Its interesting to see fans of both sides fighting over Oden due to their love for this character, lol. We are witnessing the journey of the best OP character introduced post-TS.
On topic, I think Oden has more similarity to Luffy than Zoro. I dont really like finding similarities between characters with CoC, VOAT, Enma, swordsmanship etc. Those can definitely be used for parallels, but they dont present a strong argument in my opinion.
In my opinion, the strong arguments for Luffy-Oden parallel is their carefree attitude + adventure lust and unconventional leadership + charisma.
Firstly, Zoro is serious type when it comes to duty and responsibility. He is a hardworking guy while Luffy is more of a fun loving carefree type of character who values adventure and freedom above anything else. For example, in little garden, Luffy immediately jumps out of the ship for adventure!
Zoro also went out, but he wasnt really excited or passionate about knowing a new place. Similarly, in Skypea, Zoro was the last one to come out of the ship while everyone else was already on the beach excited about an island made of fluffy clouds.
Their attitude kind of reflects their goals. In OP verse, only a dreamer with a passion for adventure and love for freedom can become the pirate king. In that respect, Oden is more like Luffy as Oda emphasized several times already how Oden valued adventure and freedom.
Secondly, Oda highlighted Luffy-Oden's stand against prejudice that people have towards creatures that looks different. Oden beat up people for minks and a fishmen. Luffy didnt hesitate to bring a reindeer to his crew and fight for the fishman. This is not a bad point, but the thing is I dont really believe any strawhat has prejudice, I cant imagine a situation where a fishman is getting beaten and Zoro casually passes by without doing nothing.
To me, the difference lies in the fact that Luffy has a strange charisma so people like to work for him and follow him. This is not a conventional leadership skill. Luffy can see things or judge a character that cant be explained with any normal logic. For example, he knew from heart Nami didnt kill Usopp at Arlong Park while Zoro wasnt really sure. He knew from heart Chopper will join them while Zoro believed he wont.
I am not saying Zoro doesnt have leadership skills. He has displayed his leadership several times. In fact, he will be a better leader in the real world to be honest. However, in OP verse, Luffy has this strange power that turns people into his allies. Mihawk labelled it as the most dangerous power in the sea.
In this respect, Oden is more like Luffy. The people of Wano wanted to follow him in his adventures. The girls he kidnapped did not want to leave him. WB crew immediately loved him and rooted for him. Shanks and Buggy are also his fan. This man also seem to possess the mysterious power that Mihawk mentioned. He is one of those dudes who always becomes the center of attention in a party or in a public gathering. Thats what makes him and Luffy similar and different from Zoro.
Having said that, Zoro and Luffy also have many similarities. They are both very competitive.
They both value honor in a battle. They probably understand each other better than anybody else in the crew. They are so similar that they almost say the same things.
Thats why I dont really care about who parallels Oden more. Lets not ruin Oden's character with silly debates so some people start to dislike him.
On topic, I think Oden has more similarity to Luffy than Zoro. I dont really like finding similarities between characters with CoC, VOAT, Enma, swordsmanship etc. Those can definitely be used for parallels, but they dont present a strong argument in my opinion.
In my opinion, the strong arguments for Luffy-Oden parallel is their carefree attitude + adventure lust and unconventional leadership + charisma.
Firstly, Zoro is serious type when it comes to duty and responsibility. He is a hardworking guy while Luffy is more of a fun loving carefree type of character who values adventure and freedom above anything else. For example, in little garden, Luffy immediately jumps out of the ship for adventure!
Their attitude kind of reflects their goals. In OP verse, only a dreamer with a passion for adventure and love for freedom can become the pirate king. In that respect, Oden is more like Luffy as Oda emphasized several times already how Oden valued adventure and freedom.
Secondly, Oda highlighted Luffy-Oden's stand against prejudice that people have towards creatures that looks different. Oden beat up people for minks and a fishmen. Luffy didnt hesitate to bring a reindeer to his crew and fight for the fishman. This is not a bad point, but the thing is I dont really believe any strawhat has prejudice, I cant imagine a situation where a fishman is getting beaten and Zoro casually passes by without doing nothing.
To me, the difference lies in the fact that Luffy has a strange charisma so people like to work for him and follow him. This is not a conventional leadership skill. Luffy can see things or judge a character that cant be explained with any normal logic. For example, he knew from heart Nami didnt kill Usopp at Arlong Park while Zoro wasnt really sure. He knew from heart Chopper will join them while Zoro believed he wont.
In this respect, Oden is more like Luffy. The people of Wano wanted to follow him in his adventures. The girls he kidnapped did not want to leave him. WB crew immediately loved him and rooted for him. Shanks and Buggy are also his fan. This man also seem to possess the mysterious power that Mihawk mentioned. He is one of those dudes who always becomes the center of attention in a party or in a public gathering. Thats what makes him and Luffy similar and different from Zoro.
Having said that, Zoro and Luffy also have many similarities. They are both very competitive.
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