For those who are very invested in the progression of a story, it's certainly more satisfying to see characters whose purpose is directly linked to the main plot.
Yamato is a good example.
She's familiar with important characters linked to the main plot (Oden, Kaido) and the MC (Ace, which makes her even more appealing for the main audience). She knows huge stuffs about the biggest mysteries of One Piece so there's a lot of expectations surrounding her.
But something bothers me with her character : she's only made to serve the plot. It's the plot who gives her subsistence, she can't exist by her own. It's like she's a mere plot tool that can be trashed away after she served her purpose.
Zoro is the complete opposite.
Besides being one of the very first main characters introduced in the series, he has practically no relevancy to the main plot :
- the story never focused on his natal village nor on important people of his past life in present time unlike the other Straw Hats. Even for Brook, we saw Laboon in present time interacting with the SH. He is a reminiscent of Brook's past life as a pirate and he inderectly played a role for Brook's development character while linking him emotionally to the SH. Zoro got none of that !
- the story never established a paternal figure for Zoro unlike the other SH (besides Brook and Jinbe who were already veteran pirates) who got Shanks (pirate), Bellemere (marine), Yassop (pirate), Zeff (cook and ex-pirate), Hiluluk (doctor), Saul (ex-marine and Will of D.) and Tom (carpenter). It makes Zoro even more isolated from the main story since he didn't get inspired by relevant people in the One Piece verse.
- the story never really highlight his dream to become the WSS as it should. There is no one else who share the same ambition than him, and since all his character turns around it, he becomes even more worthless story-wise.
However, despite not being story centered, Zoro is nevertheless the second most likeable character in the entire series. And I think it's precisely because he's not story centered.
His judgement, decisions and actions are genuine. They're made from his own experience of life that he choose by himself without being forced by anything nor anyone (unlike 95% of One Piece characters in their backstories) with the intent to accomplish the objectives he set for himself.
It's as if he was a real person ! And that's why there is so many people who can feel attached to him.
That was my hindsight on this matter but I want to know yours with examples.
Yamato is a good example.
She's familiar with important characters linked to the main plot (Oden, Kaido) and the MC (Ace, which makes her even more appealing for the main audience). She knows huge stuffs about the biggest mysteries of One Piece so there's a lot of expectations surrounding her.
But something bothers me with her character : she's only made to serve the plot. It's the plot who gives her subsistence, she can't exist by her own. It's like she's a mere plot tool that can be trashed away after she served her purpose.
Zoro is the complete opposite.
Besides being one of the very first main characters introduced in the series, he has practically no relevancy to the main plot :
- the story never focused on his natal village nor on important people of his past life in present time unlike the other Straw Hats. Even for Brook, we saw Laboon in present time interacting with the SH. He is a reminiscent of Brook's past life as a pirate and he inderectly played a role for Brook's development character while linking him emotionally to the SH. Zoro got none of that !
- the story never established a paternal figure for Zoro unlike the other SH (besides Brook and Jinbe who were already veteran pirates) who got Shanks (pirate), Bellemere (marine), Yassop (pirate), Zeff (cook and ex-pirate), Hiluluk (doctor), Saul (ex-marine and Will of D.) and Tom (carpenter). It makes Zoro even more isolated from the main story since he didn't get inspired by relevant people in the One Piece verse.
- the story never really highlight his dream to become the WSS as it should. There is no one else who share the same ambition than him, and since all his character turns around it, he becomes even more worthless story-wise.
However, despite not being story centered, Zoro is nevertheless the second most likeable character in the entire series. And I think it's precisely because he's not story centered.
His judgement, decisions and actions are genuine. They're made from his own experience of life that he choose by himself without being forced by anything nor anyone (unlike 95% of One Piece characters in their backstories) with the intent to accomplish the objectives he set for himself.
It's as if he was a real person ! And that's why there is so many people who can feel attached to him.
That was my hindsight on this matter but I want to know yours with examples.