#op chapter response

This is actually cute. I love the idea of a tiny ship designed for dwarf use. (And don’t think I don’t see the nod to Norland on the flag.)

I feel like I should have something to say about this, but I can’t quite think of what. At the minimum, the OP world seems to include invisible senses, such things or actions or perceptions that are not able to be seen with one’s eyes. (I first started noticing it in Zoro’s fight with Mr. 1.)

I don’t think he’s going to react the way you think...

That’s what I thought.

I feel like I haven’t seen a self-inflicted wound like this in awhile. The earliest (Zoro whilst fighting Cabaji) stemmed from a sort of “if you’re going to go after my wounds and be a shitty swordsman, I’ll one up you, hurt myself worse, and still kick your ass.” In this context, it’s more of a ”if you’re going to use dishonest tactics so I hurt him, then I’ll hurt myself the same way so it isn’t.”

Yep. Here we go. Okay.

1. Why is he showing his face? Was the trouble earlier, about Luffy and others seeing him while eating, more a matter of being seen lying down and eating in contrast to the stoic and austere perception he’s created and how others on Whole Cake Island see him? Like it’s not how he looks, but how he was acting that made it necessary to kill the cooks that saw and Luffy too.

2. The automatic assertion that he’s a monster and the question of whether he’s cursed. Everyone sees him as so ideal and perfect that the actuality of him not having a “perfect” face can only be explained by some outside effect. It can’t be natural. And this leads into Pudding.

Many of Big Mom’s children have monster-like characteristics, in features and behavior (by that I mean, in this context, a deterimental, callous, violent behavior). Very few have both in one, but it still stands that some of her children’s unusual features are just that: odd, peculiar, unusual.

But others, for some reason, seem to be deemed monstrous. And those, unlike personality, seem to derive only from physical features. Katakuri is monstrous or cursed. The same was said about Pudding. Now, whether I think the two’s feature (mouth and eyes) are equivalent as monster features, I don’t know. But it’s worth nothing this attitude does exist in the family and Whole Cake Island.

I like eels. Gulper eels aren’t eels! (I don’t think.) They’re deep-sea dwelling fish! <3 <3 What does that mean? (I mean, about who his father was.) I’m so curious.

I like most sea life. (Also, is this Katakuri’s natural features? I assume so, since there was a panel that seemed to imply others called him gulper eel as a child. And because I’m really into the sea, biology, and animals...)

Eurypharynx pelecanoides is called gulper eel, or pelican eel. But there’s also a suborder of Saccopharynx called gulpers too. Actually, the entire order are called that, I think. I’ll dig a little more into this over the weekend, hopefully. Because if I like anything it’s the sea + the depths.

And here we go. Here’s the second half.

It’s not only that certain children of Big Mom’s are deemed monsters, but the threat of exposure, ridicule, and condemnation of ugliness.

In Pudding’s case, these threats could have come from her family (although she could edit their memories* later) and seeing as well-liked as she is, I don’t think she’d like her “monster trait” to be broadcast to everyone. I also don’t think she’d liked not being liked.

Additionally, Pudding strikes me as being very emotional and melodramatic. She’s going to have a very overblown reaction. Which is what she’s done.

Katakuri, on the other hand, wouldn’t, I think, want Flambe to tell anyone anymore than Pudding, but he’s a little more, um, better at self-control when it’s needed.

Anyway, still curious to see how the fight turns out.

Is that really the best solution? To keep giving in her wants? Not that I blame them; if anyone should have tried to teach Linlin self-control it would have been Mother Carmel. And she obviously wasn’t interested in that.

Though this begs the question: how much control does Linlin have when she’s in this state of mind/emotions? The story has made it clear that she’s amazingly, monstrously strong when she’s on a food crave. Why is that? Will that be important later?

Additionally, it’s worth noting, far as I understand it, Linlin was just born this strong. Is there anyone else like her in the world? Could any of her inherit her ability?

If that works I will be amazed. Also, actual good plan. Not good for our heroes but a good way to work with the situation.

I’m with Smoothie. Though apparently Linlin’s conscious enough to understand AND threaten the-son-whose-name-I-can’t-recall if he’s lying. As strong as her craving for the wedding cake is, she’s lucid enough to recognize what’s being said to her and think of future repercussions depending on whether her craving/ objective is fulfilled. Basically she’s not, I don’t think, in a blind rage.

I…forgot that. Even if Linlin demolishes the Straw Hats, she won’t get her cake.

Well. That’s too bad.

Mochi-man’s reaction to the whole island probably being destroyed is so droll; his expression doesn’t change one whit.

Then Pudding shows up and says she (and Chiffon, after she’s captures her sister) can make the cake. I can’t figure out what to think of Pudding.

I'm glad Sanji's attitude to ladies is consistent. I'm curious to see how his inability not to be swayed by a pretty face, even from someone who he knows is going kill him, will play out. 

I liked the tone of this chapter, fluctuating between the humor of rescuing Brook and the tension of Sanji searching for Luffy. (I randomly had feelings about the latter.)

So. The first part of this chapter that stood out to me was Big Mama’s assertion that:

This indicates to me that 1. Mama had the Road Poneglyph over twenty years ago (which would coincide, I think, with when Roger first interacted with Zou), and 2. Roger must have come here (or to wherever Big Mama was at the time) and tricked her or overpowered her (I’m betting more on the tricking angle; no reason, just a feeling).

Additionally, it repeats what Rayleigh said: Roger can’t read the Poneglyphs but has the power to hear “the voice of all things.” Ever since Fishman Island Arc, I’ve had this theory that Noah’s purpose (and the seakings) are connected to this “voice.” Mostly because of the flashback that, to me, indicates that Roger can hear the seakings, even if he can’t command them like Shirahoshi as Poseidon.

This, for me, has always opened up an unique worldbuilding quirk: there is an immaterial reality or presence that can be sensed or heard. I wonder if this is somehow connected to the seakings or the devil fruits in anyway (or even the Ancient Weapons or the Void Century or one piece).

Furthermore, as most Arcs that mention Roger imply, the Straw Hats seem to be following in Roger’s footsteps unintentionally.

(Unrelated, but I really want to know when he met Rouge. She couldn’t have gotten pregnant until after Raftel -- and Roger was dying -- but when (and how) did they meet?? if his last years were spent on the Grandline?)

This is followed immediately by:

This IS interesting because it implies that three-eyes have some ability to hear the “voices.” (Also, writing about that and what I wrote above is making me think of what happened to Zoro in Alabasta.)

Also, I can't help contrasting Pudding and Shirahoshi:

both linked to a powerful playing card on the world’s stage (Raftel/weapons) but one seems more of a calculated choice while the other is inborn

one is insincere vs the other sincere

also Shirahoshi's size is natural (Mama lacks giants in her family -- is that important?)

I’m not sure I’ve said this yet, but Big Mama fascinates me. She’s powerful and brutal but seems to care about her children and genuinely can seem friendly, even if she can turn around and mess you up if her whims are ruined. She’s mercurial and it’s really different to me.

And, naturally, as soon as Pudding appears, this happens:

This mostly stood out to me because I’ve noticed that Brook has interactions and knowledge of multi-bodied groups (three-eye, long-arms, etc.). Also, Brook doesn't know about Pudding!

Finally, two other quick reactions/thoughts:

Okay, Carrot's drawing made me laugh out loud.

On one hand, I am engaged enough to want to know what happens. Sanji’s situation and the new backstory involving his (and his siblings’) mother presents an interesting point about the value of emotions. (Also, the use of genetic manipulation.)

On the other hand:

mom dies for son to live (but in this context to live with emotions rather than to live in general)

mom dies of an illness

mom is weak and is shown to cry (as a result of kindness and empathy)

Like my claim that Sanji’s backstory 0.2 is reminiscent of Sabo, I have the same mixed feelings on the story behind his mom. As a baseline story, it’s fine, but I feel like dead or sick mothers is a theme that has recurred a lot in One Piece.

The difference, for me, is that while say both Banchina and Belle-mère are, technically, dead mothers, the means of their death (illness vs murder) were presented in vastly different contexts and with different consquences for Usopp and Nami.

With Sanji’s mom, I felt for her in her decision to take the drug – and then it reminded me of Rouge putting her health at risk to ensure Ace lived. Then it made me think of Banchina with the dying mother.

Technically there’s nothing wrong with reusing themes, but…I don’t know. Some of the backstory 0.2 with Sanji feels like I’ve seen it before. Although the parts about genetic manipulation, technology, and drugs are new. I don’t know.

Other thoughts I had:

Knew what Reiju would say

Drugs have become a thing since the New World (is that true?)

Liked Nami fixing her clothes

Luffy’s tooth is still missing. (Stylistically reminiscent of young Sabo.

There’s been a lot more focus on mothers and children. (I feel like)

When Vegapunk dropped the info that Joyboy was the first pirate, plus that Nika was especially a god of Elbaf, my immediate reaction "finally! it's happening!"

It's not so much surprise, so much as good, we're finally getting to the Elbaf mythology backstory and the bit about the Pirate (King) and what that means in relation to the world's authority*. Yay!

Also, had a more theory thought while watching a reaction to Marineford. What if what the Marines/Sengoku want to avoid is some kind of action that would endanger lives, such as from rising water levels? Then it becomes a question of

at what cost is it worth to endanger people? (in the case of saving Ace, I would say it is worth it, just because the Marines are equating purposeful danger to him through blood rather than intention, and I think intention should matter more, especially in One Piece)

is the threat accurate to what the dismantling of the WG would cause? That is, whether dismantling the status quo (finding the one piece, et. al) would tie in to the rising tides OR is the rising tides related to something the 20 Kingdoms did, and knowing the consequences, either of their own actions or the reaction to their actions, built their abode on the highest point they could find...

I'm not sure where I'm going with this. It's very wobbly. Ignore me.