This thread is to discuss the Color of Observation haki and its limitations. I think this is a part of COO which hasn't been discussed as much.
Color of Observation has been explained by Rayleigh as the ability to sense lifeforms even when out of sight. This ability can be grouped into two main categories;
1. Prediction. This at an advanced stage leads to Future Sight as demonstrated by Katakuri and Luffy.
2. Sensing. This is more general and has several branches and levels to it. We have characters who are able to sense emotion (Sanji,Otohime,Luffy). We have characters who focus more on range (Rayleigh demonstrated island level range, Enel , Aisa). Characters with this ability can also sense the power level of lifeforms. We also have characters like Usopp who manifested a more locational form of sensing dealing with sight.
Now we move on to the limitations of these abilities. The General limitation of the ability is the requirement of calmness. Thus if you are not calm, the ability fails. Instances such as Chopper vs Gedatsu, Satori vs Luffy Sanji Ussop, Enel vs Luffy, Katakuri vs Luffy, Doflamingo vs Law, etc.
Other limitations which are more specific are as follows;
1. Prediction - At its basic level, random events are a limit to the prediction ability of COO. Luffy vs Enel was the best example for this which showed that Enel could not predict Luffy's moves when Luffy resulted to dumbing his mind and using random attacks (attacks without intention).
At both basic and Future sight level, multiple events happening simultaneously limit the use of COO haki. In the manga, when Luffy was caught by Katakuri, he was able to extend and show Big Mom the picture of mother Caramel. Katakuri was unable to see such a future. In addition, when Flampe and her goons were attacking Luffy whiles he was fighting Katakuri, Katakuri did not notice that with his Future sight.
In combat situations, the above limitations can be combined with the following;
At both Basic and Future sight levels, enhanced speed beyond the reaction speed of the opponent is a limit to COO haki. Luffy vs the Snake sisters demonstrated this. Also snakeman vs Katakuri demonstrated this limitation.
Also, Area of Effect Attacks renders the use of COO weak since the attacks are so huge that sensing them makes no difference. This is because even if a character knows what is coming, they cannot dodge it. Luffy grabbing Katakuri with G3 is an example.
2. Sensing- Generally, it has been demonstrated throughout the manga that a major limitation for COO in this category is the inability to sense lifeforms inside other lifeforms. Secondly, Lifeforms who are overwhelmed by bigger Lifeforms. Thirdly, Lifeforms who are encased or merged with inanimate objects or structures.
With the first one, this was demonstrated preskip where Luffy and Aisa were swallowed by the serpent. Enel was unable to sense them and neither could Aisa sense anything outside the Serpent.
With the second one, Sanji could not properly sense Kinemon when he was partly swallowed by a shark. He eventually located him through sight.
Burgess was not sensed by Sabo when he got on the ship to Baltigo. Even on Baltigo, he still went unnoticed whiles Dragon was present. He was beaten close to death so that was the reason he wasn't sensed.
With the third one, we have Zoro vs Pica and Luffy vs Cracker. In Zoro vs Pica, when Pica merges with the stone, neither Zoro nor Luffy could sense him. Even when Pica was right in front of these characters, they couldn't sense him with COO. This was because he merged his life force with the stone ( notice Zoro separates a stone with life from a stone without).
In Luffy vs Cracker, Luffy did not sense the real Cracker inside the armor until he destroyed the armor even though he was using COO throughout the match.
We also have Monet who was able to merge with snow and listen in on Luffy and Law's conversation about their alliance.
It is important to note that we have been introduced to situations where characters have been able to hide their presence. First we have Lafitte who was able to get into the 7 warlords meeting without being noticed. Then we have the Minks who were able to hide their presence to the point where Luffy could not sense them even though they were close by.
This isn't an exhaustive list though so any contribution is welcome.
Please leave your thoughts below.
Edit; If any mod could edit in panels supporting this topic, would be appreciative.
Much thanks to Queen for providing the panels below for the examples provided above
Update; It is interesting for characters like Coby and Aisa. They seem to have awoken their COO through some form of event or trauma (at least in Coby's case). Now they COO they got was not only to hear emotion but also to feel it themselves too. In addition, they gained island level COO. It seems to imply that those who awaken it instead of training at first gain a higher level of COO and are naturally more proficient in COO.
Tags: @Reborn @Bogard @Gol D. Roger @Cinera @Chrono @Den_Den_Mushi @Finalbeta @Fist_Of_Love @Queen @Admiral Lee Hung @Van @ShadyOjiro @Rukusho @Zowo @Sentinel @Light D Lamperouge @Usopp Haoshoku Haki @Buggy D Clown @Red Admiral @Reddot4
@Shiroyru @trav @style
and anyone I might've left out
Color of Observation has been explained by Rayleigh as the ability to sense lifeforms even when out of sight. This ability can be grouped into two main categories;
1. Prediction. This at an advanced stage leads to Future Sight as demonstrated by Katakuri and Luffy.
2. Sensing. This is more general and has several branches and levels to it. We have characters who are able to sense emotion (Sanji,Otohime,Luffy). We have characters who focus more on range (Rayleigh demonstrated island level range, Enel , Aisa). Characters with this ability can also sense the power level of lifeforms. We also have characters like Usopp who manifested a more locational form of sensing dealing with sight.
Now we move on to the limitations of these abilities. The General limitation of the ability is the requirement of calmness. Thus if you are not calm, the ability fails. Instances such as Chopper vs Gedatsu, Satori vs Luffy Sanji Ussop, Enel vs Luffy, Katakuri vs Luffy, Doflamingo vs Law, etc.
Other limitations which are more specific are as follows;
1. Prediction - At its basic level, random events are a limit to the prediction ability of COO. Luffy vs Enel was the best example for this which showed that Enel could not predict Luffy's moves when Luffy resulted to dumbing his mind and using random attacks (attacks without intention).
At both basic and Future sight level, multiple events happening simultaneously limit the use of COO haki. In the manga, when Luffy was caught by Katakuri, he was able to extend and show Big Mom the picture of mother Caramel. Katakuri was unable to see such a future. In addition, when Flampe and her goons were attacking Luffy whiles he was fighting Katakuri, Katakuri did not notice that with his Future sight.
In combat situations, the above limitations can be combined with the following;
At both Basic and Future sight levels, enhanced speed beyond the reaction speed of the opponent is a limit to COO haki. Luffy vs the Snake sisters demonstrated this. Also snakeman vs Katakuri demonstrated this limitation.
Also, Area of Effect Attacks renders the use of COO weak since the attacks are so huge that sensing them makes no difference. This is because even if a character knows what is coming, they cannot dodge it. Luffy grabbing Katakuri with G3 is an example.
2. Sensing- Generally, it has been demonstrated throughout the manga that a major limitation for COO in this category is the inability to sense lifeforms inside other lifeforms. Secondly, Lifeforms who are overwhelmed by bigger Lifeforms. Thirdly, Lifeforms who are encased or merged with inanimate objects or structures.
With the first one, this was demonstrated preskip where Luffy and Aisa were swallowed by the serpent. Enel was unable to sense them and neither could Aisa sense anything outside the Serpent.
With the second one, Sanji could not properly sense Kinemon when he was partly swallowed by a shark. He eventually located him through sight.
Burgess was not sensed by Sabo when he got on the ship to Baltigo. Even on Baltigo, he still went unnoticed whiles Dragon was present. He was beaten close to death so that was the reason he wasn't sensed.
With the third one, we have Zoro vs Pica and Luffy vs Cracker. In Zoro vs Pica, when Pica merges with the stone, neither Zoro nor Luffy could sense him. Even when Pica was right in front of these characters, they couldn't sense him with COO. This was because he merged his life force with the stone ( notice Zoro separates a stone with life from a stone without).
In Luffy vs Cracker, Luffy did not sense the real Cracker inside the armor until he destroyed the armor even though he was using COO throughout the match.
We also have Monet who was able to merge with snow and listen in on Luffy and Law's conversation about their alliance.
It is important to note that we have been introduced to situations where characters have been able to hide their presence. First we have Lafitte who was able to get into the 7 warlords meeting without being noticed. Then we have the Minks who were able to hide their presence to the point where Luffy could not sense them even though they were close by.
This isn't an exhaustive list though so any contribution is welcome.
Please leave your thoughts below.
Edit; If any mod could edit in panels supporting this topic, would be appreciative.
Much thanks to Queen for providing the panels below for the examples provided above
Update; It is interesting for characters like Coby and Aisa. They seem to have awoken their COO through some form of event or trauma (at least in Coby's case). Now they COO they got was not only to hear emotion but also to feel it themselves too. In addition, they gained island level COO. It seems to imply that those who awaken it instead of training at first gain a higher level of COO and are naturally more proficient in COO.
Tags: @Reborn @Bogard @Gol D. Roger @Cinera @Chrono @Den_Den_Mushi @Finalbeta @Fist_Of_Love @Queen @Admiral Lee Hung @Van @ShadyOjiro @Rukusho @Zowo @Sentinel @Light D Lamperouge @Usopp Haoshoku Haki @Buggy D Clown @Red Admiral @Reddot4
@Shiroyru @trav @style
and anyone I might've left out
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