Before Zou, we only had hints about Sanji's past. He was from the North Blue. That's really just it. We had no info on his relationship with his former family. It ALL was brought up during Zou and WCI.
At first, we were shown that he hates them, but we have the flashback. We see that Reiju cared for him, his mother as well. So, in the middle of these fuckers, there were good people as well. When Reiju tells him to run with Luffy and let the Vinsmokes be killed, Sanji protests saying that it would mean letting Reiju die as well.
Now here's the thing. In most japanese stories, blood ties are VERY relevant to a character's development. The "you are as bad/good as your "insert family member here" was" theme is quite the buzz. Or even to solidify the character as much different as possible. 8 or 80. Rarely we have middle grounds. Which is the reason that, despite hating them, Sanji could not bring himself to let them get assassinated. He still wants to save them.
When Judge confronts him about this, Sanji does not give him a "we're family" speech. Quite the contrary. He just says that his REAL father would be disappointed for Sanji holding to old grudges. The love he feels for Zeff as his real father is greater than all the suffering he endured from the Vinsmokes. This is the message.
Now...this last part is speculation. We don't actually know if giving Sanji the Raid Suit was Judge's idea, or his siblings'. Niji is the one that sneaks it into his pocket while saying "you're too slow. you will die if you stay the way you are". Judge is a dick, but the brothers were modified before birth to literally become assholes. It's not really their fault. They merely reproduced all the hatred Judge felt towards Sanji due to Sora's passing. It COULD be a little glimpse of "emotions" coming from his brothers, showing a message that Sanji's act of kindess towards them was enough to even counter the modifications they suffered and show emotions themselves, like gratitude.
Back to the real thing.
Sanji CONSTANTLY says he doesn't want to be seen as part of Germa due to using the suit, but he also acknowledges that he needs the power if the SH's are going against formidable opponents that he cannot beat the way he currently is. There's absolutely ZERO contradiction with this. The gag of "dont call me germa", "i dont like them as well" "i am just soba mask" acts as a reminder that even if Sanji is willing to use the suit from Judge, it still doesn't mean he likes Judge or whatever.
The CHANGE Sanji went through WCI was, instead of throwing away a useful tool from someone he hates, he accepted it because there are more important things in his life.
At first, we were shown that he hates them, but we have the flashback. We see that Reiju cared for him, his mother as well. So, in the middle of these fuckers, there were good people as well. When Reiju tells him to run with Luffy and let the Vinsmokes be killed, Sanji protests saying that it would mean letting Reiju die as well.
Now here's the thing. In most japanese stories, blood ties are VERY relevant to a character's development. The "you are as bad/good as your "insert family member here" was" theme is quite the buzz. Or even to solidify the character as much different as possible. 8 or 80. Rarely we have middle grounds. Which is the reason that, despite hating them, Sanji could not bring himself to let them get assassinated. He still wants to save them.
When Judge confronts him about this, Sanji does not give him a "we're family" speech. Quite the contrary. He just says that his REAL father would be disappointed for Sanji holding to old grudges. The love he feels for Zeff as his real father is greater than all the suffering he endured from the Vinsmokes. This is the message.
Now...this last part is speculation. We don't actually know if giving Sanji the Raid Suit was Judge's idea, or his siblings'. Niji is the one that sneaks it into his pocket while saying "you're too slow. you will die if you stay the way you are". Judge is a dick, but the brothers were modified before birth to literally become assholes. It's not really their fault. They merely reproduced all the hatred Judge felt towards Sanji due to Sora's passing. It COULD be a little glimpse of "emotions" coming from his brothers, showing a message that Sanji's act of kindess towards them was enough to even counter the modifications they suffered and show emotions themselves, like gratitude.
Back to the real thing.
Sanji CONSTANTLY says he doesn't want to be seen as part of Germa due to using the suit, but he also acknowledges that he needs the power if the SH's are going against formidable opponents that he cannot beat the way he currently is. There's absolutely ZERO contradiction with this. The gag of "dont call me germa", "i dont like them as well" "i am just soba mask" acts as a reminder that even if Sanji is willing to use the suit from Judge, it still doesn't mean he likes Judge or whatever.
The CHANGE Sanji went through WCI was, instead of throwing away a useful tool from someone he hates, he accepted it because there are more important things in his life.
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