Controversial What bothers you about this flashback?

How not? Is like saying Robin is not the main plot of Enies Lobby. Or Sanji is not the main plot of Whole Cake Island. Or Nami is not the main plot of Cocoyasi Village
the main character of the flashback is xebec and the reason he went there is not for shakky, same reason bigmom and kaido did not go there for shakky. oda is just using her to tie other characters into the plot
 
One problem is how Shakky is supposed to be that legendary beauty everyone fell under the charm of, when her younger design is just another recycling of Nami's model and that is average at best, and is given too much focus and importance, far beyond what she deserves.
 
the main character of the flashback is xebec and the reason he went there is not for shakky, same reason bigmom and kaido did not go there for shakky. oda is just using her to tie other characters into the plot
Flashback started with Loki. Then shifted to Harald. Only then shifted to Xebec. And it was supposed to be a Loki's flashback only. Where the hell you tell a flashback about a diseased characters perspective? We never had that shit in One Piece before and much likely no manga ever did.

Shakky being there is the whole reason Xebec convinced his crew to go there too. Is the whole reason Roger is there and Roger being there is the whole reason Garp is there.
 

ZenZu

The only one who can beat me is me
And it's the moment where I need to prove you that .. yes, it is.
One Piece is all about the romanticization of reality, it's an exagerated take on adventure, a exagerated take on humans interactions.

It's like having a button to multiply everything from feelings to situation by 10.

When people will simply be attracted in normal life, people in One Piece are crazy in love, when people are strong, they are capable of destroying mountains, when there is bad behavior, it's up to incredibly horrible degrees. Backstory are not just sad, they are heartbreaking, funny moments are not just happy, they are the memories that can change the world. Monsters in the sea are not just small beast, they are sea KINGS of hundreds of meters.

Do you understand what I'm saying ? This is not some random strange behavior in One Piece, this is something we have witness from the first chapter.

When Luffy tried to prove his worth,, the VERY FIRST picture of him, was not just a kid trying to jump high, or be strong, it was a kid who planted a knive into is cheek while aiming to his eye:



Shakky being the pivot of this conflict and the most beautiful woman, is not a random bad written character traits, it's completely coherent within the context of the story.
You're correct. Doesn't make the Shakky plot any better (it's dogwater) but it is true One Piece has been a caricature of real life since day 1, right down to its visuals. Shakky being kidnapped bringing the world economy to a halt, is on brand for One Piece.
 
You're correct. Doesn't make the Shakky plot any better (it's dogwater) but it is true One Piece has been a caricature of real life since day 1, right down to its visuals. Shakky being kidnapped bringing the world economy to a halt, is on brand for One Piece.
I am sure Oda will explain how the abduction of a famous Pirate had effect on Economy wont he..
 
The entirety of this flashback should be told over the course of an "Act" of Elbaph.

God Valley should be like Marineford on steroids, with Oda actually taking his time to show every match up and how it could at least concluded.

I would've also been find with Elbaph being ~200 chapter arc that delivers the flashbacks in instalments. I'm hoping for a lengthy flashback for Gaban.
 
Top