General & Others Why is the monster trio a thing?

[Albino 👑]

Out side of just because they're the strongest members of the crew why is a thing? Like what do you think oda's thought process was when he decided to create/highlight the trio?

Why did he make zoro so important to the crew?
Why did he make sanji so important to the crew?

• If oda wanted to he could have made the main crew trio be the first 3 members instead
• Also could've have made usopp (aka the sniper) or someone else with a combat related role on the crew be a part of it instead of the cook
• Or even replace zoro or sanji with future crew members luffy would've eventually got
• Add more members to make it the monster quartet or something instead
• Maybe make just not make it a thing at all

So again why is the monster trio a thing?

 

[Doggo]

Because Oda, as many authors in fiction, have a hard as fuck boner for Trios.

He couldn't have just the captain and the right hand boi as the powerhouses. he HAD TO make a third.

Hence, Sanji.

 

[duckman]

Rule of Three

 

[Nikuzi]

Trios are just common and well liked. Especially in shonen, there being a trio is almost a staple at this point.

 

[Sir Yasheen]

Because these three are luffys most trusted.

Trios in Animanga have been a common thing, and oda wanted to make it about luffy and his right and left hand men.

No one will be replaced because it’s not just their strength, it’s their connection to luffy thatmakes them most important. And that connection is what makes them strong.

It was created this way, and it’s not changing.

 

[Albino 👑]

Because Oda, as many authors in fiction, have a hard as fuck boner for Trios.

He couldn't have just the captain and the right hand boi as the powerhouses. he HAD TO make a third.

Hence, Sanji.

Rule of Three

But why were they specifically chosen to be part of that trio?
Why are zoro and sanji so important to oda

 

[Doggo]

But why were they specifically chosen to be part of that trio?
Why are zoro and sanji so important to oda

Can I interest you in a video that I watched with an interesting and compelling take on the matter?

 

[Albino 👑]

Can I interest you in a video that I watched with an interesting and compelling take on the matter?

Aight yeah

 

[Sir Yasheen]

But why were they specifically chosen to be part of that trio?
Why are zoro and sanji so important to oda

They’re the two that foil luffy.
Luffys goal is a combination of Zoro and Sanjis.
- Both Luffy and Zoro are searching for a title that denotes them as the strongest
- Both Luffy and Sanji are searching for a treasure that many don’t believe in and have made fun of Luffy and Sanji for believing in.

Luffys Character also foils Zoro and Sanjis
- Luffy and Zoro are very similar in personality
- Luffy and Sanji have very similar backstories

And finally there’s the fact that they were the first and the last to join the prologue. The crew started with Zoro, and the crew was ready for the grand line with Sanji.

 

[Doggo]

Aight yeah

I think this chick gets the gist of what Oda envisioned for this particular dynamic.

 

[Salah WG]

It has nothing to do with Power Levels
Luffy is part of multiple Groups

He forms a Trio with Ace & Sabo
He forms a Trio with Zoro & Nami
He forms a Trio with Law & Kid
Garp & Dragon
Current Emperors
Zoro, Nami & Usopp represent his Power, Wealth & Fame (Reference to First Panel)

Each has a Significance & specific relation to a certain Sub-Plot in the Story
And the Trio he forms with Zoro & Sanji is one of the Major Ones

If you go check entire Manga from start to finish, there is no "Unique & Exclusive" Moment between Zoro & Sanji that is related to Luffy except "Nothing Happened" Moment, and that was just a Foreshadowing, what's special about that Encounter? It happened "After" Main Villain was Defeated, something that never happened in any Arc

So imo, Oda created this Monster Trio which later he further hinted at it's Importance with "Wings" Statement cuz at the End Zoro/Sanji are gonna do something "Unique" for Luffy & no one else in verse can replicate

It's like Zoro & Sanji are fated to do one final Service for Luffy that they were built to do, only them. And if you check their Skills, we know that Zoro is on Path of becoming Best Swordsman Ever, while Sanji will Reach his Max Flame/Body/Emotions Potential

In other words, at the end of One Piece, there are gonna be Two Obstacles standing in Luffy's Way (And it's clear that this moment will happen "After" Final War & Final Villain is Defeated):

1. One of these Obstacles is something that no one can ever Cut except Zoro (Explaining why his Dream was important for Luffy's Journey)
2. Second Obstacle is something that no one can Endure except Sanji !!

And since we aren't talking about Power Levels here, it means the First Obstacle is something that cannot be touched by anyone except Zoro, meaning it's beyond what anyone faced before (Not Haki, not a Fighter, not DFs, not Swords, something Unique). And it also means that Second Obstacle is something that Sanji specializes in enduring better than anyone in existence, meaning it's "Extreme Heat/Flames"

The Answers are simple imo:

1. Death Itself is gonna come for Luffy (Similar to how Kuma targeted Luffy)
2. The Sun (Or an Equivalent Flaming Place) needs to be approached

That's where Zoro/Sanji Final Roles will become clear & show why they are indeed Wings of Luffy & portrayed as his Right Hand Men cuz only these Two can save Luffy from Death itself & approach The Sun (Only Place that no one ever reached)

 

[grey matter]

Watch this. Probably amongst the best unbiased analysis on monster trio I've seen:

Morj has other videos on the topic as well.


As for why specifically Zoro and Sanji?
I suppose he just chose two characters lol. But what do these characters "signify" ??

- Zoro is meant to be a character whose will and persona rivals Luffy's. It was put to eventually be a testament to the inhabitants of Oda's world of what type of captain Luffy is, when even someone like Zoro choses to be Luffy's follower. The whole transformation from "stand in way of my dream and I'll kill you" ----> "My dream is worthless if I can't protect you" kinda signifies this subtle narrative.
Plus there is some narrative of deva/asura theme going on as well.

- Sanji signifies the brains of the trio, when Zoro is brawn. He is that powerful dude that you can rely on to bail you out, when you get caught up in something.
Look at what he did back during pre TS. He does these clever and investigative shenanigans. Like the Mr prince stuff in Alabasta, following Robin and getting into train, him getting the bridge to function in EL arc etc.


Post TS, it's just that some of these roles of Zoro and Sanji got sidelined, cause post TS was basically Oda non stop riding Luffy lol



Plus. Oda generally loves trios lol.
Brother trio
Admiral trio
Captain trio
etc.

 

[Celestial D. Dragon]

But why were they specifically chosen to be part of that trio?
Why are zoro and sanji so important to oda

You have Zoro and Sanji who are meant to be the voice of reason, from opposite perspectives. Zoro is the stoic badass, who typically shoots firsts, and asks questions later, while Sanji is the more grounded thinker, who typically analyzes a situation, before executing.

Those two are like oil and water, that provide a yin and a yang to Luffys impulsive behavior. Ones glass is half full, while the others is half empty, while Luffy is the cup.

It provides an interesting dynamic between the two, especially when their thought process' align every so often.

It's because of those two that a lot of the situations the Straw Hats get in, can be overcome, because they can provide a different approach to where it is needed.

To put it simply, they are Luffy's balance.

 

[duckman]

But why were they specifically chosen to be part of that trio?
Why are zoro and sanji so important to oda

Is the puddle made for the hole, or the hole for the puddle? It doesn't matter which two characters you pick, you could always ask that question, and thus it is a fundamentally vacuous one.

 

[Warchief Sanji D Goat]

I think it's because Zoro and Sanji have the closest relation to Luffy. Zoro is like Luffy's best friend while Sanji is like Luffy's older brother.

 

[NotTommy]

Heightens their similarities in role on the crew whilst simulatenously making clear their differences. They all operate as formidable members of the crew and together there aren't many foes they'd struggle with (this has the benefit of hyping up the likes of Aokiji even further for schooling them) but Luffy's the captain and that's made clear in a lot of their moments, especially later with it being tweaked from a simple trio to him and his 2 wings.

Zoro's the Swordsman that dedicates his time to accomplishing his dream and supporting Luffy and his uniqueness is established in moments like him sacrificing for Luffy and taking Sanji out despite the latter also being willing.

It also makes Sanji seem that much more flexible as a character. Sanji's a character that fits quite a few roles from his culinary expertise to his low-key moments of saving his crew with some plan or quick-thinking to his strength and the Monster Trio emphasises that all 3 share that common role of being the guys the weaker members can always depend on.

Even in Onigahsima, Zoro was relied on to get the cure for the Oni-virus by Chopper, Sanji saved Chopper from Queen and everyone depended on Luffy besting Kaido. Even with the addition of new, formidable members, Luffy, Zoro and Sanji will always be there to reassure the crew like when Luffy seemed done but Sanji was there to set the record straight to Chopper.

The trio also adds to the crew-dynamics. It allows some of the crewmembers to stand shoulder-to-shoulder at times with the captain which doesn't occur often for other members. I recall Usopp sorta substituted Zoro one time at Alabasta but for the most part, intimidating creatures and causing havoc is usually left for the top 3. Essentially, we get to see Luffy show off but also some of his crew keep up in those moments.

Pre-timeskip, it was mostly cause the three seemed like regular people seemingly but when push came to shove, they'd deciamate large creatures or best even renowned enemies cause they were the Monsters of the crew (for instance Alabasta with that desert creature and Thriller Bark for when the trio's name-dropped). It's a recurring theme in a lot of One Piece fights to have the smaller, underdog triumph in the end and the Monster Trio kinda embodies that, they're constantly matched up with larger, more imposing foes yet pull through cause they're that powerful/skilled and together, they can always pull through.

It also allows an expected and easy to follow structure for the enemies to follow when Oda falls back on his usual formula. If that's good or bad is up to you but the trio existing gets the audience hyped and anticipating the enemy organisation's top people and their standing.

Lots of uses for the Monster Trio. Them remaining works fine.

 

[Welkin]

I think it's because Zoro and Sanji have the closest relation to Luffy. Zoro is like Luffy's best friend while Sanji is like Luffy's older brother.

I partially disagree with this tbh

Luffy seems much closer to Usopp than pretty much any other crew member imo

They literally spend all their time together if nothing important is going on

Plus they’re the same age iirc

 

[Galahad]

Out side of just because they're the strongest members of the crew why is a thing? Like what do you think oda's thought process was when he decided to create/highlight the trio?

Why did he make zoro so important to the crew?
Why did he make sanji so important to the crew?

• If oda wanted to he could have made the main crew trio be the first 3 members instead
• Also could've have made usopp (aka the sniper) or someone else with a combat related role on the crew be a part of it instead of the cook
• Or even replace zoro or sanji with future crew members luffy would've eventually got
• Add more members to make it the monster quartet or something instead
• Maybe make just not make it a thing at all

So again why is the monster trio a thing?

Strength is an important factor, but so is reliability. In the end they are the parallel of Roger, Rayleigh and Scopper. The right and left hand of the future King of the Pirates.

- Zoro apart from being the first member, he is someone who is reliable, tenacious and capable of staying calm. He is someone who has saved Luffy on several occasions and is the one who remains calm in crisis situations like in Water Seven or with the Vivi issue.
- Sanji is also someone sensible, although sometimes they have to explain things to him. Like when Zoro once explained the topic of Usoop he agreed. He is also someone who sees more of the here and now (which Luffy and Zoro do) and thinks about the future. In addition, he is also a good strategist.

I guess Jinbe could also fit in that group, but I'm late. Had he joined earlier, he could have replaced Zoro or Sanji.

 

[Warchief Sanji D Goat]

I partially disagree with this tbh

Luffy seems much closer to Usopp than pretty much any other crew member imo

They literally spend all their time together if nothing important is going on

Plus they’re the same age iirc

You could say the same for Nami and Chopper. Usopp is like a buddy bro but not in terms of best friend imo. I would have agreed with this was pre-timeskip. Now, the two Strawhats that Luffy talks the most are Zoro and Sanji.

 

[Sir Yasheen]

I partially disagree with this tbh

Luffy seems much closer to Usopp than pretty much any other crew member imo

They literally spend all their time together if nothing important is going on

Plus they’re the same age iirc

Usopps special; he is without a doubt luffys best friend but I don’t think he’s someone luffy can lean on. At least not yet. I’ve always had big hopes for Usopp, his speech in Alabasta and him challenging lucci for luffy in Ennies Lobby were some of my favorite scenes.

However, as of right now luffy can lean on Zoro and Sanji; he cannot do so for Usopp.