One Piece’s stylistic evolution

A recent post by a Japanese internet forum user showed the evolution of series’ creator Eiichiro Oda’s artwork by comparing older pictures of the Straw Hat Pirates with more recent ones side-by-side. While most of the changes are fairly subtle, the slight differences were still enough to spark an online debate about which of the two drawing styles is better.Which is your personal preference?

In this writer’s humble opinion, Oda’s character designs have hardly changed at all (with the exception of Chopper), especially when compared with the drastic stylistic changes of other famous manga artists over time (in particular, I’m thinking of Akira Toriyama’s legendary Dragon Ball, Kosuke Fujishima’s Oh My Goddess!, or even my personal favorite, Rumiko Takahashi’s Inuyasha).

It’s only natural that an established artist’s style will evolve over time in response to personal preference or outside influences. Masashi Kishimoto, author of the recently concluded Naruto manga, has even stated that he adapted his drawing style to more closely resemble that of the anime series once it began airing. Of course, the fans themselves can have differing opinions about whether those changes are for the better or worse.

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Okay guys, a very quick theory this time, but basically, I’m saying all those that think Drake will be an ally and not an enemy are likely to be wrong, there is a different Supernova to be the third party of the Heart + Strawhat alliance, and there is perfectly good reasoning for this: it’s based on matchups. There is nothing to suggest that Drake is a match for Apoo, both in terms of background and foreshadowing. Luffy is a match for Kid, Law is a match for Hawkins as I will explain.

As we know, the two alliances are going after opposing Yonkou; The K+H+A alliance is after Shanks, a likely ally with Luffy and Law. The L+L alliance is going after Kaidou, a likely ally (based upon recent events) with Kid, Apoo and Hawkins. This means they are very likely to clash, in fact; almost certain to clash, as can be legitimately confirmed by the matchups I will explain below

Kid vs Luffy: This is the most obvious matchup. Both are after the title of Pirate King and both were the two figureheads of the Worst Generation of Supernova’s before the timeskip. The Kid and Strawhat Pirates share uncanny parallels including a monster trio: Kid, Killer and Heat each individually parallel Luffy, Zoro and Sanji, which Oda has made clear even with the very limited screen-time they’ve had. For instance, Killer and Zoro are multiple wielding Swordsmen and de facto (unconfirmed) first mates of their Supernova captains, both of them are exclusively the only non-captain members of the Worst Generation, Killers name alludes to a similar demonic intent and ferocity which we know Zoro possesses. Sanji parallels Heat as both use fire in combat as a signature technique (thus Heats name). Heat breathes fire whilst Sanji uses Diable Jambe, they are both undermined and most probably very close in strength to their superior two. Both also specialise in hand to hand (or foot) combat.

Law vs Hawkins: This one is a little more deeprouted, but it is also essentially quite obvious. Trafalgar Law is named after Edward Low and the battle of Trafalgar, (a naval battle) accentuated by the name “Water”. Now; Edward Low was a notorious English Pirate, who clashed with a guy called John Hawkins, a naval commander, there are several inextricable parallels. Both are English themed and both have tattoos. In fact, both crews have a minkman on board as well as both captains using swords as a secondary weapon to their Devil Fruits.

Who fights Apoo? Well, so far, nobody. I would like to point out the discrepancy in strength between Luffy’s new allies and Apoo; thus meaning there is going to be a third party to join the alliance, and it certainly is not Drake. This is due to several reasons:

• He is a subordinate of Kaidou, a future Ally to Apoo (perhaps there will be a fourth party for each alliance?) and therefore a likely enemy of Luffy’s
• He has clashed with Trafalgar Law back on Sabaody, however, he fought alongside Apoo and Hawkins against Kizaru on Sabaody Archipelago

Also, in theory it is probable that he now knows about Pluton, a weapon of mass destruction, which by the way is something Kid seems to be interested in as we saw on Punk Hazard, he will be far more useful for them than for Luffy and Law, plus, logically based upon past endeavors and clashes, he fits in with the former rather than the latter.

Urouge is the third party. The alliance will be Luffy + Law + Urouge, the Strawhat Pirates + the Heart Pirates + the Fallen Monk Pirates vs the Kid Pirates + the Hawkins Pirates + the On Air Pirates. Urouge has taken a key interest in the Strawhat Pirates. We saw this particularly when he saw Zoro make an attempt on Saint Charloss’s life. In fact, he as a Birkan/Skypiean (ambiguous as of now as to which he is), he is likely to have ties with Enel and be used as a plot device as he already has underlying ties to the Strawhats for plot, especially if they found a common enemy in Enel, which is hypothetical but highly likely given Urouge is most likely Birkan (the island Enel came from)

Parallels between Apoo and Urouge are also very prominent, not only does Urouge fit the bill but he also palinodes Apoo. Firstly, Apoo is based upon Chui’ Apoo, Urouge is based upon Oruc Reis; both of which are the only real life non-European pirates ever referenced in One Piece thus far. Both are the only abnormal humans of the 11 Supernovas: one is of the Long Arm Tribe and the other from the Sky. Also, another nifty bit of information: Oruc Reis was the older brother of the famous Pirate; Barbarossa. Barba Rosa means Red Hair in Italian. Does this remind you of anyone? [Red Hair Shanks], the inference is that Urouge will side with Shanks, therefore siding with Luffy. Urouge has also fought with Killer already, the two will end up on opposing sides, Urouge also didn’t cooperate with Drake, Apoo and Hawkins when Kizaru almost took them all out. These are signs that Urouge will end up on the opposing side to those I’ve mentioned.

Lastly, I will have another theory coming up on why Drake will join Kid, and his parallel (Bonney) will side with Luffy in a 4v4 alliance war. So watch out for that.

TLDR: Eustass Kid vs Luffy, Basil Hawkins vs Trafalgar D. Water Law, Scratchmen Apoo vs Urouge, Killer vs Roronoa Zoro, Heat vs Sanji

*Theory by L o g i a

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A

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