#and chapter 1082 kind of shows this in a way...

[mugiwara-lucy]

One thing I love about the new episode is how it showed how similar yet very different Luffy and Buggy are.

While both are very charismatic men who have amassed a huge following who are at times treated like complete jokes by their crews:

However the HUGE and glaring difference between the two men is that Luffy is a man who amassed a crew that loves him unconditionally because of the honest man he is while Buggy is a liar who deceived the world to get to where he is and as such has a crew that whose loyalty to him is purely CONDITIONAL:

[beanghostprincess]

*holds you by shoulders*

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT 1082 I WAS SURE IT WAS SHIPPY THING AND NOW I NEED TO KNOW

*starts sobbing while slowly falling to my knees*

…….please

I SAW THIS YESTERDAY NIGHT WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO FALL ASLEEP AND I JUST WOKE UP EARLY TO REPLY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR AGES FOR THIS QUESTION I AM GOING TO KISS YOU ANON-

I do love and adore the shippy part of 1082 because I am a very intense Shuggy shipper and I had been waiting to read their break-up for sooo long. But it's not exactly what made the chapter life-changing for me, tbh.

Buggy's speech is... Is incredibly beautiful and encouraging. It explains so much about his character, the dynamic he has with Cross Guild, and why he's so resentful toward Shanks. Throughout the manga, we've seen him in serious moments, yes, but usually, Buggy is pretty much used for comedy relief more than anything. This is one of the first times we've seen Buggy realize the position he has now and say "Fuck it. Already on the verge of dead for these two, might as well do something with this shitty situation because for once, I have the opportunity to be brave and be more than what people think of me". There's literally nothing stopping him right now, and he prefers to risk his life enraging Crocodile and Mihawk than letting this opportunity of showing who he truly is slide.

And tbh, we haven't seen them ever since (I am starving please-) but I am really hopeful his speech somehow makes Crocodile and Mihawk have a little tiny itty bitty of respect for him at least. Because out of the three? Buggy is the one who deserves the title of pirate more.

Mihawk and Crocodile don't have dreams or ambitions and see pirating as a business. Even when Crocodile did have ambitions (remember when the silly rubber guy destroyed all of his dreams that was a funny arc haha) his whole personality has always been more of a mafioso than anything. Mihawk is a simple man and is bored with life being at the top of the top, he clearly wants something interesting to happen but doesn't see any use in looking for it himself. They care about their commodities and wealth. But out of the three, Buggy is the one who had to give up on his dream and now he has the opportunity to fulfill it.

"How can you call yourselves pirates with schemes like that?! You're doing it all backwards!! [...] Way back when... What did you guys want to be?! [...] I wanna be king of the pirates!! Wealth? Power? Why stop there when we can have it all?!"

This is something a real pirate would say. He talks like Roger here, I am going to curl up and cry don't look at me-

What I like about One Piece is the constant use of themes like dreams and freedom etc, etc... That's something we all know. But you wouldn't expect it coming from Buggy, of all people. And I think I'm pretty fond of him being brave and finally acting upon what he truly wants to do. What makes it great is that you have this comedy relief character standing up for his dream in front of clearly two other antagonists that have control over him in, well, strength and everything. But Buggy has something they don't and it's so, so much ambition and a dream that could be considered childish but it's the representation of freedom and doing things because you want to follow your heart. This is kind of why I always say Luffy would be more fond of Buggy if he knew the whole story and would probably support him a lot--

What I like the most about this chapter is both Buggy's character development through a speech + flashback and Mihawk and Crocodile being completely stunned by it because they weren't expecting this to happen from Buggy of all people. I know I sound like a broken record but I really, really, want them to respect Buggy a little bit more after this. Also, Buggy doesn't do this only to announce he's going to follow his dream now that he's on equal footing with Shanks. He does it because the other two mention needing overwhelming power over the rest. Buggy isn't stupid and knows how manipulating people works. The thing that makes pirates work harder isn't money, it's a dream. And there's nothing a pirate desires more than the One Piece, so that's kind of why he announces it publicly. First, to establish power, and second, so that way Mihawk and Crocodile don't get rid of him because seriously, Buggy is a better boss than these two because their followers appreciate him and don't feel forced to follow him.

Not to mention that the whole thing also shows more of Buggy's relationship with Roger and how left out he felt because people thought highly of Shanks instead of him. But Buggy, even if he was jealous, was willing to follow Shanks despite his feelings because he accepted being less worthy of respect than him. Shanks shone brightly and Buggy decided that, even if he wanted to be seen like that too, he'd give up on his dream and support Shanks instead because at least they'd do this together, just the way they did everything back at the time.

But then Shanks hesitates, and I think that's Buggy's last straw because he sees giving up going for the One Piece as something disrespectful to their captain (dad) and thinks it's unfair that Shanks is so respected by everyone even though the one wanting to follow their captain's steps right away is him. It's honestly frustrating. And then you understand better why Buggy is angry at Shanks-- Yeah, he made him eat the devil fruit and lost the map because of him (not really but whatever), but the way I see it that's just a metaphor for the real reason why Buggy is so resentful. Shanks' existence, even if it was not on purpose, made Buggy feel so powerless he gave up on his dream. And eating a devil fruit means the sea hates you and you can't have any independence in the pirate world, and losing the map is kind of like losing the only thing that guides you. He left Buggy with nothing and let him carry the burden of a lost dream.

This is funny because Shanks did absolutely nothing wrong and everything is a product of jealousy and miscommunication, but I understand why Buggy blames Shanks and this chapter makes it clearer and explains it perfectly.

Basically, it's such an amazing chapter for Buggy's character and it's definitely my favorite for him specifically. Although the flashback does wonders for my Shuggy heart.

Also, adding more points for the revolutionary plot in the end and Sabo showing up because I adore him <3

[newbieineverything]

Procrastinating and decided to post about ch 1082

Inspired by my unhinged rant with @plantwithoutplot and @thoughtfullhuman who I sent diagrams to explain everything with a 30 min long record I love you thank you for tolerating my crazy ramblings ❤️

SO

Amazing chapter as usual, Oda really trying to kill us and I love him

First of all we start with the info that vice admiral T Bone has been killed and that it was because of his bounty and can I just, congratulate Oda at the amazing way he demonstrated to us how these bounties are horrible????

Because that vice admiral was genuinely a good person! When we first met him it was obvious he is the kind of guy who wouldn't hesitate 100% to do something to help someone even if it was harmful to himself! And I bet he wouldn't defend himself against people like that civilians because for him how could you look at starving people and hurt them and defend yourself knowing that this is the best option for them!

I'm speaking for myself at least here but when Cross Guild was established and the marine bounties introduced I was happy because Fuck the Marines! And who's gonna use the bounty system? Pirates or bounty hunters! I have never thought of civilians And when I saw Koby's bounty I was proud because look at my boy! Five stars! And the only people hunting him at that time were pirates!

But now?

I'm hit with the reality that most marines aren't evil, that most of them genuinely want to help people, and that these bounties added a new element entirely which are the people

Because you always had the civilians that where tired of the unjust system and became revs, civilians that reported on pirates for their bounties, civilians that tried to be unnoticed because you just want to live AND NOW YOU ADD A SYSTEM WHERE AT THE DROP OF A HAT A CIVILIAN CAN SELL A MARINE TO A PIRATE!!!

The whole status quo of the universe is distributed because before this, only pirates needed to be always on edge bc a civilian could report them, they basically had no safe space except pirate territories and Marines were always safe with the civilians and vice versa!

NOW NO PARTY IS SAFE WITH OTHER

None of them could feel at ease around the other how could they? When they could be betrayed this easily!

Sengoku is right because this? This is going to weaken the Marines it will bring the morals down! If it goes on like this people will leave the marines because being a marine like that would mean never being safe!

The last few chapters where all about showing us how most of the major powers in the world are starting to move which was already disrupting the status quo

But now showing that not only are the major powers are moving but that entire relationship between two major factions are changing this quick??? The status quo is dead and its body is being trampled and I love it!

Way to show how shit is gonna be like from now on

Now onto Buggy!

So am gonna be honest, young buggy? I loved him he's awesome he's my boy, but older buggy? 😬 It just always felt so weird his relationship with shanks always puzzled me because shanks is not an idiot he would when someone really hated him and when Buggy trampled the strawhat after he knew of shanks

I was like how could you? How could hate him this much? Then I knew it was Roger's and he must have known so how? Why did he change this much? Because seeing young Buggy that guy didn't hate Shanks that was usual arguing

I honestly always considered Buggy's portrayal a mistake from Oda, like he established him in a way and now regretted it and changed it

Like I thought there's no way you can do anything to make this change believable

But this chapter? I was wrong you could do something

You could show his inferiority complex, show it subtle, show it growing, show how much he believed in Shanks, show how much Shanks'refusal broke his heart, was for him like trampling on their captain- father's legacy! He threw away his own dream for him! There was no one worthier than him! AND YOU DO THIS!? YOU GIVE UP!?

Of course Shanks was a coward in Buggy's eyes! And is it even worth it to try and achieve his dream if the one who is the most worthy of it the most challenging one wouldn't even try? What win would this be?

And I just, I love this. I stand corrected because all of the above is just so freaking good that my appreciation for Buggy grew because shit now I see his thought process and it makes sense!

I love how he gets news Shanks started and he's like "REALLY? NOW? WHAT'S THE POINT?" but still immediately decided to chase his dream again I love it

And I love how this chapter kind of shows that Buggy is a truer pirate than Crocodile and Mihawk, because crocodile is like Moria a bit where his dreams got broken and he's just settling he doesn't about care about the One Piece now he just wants to stay at this nice spot

And Mihawk (is he a pirate really? Or just really hunter the marines? I really don't think he considered himself a pirate) is someone who achieved his dream and is just complacent now, doesn't care about anything he has no drive anymore his life is so boring he trained the man who will try to kill him to get his title(or you know give him the beating of a lifetime)

Buggy here is a pirate like Luffy in which he has a dream and he wants no needs to at least try and achieve it because he was a Roger Pirate and the captain was always a dreamer

(also I don't think that crocodile or Mihawk or weak for being nervous? Because they really don't care about this shit and now they have to go and fight three emperors and Mihawk is literally their only S tier fighter here???? Yeah I don't blame the XD)

(also Oda giving Buggy this moment is so good because One Piece had always been following your dreams and we always had young characters doing that or just deciding to start on their dreams and Oda essentially giving a middle aged man who already gave up on his dreams the chance to try again knowing there's strong possiblity he would fail but it doesn't matter because he's at least trying???? I'm sorry that hit too hard and actually made me feel so fucking optimistic I can't-)

Now for the revs can I say I'm finally happy we get some new faces for them? At least they aren't as few as I thought

Anyway Koala is all of us because dear God Sabo don't scare me like this again

And I'm happy that some people survived Lulusia because damn that would have been very sad

Also who else thinks that the only people who survived were people who decided to join the revs and that most of the country died by the attack?

Although I heard another theory saying that maybe Sabo had some Intel when he was in Mary Geosie that Lulusia would be targeted (in which Sabo's call would have just made the process faster) and so went to try and evacuate the country and that's why he was there which is a neat explanation but I prefer the first one idk

(also I saw someone on a YT live stream chat theorize that Sengoku saying he wants Garp to try a new rice cracker flavor is probably a code which I never thought of so I don't know I like it though)

ALSO ODA KILLING US WITH THE IMMEDIATE CUT BEFORE SABO TELLING US WHAT HAPPENED AT THE REVIRE I CAN'T ODA DON'T CUT AWAY FROM THAT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER I CAN'T OKAY

[salted-barbed-wire]

The Devil May Care

Chapter Two

Summary: “Damned if I do, damned if I don’t” Word Count: 1082 Prelude   Chapter One

“A job? You want to give me a job?” I set my glass of wine down on my coffee table before I could drop it.

“Did I use that word?” Aleister hummed as he scratched behind Felix’s ear.

“No, you said ‘an assignment by which I would get paid as I complete my tasks’ which is just a crazy person’s way of offering me a job.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “This is crazy. I’m crazy, right?”

Aleister chuckled, “You’re not, snojepe.”

I stood and started pacing in the living room, “What’s the job?”

His expression turned to me. His eyes were guarded, showing no expression or reaction. “There’s a demon I need drug back to hell.”

I stopped in my tracks, “Excuse me?”

“His name is Balor, he’s been a bit of a pest lately, over stepping his boundaries. He wants to challenge for my throne.” The wine swirled in his glass as he stared at it. “If Balor were King of Hell, the world as you know it would end.”

“Would it end my contract?” I joked.

Aleister’s wine stilled, almost by force. “Actually, he’d probably try to cash in on as many souls as he possibly could when he sits on the throne so no one else would stop him. Your contract would likely be ripped up and you’d plunge down to hell faster than you can say ‘Aleister was right’.” Felix hopped off his lap and Aleister stood up from the chair, “What I’m offering is to rip up your previous contract for your services.”

“Rip it up?”

“It will be rendered null and void should you choose to help me.” He went to stand in front of my window, “Also, you’d get to save the world. And the Devil would owe you a favor for keeping his throne.”

I watched reflection of him in the glass. He washandsome. Tall, broad shoulders, his hair swept back into a low bun. His tattooed hands were folded behind his back as he stood confidently in my apartment.

“You’re staring, snojepe,” his voice broke my thoughts.

I shook my head, “You said save the world, do you really think Balor is going to destroy life?”

Aleister turned and stalked towards me, “That’s the kind of demon he is, love. He is the personification of drought, blight, and the scorching sun. He is a terrifyingly ugly creature with one eye that has been secured by seven coverings. If he is allowed to sit on the thrown, his eye will begin to open, the seven coverings will be undone and as each is removed, a new plague will be unleashed upon the world.” Aleister stopped at my feet, standing almost too close.

“If he’s so powerful, how do you expect me to stop him?” I furrowed my brow. “I’m only human.”

Aleister’s hand rested on my shoulder, “that may be, but you are wise and cunning. I’ve been watching you since we made our deal. How you’ve handled certain… situations strategically. Plus, Balor has a weakness for beautiful, mortal women.”

“Beautiful?”

He tsk-ed, lifting my chin up with his finger, inching his way closer to me. “Beautiful, yes. Did I studder, Jaqueline?”

The way he said my name made my skin crawl, in ways that it shouldn’t. “But how-“ I started.

His thumb covered my lips, silencing them with the pad, “Trust me. I’ve sealed his coverings with my own spells, their impossible to break; unless I lose my powers. I just need your help luring him. Catch his eye, gain his trust, and then bring him to me so I can seal him back into that damn lake.”

I was silent. My contract would be broken, I would live for however long I was intended to. My world would be saved. I just had convince a demon to meet the Devil so he could be sealed away forever… But my family would live, my friends,.. Roman…

“Jaqueline, I know this is a lot to ask-“

“I’ll do it.”

Aleister smiled, “Good girl.” His praise rumbled through me. “Now, to sign the agreement.” A snap and a small scroll unraveled in his hand in front of me.

I recognized it immediately. “My contract? It looks smaller.”

“That’s because this is a different one,” Aleister pulled out a pair of reading glasses and turned it to face him. “It is an agreement saying that should you complete the task of luring and assisting me in sealing Balor away for good, your soul is free and everything from our previous arrangement will be null.”

“And if I fail?” I asked nervously.

“Then you will become mine for all eternity. If I lose my throne to Balor, you will be drug down to hell with me and reside wherever he may send me.”

I swallowed hard, “Damned if I do, damned if I don’t?”

He shrugged, “Pretty much. Now, shall we seal the deal?”

For the first time, I took a step away from him, “You mean?”

“Yes, snojepe. It’s how all contracts with me are signed.”

I took a deep breath and centered myself while my heart was racing, I perked up on my toes and pressed my lips against his. They were freezing, like his hand had been, but they left a sting against my pout. Aleister pressed his lips harder into mine, deepening the kiss. It felt… good. I could sense him getting ready to pull back, but I wasn’t ready yet. I reached farther up on my toes, lengthening the embrace. There was an inhuman growl in the back of his throat in response to my eagerness. Aleister backed me up until we reached the wall, pinning me there with his body, his lips burning into mine. His tongue flicked against my lower lip, coaxing me to allow him entrance. I was going to allow him access to every thing but he immediately pulled back.

“Mmm, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one looking forward to sealing our deal again,” he winked before walking back towards where he had set his glass down.

I took a second to breathe as he knocked back the rest of the red liquid. “We’ll have coffee tomorrow, discuss our plans. Felix has agreed to lend us a hand as well.”

“Felix?”

“You’ll see.” He said. “Good night, Jaqueline. I look forward to working together.”

SNAP

And he was gone.

I fell back on to the couch, exhausted.

What have I gotten myself into?

~~~~

Tag List: @fangirls-gotta-fangirl

Chapter Three ->

[beanghostprincess]

I feel so stupid but I do want cross guild to have some kind of genuine bond

NO, NO. I SPEAK YOUR TRUTH, ANON, ME TOO!!!!!!!! I've talked about this before. I talk about this a lot. I- I love talking about this, actually. I think it could happen. I think it should happen. In canon, and in my weird homosexual romantic fantasies of these three. You're not stupid, you're a genius. Big, big brain.

Gotta be brief about it because I have to go to work, even if some of you think I'm in here 24/7. I am not. Sadly. I wish I could:

I love the Cross Guild dynamic. It's SO good. Buggy's backstory revolves around being jealous of Shanks and the way other people talked about him and his potential and put all of Roger's legacy on his shoulders and ignored Buggy. In fact, Buggy has always been treated like shit. Like a clown, in a bad way. Like "oh, yes, Shanks' friend" and not just Buggy. Whatever. The thing is- Wouldn't it be great for his character (especially after chapter 1082) (I swear to God why do I have to mention that chapter every day. I have a thing with it it's pathological I can't stop thinking about it) to actually be respected/cared for for these two big people in the pirate world? Like the story starts with Croc and Mihawk hating Buggy's guts and only using him for their own plans, but after Buggy shows determination and hope and tells them he actually has dreams? Mihawk is bored with his life and Crocodile hasn't let himself actually follow his dreams since Arabasta. I think they're actually going to end up liking the clown at some point, even if it's just a little bit of respect. And it's not even unrealistic to think about, really. They just complement each other perfectly (Oda really put the three characters people expected to be together less in the same trio and somehow made it work. Excellent writing).

And if we talk about the ship, I just think they should kiss and be protective of their clown. I need it. My soul needs it.

[beanghostprincess]

Why is shanks/buggy so underrated in this side of fandom? It’s much more loved in Japanese one, one of the most popular for shanks. I feel like this one prefers other mlm options for him and I don’t get it. It got better after OPLA I think but still. Sorry for my English!

Oh! This is actually such an interesting question. I was talking about this the other day and I came to a conclusion with my friend about this. Basically, there are a lot of things to take into consideration here. The screentime, the age of the characters, the chemistry, how they're perceived by the fandom and canonically, etc etc etc.

The first thing I thought about was the screentime, honestly. Shanks and Buggy grew up together and they have a deep bond, however, we've only seen that through flashbacks (one in quite literally episode 8 of the anime, another one in Wano that isn't even about them and they're just side characters in this flashback, and in chapter 1082 of the manga. But it's not even a proper flashback because we already saw that when Shanks talks to Whitebeard about Buggy, it's just Buggy's interpretation of it) and we only have like one scene of them together that isn't even two minutes long. So, quite obviously you'd think "well, the ship isn't as popular as other ships because they barely have any screentime" and I think it's correct but also not quite. And also, this would also have to apply to the Japanese fandom at the end of the day. Fandoms don't give a single fuck about screen time if the chemistry is right, really, but there's always this factor, y'know. Lawlu has less screentime than Zolu and yet it's more popular somehow because people absolutely love their dynamic. Then, if you stop to think about it, both Satosugu (Jjk) and Soukoku (Bsd) have the same dynamic and concept as Shuggy, but they're by far the most popular ships in their fandoms. They're basically the same ships but Jjk and Bsd give them proper development and story because they're shorter series. One Piece is a long show and we still have many things to see, even if we know it's gonna end soon, so I guess that we'll still have to wait to see more of Shuggy. Once we do, I'm sure it'll become more popular. Also, Shanks' personality is very diverse because he's all mysterious and all, so I kind of understand why people don't want to make content because they still don't have him figured out.

But then again, screen time isn't really the problem. It's just one of the factors. If they had more screen time, they'd be more popular for sure, yes, but it's not exactly what makes them less popular in this side of the fandom. Otherwise, it'd be equally as popular on the other sides too. The Japanese side of fandoms is different from this one and tbh they often don't take into consideration things like cancel culture and proship discourse or the standard beauty regarding age because they just post whatever they want and scroll past what they don't like (god I fucking wish we were like that because I am so done with these things). Besides, isn't Buggy like a very beloved character over there, aside from Oda's favorite? At least from what I've seen, they take his character way more seriously than this side of the fandom does, honestly. And it bothers me because he's such a complex and great character, and people never see it because they use him either for memes or to keep saying "omggg turns out the clown is hot!! Can you believe I want to fuck a clow-" yes, Samantha, we know you want to fuck the clown. It's not weird. It's not new. Do you even like the character, at least, or you're just using him to say how kinky and quirky you are? (And I don't even care about the sexualization of characters because, again, fictional characters are fictional characters and you don't have to take everything so seriously. I have tons of characters I don't like that much but only stan because I find them hot and that's alright. But damn, it bothers me sometimes).

Anyway, with this, I wanna say that there are other things to have in mind when talking about this.

Recently (I know it's not exactly new but in fandom years? Recently) there has been a huge thing surrounding the term "old men yaoi". People are so down bad for middle-aged men and they see two of them together and they instantly go "omg they're soo married" but that's- That's it? That's just it. They don't even ship them, they just find the concept of older men hot because "omg he's such a dilf" and they want to fuck both of them. But they never end up doing anything with it. They try to be so groundbreaking like "ohh I am SO woke by shipping these two old men! See? Breaking stereotypes!" because both irl and online, age has always been a very stigmatized thing. Apparently you can't be in a fandom if you're older than 25 because then you're weird, and if there's an actress older than 50 she's instantly useless for the industry.

What I want to say with this is that most people in the fandom are young. They're young and they like attractive, young, hot people and they don't want old, unconventionally attractive men. They don't want them unless it's to give a "hot take" and to be super progressive and woke. Do you know what they like? They like Dilfs. They like Shanks because he's conventionally attractive and good with kids and he's the standard for a Dilf. Because he's hot and mysterious but also silly and quirky and "he's almost forty that is so hot something something daddy kink". And they don't want to see him fucking someone his age because God forbid this man has a personality outside being a Dilf. Younger people in the fandom constantly read y/n fics regarding Shanks because they want him to fuck them and not Buggy. And they can't project in these old men, so they publicly say "oh, Shanks and Buggy are so married" because it's just a fact the fandom made clear, but they don't really like the content. Because liking Buggy sexually, apparently, is just so weird. Or as a character. Nobody wants to say their favorite character is the failguy clown. It's a hot take when you say that Buggy is hot because people keep being all weird about it when... Uh... He's- He's just a clown. Guys. It's not weird. Or bad. Who raised you to think that? God, I find Monet extremely hot and she's half-bird. Could we please normalize these things? They're fictional characters. And also, stop reducing Buggy to his jokes or the fact that he's a clown because his character is GREAT and complex and it just bothers me so much.

This makes me think about this whole "background couple" thing. Which are basically couples that are canon or that are so popular and obvious that people, instead of making content for them (because why would you make content for a canon couple?) just place them in the background instead. There are so many fanfics in which Shuggy is a background couple. Or studies in which, instead of analyzing them, they're used only for parallelisms. This happens with, idk, Saboala? Frobin? Yamace? People don't like couples that everybody agrees on. They don't like m/f ships because they can't be woke!!!!! And queer!!!! (when they easily could but whatever). They don't like ships that everybody likes because!!!!!! They're canon already and why would you write about them???? And so, Shuggy stays a bit more as a side couple instead. For being old and unconventionally unattractive and not having much screentime, but being extremely popular. Not in a "content" way, but in a "knowledge" way. Even the general audience thinks their bond is crucial to the story, c'mon.

One of the differences that this side of the fandom has with the Japanese one, as I mentioned before, is the cancel culture and proship discourse thing. They just don't have that concept. And that's perfect, honestly, I wish we could just scroll past what we don't like too and live peacefully because the discourse is getting tiring. And also you have to admit that, because of the anti propaganda going around, now fandoms have turned into the most puritan thing in the world. Beware! Sex! Age difference between fictional characters that have a consensual and healthy and mature relationship! Oh! God forbid teenagers have sex with people their age! Ohmygodjustshutup. And so, Shuggy isn't a problematic ship. Not even close. But inside the OP world, people do say they are brothers. They keep talking about each other like that, too. And I don't even think it's the typical "we say they're like brothers so you don't think they're gay because they're both guys and guys can't kiss" (I am having flashbacks from the IT fandom). They do have the same parents. Like- We all agree Shanks and Buggy were both raised by Roger and Rayleigh and they consider them, if not their dads, parental figures at least. Right? And you're aware that doesn't make it incest, right? Both things can coexist. Foster families are a thing. Lots of people who grew up together and consider the same people their parental figures end up dating because they don't see each other as siblings. Well, most people don't see it this way and hear the word "brother" and run from it like it's a fucking virus. The Japanese side of the fandom doesn't give a fuck because they're fictional and because they're y'know, not brothers? And even if they were, cancel culture and proship discourse is so fucking stupid to them because they follow the "don't like don't look" thing. But on this side of the fandom, a lot of people see them as brothers and the other half sees them as a divorced couple and apparently nobody knows how to fucking read this manga and have a proper fandom experience without jumping to each other's throats at the minimum disagreement.

So, to summarize: People on this side of the fandom don't like Shuggy THAT much and it isn't such a popular ship in comparison to the Japanese side, because young people don't like older men together, they don't focus on unconventionally attractive characters, are afraid of any little possibility of cancelation, and also, well, Shuggy doesn't have much screentime anyway so there's not much we can do with that.