#like he's cool and and a badass and doesn't need anyone. a lone wolf

[that-green-haired-swordsman]

"OPLA Zoro is too edgy" "OPLA Zoro isn't goofy enough" "What did the actor do Zoro laughs way more often"

DUDE. OPLA Zoro is perfect the way he is.

First, EVERYONE isn't as goofy and hilarious as in the manga. Because the manga is a manga. How is an existing real person supposed to act in a cartoonish manner. With the shark teeth and all or what did people expect?? That's just dumb. Also, the tone of the whole show is just different. Buggy's character? Khaladore? Way darker, completely different vibe. Cartoonish jokes and scenes just don't fit in and would even ruin shows vibe imo. Actually there mare many jokes and funny moments in the show, many of which include Zoro, sorry if you've missed them. He's a certified deadpan snarker and a hilarious dumbass with zero self-awareness how is that not funny? Because he doesn't get into Luffy's face after the boy accidentally punches him in the jaw? Oh wait, OPLA Luffy doesn't do that, too? Getting the point now?

What people seem to confuse Zoro's edginess with is an obscenely high self-confidence and Zoro's act of "I'm good enough to beat Mihawk" attitude. Dude thinks he's way better than he actually is. He thinks he's cool and badass with his constant crossing his arms and only rarely cracking a smile and he can't both smile and act tough bc his single brain cell is just not capable of doing that. It's tough guy act, that's what it is. Zoro wants to create that reputation and image of himself so he's either feared or idolised with literally nothing in between. He doesn't have time to deal with small-time fodder, that doesn't do anything to achieve his goal. He wants to be recognised by the bigger fish in the pond. That's why he never fights weaker enemies seriously, he thinks he wastes his talent on them. That guy acts as if he's got the biggest nuts on earth and he needs that attitude to create that reputation of himself and to prove that he's not afraid of anyone. Zoro does have emotions and OPLA Zoro does too, they both simply decide when to show them and for whom. It's called stoicism my guys. Comes from years of kendo training and Buddhism practice probably.

What edgy stoic (OPLA) Zoro also is, is traumatised. The live action carefully made sure to portray that in a way so even the dullest person would get that. Kuina's death still haunts Zoro and their promise weighs him down the same way it drives him forward. He's got the sole responsibility for achieving it, it lies on his shoulders alone. He's afraid to let her down, now that it's on him to achieve that goal for the both of them. He can't afford to lose, he can't afford to die. If he dies, their dream will be lost forever. That's what he tells Mihawk, that's why he fights Mihawk so desperately, so vigorously. He's trauma-driven. Mackenyu's performance was awesome in that scene. You can feel Zoro's despair when he throws in all of his strength into his blows, only to be dodged by Mihawk so effortlessly. Mackenyu's got the character of Zoro down perfectly. The "edginess" comes from the tough guy act, and don't forget... Zoro was a lone wolf before he met Luffy. Zoro didn't have friends. Zoro doesn't want to have friends. Zoro's afraid someone will get close to him again, he doesn't want to go through the pain of losing a person he loves ever again. That's why he tries to come across as unsympathetic and unapproachable. Remember when early years Zoro sat by himself often while the others were joking around? Zoro doesn't want them to befriend him and he doesn't want to like them, or even get the chance to possibly like them. Probably also has a "you can't be friends with your captain / crewmates" policy idk. Due to his own understanding of pirates bc what does he know?

Manga Zoro needed time to open up and let it happen that these idiots will become his friends. He's been on his own for so long that he's probably uncomfortable with being among others 24/7 too. He's not used to it. He's clumsy and let's not forget he's also a dumbass. He doesn't get why people don't act and think the same way he does. Because he's a dumbass. With zero self-awareness. Or what else would you call it if someone who's directionally challenged gives someone else directions like it's the most normal thing in the world, with a completely straight face even?

Zoro's not edgy, he dumb, and he's literally the only person who's not aware of this.

He's also hot but that wasn't what I was trying to get at bc that should be self explanatory anyway

Thank you if you made it this far and thanks for coming to my TED talk

[thedennysmanager]

5, 7, 16, 19, 23, 26, 28, 30, 43 for Grey?

Now for the malewife edgelord joke rogue NPC who accidentally became a party favorite by being so gay:

5: Do they follow a higher power? What are their thoughts on divinity?

Grey worships all the gods casually, as most people do in Coranima, on account of the fact that they are very real and very much watching. He doesn't go all in because he thinks the gods only really give big blessings to people they deem special and Grey doesn't think the gods are anything special either so its even.

7: Which party member do they understand the least?

Honestly they understand Cuk the least, like there are so many things going on with that man that Grey doesn't even know where to begin. And everyone else in the party knows and doesn't seem bothered by at all???????

16: What are their feelings on the people who raised them?

Grey is the joke lone wolf "I do it my own way and follow my own rules rogue" but he has a very good relationship with his parents, they are both alive but he hasn't visited for almost a year now. He wonders if they are doing alright on the farm since they live inside the territory of the Cult of Ibisuul.

19: What haunts them? What doesn't?

Although he is putting up the front of being a badass mercenary with no qualms about taking people out. He is actually freaked out by people who murder without any remorse. He isn't too bothered by warfare though, people die and kill by the hundreds for inane reasons all the time.

23: How do they feel about nicknames, titles or labels that have been given to them? How do they feel about their name?

Grey likes them if they are cool and make him sound edgy. He might like pet names in a relationship but never wants to be called one in public because that would hurt his image. He chose the name Grey for himself because he thought it was cool and his parents were like "okay sweetie, that's great, we love you".

26: Who do they miss?

He misses his above mentioned parents and also Sweg because the romantic tension is so high and he just wants to kiss him but we living on that slow burn.

28: Who would they kill? Who would they kill for?

He would kill anyone he was properly paid to (unless they were innocent or a paragon of goodness), or that threatened his friends. And obviously he is a hired mercenary with the Dragon Fangs and the rest of the party but he would kill for you guys if you asked nicely.

30: What do they seek out from others?

His act of being a lone wolf falls apart when he is romantically invested in someone and he needs a lot of attention and comfort. Which is why his one-night stand with Turbos did not go well and he began his edgy loner arc in response.

43: Why do they fight?

Honestly, he is in a little over his head at this point and at first it was an emotional outburst in response to getting rejected by Turbos. Now he is just kind of doing it because it makes him look cool and he is good at it.

[bamf-castiel]

I realize you like Punk!Cas and Nerd!Dean... But another one of my favorite Aus is Punk!DEAN and Nerd!CAS. BARE WITH ME!!! There are the loud, rowdy jocks, the geeky, book-loving nerds, but you'll never see Dean with anyone. He's always alone. People say it's because he's so scary, nobody wants to risk messing with him. Others say it's just simply"how Dean rolls". He doesn't need to inconvenience himself with the presence of other people. He's the intimidating lone-wolf. (1)

Then we have Cas. Genius at science, charming, funny (in his own quirky way) - he's got a good thing going, he's got a great group of friends who all share his interests, he's great with people, he's fairly known among school. Then one day he's paired up with Dean Winchester on a science project, and while all his friends think it's "so COOL Cassie!" - all he can think is, "great, this guy." Because really, Dean Winchester? Cas doesn't get what the big deal is about him. (2)He walks around, moping and glaring at anyone who crosses his path. Who does he think he is, huh? What's his deal, is he trying to keep up some fucking image? What, does he think it's cool? Does he think he's scary? Intimidating? Puh-lease. Castiel's not buying any of it. He thinks Dean is just a stuck up, angsty little brat. No, he KNOWS he is. (3)(4) But three days later, he finds himself sitting on his bed with Dean Winchester himself, and they're not doing an ounce of work, because Dean is telling Castiel about how he pool-hustled this group of guys this one time and holy hell, Castiel is gripping his sides from how hard Dean's making him laugh. He doesn't fail to notice how Dean seems quietly elated that he's getting this reaction from CastielBut no, Dean /blushes/. And Castiel is struck speechless for a second because here sits Dean-intimidating-lone-wolf-winchester on Castiel's bed, blushing at the most medicocre compliment. Surely he gets compliments all the time? Castiel says as much. Dean only blushes further, to Castiel's- what, amusement? He can't deny he finds it incredibly... Endearing. God, he never thought he'd use that word to describe Dean. (5 )   WOW THAT GOT SO LONG I hope that doesn't bother you, that just- REALLY got away from me imsorry😂Idk, I just love the idea of that punk and nerd dynamic being switched around, y'know? Dean being this intimidating punk and Cas being a nerd but really it's Dean who needs Cas's love and reassurance, Dean who doesn't have too much experience with people in any way, Dean who totally gets fucked senseless and owned and taken care of by Cas behind closed doors heehee So yeah. Punk!Dean and Nerd!Cas.

NONNIE NO WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE SO VERY NOT BOTHERING MEOR if you are I don’t give a flying fuck, and please do it more often??? PLEASE?give me more of actually-a-soft-boy badass looking punk!Dean and nerd!Cas