Character Discussion Are there any good-faith arguments for Nami being the left hand/unofficial general instead of Sanji?

[moreha9685]

The 3 most Important are Luffy Sanji and Zoro. You’re overthinking it. Whether they’re in battle or just in the ship those three are the main characters.

On the battlefield, it's M3.
On the ship, however, Nami and Sanji take precedence over both Luffy and Zoro (unless the captain actually has something to say, which he usually doesn't), since sailing to the next island and surviving the journey (i.e. eating) are equally important.

Overall, and if Oda truly let their roles be important, I'd rank them as:
- Luffy (captain);
- Zoro (vice-captain)**;
- Nami & Sanji (navigation** & survival);
- Robin & Chopper (historical knowledge helping to the navigation & medical aid that doubles as survival);
- Franky (ship maintenance);
- Brook (morale);
Jimbei** and Usopp are their own tiers because:
1. Usopp has been pretty useless post-ts; as a lookout/sniper he should be indispensable when approaching other ships/land, but so far this has been inconsequential;
2. Jimbei should be as important as Nami (helmsman) and as Zoro/Sanji (old, experienced consigliere, able to advise Luffy on any matter) if only Oda had been bothered to show Jimbei in this capacity at least once.

 

[Sir Yasheen]

On the battlefield, it's M3.
On the ship, however, Nami and Sanji take precedence over both Luffy and Zoro (unless the captain actually has something to say, which he usually doesn't), since sailing to the next island and surviving the journey (i.e. eating) are equally important.

Overall, and if Oda truly let their roles be important, I'd rank them as:
- Luffy (captain);
- Zoro (vice-captain)**;
- Nami & Sanji (navigation** & survival);
- Robin & Chopper (historical knowledge helping to the navigation & medical aid that doubles as survival);
- Franky (ship maintenance);
- Brook (morale);
Jimbei** and Usopp are their own tiers because:
1. Usopp has been pretty useless post-ts; as a lookout/sniper he should be indispensable when approaching other ships/land, but so far this has been inconsequential;
2. Jimbei should be as important as Nami (helmsman) and as Zoro/Sanji (old, experienced consigliere, able to advise Luffy on any matter) if only Oda had been bothered to show Jimbei in this capacity at least once.

It’s Luffy - Captain, Zoro - Right Hand, Sanji - Left Hand

That’s the point. Those three are the leaders of the crew. Navigation and Shipwright are important, but they need the leaders to state the course and ensure survival

 

[Monster Zoro's Tesla Supplier]

Who the fuck ever believed that

 

[kekaro]

On the battlefield, it's M3.
On the ship, however, Nami and Sanji take precedence over both Luffy and Zoro (unless the captain actually has something to say, which he usually doesn't), since sailing to the next island and surviving the journey (i.e. eating) are equally important.

Overall, and if Oda truly let their roles be important, I'd rank them as:
- Luffy (captain);
- Zoro (vice-captain)**;
- Nami & Sanji (navigation** & survival);
- Robin & Chopper (historical knowledge helping to the navigation & medical aid that doubles as survival);
- Franky (ship maintenance);
- Brook (morale);
Jimbei** and Usopp are their own tiers because:
1. Usopp has been pretty useless post-ts; as a lookout/sniper he should be indispensable when approaching other ships/land, but so far this has been inconsequential;
2. Jimbei should be as important as Nami (helmsman) and as Zoro/Sanji (old, experienced consigliere, able to advise Luffy on any matter) if only Oda had been bothered to show Jimbei in this capacity at least once.

Namis role is pretty dimnished on the ship too post-ts, i would give that to zoro
Like we had several moments were both zoro and sanji were present with nami in commanding situation and zoro and sanji took over

 

[moreha9685]

they need the leaders to state the course and ensure survival

Usually, the course is stated by Nami (when Luffy has no preference) and whenever the weather is against them, it's Nami who shouts instructions to ensure survival of crew & ship.

On paper, Nami's & Sanji's roles overlap. Zoro's, Usopp's, & Jimbei's all three overlap. On paper. In practice, Oda has been quite bad at portraying a hierarchy of expertise that skews away from powerlevels.

 

[Sir Yasheen]

Usually, the course is stated by Nami (when Luffy has no preference) and whenever the weather is against them, it's Nami who shouts instructions to ensure survival of crew & ship.

On paper, Nami's & Sanji's roles overlap. Zoro's, Usopp's, & Jimbei's all three overlap. On paper. In practice, Oda has been quite bad at portraying a hierarchy of expertise that skews away from powerlevels.

Nami doesn’t state the course she just gets them to a location predetermined by the leaders of the crew because that’s her role.

I think odas been pretty clear about the hierarchy? When Luffys not around, the crew turns to Zoro and Sanji for direction. That’s the key difference.

 

[Bisoromi Bear]

"If anything, the only trio that matters is the OG, Luffy, Zoro, Nami. They are the captain's left and right hands. Sanji is just a cook."

Is something see often from people who want to downplay Sanji's importance in the crew, and the validity of the "Monster Trio" as a concept.

Now, as well already know, there will likely never be an official leadership role in the SHs besides the captain, but there are of course times when the crewmates will take the lead where Luffy cannot.

Although every member has had moments of leadership, Zoro takes this role most often, followed by Sanji. In Onigashima, these two are portrayed as a cut above the others, most recently in 1019 when Robin refers to Sanji as one of the Pirate King's Wings.

I absolutely love Nami, she's in my top 5 of favorite One Piece characters and I understand the crew would be dead 100x over if she wasn't around. But what am I missing here?

Nami is the right hand. She replaces Zoro, nit Sanji