One Piece has been running for over 21 years now and even though we are close to the end game, we still have a good 8-10 years left for the series before Oda wraps it up. Through those 21 years we have had many a story arc with there own cast, themes and dynamics (some worse then others cough dressrosa), but we are here to talk about a particular arc.
An arc for me, that really resonate with me and many in the OT here, so I would like to take a look at WCI and examine why did the arc clicks with me.
Now this is WCI:
Before I start I'll give a brief premise for the arc:
During his stay on Zou, Sanji learned that he is to be the Husband in a wedding, is betrothed bride is the 35th daughter of the family Charlotte Pudding; an arranged marriage between two families: The Charlotte Family; matriarch Yonko Charlotte Linlin aka Big Mom of the Big Mom Pirates, and the Vinsmoke family; Patriarch Judge Vinsmoke his dad leader of Germa a mercenary kingdom. Sanji initial rejects but decides to go along to confront his family that he has a troubled past with, cut them out of his life and handle the situation, before he leaves he levees a note for Luffy & crew when he arrives:"I'm gonna meet a woman, I will be back."
After some convincing and revelations, Luffy decides to head to Whole Cake Island to get Sanji back for the upcoming war/battle in Wano and to make a rubbing of Big Moms Road Poneglyph. Joining Luffy are the members that went with Sanji to Zou and saw he leave ready to rescue him; Nami, Chopper and Brooke. Not just the crew but three minks come along in the form of Pekoms, Pedro and Carrot.
Before the arc truly begins, we cut back to Sanji finally arriving in Big Moms territory, still professing he will not get married and join up with the Big Mom Pirates. But WCI decided to send a little present to help Sanji, a picture of his bride to be because:
And thats the lead in for the arc, oh and Luffy challenged Big Mom in Fishmen Island.
Things I will talk about:
1. Designs (character, islands)
2. Addressing bad critiques
3. Characters
4. Themes
5. Other Hand/Critiques
1. DESIGNS
Oda has ever since moving into the Grand Line, has crafted more interesting and creative locations compared to those found in the East Blue starting with places like Little Garden and Arabasta. This tradition has since continued to Halloween lands like Thriller Bark to places under the sea like Ryugu Palace in Fishman Island. WCI arc is no different, in Totland a collection of Island Big Mom controls with designs based in old fairy tale like buildings/Grimm architecture, but they all have there own unique aspect with there design: They are all based on food.
While we don't get to see all the Islands (Its like 36 Islands people) each Island has there own minister serving as the head of each Island who is a member of the Big Mom Family and specializes in that food: Minister of Chocolate, Minister of Beans, Minister of Nuts, Minister of Candy, etc.
We see some along the strawhats journey starting with Cacao Island, an island where chocolate is used for everything; from food, to clothes, housing and fountains which proved irresistible for Luffy and Chopper not to munch on but thanks to Pudding got covered from getting arrested saying they were dismantles of buildings just doing her a favor where they got off with a little warning for not posting a notice of them eating or alerting those inside. Even the sea is affected by the food, where patches of sea mix with jam sticking things caught in it if you aren't repaired for it.
From the gooie Peanut Island using peanut butter to hold it together, to Liqueur Island proud bottle buildings, all islands lead towards central main Whole Cake Island. Capital and base of operations of the Big Mom Pirates, all made up of cake and icing besides for the forest on one end of the island with Whole Cake Chateau towering over everything. Whole Cake Chateau, a massive three layered cake building at the center of the island where Big Mom resides with they top being reserved for Moms fabulous tea parties.
Its not just the food themed islands that make Totland unique, thanks to the power of Big Mom Soul Soul Fruit all islands of Totland have guests and residents unique to her Territory called homies. With the power of her fruit Big Mom brings normally not talking life and inanimate objects such as flowers, trees, silverware, carpets and even food to life to join in the merriment along with helping her spy network across the Islands.
It doesn't end there, with Brulee Mirror Mirror fruit we are taken into the twisted mirror world that stretches for miles on end connected to all mirrors in Totland, allowing for quick travel between locations for Big Moms forces.
Character designs and outfits were also great this arc with some of the best of the timeskip.
Tall witch of the forest and mirror world with a heart for her brother Brulee:
Human oven with a clear mind to stick to plans and a power to back up his position, Oven:
Eldest son and the Candy man, don't underestimate his powers and resilience to keep going, Perospero:
The Mocchi man and inspirational figure in the big mom family, Katakuri:
The three eyed bride to be with acting skills to help her goals who loves Sanji:
Even the Vinsmoke:
Even some transformations (though its TC art so boobs are way bigger):
Even the outfits for the Strawhats are good:
2. Critiquing the Critique
This section is just something I wanted to do because while I don't think WCI is prefect some criticism I see thrown around doesn't make to much sense or is actually explained in the manga, I don't want this to be too long o it and would rather get this out the way before I move on to the real stuff of the thread.
"The Vinsmokes still don't respect Sanji they are evil, Judge is right with what he said about Sanji"
This one is rather easy.
As much as Judge/brothers put on they don't care about Sanji and think he is a failure, if Judge didn't have second thoughts about Sanji with him saving not only his ass but his precious offspring's asses at the wedding and with the last words Sanji said to him before they left Bege's castle... Judge and the rest wouldn't be here to save Sanji or heck Judge wouldn't have made/have a suit for Sanji.
Before someone brings up they said it was for revenge just remember that as soon as the Sunny Go got out of Big Mom territory they didn't stay to keep fighting far from it, a retreat was ordered now that they have completed there mission, this wasn't paying back Sanji for saving them earlier since they already did that by helping them escape the top of the Chateau so there was no dept to be repayed.
Luffy saw through Judge act that he did care for Sanji despite Judge saying he doesn't and still views him as a failure, that Judge is actually being dishonest and finds those things that make Sanji who he is is well good and its just more of Judge pride refusing to admit like as Judge said why come back to save Sanji since he is useless, yet here Judge is risking his life and kingdom in a yonko territory to help him escape.
Luffy was right at the end of Judge's speech saying yeah that what makes Sanji great, and yeah Vinsmokes are still kinda evil atm but I don't think thats gonna stay the case especially with Judge now.
"Pedro explosion did nothing to stop Big Mom"
Which ignores that:
1. Intent was to free Chopper and Brook and hopefully take Pero out.
2. Explosion freed the Sunny Go which allowed them to escape from Big Mom for a bit
It just seems like oh if it didn't stop Big Mom fully it failed which it clearly didn't but its was intentional. Like the entire escape is made up of little moments that by themselves don't mean much, but all these little moments together are all essential in helping the group escape Big Mom's territory and it emphasize just how hard it was for them to escape Big Mom that without all these little motions in play the group would have never escaped Totland and died.
Only the cake and green room bought a good amount of time.
"WHY did Sanji leave his Family back there to die when he wanted to save then he should be fighting with them"
This just ignores Sanji own words, despite Sanji hating his family (bar Reiju if they aren't even close) he didn't want them to walk blindly into the slaughter house and just get killed he couldn't let this happen not only because he couldn't look his own real father in the eye if he just left a group whom if he didn't intervene would be killed but it fits with his character.
But as soon as it was over he told Judge he didn't want them in his life any more, that the Sanji they/Judge knew in the past was dead and that Judge isn't his father. Everything afterwards was of the Vinsmokes/Judge own volition so Sanji would have no problem with it, and the Vinsmokes only got in mortal danger/went down shits-creek as soon as Sanji left Totland so how in the hell would he know the condition of his family or the Fishmen Pirates?
"WHY didn't Pudding help with the strawhats escape"
Without Pudding being there the strawhats die straight up:
- If it was anyone but Pudding the Wedding events would be entirely different
- Without her there would be no cake plan
- Without her help (along with Sanji and Chiffon) there would be no cake and with no cake the Strawhats die out on the sea by Big Mom and her forces.
- Also the group would have been caught by Big Mom in the Seducing Woods if it wasn't for Pudding clearing the way to the Sunny Go with her memory powers.
Sanji and Pudding are heroes, saying neither did anything is incredibly disingenuous and dishonest even Pudding helped Sanji get to Cacao to grab Luffy which no one else could have done. Pudding did all she could with not wanting to be exposed as a traitor knowing the dangers, yet ohh Pudding could have just used a memory bomb to help them escape.
Yeah like what 50 of her brothers and sisters mysteriously not remember what happened 10 minutes ago while waiting for Luffy and now its like 2 am, there was no way Pudding could have helped without exposing herself as a traitor on Totland besides using a power that has never been hinted at as before shit people complain about narrative coincidence but fuck.
"THE CAKE FAILED"
Look I can get the cake didn't get the reaction expected it would, like with Big Mom being out of commission for the rest of the arc even with Oda teasing it (though Big Mom reaction to the cake and singing is priceless in 900) I get it, but to say the cake failed is another matter entirely...... it didn't.
The cake worked, not only did it get Big Mom away from the strawhats after they struggled to push her back the one time; when they were all tired and Chopper was prepping a suicide attempt to just drown himself and stall Big Mom for some time it also gave them enough time to escape before Big Mom arrived to Cacao Island.
If there was no cake like I said they die out at sea and Chopper would have killed himself, the cake knocked Big Mom out long enough for the Strawhats to escape her territory. If the cake didn't work on Fluffy Island or whatever Big Mom would be right back to chasing the Strawhats even in her weakened state not only herself but Perospero you know the super dangerous candy son and get to Cacao fast as she did in Chapter 902.
The Vinsmoke and Fishmen forces (fighting in water no less) were already busy and having trouble dealing with Big Mom forces, how are they supposed to handle a albeit weaker Big Mom and her strongest minister in Perospero could they stop the two? Heck how is the Sunny group able to handle them with:
- A weak as shit can't even fight Luffy
- Tired as hell Nami, Chopper and Brook who barely handled her before and they had Jinbe's help and two of them already failed to stop her when they were in much better shape
- Tired as shit Carrot whos Sulong charge is used up
- Sanji who really could only deal with Pero and it be a tough fight but still have to deal with Big Mom
"Why didn't the Strawhats get Capone or Pedros help when they arrived in WCI"
1. Why would the strawhats go to Capone? Last time they meet him he nearly killed Pekoms and tried to abduct half the crew against there will why would the strawhats ever go to him? They only went to Bege after Jinbe convinced them too because for what the gang wanted to do it be advantageous but even stressed they could always just back away, Capone only offered this to other Big Mom pirates why would he go to the strawhats?
2. Pedro didn't announce he was a thief and been to WCI the night before reaching WCI, but even then: Even with that knowledge Pedro isn't a map maker so even if he remembers anything about how WCI was structured he wouldn't be able to make a good enough map just for memory for infiltration. Like there a reason in films they steal maps of places already made because otherwise unless you work there for years no way would you have an accurate map so a map from from memory ten years ago or so isn't helpful.
Not only that Pedro just snuck in, its not like he has inside details of BMP operations and guards movements, security network or even knows what a homie is.
"Pedro is dead because of Sanji"
He isn't, Pedro didn't die because Sanji wasn't there on the coast of Whole Cake Island and he didn't die because of Sanji going to WCI.
Sanji weither he wanted to willingly or not was gonna go to Whole Cake Island, even if he didn't decide to handle this family business alone Capone held alot of power over Sanji with having the others chained and guns pretty much pointed at them along with the knowledge of Zeff hostage situation so even if he didn't decide to go himself Capone would have forced his hand. And if it wasn't for Sanji: Brook, Nami and Chopper would be taken along and who knows what Big Mom would have done with them or what would have happened to them as hostages.
Hell Sanji getting the others out not only saved them from being used as hostages, but saved them from being captured again since with them outside Nekomamushi would not buy Capone lies.
Pedro left because his time was short and wanted to go out like he wanted to, it could have been Chopper, Nami, fucking Franky that got captured and Pedro would have gone no matter what to Totland because of his own reasons including his own history.
Even if Sanji didn't go off with Pudding & Chiffon remember he would be dooming the crew because no cake means death at sea, but ignoring that even if Sanji was there on the coast as Big Mom was behind them and Perospero & Katakuri in front of them Sanji being there is no guarantee the situation is any better.
- Katakuri was there and was easily dealing with Luffy atm having Sanji also there doesn't really stop Katakuri and in-fact puts more people in danger (A good reason why Luffy seprated him and Katakuri from everyone else)
- Sanji doesn't even know the candy melting and even if he did and tried to move the Sunny he still has to deal with a powerful minister who was able to deal with both Chopper and Brook who are no utter weaklings in fighting and even in the brief bit utterly dominated Pedro.
3. CHARACTERS
Obviously this section is for going through characters this arc examining well characters weither it be there motivations, arc, what they are for and so on; now I won't be doing all the characters because I would be here all day but I will focus on some starting with one where if I didn't do a single I feel like it would be lacking so i will go with seemingly the best of the bunch.
1: Judge Vinsmoke:
As I said before none of the others at least to me are really interesting or have much too them as characters (I know at least for the brothers that is sorta the point but Odas done more with just simple characters I mean just look at some of the Charlotte siblings or other villains in the series). But Judge has character to him, as I said above he is the patriarch of the Vinsmokes currently and thanks to science worked on by him and Vegapunk (could this be another CC thing like with the smiles?) he used it to create a clone army at his beck and call and children that not only lacking/removing in certain emotions and obey him like perfect soldiers to accomplish his grand dream (which is basically conquering nations like Napoleon) be strong against protest from his wife Sora.
Well all things didn't go as planned, Sanji was not only born without the genetic modifications like the exo-skeleton and such making him pretty much a normal human but he had the emotions that Judge was trying to effectively purge entirely and or suppress that unfortunately costed Sora her life eventually. With all that Judge blames Sanji not himself for Sora's passing, but that doesn't explain Judge harness towards Sanji before hand that steams from his weakness and emotions or his drive to "fix" Sanji before he just tossed him in the dungeon eventually because Judge was harsh on Sanji before his wife passed with trying to drive the emotions out.
Why does Judge try to "fix" Sanji and blame him for his wife death? Well I think if Judge ever did blame himself ultimately it would make him question weither his methods are justified which wither it be Judge ego or dreams couldn't handle it so he just continued his path of ridding these emotions not only through his soldiers but through himself with you know not caring about Sanji the "failure" while loving his perfect children. For some reason Judge views emotions and such like empathy as a sign of weakness could there be more of a story to this?
Cut back to like 10+ years later and Ball-chin is still the same but as Sanji says, the Sanji the vinsmokes knew in the past is dead he isn't the same person. During Sanji's brief fight with Judge, not only is Judge surprised Sanji can injure him but is angered that Sanji would ever strike his father that his son has come back to him all the while Sanji is dismissing Judge saying he didn't come back for him/family and whats so special about blood father that they aren't his family with Sanji ultimately rejecting everything Judge and the Vinsmokes stand for.
Next time we really focus on Judge is when he and his "perfect children" are held at gunpoint ready to be executed, Judge is crying yelling out at Big Mom while right next too him his so called perfect children are not only emotionless but laughing at the whole situation, themselves and even there father for falling for this ruse in the first place with Judge being horrified this was there reaction (with Reiju in her head saying its all Judges fault they are like this) before Judge breaks down with more tears at the end of his life wishing that this was all a lie. Judge is at the lowest point maybe the lowest he has been since Sora passed away and its all his own doing:
- Him accepting Big Mom deal
- Him striving at all cost towards his dream
- Him turning his own kids into emotionless husks
- He has no hope of getting out of this
At the end, Sanji saves there sorry asses from being killed (Judge shocked Sanji would do this) and after saving them they all wind up in Beges Castle where "father" confronts son about why? Cause at least if the situation was reversed Judge most likely wouldn't do the same atm:
Because he couldn't stand to disappoint not only himself but his father, no not ball chin Judge his actual Father Zeff, that if he couldn't separate/move past the scars and damages of his past to save his family or really anyone then he really couldn't face his father again if he was such a small tiny tiny man.
Asserting that he didn't do this out of some form of love for his blood father, reiterating that the Sanji that fled Germa and was a part of the Germa family that they remember had died that day 13 years ago because he doesn't consider himself a Vinsmoke much less he considers Judge his father.
So just like that faithful day 13 years ago where Judge casted Sanji out of his life, now Sanji a man is casting Judge and his family (Brothers most likely minus Reiju but she sucks) out of his life wishing to never see them again, Judge accepts Sanji's wishes with a look on his face hiding his real thoughts/feelings heads off to help Bege and the others escape.
As you could see earlier Judge seems to hold on to the idea that Sanji is his son and a member of the Family: Why do you hit your father, why do you forsake your family, you've come back to me my son.
Judge himself believes/holds on to the idea that Sanji has this belief/hidden love for the family that he will love him since he is Sanji's Father, ultimately what Sanji says to judge here tarnishes that being the ultimate proof that "Vinsmoke Sanji" is dead that this love he believes Sanji has for the Vinsmokes/him is non-existent, so Judge has not only lost a son not being able to control him and make him into what he wants to serve his needs (he just like Big Mom) but lost the love of one all for this dream (that we don't know could just be some imperialistic dreams passed to ruler to ruler).
We don't really see Judge and the others again till the fight on Cacao Island (saying they are here for revenge but do nothing but help Sanji escape) until there is a final confrontation between Father and Son before he goes both staring angrily at each other before:
(Also notice a bit of symbolism with both Judge and Sanji having one of there eyes covered)
Luffy is right as we find out that as soon as the Strawhats make it out of Totland territory, the Vinsmokes attempt to escape where they are seemingly unable to now that Big Mom and Perospero have returned to the scene (they probably couldn't before hand without being nearly wiped out). But here is Judge risking everything, his kingdom, his "perfect children" and even his own life to save the life of whom he still calls a failure, Luffy is right that Judge is listing off stuff good about cause weither Judge admits it or not Luffy, Sanji and Sora are right.
From everything at Totland, Judge is seemingly seeing the errors of his ways: That emotions are not a weakness, there nothing wrong with caring, that creating perfect soldiers wasn't right just look at his reactions to nearly being executed.
Sanji and what he stands for is right, what judge and Germa 66 stands for is wrong, that Sanji isn't the failure:
They are failures, Sanji the strongest of them and seemingly Judge will take this in mind, we shall see what effect WCI will have on Judge and how it will effect the others in due time. Personally Germa will experiences a change all brought about by this arc that will change Germa for the better (though I think the kids are fucked for now) and how Judge will rule more so to be inline with Sanji.
2. Sanji
Before i delve into Sanji and what went with him, I would like to first go on a brief tangent I don't know weither this adds or doesn't add to the big point about Sanji this arc but I've seen this idea/shit on Oro, reddit and AP that I just want to say something about it.
"Sanji didn't join the crew because he was horny/Nami"
Some people seem to be under the impression that Snaji only joined/or mostly joined because of Nami and or the fact that he is horny. I've seen this enough and never responded to it yet I feel that having this may contribute to the larger aspect of Sanji character in WCI cause not only is this a bad take it underscores the importance of the arc and what Sanji went through that arc (an arc that barely had Nami play a role in) but also underscores the importance of his friendship/dynamic with Luffy and Zoro so lets go back to the Baratie Arc.
We are introduced to Sanji in chapter 43, despite being a chef he serves as a waiter for Fullbody and his date where not only is does he show his liking to the ladies but also shows his stuff as a chef: serving the best wine for the dish not playing Fullbodys game, asking Fullbody to finish the soup he put a bug in and ultimately beating body up for having wasted food not caring if he was a paying customer.
Zeff comes in and we see a brief bit of there dynamic with Zeff hitting Sanji, but soon Gin comes in starving demanding food while having no money which gets him pounded on by Patty and kicked out to the deck with Sanji watching silently from the background. Some time later Sanji comes out with a hot plate for Gin for free, Gin tearfully gobbles it up and praises Sanji (who is smiling take pride in his cooking) all the while Luffy watches on going: Yep this is the Chef I want.
Luffy didn't recruit Sanji cause he was a great chef (it helps), or looked cool (like Zoro), lie or know how to navigate; Luffy wanted Sanji the kind chef willing to feed those who were starving and couldn't afford food.
As soon as Gin finishes Luffy yells out asking Sanji to join his crew, Sanji goes into about Zeff being a former pirate and how important the Bariete is to Zeff who is a hardass that scares staff away. Sanji declines saying he has his own reasons for staying here, which Luffy refuses Sanjis refusal Luffy askes for Sanji reasons:
When Sanji meets the others Zeff approaches Sanji questioning what is stopping Sanji from going and says this is a good chance for him to be a pirate thathe isn't needed here shocking Sanji, with Sanji questioning back since he is second in command so why is he not needed. Zeff basically says he nothing but trouble and a shitty chef no one wants around, he doesn't care if he is a pirate just get off the boat, Sanji grabs his collar for insulting his cooking but Zeff just slams him into a table:
(Luffy thought Sanji could again join his crew)
Things heat up again when Don Kreig comes in now demanding food in a terrible state, despite protest from all the chefs and customers Sanji feeds Don Krieg but as soon as he is finished he slams Sanji demanding they not only feed all his men but give up the ship. Sanji heads off to prepare the meals but stopped when he is surrounded by the chefs with pistols draw, undeterred Sanji states he knows they are crooks and scum not worth saving but he can't just leave them be especially as a cook knowing they are starving.
Before more violence happens, Zeff arrives with 100 meals for Kreigs men( with Chefs saying they will take the ship) knowing they can't have much fighting spirit after losing in the Grand Line but Kreig now wants the boat and Zeffs logs saying with it he will be the greatest pirate of the era.... but Luffy gets up and yells at Kreig declaring he will be the pirate king with Sanji looking on in silence.
Zeff doesn't blame Sanji saying he just acted of his own free will (Gin is apologizing to Sanji) but the others protest:
Zeff rallies his chefs to take arms and get ready for a fight, with Sanji telling Gin he will kill anyone who tries to take this ship.
As they wait for battle Sanji over hears Luffy and Zoro talking about there dreams, being excited for the grandline as Sanji just watches on calling them idiots rushing to death but Zoro retorts saying he threw away his attachment to his life for his dream so pretty much only those that did can call him a idiot with Luffy and Usopp agreeing saying they did the same with Sanji just brushing it off but Zeff watches them with a smile.
Zoro and Mihawk fight and we all know how that turns out, but Sanji watching wondering why Zoro is just sacrificing his life when he could just throw away that ambition though he is again shocked when Luffy rushes in to save Zoro.
But back to Kreig and his men the two fight with the chefs showing they can do more then cook especially Sanji showing off just how strong his kicking is and more chef stuff:
During his fight with Flame Pearl Sanji doesn't care if he gets burned as long as the Baraite especially since a chef like him isn't afraid of fire, but before he struck by a underhanded attack from Kreig that would have hit Sanji and the ship, Luffy runs through the flames knocking the spike ball back. But during all that Gin gets behind Zeff with a shot gun, ordering Sanji to leave the ship or else but Sanji refuses telling him to point the gun at him.
Luffy says Sanji will die but Sanji tells him he doesn't care as Zeff watches angrily, but Pearl comes in telling Gin to just hold Zeff there as he sucker punches Sanji saying if he wants to die Pearl will kill him. Luffy tries to fight back but Sanji stops him saying they will kill Zeff if he steps in, as he gets up he tells Gin he can't accept his deal because the Baraite is Zeff treasure... Sanji has already took everything else from Zeff including his dream:
(Next panel has Zeff calling Sanji a kid and to not ramble about the past)
All the wghile Sanji is getting beat up he thinks back to when he meet Zeff, long story short Zeff saved Sanji life during a storm when he was a pirate and attacking a ship. The two ended up marooned on a uninhabitable Island and two bags of food both going there separate ways to watch for a ship, many days past and Sanji food runs dry after battling hunger and starvation only eating enough to get by (thinking back to times he wasted food) wishing not to die he plans to steal Zeff bag.
On the 70th day he tries, happy to see that Zeff still has a bag, but when he cuts it open he discovers it nothing but treasure, that Zeff gave him all the food and that the old man survived by eating his own leg. Sanji cries out why did he doe this:
That despite Zeff own crew laughing at Sanji for saying he wishes to find the All Blue saying it doesn't exist and not believing in it, Zeff believes it is out there, that he wishes to make a restaurant on the sea. Sanji says he will help that restaurant come true if Zeff doesn't die, back to the present saying the man gave up everything for him that if he can't put his life at risk to save Zeff he will never repay his debt to Zeff.
That was the reason Sanji has stayed, all bloody and beaten not caring if he dies just so long as the restaurant still stands but Luffy decides he is just going to sink the ship. Sanji tries to stop Luffy saying he doesn't know what the ship means to him or the debt he has to repay, but Luffy grabs him by his collar yelling he cannot repay his debts if he is dead, that Zeff didn't save him to throw his life away, all the while Pearl tries to hit both but is quickly dispatched by Gin.
Luffy and Kreig fight after he gasses the ship, Sanji tries to stop him but stop when he realizes he can't stop him just watching him be reckless in his fight with Kreig. Zeff tells Snaji to watch Luffy closely that there are people like Luffy out there, idiots that fight to the death when they decide on a goal..he likes people like Luffy.
They all watch the fight with Luffy getting back up from every hit and beating down Kreig though Sanji comments Luffy can't take another hit, Zeff just explains Kreig weapons are no match for Luffys guts spear. That those that hesitate in the face of death will die that Luffy doesn't have any hesitation:
(With Sanji remembering these words as Luffy finishes Kreig) With Zeff walking away, saying he knows an idiot who wastes a very good spear for no good reason.
Sanji remembers the actions of Luffy and Zoro that day, the conviction they showed, discarding there life for there goal. But Sanji still won't leave after a day like this thinking he is needed more, but he will go out to the grand line one day as he tells Luffy his dream with a smile on his face, with Zeff watching above seeing the two talk about there dreams with smiles.
Zeff pulls the ultimate trick to push Sanji away getting everyone to insult his cooking even though his soup is delicious, asking Luffy to take Sanji too sea know its his dream and he needs to be honest with himself as Sanji listens from outside. Sanji finally agrees to join Luffy and chase there crazy dreams, as Sanji leaves he rembers times with Zeff and the Baraite crew but before he leaves:
Sanji didn't join the crew cause Nami, Sanji joined the crew after seeing Luffy and Zoro actions seeing there conviction, learning he doesn't need to repay Zeff with his life but just by living his own life, the friendship and bonding he had with Luffy not laughing at his dream.
If you say otherwise, I would say not only do you not understand Sanji but One Piece.
So what was Sanjis character in WCI? Well going back to before the arc started Oda named 2016 the Year of Sanji which got fans speculating of what stuff Oda will do with Sanji character through out the arc many people tried to guess and wonder what it would be, before the end of 2016 many people thought it was just used for expanding Sanji past (its part of it) but once chapter 850 came out with Pudding betrayal or even later with the cake many people jumped on this:
"Oh this arc is gonna cause Sanji to challenge himself and change"
Well at the end of the end of the day I never believed that was any of it, one thing I will critique Oda for was that early on in the NW and such was that Sanji's character (and some others) reached the realms of Fladnerization. Sanji's character this arc wasn't supposed to go through a metamorphosis and change this arc was to: Give pathos to his sacrificial nature, expand his backstory, show Sanji forming interesting and unique relationship unlike anyother (which I will explain more here and with Pudding), the bonds Sanji has with the Strawhats, some action, show there more to him, etc.
In Other words: This arc was to show what Sanji is and for readers to be reminded and see why people do care/love about Sanji and also to show what Sanji isn't.
One of the easiest and clearly seen aspect of Sanji is his Cooking and his Chef honor. For the first time since really......what Skypeia? Sanji cooking played a major role not only for his character but unlike any arc besides his introduction it played a huge role in the arc itself. Sanji gets to show that his skills as a chef thanks to Pudding cake plan, his skill are beyond excellent maybe even the best in the world being able to just smell a cake and know what ingredients were used in the cake.
Sanji's cream is able to disarm and bring trained killers and chefs to there knees in mouth watering sweetness, and thanks to the combined efforts of Sanji, Pudding and Chiffon not only is Big Mom dream cake finally meet, taste sedated beyond her wildest dream, Totland saved & the others, but such a cake creates a magical reaction from Big Mom such a reaction and happiness that she hasn't experienced since her last birthday with Mother Carmel in no small part due to Sanji's cooking.
Sanji chefs honor was also shown, backing away and preventing any attempt from Bege to poison his cake and to eventually disarm and bring Bege to his side with his cream and just like in the past with serving a meal to Gin and to others he is happy and grinning over Big Moms future reaction, hell chapter 900 was worth it all (and I enjoyed the Sanji and Pudding cooking).
Sanji's backstory gave us a tragic backstory that adds more to why Sanji was so indebted and sacrificial to Zeff, for the first time in his life Sanji found someone who believed in the same dreams that he did, he found someone who didn't berate him for his caring nature, he found a father figure who would willingly sacrifice and eat there own leg to make sure Sanji survived and Zeff ultimately gave Sanji a home to where he grew up and sorta became the person he is today. Sanji had nothing before hand and Zeff gave Sanji everything he needed to grow into who he is today, so Sanji was immortally indebted to Zeff who gave him this life so he did the only thing he could do to repay the man who gave up so much for him. Stay by his side and protect him and his treasure until the day he dies even if it meant giving up on his dreams, something Sanji would have done till that day...
Then Luffy and Co came into his life, as above Luffy and Zoro (you know the two he is closest too on the crew) showed Sanji the conviction to chase for there dreams/goals even if dying or not doing anything was the easier path, Luffy showed that you do't repay someone with death, etc. Sanji found a second home filled with idiots, weirdos and outsiders just like him where he could be himself without any judging even greater then what he had at the Baraite.
Which is why he did everything in his power to protect both when he saw no way out and accepted to go along with the plan his family had made for him even if it meant his dreams were over as long as the others were safe. Which is why Sanji vs Luffy is as heartbreaking as it is, there no other way to stop Luffy from chasing him but to push him away and beat the shit out of him in as brutal a way as possible...which is why afterwards Sanji is crying over his actions knowing he had to do it but damn was it tough and he really didn't want to but Luffy is the one yelling out Sanji is the one hurting and its hit harder when Luffy just waits for Sanji.
The whole scene between Sanji and Pudding has Sanji saying he will make the sacrifice to make sure those he cares about are safe, so Pudding makes the selfless act to do everything she can for Sanji so that he won't be miserable basically she will fill the holes in Sanji heart while he resides in Totland. Sanji reactions to this is just like with Luffy and Zeff, he clings to it finding warmth and comfort that he has missed and will lose soon with leaving the crew with Pudding, which makes the scene in 851 and such all the more heart breaking (not only leaving it all bare out for her and Sanji caring for Pudding, but the warm embrace he hoped to find is just his blood as it leaves his body).
Though unlike in the past were Sanji would just reserve himself for his fate, Sanji takes conviction and runs back to Luffy not only to apologize but to explain why can't he leave and get his help which is something that the Sanji of the Baraite would never do.
And Sanji is even more shocked that not only Luffy is willing to go along with saving his family but so are Brook, Nami and Chopper just by seeing and hearing all they have gone through and will go through to get back Sanji someone whom most of his early years was spent with others telling him he was worthless.
Even Sanji kindness with going back to save the Vinsmokes and such is a core part of his character, remember back when he surrounded by pistols from his fellow chefs pleading him to stop and not feed Kreig & his men whats his response: That these guys are scum, crooks and not worth saving but he can't just leave them to die especially when he can do something about it:
(Luffy is pretty much has the same expression)
This would be a good point to segway into where I think Sanji and Judge/Vinsmokes will ultimately go, well I do think relationship between father & son/family will be mend though I would say don't expect Sanji and Judge/Others to be extremely close like say Luffy and Sabo. At the end of the day I expect the animosity and past grievings/events to be settled and buried where both sides will at least be able to talk and stand each other just not you know be invited to Sanji's barbecue with the wife and kids in the future (because Sanji has better Father figure, Brothers and sisters I guess Reiju could join but shes boring).
The biggest thing keeping them apart in my mind is more so current Germa, Sanji can't have that in his life as long as the nation still reflects its World Noble like attitudes and willingly breeds people to die and serve them, basically Germa 66 has to die and be reborn as something else actually worth something or contributes to the world.
The early chapters spell this out the most with Sanji and Judge chapters meant to show the moral/character difference between the two, the dichotomy where this ain't the same Sanji Judge/they are used to and he will not take their ideals, in fact he finds them disgusting:
Sanji had some great action this arc, his fight with Luffy was absolutely brutal with readers being able to feel every single hit, he utterly smash Bobbins before heading off to save Luffy and he showcased not only his strength but speed in knocking away Oven but saving Chiffon before anyone saw him:
But Sanji best moments were non-action bits: Sanji confronting Judge telling him he is not his dad, Sanji & Pudding talk in chapter 845, him standing on top of the table looking down on his "family", some pretty great cry faces expressing painful emotions in chapter 850-851.
Speaking off which this is a good chance to talk about Luffy vs Sanji:
The confrontation between Cook and Captain is rife with tension Sanji whom has finally decided to play his role in this twisted ordeal is shocked and surprised Luffy is here and while he would like nothing more then to join them and continue to sail he can't without indangering not only his Father Zeff life but his crew since as long as they are here not only are they at rick by Germa but Big Mom forces so in the little time he has Sanji makes the effort to drive Luffy and Nami away claiming to be the son of Germa and he would rather be with them then the crew that they don't have what it takes to get to the top to be King of the Pirates that he was lying all this time.
While Luffy sticks to his guns of bringing back Sanji no matter what and what he saying makes no sense which ultimatly forces Sanji to drive Luffy and co off physically. The proceeding fight is pretty brutal even in the damage Sanji inflicts to Luffy being more hard hitting and bloody then any hits Cracker got in cause unlike there Luffy isn't fighting back its like watching a defenseless person get beat and you are unable to do anything along with Oda drawing each hit with alot of impact.
Fight ends with Sanji striking Luffy with a Concasse that knocks him to the ground, Nami slapping Sanji and bids goodbye but even after all that Luffy refuses to go down: calling out Sanji lies, that he can't drive them away, that he feels Sanji pain and that he cannot move on without him, so he refuses to do so even if he starves because he needs him to accomplish his dreams. This fight proves that despite all the beatings and mean words thrown at Luffy he is always willing to stick by his crew no matter what even when they are beating him senselessly, Sanji even while he trying to drive him away is brought to tears not only by his own actions that normally Sanji would be mortified by and would never beat his captain senseless even if it was ultimately for a good cause, his Captain belief in him and refusal to abandon him.
I think one problem that the One Piece fanbase is that it tends to treat Zoro and Sanji as the same type of character which they aren't, many of fans just want Sanji to be like Zoro where they want Sanji to be blasting through enemies screw those emotions just be like more Zoro, stop crying and taking L's. Though thats one reason why I find Zoro boring now as a character there so far has been no struggle for him or even emotional moment for him, more so been flashy or just be cool I mean Zoro always had that but there was more to him ( I love Zoro but even Thriller Bark had more then just Zoro being cool which the NW hasen't shown) and now its kinda dull.
Honestly can you think of a character moment of Zoros since the NW that isn't action based? Or a moment where Zoro has an emotional moment or experience where he does cry?
Though considering some people reaction to Sanji struggling or been given emotional pathos, I do worry about what they would do if Zoro got some like lets say Wano does something with Zoro:
* Oda writes more backstory or gives a deep character moment for Zoro, a beautiful moment-moments that gives us more insight into his character that adds pathos to aspects of Zoro we took for granted showing hidden depth
Those people: Zoro more like LoLo, no hes just being Sanji man Oda keeps ruining characters he better come back from this and baby shake the Shogun or deal a lethal blow to Kaido.
Sanji this arc wasn't supposed to see a huge change/shift in his character and the way he operates; more so the year of Sanji was to delve into his past a bit more insight to his character and for us to again get to know what has made Sanji such a fan favorite character after the "flanderization" with his actions he did this arc, it wasn't supposed to challenge him character wise. It wasn't an arc of change but to fall in love and show what has defined Sanji.
One under appreciated aspect with Sanji this arc that its shows that there is more to Sanji then just a horn dog when it comes to woman which we really don't see with female characters that aren't either blood related or under aged, which was not only was it shown he can form so kind of deep emotional connection with a woman that goes beyond looks but formed a very unique relationship not only for Sanji himself and for Pudding but in One Piece in general.
An arc for me, that really resonate with me and many in the OT here, so I would like to take a look at WCI and examine why did the arc clicks with me.
Now this is WCI:
Before I start I'll give a brief premise for the arc:
During his stay on Zou, Sanji learned that he is to be the Husband in a wedding, is betrothed bride is the 35th daughter of the family Charlotte Pudding; an arranged marriage between two families: The Charlotte Family; matriarch Yonko Charlotte Linlin aka Big Mom of the Big Mom Pirates, and the Vinsmoke family; Patriarch Judge Vinsmoke his dad leader of Germa a mercenary kingdom. Sanji initial rejects but decides to go along to confront his family that he has a troubled past with, cut them out of his life and handle the situation, before he leaves he levees a note for Luffy & crew when he arrives:"I'm gonna meet a woman, I will be back."
After some convincing and revelations, Luffy decides to head to Whole Cake Island to get Sanji back for the upcoming war/battle in Wano and to make a rubbing of Big Moms Road Poneglyph. Joining Luffy are the members that went with Sanji to Zou and saw he leave ready to rescue him; Nami, Chopper and Brooke. Not just the crew but three minks come along in the form of Pekoms, Pedro and Carrot.
Before the arc truly begins, we cut back to Sanji finally arriving in Big Moms territory, still professing he will not get married and join up with the Big Mom Pirates. But WCI decided to send a little present to help Sanji, a picture of his bride to be because:
And thats the lead in for the arc, oh and Luffy challenged Big Mom in Fishmen Island.
Things I will talk about:
1. Designs (character, islands)
2. Addressing bad critiques
3. Characters
4. Themes
5. Other Hand/Critiques
1. DESIGNS
Oda has ever since moving into the Grand Line, has crafted more interesting and creative locations compared to those found in the East Blue starting with places like Little Garden and Arabasta. This tradition has since continued to Halloween lands like Thriller Bark to places under the sea like Ryugu Palace in Fishman Island. WCI arc is no different, in Totland a collection of Island Big Mom controls with designs based in old fairy tale like buildings/Grimm architecture, but they all have there own unique aspect with there design: They are all based on food.
While we don't get to see all the Islands (Its like 36 Islands people) each Island has there own minister serving as the head of each Island who is a member of the Big Mom Family and specializes in that food: Minister of Chocolate, Minister of Beans, Minister of Nuts, Minister of Candy, etc.
We see some along the strawhats journey starting with Cacao Island, an island where chocolate is used for everything; from food, to clothes, housing and fountains which proved irresistible for Luffy and Chopper not to munch on but thanks to Pudding got covered from getting arrested saying they were dismantles of buildings just doing her a favor where they got off with a little warning for not posting a notice of them eating or alerting those inside. Even the sea is affected by the food, where patches of sea mix with jam sticking things caught in it if you aren't repaired for it.
From the gooie Peanut Island using peanut butter to hold it together, to Liqueur Island proud bottle buildings, all islands lead towards central main Whole Cake Island. Capital and base of operations of the Big Mom Pirates, all made up of cake and icing besides for the forest on one end of the island with Whole Cake Chateau towering over everything. Whole Cake Chateau, a massive three layered cake building at the center of the island where Big Mom resides with they top being reserved for Moms fabulous tea parties.
Its not just the food themed islands that make Totland unique, thanks to the power of Big Mom Soul Soul Fruit all islands of Totland have guests and residents unique to her Territory called homies. With the power of her fruit Big Mom brings normally not talking life and inanimate objects such as flowers, trees, silverware, carpets and even food to life to join in the merriment along with helping her spy network across the Islands.
It doesn't end there, with Brulee Mirror Mirror fruit we are taken into the twisted mirror world that stretches for miles on end connected to all mirrors in Totland, allowing for quick travel between locations for Big Moms forces.
Character designs and outfits were also great this arc with some of the best of the timeskip.
Tall witch of the forest and mirror world with a heart for her brother Brulee:
Human oven with a clear mind to stick to plans and a power to back up his position, Oven:
Eldest son and the Candy man, don't underestimate his powers and resilience to keep going, Perospero:
The Mocchi man and inspirational figure in the big mom family, Katakuri:
The three eyed bride to be with acting skills to help her goals who loves Sanji:
Even the Vinsmoke:
Even some transformations (though its TC art so boobs are way bigger):
Even the outfits for the Strawhats are good:
2. Critiquing the Critique
This section is just something I wanted to do because while I don't think WCI is prefect some criticism I see thrown around doesn't make to much sense or is actually explained in the manga, I don't want this to be too long o it and would rather get this out the way before I move on to the real stuff of the thread.
"The Vinsmokes still don't respect Sanji they are evil, Judge is right with what he said about Sanji"
This one is rather easy.
As much as Judge/brothers put on they don't care about Sanji and think he is a failure, if Judge didn't have second thoughts about Sanji with him saving not only his ass but his precious offspring's asses at the wedding and with the last words Sanji said to him before they left Bege's castle... Judge and the rest wouldn't be here to save Sanji or heck Judge wouldn't have made/have a suit for Sanji.
Before someone brings up they said it was for revenge just remember that as soon as the Sunny Go got out of Big Mom territory they didn't stay to keep fighting far from it, a retreat was ordered now that they have completed there mission, this wasn't paying back Sanji for saving them earlier since they already did that by helping them escape the top of the Chateau so there was no dept to be repayed.
Luffy saw through Judge act that he did care for Sanji despite Judge saying he doesn't and still views him as a failure, that Judge is actually being dishonest and finds those things that make Sanji who he is is well good and its just more of Judge pride refusing to admit like as Judge said why come back to save Sanji since he is useless, yet here Judge is risking his life and kingdom in a yonko territory to help him escape.
Luffy was right at the end of Judge's speech saying yeah that what makes Sanji great, and yeah Vinsmokes are still kinda evil atm but I don't think thats gonna stay the case especially with Judge now.
"Pedro explosion did nothing to stop Big Mom"
Which ignores that:
1. Intent was to free Chopper and Brook and hopefully take Pero out.
2. Explosion freed the Sunny Go which allowed them to escape from Big Mom for a bit
It just seems like oh if it didn't stop Big Mom fully it failed which it clearly didn't but its was intentional. Like the entire escape is made up of little moments that by themselves don't mean much, but all these little moments together are all essential in helping the group escape Big Mom's territory and it emphasize just how hard it was for them to escape Big Mom that without all these little motions in play the group would have never escaped Totland and died.
Only the cake and green room bought a good amount of time.
"WHY did Sanji leave his Family back there to die when he wanted to save then he should be fighting with them"
This just ignores Sanji own words, despite Sanji hating his family (bar Reiju if they aren't even close) he didn't want them to walk blindly into the slaughter house and just get killed he couldn't let this happen not only because he couldn't look his own real father in the eye if he just left a group whom if he didn't intervene would be killed but it fits with his character.
But as soon as it was over he told Judge he didn't want them in his life any more, that the Sanji they/Judge knew in the past was dead and that Judge isn't his father. Everything afterwards was of the Vinsmokes/Judge own volition so Sanji would have no problem with it, and the Vinsmokes only got in mortal danger/went down shits-creek as soon as Sanji left Totland so how in the hell would he know the condition of his family or the Fishmen Pirates?
"WHY didn't Pudding help with the strawhats escape"
Without Pudding being there the strawhats die straight up:
- If it was anyone but Pudding the Wedding events would be entirely different
- Without her there would be no cake plan
- Without her help (along with Sanji and Chiffon) there would be no cake and with no cake the Strawhats die out on the sea by Big Mom and her forces.
- Also the group would have been caught by Big Mom in the Seducing Woods if it wasn't for Pudding clearing the way to the Sunny Go with her memory powers.
Sanji and Pudding are heroes, saying neither did anything is incredibly disingenuous and dishonest even Pudding helped Sanji get to Cacao to grab Luffy which no one else could have done. Pudding did all she could with not wanting to be exposed as a traitor knowing the dangers, yet ohh Pudding could have just used a memory bomb to help them escape.
Yeah like what 50 of her brothers and sisters mysteriously not remember what happened 10 minutes ago while waiting for Luffy and now its like 2 am, there was no way Pudding could have helped without exposing herself as a traitor on Totland besides using a power that has never been hinted at as before shit people complain about narrative coincidence but fuck.
"THE CAKE FAILED"
Look I can get the cake didn't get the reaction expected it would, like with Big Mom being out of commission for the rest of the arc even with Oda teasing it (though Big Mom reaction to the cake and singing is priceless in 900) I get it, but to say the cake failed is another matter entirely...... it didn't.
The cake worked, not only did it get Big Mom away from the strawhats after they struggled to push her back the one time; when they were all tired and Chopper was prepping a suicide attempt to just drown himself and stall Big Mom for some time it also gave them enough time to escape before Big Mom arrived to Cacao Island.
If there was no cake like I said they die out at sea and Chopper would have killed himself, the cake knocked Big Mom out long enough for the Strawhats to escape her territory. If the cake didn't work on Fluffy Island or whatever Big Mom would be right back to chasing the Strawhats even in her weakened state not only herself but Perospero you know the super dangerous candy son and get to Cacao fast as she did in Chapter 902.
The Vinsmoke and Fishmen forces (fighting in water no less) were already busy and having trouble dealing with Big Mom forces, how are they supposed to handle a albeit weaker Big Mom and her strongest minister in Perospero could they stop the two? Heck how is the Sunny group able to handle them with:
- A weak as shit can't even fight Luffy
- Tired as hell Nami, Chopper and Brook who barely handled her before and they had Jinbe's help and two of them already failed to stop her when they were in much better shape
- Tired as shit Carrot whos Sulong charge is used up
- Sanji who really could only deal with Pero and it be a tough fight but still have to deal with Big Mom
"Why didn't the Strawhats get Capone or Pedros help when they arrived in WCI"
1. Why would the strawhats go to Capone? Last time they meet him he nearly killed Pekoms and tried to abduct half the crew against there will why would the strawhats ever go to him? They only went to Bege after Jinbe convinced them too because for what the gang wanted to do it be advantageous but even stressed they could always just back away, Capone only offered this to other Big Mom pirates why would he go to the strawhats?
2. Pedro didn't announce he was a thief and been to WCI the night before reaching WCI, but even then: Even with that knowledge Pedro isn't a map maker so even if he remembers anything about how WCI was structured he wouldn't be able to make a good enough map just for memory for infiltration. Like there a reason in films they steal maps of places already made because otherwise unless you work there for years no way would you have an accurate map so a map from from memory ten years ago or so isn't helpful.
Not only that Pedro just snuck in, its not like he has inside details of BMP operations and guards movements, security network or even knows what a homie is.
"Pedro is dead because of Sanji"
He isn't, Pedro didn't die because Sanji wasn't there on the coast of Whole Cake Island and he didn't die because of Sanji going to WCI.
Sanji weither he wanted to willingly or not was gonna go to Whole Cake Island, even if he didn't decide to handle this family business alone Capone held alot of power over Sanji with having the others chained and guns pretty much pointed at them along with the knowledge of Zeff hostage situation so even if he didn't decide to go himself Capone would have forced his hand. And if it wasn't for Sanji: Brook, Nami and Chopper would be taken along and who knows what Big Mom would have done with them or what would have happened to them as hostages.
Hell Sanji getting the others out not only saved them from being used as hostages, but saved them from being captured again since with them outside Nekomamushi would not buy Capone lies.
Pedro left because his time was short and wanted to go out like he wanted to, it could have been Chopper, Nami, fucking Franky that got captured and Pedro would have gone no matter what to Totland because of his own reasons including his own history.
Even if Sanji didn't go off with Pudding & Chiffon remember he would be dooming the crew because no cake means death at sea, but ignoring that even if Sanji was there on the coast as Big Mom was behind them and Perospero & Katakuri in front of them Sanji being there is no guarantee the situation is any better.
- Katakuri was there and was easily dealing with Luffy atm having Sanji also there doesn't really stop Katakuri and in-fact puts more people in danger (A good reason why Luffy seprated him and Katakuri from everyone else)
- Sanji doesn't even know the candy melting and even if he did and tried to move the Sunny he still has to deal with a powerful minister who was able to deal with both Chopper and Brook who are no utter weaklings in fighting and even in the brief bit utterly dominated Pedro.
3. CHARACTERS
Obviously this section is for going through characters this arc examining well characters weither it be there motivations, arc, what they are for and so on; now I won't be doing all the characters because I would be here all day but I will focus on some starting with one where if I didn't do a single I feel like it would be lacking so i will go with seemingly the best of the bunch.
1: Judge Vinsmoke:
As I said before none of the others at least to me are really interesting or have much too them as characters (I know at least for the brothers that is sorta the point but Odas done more with just simple characters I mean just look at some of the Charlotte siblings or other villains in the series). But Judge has character to him, as I said above he is the patriarch of the Vinsmokes currently and thanks to science worked on by him and Vegapunk (could this be another CC thing like with the smiles?) he used it to create a clone army at his beck and call and children that not only lacking/removing in certain emotions and obey him like perfect soldiers to accomplish his grand dream (which is basically conquering nations like Napoleon) be strong against protest from his wife Sora.
Well all things didn't go as planned, Sanji was not only born without the genetic modifications like the exo-skeleton and such making him pretty much a normal human but he had the emotions that Judge was trying to effectively purge entirely and or suppress that unfortunately costed Sora her life eventually. With all that Judge blames Sanji not himself for Sora's passing, but that doesn't explain Judge harness towards Sanji before hand that steams from his weakness and emotions or his drive to "fix" Sanji before he just tossed him in the dungeon eventually because Judge was harsh on Sanji before his wife passed with trying to drive the emotions out.
Why does Judge try to "fix" Sanji and blame him for his wife death? Well I think if Judge ever did blame himself ultimately it would make him question weither his methods are justified which wither it be Judge ego or dreams couldn't handle it so he just continued his path of ridding these emotions not only through his soldiers but through himself with you know not caring about Sanji the "failure" while loving his perfect children. For some reason Judge views emotions and such like empathy as a sign of weakness could there be more of a story to this?
Cut back to like 10+ years later and Ball-chin is still the same but as Sanji says, the Sanji the vinsmokes knew in the past is dead he isn't the same person. During Sanji's brief fight with Judge, not only is Judge surprised Sanji can injure him but is angered that Sanji would ever strike his father that his son has come back to him all the while Sanji is dismissing Judge saying he didn't come back for him/family and whats so special about blood father that they aren't his family with Sanji ultimately rejecting everything Judge and the Vinsmokes stand for.
Next time we really focus on Judge is when he and his "perfect children" are held at gunpoint ready to be executed, Judge is crying yelling out at Big Mom while right next too him his so called perfect children are not only emotionless but laughing at the whole situation, themselves and even there father for falling for this ruse in the first place with Judge being horrified this was there reaction (with Reiju in her head saying its all Judges fault they are like this) before Judge breaks down with more tears at the end of his life wishing that this was all a lie. Judge is at the lowest point maybe the lowest he has been since Sora passed away and its all his own doing:
- Him accepting Big Mom deal
- Him striving at all cost towards his dream
- Him turning his own kids into emotionless husks
- He has no hope of getting out of this
At the end, Sanji saves there sorry asses from being killed (Judge shocked Sanji would do this) and after saving them they all wind up in Beges Castle where "father" confronts son about why? Cause at least if the situation was reversed Judge most likely wouldn't do the same atm:
Because he couldn't stand to disappoint not only himself but his father, no not ball chin Judge his actual Father Zeff, that if he couldn't separate/move past the scars and damages of his past to save his family or really anyone then he really couldn't face his father again if he was such a small tiny tiny man.
Asserting that he didn't do this out of some form of love for his blood father, reiterating that the Sanji that fled Germa and was a part of the Germa family that they remember had died that day 13 years ago because he doesn't consider himself a Vinsmoke much less he considers Judge his father.
So just like that faithful day 13 years ago where Judge casted Sanji out of his life, now Sanji a man is casting Judge and his family (Brothers most likely minus Reiju but she sucks) out of his life wishing to never see them again, Judge accepts Sanji's wishes with a look on his face hiding his real thoughts/feelings heads off to help Bege and the others escape.
As you could see earlier Judge seems to hold on to the idea that Sanji is his son and a member of the Family: Why do you hit your father, why do you forsake your family, you've come back to me my son.
Judge himself believes/holds on to the idea that Sanji has this belief/hidden love for the family that he will love him since he is Sanji's Father, ultimately what Sanji says to judge here tarnishes that being the ultimate proof that "Vinsmoke Sanji" is dead that this love he believes Sanji has for the Vinsmokes/him is non-existent, so Judge has not only lost a son not being able to control him and make him into what he wants to serve his needs (he just like Big Mom) but lost the love of one all for this dream (that we don't know could just be some imperialistic dreams passed to ruler to ruler).
We don't really see Judge and the others again till the fight on Cacao Island (saying they are here for revenge but do nothing but help Sanji escape) until there is a final confrontation between Father and Son before he goes both staring angrily at each other before:
(Also notice a bit of symbolism with both Judge and Sanji having one of there eyes covered)
Luffy is right as we find out that as soon as the Strawhats make it out of Totland territory, the Vinsmokes attempt to escape where they are seemingly unable to now that Big Mom and Perospero have returned to the scene (they probably couldn't before hand without being nearly wiped out). But here is Judge risking everything, his kingdom, his "perfect children" and even his own life to save the life of whom he still calls a failure, Luffy is right that Judge is listing off stuff good about cause weither Judge admits it or not Luffy, Sanji and Sora are right.
From everything at Totland, Judge is seemingly seeing the errors of his ways: That emotions are not a weakness, there nothing wrong with caring, that creating perfect soldiers wasn't right just look at his reactions to nearly being executed.
Sanji and what he stands for is right, what judge and Germa 66 stands for is wrong, that Sanji isn't the failure:
They are failures, Sanji the strongest of them and seemingly Judge will take this in mind, we shall see what effect WCI will have on Judge and how it will effect the others in due time. Personally Germa will experiences a change all brought about by this arc that will change Germa for the better (though I think the kids are fucked for now) and how Judge will rule more so to be inline with Sanji.
2. Sanji
Before i delve into Sanji and what went with him, I would like to first go on a brief tangent I don't know weither this adds or doesn't add to the big point about Sanji this arc but I've seen this idea/shit on Oro, reddit and AP that I just want to say something about it.
"Sanji didn't join the crew because he was horny/Nami"
Some people seem to be under the impression that Snaji only joined/or mostly joined because of Nami and or the fact that he is horny. I've seen this enough and never responded to it yet I feel that having this may contribute to the larger aspect of Sanji character in WCI cause not only is this a bad take it underscores the importance of the arc and what Sanji went through that arc (an arc that barely had Nami play a role in) but also underscores the importance of his friendship/dynamic with Luffy and Zoro so lets go back to the Baratie Arc.
We are introduced to Sanji in chapter 43, despite being a chef he serves as a waiter for Fullbody and his date where not only is does he show his liking to the ladies but also shows his stuff as a chef: serving the best wine for the dish not playing Fullbodys game, asking Fullbody to finish the soup he put a bug in and ultimately beating body up for having wasted food not caring if he was a paying customer.
Zeff comes in and we see a brief bit of there dynamic with Zeff hitting Sanji, but soon Gin comes in starving demanding food while having no money which gets him pounded on by Patty and kicked out to the deck with Sanji watching silently from the background. Some time later Sanji comes out with a hot plate for Gin for free, Gin tearfully gobbles it up and praises Sanji (who is smiling take pride in his cooking) all the while Luffy watches on going: Yep this is the Chef I want.
Luffy didn't recruit Sanji cause he was a great chef (it helps), or looked cool (like Zoro), lie or know how to navigate; Luffy wanted Sanji the kind chef willing to feed those who were starving and couldn't afford food.
As soon as Gin finishes Luffy yells out asking Sanji to join his crew, Sanji goes into about Zeff being a former pirate and how important the Bariete is to Zeff who is a hardass that scares staff away. Sanji declines saying he has his own reasons for staying here, which Luffy refuses Sanjis refusal Luffy askes for Sanji reasons:
When Sanji meets the others Zeff approaches Sanji questioning what is stopping Sanji from going and says this is a good chance for him to be a pirate thathe isn't needed here shocking Sanji, with Sanji questioning back since he is second in command so why is he not needed. Zeff basically says he nothing but trouble and a shitty chef no one wants around, he doesn't care if he is a pirate just get off the boat, Sanji grabs his collar for insulting his cooking but Zeff just slams him into a table:
(Luffy thought Sanji could again join his crew)
Things heat up again when Don Kreig comes in now demanding food in a terrible state, despite protest from all the chefs and customers Sanji feeds Don Krieg but as soon as he is finished he slams Sanji demanding they not only feed all his men but give up the ship. Sanji heads off to prepare the meals but stopped when he is surrounded by the chefs with pistols draw, undeterred Sanji states he knows they are crooks and scum not worth saving but he can't just leave them be especially as a cook knowing they are starving.
Before more violence happens, Zeff arrives with 100 meals for Kreigs men( with Chefs saying they will take the ship) knowing they can't have much fighting spirit after losing in the Grand Line but Kreig now wants the boat and Zeffs logs saying with it he will be the greatest pirate of the era.... but Luffy gets up and yells at Kreig declaring he will be the pirate king with Sanji looking on in silence.
Zeff doesn't blame Sanji saying he just acted of his own free will (Gin is apologizing to Sanji) but the others protest:
Zeff rallies his chefs to take arms and get ready for a fight, with Sanji telling Gin he will kill anyone who tries to take this ship.
As they wait for battle Sanji over hears Luffy and Zoro talking about there dreams, being excited for the grandline as Sanji just watches on calling them idiots rushing to death but Zoro retorts saying he threw away his attachment to his life for his dream so pretty much only those that did can call him a idiot with Luffy and Usopp agreeing saying they did the same with Sanji just brushing it off but Zeff watches them with a smile.
Zoro and Mihawk fight and we all know how that turns out, but Sanji watching wondering why Zoro is just sacrificing his life when he could just throw away that ambition though he is again shocked when Luffy rushes in to save Zoro.
But back to Kreig and his men the two fight with the chefs showing they can do more then cook especially Sanji showing off just how strong his kicking is and more chef stuff:
During his fight with Flame Pearl Sanji doesn't care if he gets burned as long as the Baraite especially since a chef like him isn't afraid of fire, but before he struck by a underhanded attack from Kreig that would have hit Sanji and the ship, Luffy runs through the flames knocking the spike ball back. But during all that Gin gets behind Zeff with a shot gun, ordering Sanji to leave the ship or else but Sanji refuses telling him to point the gun at him.
Luffy says Sanji will die but Sanji tells him he doesn't care as Zeff watches angrily, but Pearl comes in telling Gin to just hold Zeff there as he sucker punches Sanji saying if he wants to die Pearl will kill him. Luffy tries to fight back but Sanji stops him saying they will kill Zeff if he steps in, as he gets up he tells Gin he can't accept his deal because the Baraite is Zeff treasure... Sanji has already took everything else from Zeff including his dream:
(Next panel has Zeff calling Sanji a kid and to not ramble about the past)
All the wghile Sanji is getting beat up he thinks back to when he meet Zeff, long story short Zeff saved Sanji life during a storm when he was a pirate and attacking a ship. The two ended up marooned on a uninhabitable Island and two bags of food both going there separate ways to watch for a ship, many days past and Sanji food runs dry after battling hunger and starvation only eating enough to get by (thinking back to times he wasted food) wishing not to die he plans to steal Zeff bag.
On the 70th day he tries, happy to see that Zeff still has a bag, but when he cuts it open he discovers it nothing but treasure, that Zeff gave him all the food and that the old man survived by eating his own leg. Sanji cries out why did he doe this:
That despite Zeff own crew laughing at Sanji for saying he wishes to find the All Blue saying it doesn't exist and not believing in it, Zeff believes it is out there, that he wishes to make a restaurant on the sea. Sanji says he will help that restaurant come true if Zeff doesn't die, back to the present saying the man gave up everything for him that if he can't put his life at risk to save Zeff he will never repay his debt to Zeff.
That was the reason Sanji has stayed, all bloody and beaten not caring if he dies just so long as the restaurant still stands but Luffy decides he is just going to sink the ship. Sanji tries to stop Luffy saying he doesn't know what the ship means to him or the debt he has to repay, but Luffy grabs him by his collar yelling he cannot repay his debts if he is dead, that Zeff didn't save him to throw his life away, all the while Pearl tries to hit both but is quickly dispatched by Gin.
Luffy and Kreig fight after he gasses the ship, Sanji tries to stop him but stop when he realizes he can't stop him just watching him be reckless in his fight with Kreig. Zeff tells Snaji to watch Luffy closely that there are people like Luffy out there, idiots that fight to the death when they decide on a goal..he likes people like Luffy.
They all watch the fight with Luffy getting back up from every hit and beating down Kreig though Sanji comments Luffy can't take another hit, Zeff just explains Kreig weapons are no match for Luffys guts spear. That those that hesitate in the face of death will die that Luffy doesn't have any hesitation:
(With Sanji remembering these words as Luffy finishes Kreig) With Zeff walking away, saying he knows an idiot who wastes a very good spear for no good reason.
Sanji remembers the actions of Luffy and Zoro that day, the conviction they showed, discarding there life for there goal. But Sanji still won't leave after a day like this thinking he is needed more, but he will go out to the grand line one day as he tells Luffy his dream with a smile on his face, with Zeff watching above seeing the two talk about there dreams with smiles.
Zeff pulls the ultimate trick to push Sanji away getting everyone to insult his cooking even though his soup is delicious, asking Luffy to take Sanji too sea know its his dream and he needs to be honest with himself as Sanji listens from outside. Sanji finally agrees to join Luffy and chase there crazy dreams, as Sanji leaves he rembers times with Zeff and the Baraite crew but before he leaves:
Sanji didn't join the crew cause Nami, Sanji joined the crew after seeing Luffy and Zoro actions seeing there conviction, learning he doesn't need to repay Zeff with his life but just by living his own life, the friendship and bonding he had with Luffy not laughing at his dream.
If you say otherwise, I would say not only do you not understand Sanji but One Piece.
So what was Sanjis character in WCI? Well going back to before the arc started Oda named 2016 the Year of Sanji which got fans speculating of what stuff Oda will do with Sanji character through out the arc many people tried to guess and wonder what it would be, before the end of 2016 many people thought it was just used for expanding Sanji past (its part of it) but once chapter 850 came out with Pudding betrayal or even later with the cake many people jumped on this:
"Oh this arc is gonna cause Sanji to challenge himself and change"
Well at the end of the end of the day I never believed that was any of it, one thing I will critique Oda for was that early on in the NW and such was that Sanji's character (and some others) reached the realms of Fladnerization. Sanji's character this arc wasn't supposed to go through a metamorphosis and change this arc was to: Give pathos to his sacrificial nature, expand his backstory, show Sanji forming interesting and unique relationship unlike anyother (which I will explain more here and with Pudding), the bonds Sanji has with the Strawhats, some action, show there more to him, etc.
In Other words: This arc was to show what Sanji is and for readers to be reminded and see why people do care/love about Sanji and also to show what Sanji isn't.
One of the easiest and clearly seen aspect of Sanji is his Cooking and his Chef honor. For the first time since really......what Skypeia? Sanji cooking played a major role not only for his character but unlike any arc besides his introduction it played a huge role in the arc itself. Sanji gets to show that his skills as a chef thanks to Pudding cake plan, his skill are beyond excellent maybe even the best in the world being able to just smell a cake and know what ingredients were used in the cake.
Sanji's cream is able to disarm and bring trained killers and chefs to there knees in mouth watering sweetness, and thanks to the combined efforts of Sanji, Pudding and Chiffon not only is Big Mom dream cake finally meet, taste sedated beyond her wildest dream, Totland saved & the others, but such a cake creates a magical reaction from Big Mom such a reaction and happiness that she hasn't experienced since her last birthday with Mother Carmel in no small part due to Sanji's cooking.
Sanji chefs honor was also shown, backing away and preventing any attempt from Bege to poison his cake and to eventually disarm and bring Bege to his side with his cream and just like in the past with serving a meal to Gin and to others he is happy and grinning over Big Moms future reaction, hell chapter 900 was worth it all (and I enjoyed the Sanji and Pudding cooking).
Sanji's backstory gave us a tragic backstory that adds more to why Sanji was so indebted and sacrificial to Zeff, for the first time in his life Sanji found someone who believed in the same dreams that he did, he found someone who didn't berate him for his caring nature, he found a father figure who would willingly sacrifice and eat there own leg to make sure Sanji survived and Zeff ultimately gave Sanji a home to where he grew up and sorta became the person he is today. Sanji had nothing before hand and Zeff gave Sanji everything he needed to grow into who he is today, so Sanji was immortally indebted to Zeff who gave him this life so he did the only thing he could do to repay the man who gave up so much for him. Stay by his side and protect him and his treasure until the day he dies even if it meant giving up on his dreams, something Sanji would have done till that day...
Then Luffy and Co came into his life, as above Luffy and Zoro (you know the two he is closest too on the crew) showed Sanji the conviction to chase for there dreams/goals even if dying or not doing anything was the easier path, Luffy showed that you do't repay someone with death, etc. Sanji found a second home filled with idiots, weirdos and outsiders just like him where he could be himself without any judging even greater then what he had at the Baraite.
Which is why he did everything in his power to protect both when he saw no way out and accepted to go along with the plan his family had made for him even if it meant his dreams were over as long as the others were safe. Which is why Sanji vs Luffy is as heartbreaking as it is, there no other way to stop Luffy from chasing him but to push him away and beat the shit out of him in as brutal a way as possible...which is why afterwards Sanji is crying over his actions knowing he had to do it but damn was it tough and he really didn't want to but Luffy is the one yelling out Sanji is the one hurting and its hit harder when Luffy just waits for Sanji.
The whole scene between Sanji and Pudding has Sanji saying he will make the sacrifice to make sure those he cares about are safe, so Pudding makes the selfless act to do everything she can for Sanji so that he won't be miserable basically she will fill the holes in Sanji heart while he resides in Totland. Sanji reactions to this is just like with Luffy and Zeff, he clings to it finding warmth and comfort that he has missed and will lose soon with leaving the crew with Pudding, which makes the scene in 851 and such all the more heart breaking (not only leaving it all bare out for her and Sanji caring for Pudding, but the warm embrace he hoped to find is just his blood as it leaves his body).
Though unlike in the past were Sanji would just reserve himself for his fate, Sanji takes conviction and runs back to Luffy not only to apologize but to explain why can't he leave and get his help which is something that the Sanji of the Baraite would never do.
And Sanji is even more shocked that not only Luffy is willing to go along with saving his family but so are Brook, Nami and Chopper just by seeing and hearing all they have gone through and will go through to get back Sanji someone whom most of his early years was spent with others telling him he was worthless.
Even Sanji kindness with going back to save the Vinsmokes and such is a core part of his character, remember back when he surrounded by pistols from his fellow chefs pleading him to stop and not feed Kreig & his men whats his response: That these guys are scum, crooks and not worth saving but he can't just leave them to die especially when he can do something about it:
(Luffy is pretty much has the same expression)
This would be a good point to segway into where I think Sanji and Judge/Vinsmokes will ultimately go, well I do think relationship between father & son/family will be mend though I would say don't expect Sanji and Judge/Others to be extremely close like say Luffy and Sabo. At the end of the day I expect the animosity and past grievings/events to be settled and buried where both sides will at least be able to talk and stand each other just not you know be invited to Sanji's barbecue with the wife and kids in the future (because Sanji has better Father figure, Brothers and sisters I guess Reiju could join but shes boring).
The biggest thing keeping them apart in my mind is more so current Germa, Sanji can't have that in his life as long as the nation still reflects its World Noble like attitudes and willingly breeds people to die and serve them, basically Germa 66 has to die and be reborn as something else actually worth something or contributes to the world.
The early chapters spell this out the most with Sanji and Judge chapters meant to show the moral/character difference between the two, the dichotomy where this ain't the same Sanji Judge/they are used to and he will not take their ideals, in fact he finds them disgusting:
Sanji had some great action this arc, his fight with Luffy was absolutely brutal with readers being able to feel every single hit, he utterly smash Bobbins before heading off to save Luffy and he showcased not only his strength but speed in knocking away Oven but saving Chiffon before anyone saw him:
But Sanji best moments were non-action bits: Sanji confronting Judge telling him he is not his dad, Sanji & Pudding talk in chapter 845, him standing on top of the table looking down on his "family", some pretty great cry faces expressing painful emotions in chapter 850-851.
Speaking off which this is a good chance to talk about Luffy vs Sanji:
The confrontation between Cook and Captain is rife with tension Sanji whom has finally decided to play his role in this twisted ordeal is shocked and surprised Luffy is here and while he would like nothing more then to join them and continue to sail he can't without indangering not only his Father Zeff life but his crew since as long as they are here not only are they at rick by Germa but Big Mom forces so in the little time he has Sanji makes the effort to drive Luffy and Nami away claiming to be the son of Germa and he would rather be with them then the crew that they don't have what it takes to get to the top to be King of the Pirates that he was lying all this time.
While Luffy sticks to his guns of bringing back Sanji no matter what and what he saying makes no sense which ultimatly forces Sanji to drive Luffy and co off physically. The proceeding fight is pretty brutal even in the damage Sanji inflicts to Luffy being more hard hitting and bloody then any hits Cracker got in cause unlike there Luffy isn't fighting back its like watching a defenseless person get beat and you are unable to do anything along with Oda drawing each hit with alot of impact.
Fight ends with Sanji striking Luffy with a Concasse that knocks him to the ground, Nami slapping Sanji and bids goodbye but even after all that Luffy refuses to go down: calling out Sanji lies, that he can't drive them away, that he feels Sanji pain and that he cannot move on without him, so he refuses to do so even if he starves because he needs him to accomplish his dreams. This fight proves that despite all the beatings and mean words thrown at Luffy he is always willing to stick by his crew no matter what even when they are beating him senselessly, Sanji even while he trying to drive him away is brought to tears not only by his own actions that normally Sanji would be mortified by and would never beat his captain senseless even if it was ultimately for a good cause, his Captain belief in him and refusal to abandon him.
I think one problem that the One Piece fanbase is that it tends to treat Zoro and Sanji as the same type of character which they aren't, many of fans just want Sanji to be like Zoro where they want Sanji to be blasting through enemies screw those emotions just be like more Zoro, stop crying and taking L's. Though thats one reason why I find Zoro boring now as a character there so far has been no struggle for him or even emotional moment for him, more so been flashy or just be cool I mean Zoro always had that but there was more to him ( I love Zoro but even Thriller Bark had more then just Zoro being cool which the NW hasen't shown) and now its kinda dull.
Honestly can you think of a character moment of Zoros since the NW that isn't action based? Or a moment where Zoro has an emotional moment or experience where he does cry?
Though considering some people reaction to Sanji struggling or been given emotional pathos, I do worry about what they would do if Zoro got some like lets say Wano does something with Zoro:
* Oda writes more backstory or gives a deep character moment for Zoro, a beautiful moment-moments that gives us more insight into his character that adds pathos to aspects of Zoro we took for granted showing hidden depth
Those people: Zoro more like LoLo, no hes just being Sanji man Oda keeps ruining characters he better come back from this and baby shake the Shogun or deal a lethal blow to Kaido.
Sanji this arc wasn't supposed to see a huge change/shift in his character and the way he operates; more so the year of Sanji was to delve into his past a bit more insight to his character and for us to again get to know what has made Sanji such a fan favorite character after the "flanderization" with his actions he did this arc, it wasn't supposed to challenge him character wise. It wasn't an arc of change but to fall in love and show what has defined Sanji.
One under appreciated aspect with Sanji this arc that its shows that there is more to Sanji then just a horn dog when it comes to woman which we really don't see with female characters that aren't either blood related or under aged, which was not only was it shown he can form so kind of deep emotional connection with a woman that goes beyond looks but formed a very unique relationship not only for Sanji himself and for Pudding but in One Piece in general.
