#chromamuseli

[chromatic-lamina]

OPLA Episode 7 gets its own post. They really took the edge off Belle-mère.

Like, how hard would've it have been to have included the above and below, then had Belle-mère be overcome (like in the manga). I mean Sham, from the Kuro Neko Pirates got more action.

Ditched the cig too. I get that Sanji's cigarette representation is probably too much for current times, but the woman was a chain smoker and

Also, having her be Nami's conscience—which she is—but not publicly over the matter of shoplifting. Not saying that shoplifting's right, but Belle-mère doesn't make Nami apologise for her actions to Genzo. Is it because we can only have one dubious parental figure in Zeff? Or cos' she was a marine? Or a woman? Or what? Like this scene tells us so much not only about her, but about Nami (and Genzo) (below):

where she's basically telling Genzo that it's not such a big deal (the theft), flirts with and woos him to get what she wants (Nami's M.O.), and Nami gets to keep the book, and doesn't have to do any chores around the village to work it off!?! Like????

This above, where Belle-mère does show that she's upset, and also that they're poor, and also leading into Nami's childish tantrum about not having enough money (although over time), carries a lot more weight and angst (to me), than whatever they sanitised it with in the live action (it's similar, but it misses a lot of nuances).

And also, to weaken the historical bond between Nojiko and Nami, that seems to be almost criminal.

Panels above where Nojiko got her tattoos so that Nami wouldn't feel so bad about having to wear Arlong's. This is a flashback after all the fighting is over, so maybe episode 8 will address some of these things. But they flattened Nami's story out, rather than enhanced it.

In the live action, Nojiko and Nami have been at odds for the last nine years or so, and Nojiko is visibly hostile to her.

The iconic scene of Luffy placing the hat on Nami's head was still very powerful, and it was always about Luffy, but about Nami too. And I feel that OPLA has made her story less about her and more about Luffy, I guess. Like, I'd rather view her as someone resilient and loved who needed help, rather than someone who only needs help. OPLA has shown her resilience, but it has relegated Belle-mère and Nojiko to minor side characters, rather than major catalysts, I feel.

I still enjoyed the episode. Especially the extra Garp & Zeff exchanges, and Helpmeppo & Koby storylines, but this is Nami's pivotal story.