâm going to make a separate post about Marco. I just. I. Hrgnh.
