Sanji has the most varied roles in the crew and actually the most usable one, he does more work than the others.
In utility skills/everyday situation, he is a cook. Out of the ship, he needs to gather the ingredients or shop. In the ship, he cooks daily. Other SH may not need to show their skill that often.
In life skills, he and Zoro often advise other members. Sanji sometimed give out good speech just like W7 chopper and EL usopp. He, besides robin (and now jinve) also explain some strategies or info. Other than Zoro & Nami, Sanji also give out commands too.
Action skills, he has stealth & tactical wit. Literally what makes most of Sanji fan is because of his super spy and savior/defender persona.
Battle skills, he is not as impressive as Luffy and Zoro, but he at least his opponents are funny / quirky.
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All in all, you just need to look at the ABCDE of characterization to gauge one's role & importance:
Action : be a spy in combat & a cook out of combat
Battle : fights quirky/funny opponents
Comedy : nakama most often used as gag
Drama : gives out cool speech & sentimental value
Ecchi : he is male, so not a fanservice material. But when ecchi scenes appear, sanji will react there.
You can pair him up with the monster group, pervert group, tactical group, female group, or practically any SH combination and the dynamic is still there. His character is so convenient, Oda is fine using him in bad, good, pervert, serious, or any situation. THIS is Sanji's true role.
In utility skills/everyday situation, he is a cook. Out of the ship, he needs to gather the ingredients or shop. In the ship, he cooks daily. Other SH may not need to show their skill that often.
In life skills, he and Zoro often advise other members. Sanji sometimed give out good speech just like W7 chopper and EL usopp. He, besides robin (and now jinve) also explain some strategies or info. Other than Zoro & Nami, Sanji also give out commands too.
Action skills, he has stealth & tactical wit. Literally what makes most of Sanji fan is because of his super spy and savior/defender persona.
Battle skills, he is not as impressive as Luffy and Zoro, but he at least his opponents are funny / quirky.
---
All in all, you just need to look at the ABCDE of characterization to gauge one's role & importance:
Action : be a spy in combat & a cook out of combat
Battle : fights quirky/funny opponents
Comedy : nakama most often used as gag
Drama : gives out cool speech & sentimental value
Ecchi : he is male, so not a fanservice material. But when ecchi scenes appear, sanji will react there.
You can pair him up with the monster group, pervert group, tactical group, female group, or practically any SH combination and the dynamic is still there. His character is so convenient, Oda is fine using him in bad, good, pervert, serious, or any situation. THIS is Sanji's true role.
