#and luffy as a protagonist is just the best

[hatake]

.

[bayleafpaprika]

thinking about how Oda chosing Luffy, a pirate, to be the protagonist of One Piece may be one of the most brilliant story moves by any shonen mangaka ever. by virtue of its main character being an in-world criminal, OP naturally lends itself to becoming a story about the exposure of a society festering with corruption for what it really is, and the dismantling of a dystopia and its propagandist facade. you simply do not get a story like that with a shonen protagonist who conforms to or tolerates the shitty system they're born into

[fiapple]

i'm getting towards the end of the skypeia arc, & i'd like to say just how much i adore the way the female strawhats have been treated.

just... every aspect of how the way their characters have been previously contextualized influences the story-line is treated with a masterful amount of consideration. we're given so many layers to both of them that enrich not only their characters specifically, but the arc, and the one piece world as a whole. without nami & robin having their specific skills, and their specific values, without those being built upon, the story would have come to a halt.

you could not have skypeia without nami & robin being who they are as individuals. not just because they never would've gotten there without nami, but also because the way these women think is itself foundational to the machinations of the arc as a whole.

to be totally upfront, if you think any other strawhats were more central to the skypeia arc than nami & robin were you are full-on fucking lying to yourself.

[mitsubachiaria]

Remembered a conversation I had with some friends a while ago and became curious, so thought I'd pose this question to the people.

[smartass-hoot]

all i need in life is a pocket sized luffy

[frankencanon]

I'm curious to see how the results will change now that the top contenders from each poll are all being pitted against one another!

—

※ Why were these specific characters chosen?

All of the characters above were taken from the top six results of the two preliminary polls.

※ What do you mean by "best protagonist"?

Which character would you most prefer to have in the role of protagonist?

What sort of personality, backstory, attitude, skills, motivations, morals, and various other traits would you prefer for the protagonist of a shounen series to have?

(It's also fine to just vote for your favorite character however since "likability" is, afterall, a very important, very vital part of being a protagonist...)

—

The results are in...!!!

The Best Shounen Protagonists as Voted by Fans are... 🥁

Top 3:

1. Edward ‐ 1,886 votes

2. Luffy ‐ 1,653 votes

3. Mob ‐ 1,420 votes

Runners up:

4. Maka ‐ 534 votes

5. Gon ‐ 376 votes

※ The vote counts were estimated based on the total number of votes multiplied by each character's percentage.

[incomingalbatross]

One Piece isekai story but. different

So there's a teenage boy. Reads One Piece. Loves the battles, the characters' strength and determination, the wildness of the world and all the adventures.

One day, as sometimes happens, he gets hit by a bus and reborn into the One Piece world.

It takes some time for him to grow up enough to realize it's the One Piece world - he was reborn for real, and his brain takes a bit to catch up to his first-life memories.

His new home is a small, uneventful village in the East Blue, not brushed by the main plot, and our isekai protagonist grows up wondering what to do with this second chance.

Because on the one hand, just being born into One Piece did not automatically give him main character energy. He doesn't have a Devil Fruit and has not managed to figure out how to become a powerhouse like Zoro or Sanji. Probably the smart thing to do would be to take his out-of-the-way location as a sign and avoid anything that looks like Plot.

On the other hand... he's in One Piece. There's so much cool stuff out there. This is everything he dreamed about the first time around. This is the best chance he'll ever have to become someone like Luffy or Zoro, the kind of person he's always wanted to be. How can he not take it?

This bounces back and forth in his brain the whole time he's growing back up. Even staying home doesn't protect you from loss, he learns when he becomes an orphan - this is both an argument for and against going anywhere.

And then. One day in his teens.

Luffy lands in the village.

Our protagonist recognizes him from hundreds of chapters and hundreds more episodes, with his crew by his side - or the beginnings of his crew, at least, there's hardly any of them. This must be early in canon.

Of course he makes friends with them. How could he not? They're the Straw Hats.

And, of course, they uncover an evil plot threatening his village - and, wait, he actually vaguely remembers this arc? Though it didn't go this way in the manga, because he wasn't there...

Huh. He's getting to affect a little bit of canon. And while our protagonist is more focused on making sure nothing goes wrong for the village and people he's grown to love, part of his brain is fanboying about that. He's gotten his brush with the real Straw Hats! He's gotten an adventure with them!

And he does okay. They save the day, and he even helped, and Luffy calls him a friend and even Zoro gives him approval. The rush is kind of a lot.

It makes things click. Our protagonist finally lets one side win in his mental argument. He'll never be happy if he doesn't go out and experience this world, reborn normie or not. He packs his bags and decides to set out, saying goodbye to the Straw Hats on his way. Maybe he'll even get to see them again--

Wait.

Why are they telling him to board their ship.

Why are they asking him to join the crew.

This is way beyond a little canon divergence, and he knows he should say no, knows trying to insert himself into the main characters is insane...

But they want him. Luffy wants him to join his crew, and even a day in his company has made him feel like not just a character but a friend. Who can say no to Luffy?

...And, actually. He's already affected the plot. They got a ship out of this adventure, and he is 90% sure that didn't happen in canon. They tended to swap their ships out a lot in early arcs, so maybe it won't have a lasting effect, but...hey, maybe he won't either! Maybe this is just a little extension of his brush with greatness.

Maybe he can push his luck anyway.

So, with a laugh and a cheer, our isekai protagonist boards the Going Merry and asks - just to see - if he can be the captain.

Luffy says no, obviously, but that's okay. Usopp knows he was never supposed to be here - he's happy just to get a chance on the crew.

[ryoikienzo]

How One Piece Teaches Life Lessons About Dreams and Determination

Discover how One Piece inspires viewers to chase their dreams with determination. Learn valuable life lessons from Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates' epic journey.

"One Piece" is a beacon of hope and inspiration in a world where dreams seem far away. At its core is Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate dreaming of becoming the Pirate King. His journey with his quirky crew shows the strength of believing in oneself and following dreams, no matter how different they are.

Key Takeaways

One Piece teaches the value of pursuing dreams and the importance of determination.

The show's protagonist, Luffy, serves as a role model for embracing unique aspirations.

The anime series encourages viewers to reflect on their own dreams and the sacrifices they may need to make to achieve them.

One Piece emphasizes the importance of confronting fears and challenges that may arise when chasing your ambitions.

The show's diverse cast and their individual journeys inspire viewers to appreciate the value of the path, not just the destination.

Embrace the Thrill of "One Piece"

"One Piece" is more than just an exciting anime series. It's a deep dive into what it means to "truly chase your dreams." This theme hits home, especially in a world full of distractions and doubts.

The journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates is inspiring. They show that chasing dreams is brave and worth it, no matter the challenges. Their story teaches us about determination and resilience in the face of obstacles.

What Does It Mean to Truly Chase Your Dreams?

"One Piece" teaches us about the power of following our passions. It urges us to embrace the thrill of the chase. Let go of fears and doubts, and pursue our heart's desires.

This Question Resonates Deeply in a World Filled with Distractions and Doubts

In a world where daily life can overshadow our dreams, "One Piece" reminds us to stay true. It shows us to never lose sight of our goals. The Straw Hat Pirates' story inspires us to overcome distractions and doubts.

As you explore "One Piece," you'll be inspired to embrace the thrill of the chase. Never give up on the dreams that touch your heart and soul.

Dream Big, Start Small

One Piece, the captivating anime series, teaches us a powerful lesson about chasing our dreams. Monkey D. Luffy, the show's protagonist, shows us that dreams are worth pursuing. His determination and willingness to face challenges remind us to never give up on our dreams.

The show's core message is that the journey is as important as the destination. Luffy's journey to become the Pirate King is filled with obstacles and personal growth. This teaches us to dream big and start, even if the goal seems far away.

One Piece Teaches Us That Dreams Are Worth Pursuing

The series shows that starting small can lead to great achievements. Luffy's journey from a young boy to the aspiring Pirate King teaches us about perseverance. One Piece inspires us to chase our dreams, no matter how big they seem.

"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively." ― Luffy, One Piece

By following Luffy's journey, One Piece teaches us that dreams are worth pursuing. The series encourages us to start small and let our passion guide us. The real reward is in the journey, not just the end goal.

Embrace Your Uniqueness

In the world of One Piece, embracing our uniqueness is key. Monkey D. Luffy's dream to be the Pirate King seemed crazy to some. Yet, his boldness and authentic self have won fans all over.

The show teaches us that being true to ourselves is powerful. It's about having the courage to embrace our uniqueness and follow our dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem. Luffy's story illustrates that the best paths are those that break the mold.

One Piece encourages us to let our true selves shine. By embracing our uniqueness and dreams, we find purpose, strength, and happiness—just like the Straw Hat Pirates.

"The distance between your dreams and reality is called action." - Monkey D. Luffy

So, follow Luffy's lead and embrace your uniqueness. Don't let others define you. Let your Luffy's boldness and authenticity as a strength lead you to achieve your dreams. The world needs your unique talents.

Reflect on Your Sacrifices

Luffy and his crew face tough seas in the One Piece world. They often wonder what they'll sacrifice for their dreams. This makes us think about our own lives and choices.

What Would You Be Willing to Sacrifice to Achieve Your Dreams?

The characters in One Piece never give up on their dreams, no matter the cost. Luffy wants to be the Pirate King, and Nami aims to map the world. They make hard choices and sacrifices to reach their goals.

Thinking about our dreams, we should ask ourselves: What are we willing to sacrifice? Would we work long hours or take risks? These choices can be tough but necessary.

The One Piece characters show us the strength needed to achieve dreams. As we face our own challenges, let's remember their courage. Let's think about what we're willing to sacrifice for our dreams.

"I'm not going to let anyone take my dream away from me!" - Monkey D. Luffy

Engage with Choices

Exploring the world of One Piece inspires us with Luffy and his crew's determination and teamwork. These traits are key to the spirit of One Piece. They teach us valuable lessons for chasing our dreams.

How do we engage with choices when chasing our dreams? Do we choose the easy way or believe our dreams are worth fighting for?

The easy path may seem appealing with its comfort and security. But Luffy and his crew show us that true happiness often comes from challenges.

They exemplify determination and teamwork. They face obstacles together, inspiring us to do the same.

"A ship is always safe at the shore, but that's not what it's built for." - One Piece

This quote is very meaningful. It tells us that sometimes, the best journeys are those that make us uncomfortable. By embracing the spirit of One Piece, we can find the courage to pursue our dreams, even when the path is tough.

Watching the Straw Hat Pirates' dedication to their goals teaches us a lot. The most important achievements often require sacrifices. By embracing our uniqueness, reflecting on our sacrifices, and facing our fears, we can follow their example. This way, we can engage with choices that will help us achieve our dreams.

Confront Your Fears

In today's world, distractions and self-doubt often lead people to give up on their dreams. But, the anime series One Piece offers a different path. It shows that dreams are worth fighting for.

The heroes of One Piece face their fears boldly. Monkey D. Luffy and Roronoa Zoro show us how to never give up. They teach us to chase our dreams, no matter what.

Embrace the Courage to Confront Your Fears

The Straw Hat Pirates' stories inspire us to be brave. They remind us that the fear of failure shouldn't stop us. We should confront our fears with courage, just like the One Piece characters.

By adopting this mindset, we can overcome self-doubt. One Piece shows us that dreams are worth fighting for. It teaches us to never give up, no matter the challenges.   

"The future is not something to be feared, but to be embraced with open arms." - Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece

Share Your Journey

As you dive into the world of One Piece, think about your dreams and goals. Just like Luffy, your journey can inspire others. It shows them to keep going, with friends by their side and clear goals in mind.

Sharing your story can create strong bonds and show we're not alone in our dreams. It's about overcoming obstacles, finding new strengths, or staying true to what you love. Your experiences can touch the hearts of One Piece fans, encouraging them to start their own journeys.

"The future is not set in stone. You can create it with your own hands." - Monkey D. Luffy

Just as Luffy and his crew form strong bonds, sharing your story can unite dreamers. Your journey might help others see they're not alone. It can light the way for those still finding their path.

So, don't hesitate to share your journey. You might inspire someone to chase their dreams. The spirit of Monkey D. Luffy and One Piece lives in all of us, urging us to follow our hearts.

Appreciate the Journey

In the world of One Piece, we learn that the journey is often more valuable than the destination. We see Monkey D. Luffy and his crew's true dreams. It's not just about becoming the Pirate King, but the amazing adventures and friendships they make.

One Piece teaches us to appreciate the journey. Luffy's dream to be the Pirate King is exciting. But it's the challenges, surprises, and camaraderie that really capture our hearts. The real value is in the experiences that change the characters and their bonds.

The Thrill of the Unknown

Luffy and his crew face unexpected obstacles, stunning landscapes, and diverse characters in the One Piece world. These adventures and encounters make the journey exciting. They lead to personal growth, strong friendships, and memories that last a lifetime.

"The journey is the destination." - Unknown

One Piece teaches us to value the journey over the goal. It shows that the way to our dreams is often more rewarding than the goal itself. The adventures and friendships we make along the way can be just as fulfilling.

As you start your own journey, learn from One Piece. Savor the thrill of the unknown. Enjoy the unexpected twists and turns, and hold dear the bonds and memories you make. It's the extraordinary experiences that make the journey worthwhile, not just the destination.

Challenge Conventional Wisdom

In a world that often says dreams are for the young, One Piece shows us otherwise. This beloved anime series tells us it's never too late to chase our dreams. It shows that determination has no age limit.

The Straw Hat Pirates, led by Monkey D. Luffy, prove this point. Luffy, a young man, dreams of becoming the King of the Pirates. He refuses to let others stop him, inspiring us to follow our dreams, no matter our age.

"I won't give up on my dream no matter what happens!" - Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece

Throughout the series, we see people of all ages and backgrounds chasing their dreams. One Piece shows that determination knows no age or boundary. It's never too late to start a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment.

By showing dreams are for everyone, One Piece encourages us to challenge conventional wisdom. It teaches us to believe it's never too late to pursue our passions and write our own stories.

Conclusion

As we end our journey through "One Piece," it's clear this anime is more than just an exciting story. It's a treasure full of life lessons that inspire us to dream big and face our fears. The Straw Hat Pirates show us that believing in ourselves and taking risks can help us overcome any challenge.

The lessons from the Straw Hats are for all of us. They teach us to accept our quirks, think about our sacrifices, and question the usual ways of doing things. By following Luffy and his crew, we can find the power of our passions and enjoy the journey of chasing our dreams.

As we say goodbye to this amazing story, remember "One Piece" is more than pirates and treasure. It's a story about the power of belief, resilience, and friendship. Let its lessons guide us as we start our own adventures, inspiring us to believe in ourselves, pursue our passions, and never give up on our dreams.

FAQ

Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams?

One Piece shows us that never giving up is crucial. Like Luffy, we can find the courage to keep going, even when things seem impossible.

What if I told you that the journey is often more valuable than the destination?

In One Piece, the adventures and friendships are just as precious as Luffy's dream of becoming the Pirate King. This teaches us to cherish the journey, not just the end goal.

Did you know that a significant percentage of people abandon their dreams due to fear of failure?

One Piece challenges this by showing that fear shouldn't stop us. The series inspires us to face our fears and doubts with courage and determination.

What would you be willing to sacrifice to achieve your dreams?

One Piece asks this question often as Luffy and his crew face dangers and enemies. It makes us think about what we're willing to give up for our dreams.

What does it mean to truly chase your dreams?

This question is key in a world full of distractions and doubts. One Piece shows us through Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hats. Their adventures teach us about friendship, never giving up, and believing in ourselves.

[maximumqueer]

Something that One Piece does really well is give us villains that, on the surface level, appear to being doing some form of good or have end goals that align with those of the main characters. Kaido and Crocodile both wanted to overthrow the world government. Big Mom wanted to create a land where everyone was equal. But, when you dig further into their beliefs and actions, we are able to understand that the hypothetical (or in Big Mom's case very real) outcomes of these desires are nefarious and only benefit themselves and the select few they surround themselves with. And I think that Kaido is (if not the best) at least my favorite depiction of this kind of villain.

When we learn about Kaido's back story, we find out that he, despite his immense strength, was being used by the kingdom he lived in

These scenes are framed in a way to make us feel sympathy for Kaido. We are supposed to understand Kaido's rage at being used as nothing more than a pawn by his kingdoms government to get a seat at the Reverie. In this way, Kaido is set up like a lot of the heroes in One Piece. He is shown actively pushing back against the oppressive regime of the World Government in a way that is reminiscent of characters like Robin or the Revolutionaries.

Why is Kaido a villain then? If he also hates the World Government (a faction that is being set up as at least one of the end game antagonists), wouldn't make him an ally overall? Well, that is because of the reasoning behind his hatred and his overall goal after he topples the reign of the Celestial Dragons.

Kaido does not hate the Celestial Dragons because they hoard wealth, or because they enslave people. He hates them because he views them as physically weak and as such unfit to rule

Kaido's views equality as something that can be determined on the battlefield. He believes in the concept of survival of the fittest, where the strong "rightfully" rule and the weak are killed or used as slaves. Kaido calls this equality, but it is not. It is just a different type of hierarchy than the Celestial Dragons (who use blood and status for theirs.)

What makes Kaido a good villain is that he was almost a hero. He had the animosity towards the ruling class, but came to the wrong conclusions as to why the Celestial Dragons being on top was bad. And as such ends up losing to Luffy (in the form of Nika) because Kaido's idea of freedom and equality were twisted in a way that only (or that the very least mostly) benefited himself.

Having villains like Kaido are (in my opinion) a necessity for a story like One Piece. Because it is not realistic to depict every villain as being opposed in every way to the protagonist. It is far more likely that they will share a hatred for the oppressive systems of the world, especially if they are not a direct part of that oppressive system (which most characters in One Piece aren't). But the solution to that is what sets one apart as wrong and the other as right.

Side note: I really like that One Piece doesn't have Magneto-like villains that are only villains because they are too "radical" in their methods. Characters like Crocodile, Kaido, or Big Mom are not bad because they are taking a good cause "too far" but because they have several flaws in their beliefs that lead to a governing system that is also incredibly flawed and bad, just in a different way from the World Government.

[wesleysniperking]

Usopp thoughts that have been following me…

I was rambling to my mom the other day about Usopp (because who else is going to listen to me go full One Piece mode?), and I said the issue isn’t that Usopp hasn’t gotten a “power-up”. Honestly, that doesn’t even matter (‘cause what does power up even mean anymore?). What I really want is for the story to shine some focus on him and give us a couple of juicy retcons. Something like, I don’t know, a reason to explore Yasopp’s backstory pre-Red Hair Pirates? Maybe even a hint that Usopp’s Observation Haki is hereditary? (I mean, the One Piece Wiki can’t even decide if Usopp’s sniping skills are a family trait or just pure hustle.) That would be chef’s kiss awesome.

Someone pointed out that it’d be incredible to dive deeper into Usopp’s character—something that retroactively makes all his Water 7 hardships feel worth it. Because let’s be real, that arc left a weird aftertaste for me and a lot of others. There’s so much untapped potential here! Forget Usopp just clocking Yasopp in the jaw when they meet (as satisfying as that might be). What if Yasopp left Usopp and his mom to protect them? Plot twist! Give us some layers to Yasopp, and by extension, to Usopp.

And while we’re at it, I’d love some Usopp pre-timeskip callbacks—like him reminiscing about fighting Kuro back in Syrup Village, or how he and Franky started off on rocky ground but are best bros now. Or how about the time he and Luffy fought and everything fell apart? Maybe even the moment he met Oimo and Kashii and wasn’t even a Straw Hat anymore. There’s so much richness there! I get it, Luffy is the protagonist—totally fine, no arguments there. But Usopp is practically screaming retcon potential.

Oda, hear me out. Usopp is your comic relief, and comic relief characters are the ultimate secret weapons to shake up a story when things get stale. Yasopp could be your ace up the sleeve. Bring him in. Make us laugh, cry, and scream, “I KNEW IT!” Let’s go. Usopp deserves it!

Usopp fan club

[tyrantisterror]

Wife Goals: Ryoko Hakubi

Welcome back, fuckers. Last time on this cry for help poorly disguised as, like, personal essays I guess, I talked entirely too much about Hexadecimal from Reboot. Well, today I'm gonna talk about another homicidal lunatic featured on Toonami and why I love her despite because of her many faults. Let's discuss Ryoko Hakubi from Tenchi Muyo and its various spinoffs!

I kid, there will be no discussion. This is the monologue of a deranged individual and nothing more.

Once you learn about Journey to the West, you'll realize just HOW MUCH of culture has been shaped by it. Like, taking anime as an example, there are... SO MANY characters based on the Monkey King from Journey to the West, a free-spirited ne'er do well who nevertheless proves to be an invaluable ally to the heroes, to the point where many readers of the story point out that he kind of takes focus away from the rest of the cast because he's just so cool and charismatic.

Do you like Dragon Ball Z? Well, did you know one of the names for the Monkey King is SON GOKU? Hmm, and Goku's a big, free-spirited warrior with a MONKEY TAIL and an EXTENDING ROD who beats the shit out of demons and monsters, just like Monkey King! Or hey, what about that free-spirited and indomitable protagonist of One Piece, the one who wants to be King of the Pirates and rebel against authority at every turn? What's his name? Oh, that's right, MONKEY D. Luffy. He's everywhere, man. Dig deep enough and I guarantee at least ONE of your favorite characters is connected to The Monkey King. Just like Kevin Bacon.

I bring all this up because Tenchi Muyo looked at Monkey King for inspiration and, in a moment of divinely ordained horniness, asked the question, "Cool, cool, but what if Monkey King was also a hot babe who loved you?"

The answer to that question is Ryoko Hakubi, ancient demon, space pirate, and weird clone-daughter of a primordial goddess.

I've mentioned this before, but Tenchi Muyo's first episode is perhaps the best Meet Cute of all time. Our protagonist, Tenchi, decides to enter an old shrine his father and grandfather repeatedly warned him not to fuck with, in part because rumor has it that a supremely powerful and wicked demon was trapped inside. Sure enough, he finds a coffin, inside which is a horrifying mummy that springs to life as soon as Tenchi looks upon it. Tenchi runs away to school, only for the monster he awoke to find him there after class lets out.

And while that monster is now a very attractive woman with a mane of silver-blue hair and sharp, yellow eyes, she proves to be every bit as terrifying as her first impression would imply, chasing Tenchi through the halls like a slasher villain while throwing out fireballs like Freeza and at one point just manifesting a lightsaber without a handle through sheer force of will. Luckily, she also proves to be something of a dumbass, falling for some of the easiest tricks in the book (including a "oh look at that!" gag), because Tenchi Muyo is a romantic comedy first and foremost.

Through guile, pluck, and a bit of dumb luck, Tenchi manages to steal one of the gems that gives Ryoko her power, defeating her and allowing him to escape scott-free - at least, until she shows up in his bedroom with a very different angle to conquer him.

...she wants to seduce him, in case I'm not clear.

While the show briefly has Ryoko play it like she just wants her power back, it becomes clear very fast that her infatuation with Tenchi is actually genuine, especially once the rivals for that affection that the series is so famous for arrive (Tenchi Muyo is one of the first "harem comedies" in anime, after all). And it's not really hard to see why - Tenchi, unlike most protagonists of these sorts of stories, is a pretty likable guy. He's humble, compassionate, forgiving, casually funny without meaning to be, surprisingly resourceful and cunning when shit hits the fan, loyal to a fault, and despite what some may say, he's willing to stand up for himself when he needs to.

It's that last part, I think, that is the reason Ryoko falls for him. Tenchi stood up to her, and continues to stand up to her when she lets her worst self show. Despite being a normal human (or at least seeming to be when the show starts), Tenchi will stand up for what's right, even if he has to challenge an ancient demon space pirate with just a mop.

Ryoko herself is primarily defined by her selfishness. Like the Monkey King, she is a hedonist who lives for her own pleasure and acts on whatever whim pops into her head without any regard for how it might affect others. She is rude, crass, violent (but mostly in a slapstick way - this is a COMEDY, remember), and impulsive, a character who acts first and thinks way later if ever at all. If she doesn't start the conflict of an episode, then she'll damn sure make sure it escalates to hilarious extremes.

In pursuing her selfish aims, Ryoko throws every other character she encounters off-balance, whether they're normal humans, space police, alien princesses, or ancient primordial goddesses posing as mad scientists. When Ryoko wants something, no one knows what to expect, only that it will be incredibly chaotic and bizarre. This makes her selfishness fun rather than frustrating - it's a flaw that leads to wacky antics and silliness, and so becomes endearing.

But what really makes Ryoko compelling is that this trait also extends to herself - namely, her pursuit of Tenchi throws Ryoko off balance. There's one episode where Tenchi has to babysit a young relative, and Ryoko, in her continual quest to prove herself as the best of Tenchi's many romantic options, decides that she will take better care of the baby to prove what a great wife she'll be. The problem, of course, is that Ryoko has never taken care of anyone in her life. Her first attempt to show off is to get the baby some food. She looks in the kitchen, finds the powdered formula for the baby's milk, and just fills the baby bottle with powder.

And whether or not you find that amusing (I can understand groaning at the "ohoho this woman doesn't intuitively know how to be a mom like all women should" implications this joke can have), it results in an interesting character moment for her. Because Ryoko wanted to do this right, she wanted to be good at taking care of this kid, and yeah she wanted it for a selfish reason, but dammit now she's realizing how bad she is at nurturing and that hurts her - not just because it won't impress Tenchi, but because nurturing people is something Tenchi is good at, and she loves him because of that. How can she deserve Tenchi's love if she can't care for him the way he cares for her and others?

Which is where Ryoko's selfishness turns from a flaw to a strength. Ryoko will do anything to get what she wants, and if what she wants is the love of a good man, she will do whatever she can to prove worthy of it. If she comes to care for the weird found-family of space alien women said man has accidentally gathered at his home, then dammit, she'll protect them too. Selfishness can become selflessness if you want the right things, and while a manic, unhinged desire to get what you want coupled with unfathomable cosmic power can make you a terrifying villain, it can make you a very endearing hero if what you want is to prove worthy of love.

(Ryoko does manage to get the formula right in the end)

Like, Tenchi Muyo was right - it would fucking rock if Monkey King was a hot lady who loved you. I wonder what other mythic and literary figures would be cool if they were hot ladies who loved you - wait, shit, that's what Fate/Zero is about isn't it.

Anyway, I saw Tenchi Muyo on Toonami when I was, like, twelve or so, which is probably TOO young to watch this series, though to be fair the Toonami version was heavily censored (you had to stay up late to see the less-censored version on Toonami's Midnight Run, and I wouldn't get a personal TV to do stuff like that until a few years later). So, like Hexadecimal, Ryoko ended up being a very formative precocious crush for me, though at least then I was old enough to understand that my fascination was very much romantic. But shit, why shouldn't I have had a crush on Ryoko? She was funny, confident, strong and willing to beat people up for the people she loves, and constantly swept people into wild and wacky adventures. Sure, she was also a selfish, violent, casually destructive wanted criminal, but, well... Hexadecimal already ensured my type is "living collection of romantic Red Flags," so it's not like that was going to stop me.

And to this day I still think Ryoko is one of the best romantic leads in any story ever, with the greatest Meet Cute of all time to boot. Yeah, she's a scumbag, but so are, like, 90% of the male leads in romances. What, we don't deserve a lovable scumbag heroine for once? A lady Han Solo? Fuck you, I love Ryoko Hakubi, we stan. WE STAN, DAMMIT!

[shima-draws]

Just in case I don’t end up finishing my special art piece for him today. Happy fucking BIRTHDAY Monkey D Luffy. To the protagonist of all time. To the most selfish selfless captain. To the boy with dreams wider than the entire ocean, who sees the best in people before they themselves realize, who will topple kingdoms with his bare hands for his nakama, who never gives up fighting even if all seems lost, who brings joy and sunshine and HOPE to everyone around him, who loves his crew so deeply that he would lay his life on the line for them in an instant, and who is definitely. Surely. ABSOLUTELY. Going to become King of the Pirates

[ohnoitstbskyen]

one piece live action thoughts?

It looks very much like a live action adaptation of One Piece. For better, and very much also for worse.

I mean this in the sense that it's adapted to fit a form that helps it make sense 1) in live action and 2) to a general audience which isn't intimately familiar with manga or anime, and which a broadcaster or streaming service would want to reach.

Luffy especially, at least going by the relatively tiny snippet we have seen so far, seems to have had some of his more peculiar edges sanded off to fit more comfortably into the mold of a typical young adult protagonist, which includes the... I guess what people call "marvel speak" now? The little funny quips and asides and ironic saying-the-obvious-thing-out-loud beats, which are more Americanisms than Marvel specific but I digress.

In One Piece, Luffy is most often not the point of view character, especially early on. Luffy is usually observed from outside by other characters - Koby serves this role in the early chapters, and from then on usually we see Luffy through his crew, or through whatever secondary characters they're interacting with in that particular arc.

People have observed this before, but in the manga, we essentially NEVER get any internal monologue from Luffy, he always either SAYS what he's thinking, or he runs on head empty no thoughts just vibes instinct and gut reaction.

And that... probably doesn't really work with a typical young adult protagonist. If adapted faithfully to screen, I think a lot of audiences would read him as just a reckless, inconsiderate and kinda heartless asshole, because a framing and presentation of Luffy that makes sense in a manga or anime just doesn't read the same in live action filmmaking.

Like, One Piece opens with Luffy recklessly sailing off to sea despite having no idea how to sail, getting sucked into a whirlpool and surviving on sheer dumb luck, getting picked up by some pirates in a barrel. Then he meets an abused child named Koby who has been getting the shit kicked out of him daily for months and immediately calls him a clumsy, stupid, cowardly worthless loser to his face and laughs at him.

Like, if you adapted that faithfully, how would that come across to a general audience? Imagine this scene staged in live-action, with human actors having to portray this conversation rather than stylized cartoon people. It simply wouldn't come across the same way, Luffy would come across as an It's Always Sunny character at best. Why would a general audience sympathize with him? Why would they find him compelling or worth investing emotionally in?

And I'm not saying there aren't ways to adapt One Piece faithfully into live action, there absolutely are (much like the manga, I would make everyone ELSE the point-of-view characters looking AT Luffy rather than try and present him as a Likeable Protagonist, for example).

My point is just that in any translation into live action, there are going to be concessions to the medium, there are going to be concessions to film language, concessions to audience expectations, concessions to the market conditions, concessions to the studio funding the filming, and so on. That's just the nature of the endeavour.

When it's done well, you get an adaptation that preserves the spirit of the thing while fitting its medium. Lord of the Rings comes to mind, an adaptation which changed huge amounts from its source material, but preserved the spirit.

When it's done poorly you get... well, Cowboy Bebop on Netflix.

I don't know from the tiny trailer snippet we've seen whether this show will preserve the spirit of One Piece, it very well may not, and end up another victim on the pile of bad anime adaptations. But I don't think the fact that it changed the vibe of the characters or Main Character'd Luffy alone are reasons to dismiss it, at least not yet. Those might have been necessary concessions for the show to work in live action at all. We shall see.

I'm not super optimistic or excited (because, again, I remember Cowboy Bebop), but I'm not despairing of it yet either.

[beanghostprincess]

Thoughs on Transfem Luffy? Personally I actually love this concept, some of my main hcs are:

- She comes out after Garp leaves her with Dadan so when he first sees her bounty posters he thinks he is going crazy at first

- Design is literally the same but with pigtails and the classic op girl eyes

- She casually nentions being trans after a visit from Chopper and everybody is cool with that. (Exept sanji)

- Amazpn Lily is a nightmare at first but after explaining herself Boa makes misgendering her a crime

- Impel Down is a lot more interesting

- Akainu is the only transphobic person in op and he gets his ass beaten

- Sabo cries (of joy) at Dressrosa for her

- Wano is more interesting too

Very very positive thoughts about transfem Luffy. She's my beloved. My little ball of chaos. The same exact as our canon Luffy but with different pronouns and somehow I imagine her to be even more unhinged because you wouldn't expect a cutie pie like her to be so damn chaotic.

Honestly, the whole thing is just something so cute to me. Makino? Dadan? Ace? Sabo? Shanks? They'd all support her like crazy. Ace and Sabo would beat the shit out of anyone saying anything bad about her while Makino teaches her (and her brothers) how to do her hair so it doesn't bother her while playing/running/training. This makes even more sense now because both Shanks and Dragon give major girl dad energy, so of course they'd love her (thinking about Dragon seeing the first Wanted poster and being thrilled about it and mourning a bit not being able to see her). Uta!!! Uta would tell her to be more feminine and delicate but she'd end up being charmed by her freedom, so she'd also beat the shit out of anyone who doesn't consider her sister a girl. Luffy is very nonchalant and careless about these things but is very stubborn so she gets frustrated when someone doesn't respect her identity. She's all like "I am a girl but I still wanna do stuff boys do, y'know? It just feels right to do whatever I want but, uh, as a girl. It makes sense".

Not to mention that she'd come out in the worst moment possible, in the most sudden way, and everyone in the crew would accept her but they'd be so astonished because Luffy is just so damn stupid and blunt sometimes. Also, I think it'd be good for Sanji to learn about trans girls... It'd help Sanji... In so many ways... The closet is glass for Sanji too but this isn't about her...

Amazon Lily is even better because Boa and Luffy would've been even greater friends (even though I love the whole "Luffy being the only guy she feels safe with" I also think that Boa acknowledging trans girls in an island specifically for women would be awesome).

Akainu can go rot in hell. If someone's transphobic in this show, it is him only.

Sabo!!!!!!! Sabo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sabo would be the best brother ever to his sister. I just know that he'd be even more protective than he is now even knowing she can protect herself. Like that's his baby sister!!! And he'd be so happy to see her again and realizing she has the family and support she has always wanted!! The fact that she lives free and by her own ideals is enough for Sabo to be the happiest.

Wano is more interesting because she'd actually relate to Yamato's experience!!!!!!!! Trans besties!!!!!!!!! And Kiku!!!!!! Wano truly is the trans arc...

Overall, I believe she'd be the exact same as she is now but would easily get bothered by people telling her she's not a girl or saying that she isn't girly enough. She'd be ruthless and yet the cutest thing ever. Btw, she'd still go shirtless/topless even if she gets boobs because she does not care about it lmao--

I've been saying we need more Luffy female protagonists, tbh. It'd be soooo good for the story and would add more to the topics of freedom and liberation.

[izvmimi]

Yk what’s funny is u are ofc resident Shonen Protagonist Fucker and Luffy is genuinely one of the best shonen protags I’ve ever read (perhaps the) but I don’t think you’d rlly be attracted to luffy. Maybe post-timeskip but……. idk luffy has a certain Bite to him that I don’t think is comparable to ur protagonist harem. Hes a very selfish character at his core, albeit in an empathetic and protective way. Anyway obvi I voted one piece and can see it’s losing im just trying to make u more interested out of curiosity LOL even if ur not Into luffy he is a very compelling character I think 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

i need to know what they put in one piece for all of you to go to bat like this it kills me

it's like when you see people lined up outside a store for a sandwich and you're like 'it cannot possibly be this good... unless'

but i do think you're right i think luffy already looks very much old shonen (which makes sense given when it started) and like i tend to not like the old shonen protags as much as the second gen ones

[dykealloy]

on wano law gets on luffy’s case for giving stolen food to villagers bc ‘pirates helping people makes him sick’ or something like that. so he thinks hes a pirate-y pirate

law is fascinating in that he's one of the only people who's convinced he's this big bad pirate captain. sure his crew respects and loves him and he's got the looks and the ship and the power to stand up with the best/worst of them but his commitment to his identity as a doctor and his inability to let people suffer for his own benefit really makes it difficult for anyone that knows him to believe he's morally reprehensible. also makes him a petulant brat and nerd whenever he says stuff like this because dude you saved the protagonist "on a whim" from a war you had no place in. less than a month ago you were willing to sacrifice your life for the sake of a random island kingdom (also for the sake of corasan and revenge but the end result would be the same).

his perchance for organ theft might raise an eyebrow but past his ooc sabaody intro he only seems to take part in it during fights or for a given motivation e.g. achieving warlord status so he can garner access to restricted world gov areas. also this requires discussion of whether organ black market trade is a thing in one piece for it to be considered a pirate-y pirate crime or if law is just a weird freak who keeps spare hearts and kidneys in his submarine walk-in freezer or to feed bepo.

I do think law's bad boy reputation is something he actively tries to add fuel to (and a defensive tactic that was instilled into him from a very young age) just so he can not be seen as an easy target to attack + avoiding the trouble of the general public thinking he's a non-freak who can save them (guy's already got enough survivor's guilt for one lifetime). I feel like Law would like to mean it when he says 'pirates helping people makes me feel sick' but deep down I don't think he has the heart to stop himself given the circumstance.