The only SH that I actually liked more post-TS, namely in WCI, was Brook. His encounter with BM, stealing the poneglyph, crashing the portrait made him into dark horse MVP for me.
Other than that, 100% agree with folks that post-TS SHP <<<<<<<<<<<< pre-TS, primary due to flanderization and Nika wank. I miss the old times when we got a lot more focus on SHP as a group and thus they didn't seem one-dimensional.
Brooke MVP respect
Unfortunately Oda completely screws himself when he overcommits to world building rather than in depth character development. He knows that is his strength, but he does not appeal as much to an audience that is getting older and has more taste for emotional depth and realistic consequences.
But he has always said it’s a teen-young adult intended audience. It is unfortunate also that the depth of his social commentary and the richness of the mysteries are lost on the upcoming generation.
I’ll break it down though:
Luffy- Powers are more interesting, personality is worse, like seriously grow up at some point. It’s nuts that this irresponsible clown gets handed a power that literally makes him more of an irresponsible clown.
Zoro- More interesting, personality is similar, but becoming one dimensional
Nami- Better, but objectively less interesting as she gets further from her character arc. Plays a victim too foten
Usopp- Same, which is not good
Sanji- Worse, much worse. Only redeeming factor at all is the inclusion of this seemingly more dark and serious version of himself.
Chopper- Worse, gag is the second worst after Sanji, underused in serious circumstances
Robin- More interesting, but mainly because the story is more interesting and she is integral to it, I do really like her recent features and her gag is the funniest.
Franky- Same, which is not a good thing
Brooke- Much more interesting. Dark horse mvp
Jinbei- Remains underused, but glad he’s here
Vivi-More interesting, we will see
Overall, they are better fighters/pirates and worse people compared to pre-ts, but we as an audience have aged out of appreciating the running gags and antics. Oda painted himself into a corner by determining not to have legitimate, mature romantic interests for the crew. His own perversion and pervasive fan service, his general treatment of female characters is very disappointing
