Character Discussion It would be pretty shit writing if Oda never even addresses Bogard in the manga

[AL sama]

But this is circular reasoning. The only reason why you see him as an irrelevant character is Oda's poor handling of him, when in reality he had the foundations to be a way more important figure. He has been around Garp since Roger's era and we actually have a precedent for how this character behaves during a threatening situation (was ready to unseathe his sword when Morgan axed Garp and jumped in and sliced Koby's guns when he tried to stop them from firing the canon; which by the way was one of the most impressive cutting feats back in the day, with Oda wanting to portray him as a powerful swordsman). Going from this to Bogard doing nothing during Hachinosu, not leading anybody in the ship, not coming down to aid Garp during the attack and help rescuing Koby (who he personally trained too, so I assume they have at least some personal bond)... It's weird at least because that's not how a person of his category would act, especially knowing he was first established as the "silent bodyguard" type who is the first to get involved when the situation gets threatening.

Going from Garp's right hand man who was the first to get involved and save the day and who personally trained Koby to... nothingness, basically, is a bit off, and I personally do see it as bad writing because Oda isn't consistent with how he established the character.

even most VAs are irrelevant and here you're saying this

the dude isn't important at all to the story so its not bad writing

its as simple as that

he simply doesn't have a role to play in the story

 

[Charlotte Horchata]

he simply doesn't have a role to play in the story

That's irrelevant. A good writer stays consistent with even the minor characters. The moment Oda established he's a powerful bodyguard who is the first to jump in to stop a threat, the moment he should stay consistent with it. Bogard went from being the first to get involved and personally teaching Koby to doing nothing as his "captain" is fighting for Koby while other characters newly introduced get much more spotlight. With Bogard Oda planted the seeds (some impressive ones by the time, in fact) but then did nothing with it (yet he clearly remembers him since he draw him in Hachinosu, so what's exactly the deal?).

That's not how you handle a character at all.

 

[AL sama]

That's irrelevant. A good writer stays consistent with even the minor characters. The moment Oda established he's a powerful bodyguard who is the first to jump in to stop a threat, the moment he should stay consistent with it. Bogard went from being the first to get involved and personally teaching Koby to doing nothing as his "captain" is fighting for Koby while other characters newly introduced get much more spotlight. With Bogard Oda planted the seeds (some impressive ones by the time, in fact) but then did nothing with it (yet he clearly remembers him since he draw him in Hachinosu, so what's exactly the deal?).

That's not how you handle a character at all.

if a character doesn't have role in the story then it makes perfect sense for that character to not get focus and its not bad writing in the slightest

us audience can want many things but that doesn't mean that the story will require them

 

[MonsterKaido]

He is an irrelevant character so who cares lol

 

[Tai long]

But this is circular reasoning. The only reason why you see him as an irrelevant character is Oda's poor handling of him, when in reality he had the foundations to be a way more important figure. He has been around Garp since Roger's era and we actually have a precedent for how this character behaves during a threatening situation (was ready to unseathe his sword when Morgan axed Garp and jumped in and sliced Koby's guns when he tried to stop them from firing the canon; which by the way was one of the most impressive cutting feats back in the day, with Oda wanting to portray him as a powerful swordsman). Going from this to Bogard doing nothing during Hachinosu, not leading anybody in the ship, not coming down to aid Garp during the attack and help rescuing Koby (who he personally trained too, so I assume they have at least some personal bond)... It's weird at least because that's not how a person of his category would act, especially knowing he was first established as the "silent bodyguard" type who is the first to get involved when the situation gets threatening.

Going from Garp's right hand man who was the first to get involved and save the day and who personally trained Koby to... nothingness, basically, is a bit off, and I personally do see it as bad writing because Oda isn't consistent with how he established the character.

if he came to beehive he would stolen spotlight from clay boy

 

[Moegara]

if he came to beehive he would stolen spotlight from clay boy

Shiryu being there was perfect to have Bogard do anything, too.

 

[Charlotte Horchata]

if a character doesn't have role in the story then it makes perfect sense for that character to not get focus and its not bad writing in the slightest

us audience can want many things but that doesn't mean that the story will require them

A character requires consistency, though. You can't put a character in an scenario where he'd behave a certain way according to what's been previously established about his personality, motivations and relationships, and then don't write him behaving how he'd naturally behave in such scenario; this is basic for any writer. He isn't just a nobody, he's Garp's closest marine since the times of Roger and isn't getting any kind of spotlight while his "captain" puts his life at risk in order to rescue the pupil he himself trained too.

Not everything in writing is about what the story requires, it's also about what characters require, which is part of why writing is such a difficult task. If you aren't going to do anything with Bogard in a situation where he'd behave a certain way, then don't put Bogard in that situation; which can be applied to every character. Simple as that.

 

[Peroroncino]

another one who falls for the Bogard meme lmao

 

[Dark Admiral]

Oda cared enough about him to give him his well entitled screen time in the LA. Pretty sure he has something in store for him, why else would he draw him out of the blue in Pirate Island after all those years..

 

[AL sama]

A character requires consistency, though. You can't put a character in an scenario where he'd behave a certain way according to what's been previously established about his personality, motivations and relationships, and then don't write him behaving how he'd naturally behave in such scenario; this is basic for any writer. He isn't just a nobody, he's Garp's closest marine since the times of Roger and isn't getting any kind of spotlight while his "captain" puts his life at risk in order to rescue the pupil he himself trained too.

Not everything in writing is about what the story requires, it's also about what characters require, which is part of why writing is such a difficult task. If you aren't going to do anything with Bogard in a situation where he'd behave a certain way, then don't put Bogard in that situation; which can be applied to every character. Simple as that.

I could argue garp ordered him not to

look at how carrot was treated even tho she is a far more important character

 

[Lor D. Coast]

if he came to beehive he would stolen spotlight from clay boy

Bogard was there, the ship landed in the middle of the town and he didn't move a muscle to help.
When Picazarro went for the ship, what did he do? He was going to follow Tashigi's orders like a good soldier and jump ship.