Discussion The tournament needs to end

[Seafarer]

But it does progress the story as the tournament is Luffy's plotline of the whole arc. Why should Oda leave out the title character?

It's not so much a matter of leaving Luffy out as of balancing and pruning the action so that only the key parts are shown. Take for example block B that progressed while leaving space for parallel plots: these chapters felt more balanced and less frustrating than 715.

And what actually makes believe this? As far as shown, no one is dead, but only injured. Some more some less.

By "dust to dust" I did not imply death in its rawest meaning, but rather that many of these characters will likely not get any significant story time after the tournament is ended (which to the reader is as good as dead). In which case yes, I would much rather learn their names only in separate databooks. And at the very least, introduce them only once, not two or three times each.

Well, that doesn't make quite sense, does it? How can a plot line that has the title character in title character init, and that is an important piece of the current arc, be "detached" as you say just by Oda giving some of Luffy's opponents a bit of background?

Exactly like that. Oda is fleshing out these tournament characters, which is theoretically a good thing, but many of them come from entirely new places, kingdoms so far unheard of, which is where I get the "detached" feeling: it's a lot of new information to stomach - hopefully, the feeling will disappear after enough of the New World has been introduced. I do reckon that some of them are tied to existing plot lines, but not enough in my taste.
How to improve? I would like to know for example if any of those fighters have ties to other 3 emperors; where do the Prodence Kingdom and Country of Flowers stand on the geopolitical chessboard; how does the Marine fare in the New World .... This would feel like a better expense of space than 7 pages for showing off the Funk brothers and 3 for Jean Ango.

 

[danzouismadara]

why would you not want to see luffy whoop ass left and right against guys from the strongest part of the sea?

 

[jimtors]

I think this tournament or what not is really helpful for us readers to be able to gauge the strength levels in the New world. I enjoy the fights and I don't mind if ODA drags this... ^__^

 

[danzouismadara]

HOpefully group D is quick so we can get to the 4 matches with the DD family leaders. I want to see more of Barto and his goals.

 

[hoeru]

It's not so much a matter of leaving Luffy out as of balancing and pruning the action so that only the key parts are shown. Take for example block B that progressed while leaving space for parallel plots: these chapters felt more balanced and less frustrating than 715.

Please get your facts straight: Block B including the characters' introduction from the announcer reached from the end of Chapter 705 to 709 - the only thing as plot development was the introduction of Chinjao. So it's three and a half chapters of tournament.

From 710 to 714, there was the plot development of the current arc. And in the mid of Chapter 714, Block C has already started, and it is only two and a half chapter now Block C.

Oda continues the parallel plotlines between the blocks and takes more time for them.

By "dust to dust" I did not imply death in its rawest meaning, but rather that many of these characters will likely not get any significant story time after the tournament is ended (which to the reader is as good as dead). In which case yes, I would much rather learn their names only in separate databooks. And at the very least, introduce them only once, not two or three times each.

If one really cared for One Piece, those characters aren't missed, but not forgotten either. Revealing the characters name isn't much but the name written on the same panel that character appears, so even if their names are shown twice, Oda does not lose any space on introducing them. No one can claim for real that was wasted, when Oda named the characters that had some lines of dialogue. I am totally sure he does this because of the databook's reception. We won't agree on this.

Exactly like that. Oda is fleshing out these tournament characters, which is theoretically a good thing, but many of them come from entirely new places, kingdoms so far unheard of, which is where I get the "detached" feeling: it's a lot of new information to stomach - hopefully, the feeling will disappear after enough of the New World has been introduced. I do reckon that some of them are tied to existing plot lines, but not enough in my taste.
How to improve? I would like to know for example if any of those fighters have ties to other 3 emperors; where do the Prodence Kingdom and Country of Flowers stand on the geopolitical chessboard; how does the Marine fare in the New World .... This would feel like a better expense of space than 7 pages for showing off the Funk brothers and 3 for Jean Ango.

How is that of any relevance NOW? You don't make much sense. Either you want the tournament to be shorter, or you want even more backgrounds to those characters which would take even more place from what you just called to be the more important plot. Just let Oda take his time. It's not like One Piece is about to end by this arc. If he doesn't answer now, he'll deliver some time later, as Oda has been always like that as he weaves a web of plots and facts. All you need is some patience.

Revealing in chapters before 716 where those countries stand on the geopolitical chessboard would be a complete and displaced waste that would not drive this plot, nor the tournament any further but make them halt. Even in the next 20 chapters it would be way too early, as it would be much more important, what actually happened on the tournament, the search for the Smile Factory, on Greenbit and the Sunny.

 

[David Rose]

To be honest: I really enjoy the tournament chapters. Luffy always was the single character that made this manga whole for me. Also i like the concept of Oda's storytelling. He simply takes his time to develop everything as good as he can. Im would assume anybody that doesn't like his current pacing probably doesn't read Hajime no Ippo, or listen to the music of Tool either.
One Piece is one of the best mangas ever made and Oda knows it. He does as he like and if you don't appreciate that it's your own problem for raising false expectations.
I really enjoyed the impel down and war arcs, because Oda could fully focus on Luffy. And just as before Nami and the others are getting into trouble all the time, which actually is bothering me. Even Law's clash with DD is just exciting since Fujitora joined it and we still have to get a classification for his ability. At the moment we just see everybody getting into trouble and Luffy beeing the one that actually get's something done as usual (like befriending a Killer Bull).
In the end i guess everybody that's complaining now will tell anybody how this arc was, once it's finished ...

Some kind words to finish: i understand every criticism for the current arc and why you would come to those conclusions, but that's totally your opinion. You can't expect to satisfy every reader as an author, sorry for you that you're not. But there is no huge flaw in Oda's storytelling, it's a simple subjective opinion. You can argue a lot, but it won't bring anything new and i guess you will not convince anyone to change his opinion.

This current arc will probably be the best of all arcs yet, since as far as i see it One Piece always improved over time. Not only regarding the story but also the artwork itself. Keep in mind that you can't really go all out and complain now but like the arc later. Be honest to yourself and enjoy the manga without biased expectations, it's not that you'll be able to change something. It will only deminish your own fun reading. That's at least what happend to me with Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Alita, Berzerk and what not. Naruto isn't exactly a good example as this manga really went down the drain some time ago. :P

Sorry for the harsh words. If you are offended by what i said i apologize for doing so. And regarding the pacing: As long as Oda can maintain the weekly chapters without too many breaks i can wait some years more. Hell, it's a whole lot better as waiting for the next Song of Ice and Fire, even though it'll be worth while. :P

 

[Razh]

On of the things that make One Piece so good is a nice and steady build up. Just think of Water 7, for example, and how everyone introduced there had some role to play in the culmination of Enies Lobby.

You really think this tournament is it's own purpose?

I fucking love it, because I know the high point of this arc will blow our minds off.

 

[matzik1212]

I don't mind the tournament at all , i think it's pretty interesting since Oda introduced so many characters and as i said there must be a damn reason why he put on stage so many characters . Just like we saw in the war arc , WB had many allies that's why we can think of these people as possible candidates for allies in the near future

The tournament is just build-up for later on IMO

 

[kkck]

Luffy gathering allies at the tournament is a given IMO. It does not make sense to bring up so many strong characters if they are not going to have at least a minor role in the future. Of course it is also extremely likely luffy will collect enemies there as well. Many of the people there are also representing entire nations so it stands to reason those characters would have a role to play in the future. It is not unusual for luffy and co to get involved with local governments so it makes sense they will be relevant. It would be interesting if people related to other nations would be future war enemies for a government luffy became friends with.... I can see that being the case with the flower country. Of course there is also the consideration that the tournament could be a huge boiling pot waiting to explode. The number of powerful warriors combined with the imminent political instability the country is about to go through is nothing short of an invitation for disaster. I mean, the current situation could lead to a million different things...

I wonder if it is also a counter measure as far as doflamingo is concerned. As we just saw it seems there are at least several bounty hunters with some power to their name. From everyone's perspective a the mera mera no mi is a powerful war asset to say the least. A pirate's benefit from it is obvious. Bounty hunters would naturally be drawn to it as it would allow them to hunt for bigger game pirates. Of course a gathering of pirates wanting the mera mera no mi would also be convenient to them. So there are two reasons for them to go there. Even if they don't aim for one of them, there is also the other reason.

Now, as far as doflamingo is concerned the chaos could favor him. Perhaps the tournament as a whole is also a precaution for him just in case shit gets real overall. So you have on one hand the strawhat and heart pirates making chaos everywhere but on the other hand doflamingo has the marines and his crew on his side. Things turn dark for him and suddenly kaido makes a move. So the result is that in a single island you have important marine assets, the doflamingo family, the strawhats, the heart pirates, the kaido pirates and the colloseum participants. The bounty hunters go nuts considering the sheer amount of bounty everywhere, the government affiliated participants see a chance to hurt a yonko or are perhaps allied to kaido, the pirates get a chance to make a name for themselves if they take out a big shot..... And doflamingo takes advantage of this insanity somehow.

 

[GomuGomu_Getsuga]

Personally I can't wait to see Luffy knock a few heads off. We will also get to see Diamante, Burgess, Cabbage and the rest of Flamingo's men in action. Rebecca's back story also has to be shown.

I'm confused about how the tournament will end after all the block champions are named. Will it be the champions together versus Flamimgo's gang or some sort of free for all? I cant see Flamingo's men fighting each other and I don't think Burgess or Cabbage should be defeated so soon.

Its been almost 3 years since we've seen any real action in this manga and even longer since Luffy has had a serious one on one boss fight. There has been too much "strategy" lately with a little action in between. Another thing I havent liked lately is how much Law has been shown. I don't care for him much and he bores me. I will be very happy when he parts ways with the Strawhats. Im ready to see some Kidd.

 

[Zehahaha]

why would you not want to see luffy whoop ass left and right against guys from the strongest part of the sea?

Until I see him whoop someone's who is worth it, then I wouldn't mind him whooping fodder's ass, but the fact is that since Shabaody intro, Luffy didn't face any decent villain, and instead faced a shit drugged punk, and an annoying ass scientist... So it's not Don Shitjao or whatever who's gonna quench my thirst to see Luffy in an epic fight

Since Shabaody arc, we didn't have a single great fight involving Luffy, it was Luffy getting pwned all the time (despite some epic moments, like WB for example), but most of the time Luffy was fodderized there, so how many years has it passed since Luffy's last memorable fight ?

Fights are part of Shonen, so inb4 the whole OP is more than fights, anyone who says to me here that Luffy's great fights don't matter that much to him, I'd call him an hypocrite right away because we all know that ain't true

 

[BlkHorus]

Until I see him whoop someone's who is worth it, then I wouldn't mind him whooping fodder's ass, but the fact is that since Shabaody intro, Luffy didn't face any decent villain, and instead faced a shit drugged punk, and an annoying ass scientist... So it's not Don Shitjao or whatever who's gonna quench my thirst to see Luffy in an epic fight

Since Shabaody arc, we didn't have a single great fight involving Luffy, it was Luffy getting pwned all the time (despite some epic moments, like WB for example), but most of the time Luffy was fodderized there, so how many years has it passed since Luffy's last memorable fight ?

Fights are part of Shonen, so inb4 the whole OP is more than fights, anyone who says to me here that Luffy's great fights don't matter that much to him, I'd call him an hypocrite right away because we all know that ain't true

I gotta disagree with you there buddy. To say that there hasn't been any decent fights since the SA arc is fair, but its because I think you are missing the scope of what Oda was setting in the SA arc. To be literal, the SA arc didn't even have Luffy fight a decent fight - he got owned on SA and lost his crew. Oda had to set the tone to a larger scale and start showing more of the world and the major powers that work in it along with just how tough of a road it is to be the pirate king. I mean if anything, Thriller Bark was the start of showing just perilous the seas are in OP and why Luffy ran into many pirates that fled the grand line for one reason or another. Early on, he faced pirates that had been pirates for quite some time, but were not good enough to make it to even get to the red line and such. He fought them and defeated them, but the theme of those pirates saying that the grandline would beat all his expectations and swallow up him and his crew to loose everything started to be made more realistic from Thriller Bark on. It took Luffy everything to beat Moria and still he barely won to make Moria return the shadows. From there on, SA showed that Luffy alone was not enough to handle the threats that would face the crew from that point on...and the example of the pacifista was perfect. After that, it was a mere show of how resilent Luffy was to bounce back and still go into worst odds all to save his brother. At the same time, his actions and those of other pirates came to light in changing the world. From SA on, I think Oda is really setting the tone for more global impacts as Luffy is no longer considered a rookie pirate that has just gotten lucky. Now it is he has to chart out his own path at the same time deal with consequences and actions that are shaping the age of OP. And that takes expanding the interacting characters and situations to more than just what Luffy encounters directly.

I do agree with that point that Luffy hasn't actually fought someone tough in the NW so far, but what has happened due to these island encounters is that Luffy is paving a way and making a name for himself. ALso, these actions are going to play a bigger role since he is starting to threaten to take Yonkou territory, destabilize military supply from underground sources (those ran through DD), and take on getting a logia df that many in the world are vying for. Luffy's actions are starting to carry more weight than what was perceived in the first half. Even his actions in the first half are effecting how things are viewed in the current age of OP. I mean even bounty hunters are challenging pirates to just attack Impel Down if they want their comrades back so much since Luffy did it.

 

[garabilagan]

what if the prize(mera mera fruit) in this tournament is a replica(fake fruit)? and what if (ESPADA/PALEAR)the guy on the SPADE(ACE's crew name) seat,who i believe is a swordsman,already ate the real one? don't you think that this will be the perfect time for zoro to learn how to cut fire?

 

[Zehahaha]

@BlkHorus

Let me put it straight : I don't care, you see I'm in a state where I want to see Luffy get a real fight and some real action, set up the tone or not, I don't care at this moment.

I'll give you one good example of manga with a fast pace, and epic battles : Toriko. Nearly each chapter end up with " OMG " or " WTFFF "... There's some chapters without any big thing going on there, but they're short and go straight to the point, no unnecessary plots and most of all, no characters goofing around and shit

So yeah, I expected at least Oda to give us some decent fights in FI, but no, he decided to bring the worst villains out there (they would've been perfect has it been before the timeskip)

So honestly, all these dragging in the current arc, I hate it...

 

[M3J]

Why is Toriko being mentioned? It's an overrated, boring manga and apart from the mangakas being friend, has nothign to do with One Piece. If you're gonna bring in another manga, use a good one like FMA....

Anyway, I don't think the tournament needs to end. It's not that bad for me, but the lack of action/slow pace gets annoying. I just wanna see Luffy kick ass though. Actually, the only reason why I'm invested in the tournament is to see Luffy fight, especially with him not being able to use his gomu gomu. Luffy, Zoro, or Sanji are the only reasons why I'd even care about the tournament.

 

[Schabrak]

" OMG " or " WTFFF [is this shit ]"...

Does the tournament have to go or is it only the first phase that's so annoying, because the second round will certainly have some very strong characters to show off. And hey we get to see a lot of support characters get panels in Toriko too. Torikos last fight was overwhelmingly dramatic and long too. :P

 

[k-dom]

The fact that Luffy is the only Strawhat participating won't make next rounds more interesting unfortunately

 

[weixiaobao]

The fact that Luffy is the only Strawhat participating won't make next rounds more interesting unfortunately

I kinda like to see some more strawhats infighting like Usopp vs Luffy. It would be cool to see Sanji, Zoro, Franky, and Luffy compete at some point and each really really want to win. That would be awesome, actually all of the strawhats would be awesome.

---------- Post added at 06:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------

I think it is great that people criticizing the current "tournament" development, because people are invested in One Piece's quality. But a lot of people take a lot of liberty with their assumption of what Oda's want to do or what the tournament meant to be.

 

[Zehahaha]

I think it is great that people criticizing the current "tournament" development, because people are invested in One Piece's quality. But a lot of people take a lot of liberty with their assumption of what Oda's want to do or what the tournament meant to be.

Well, it's not like the tournament doesn't serve a purpose, considering the shitstorm that is awaiting Luffy in Dressrosa, there's a huge chance that these guys there will ally to escape from Marines somehow, that's one. Second thing, it is also possible that this arc will give even more reason for Luffy to fight BB, let's not forget, there's still a possibility for BB to get his hand on the Mera Mera no Mi, third thing is that the purpose of the tournament was to distract Luffy, which worked obviously.

If FI had good fights, I wouldn't complain. But we didn't have anything, and it's been a long time since we saw Luffy go all out, especially now that we want to see the SH's results, especially Zoro and Luffy. So honestly, when Oda didn't even show us that, coupled with the dragging he does and multiple plots, it annoys me. For example, Oda could've showed the story of Dressrosa, but instead no, he had to skip to something else and make Franky and the toy go somewhere else... Why do that ? That's an example of dragging things (also introducing some sort of romance between Rebecca and the toy, that's dragging too, idgaf about their love story)

Also, I don't like a single character shown in the tournament, people Don Shitjao with his ridiculous vendetta, Cavenfish which is male version of Hancock etc etc, the only interesting one there is Bartolomeo anyway... It's a good thing Burgess is there, or else it would've been an absolutely shitty tournament

 

[ukimix]

I'll give you one good example of manga with a fast pace, and epic battles : Toriko. Nearly each chapter end up with " OMG " or " WTFFF "... There's some chapters without any big thing going on there, but they're short and go straight to the point, no unnecessary plots and most of all, no characters goofing around and shit

You like action mangas with chapters going straight to the point without wastes? Feng Shen Ji is just like that ... Ups ... yes, this is about OP tourney.