People have more reason for Yamato to join considering how she's proficient with Conqueror's Haki enough to go up against Kaido. Even Gaban mentioned one has to be keen with Conqueror's in going up against the Holy Knights. They can't afford to have Yamato 1,000 miles away on some Fleet either, so backing up the crew against the black magic demon forces of Imu is more than welcome.
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You mean like when Robin appeared last minute in Whiskey Peak and abruptly forced herself on the ship last minute in Alabasta as well? HA!
I didn't feel Yamato was shoehorned at all. Oda had Yamato do all she needed to do in that arc and is expanding on her life even now with the cover story. Oda also expanding on the lives of Bonney, Kuma, and now Loki, so clearly he still has time to also expand on Yamato's character further whenever he wants. Anyone who claims he's rushing are simply mistaken then.
Robin was a key presence as early as Whiskey Peak and played a major role throughout Alabasta. Her arc was slow-burn and deeply layered—her connection with Crocodile, her nihilistic worldview, and her eventual breakdown at Enies Lobby all gave weight to her joining. She
earned her place as a Straw Hat through pain, vulnerability, and trust built over time.
Yamato, by contrast, appears near the
very end of Wano and is immediately framed as Straw Hat material simply because she says she wants to travel with Luffy. There’s no comparable emotional depth, no gradual development, just cheap flashbacks with Ace and declarations. Sorry Miss Side Boob, but it feels unearned.
And sure, Oda can expand on her later—but that doesn’t change how
forced her presence felt in the actual arc, especially compared to how masterfully Robin’s was handled.