one piece essay: boa hancock

[hsiuism]

((So by "Monday" I apparently really meant "Thursday night". But whatever; this thing takes up 7 pages on MS Word so I hope you've got a nice big mug of tea.))

Disclaimers and Notes: this post contains spoilers for the most recent arc, especially chapters 516, 517, and 518. Questions, comments, discussion, and arguments are welcome; statements

Comments

[shadowaria]

Ah~ I'm too tired to write a thorough response. I agree with a lot of the points you've made, particularly about how fans respond differently to differnt character's evil deeds (Lucci vs Boa). I was all set to like Hancock, I don't mind her attitude and I think she has some strong qualities. But I was just so disappointed that we finally see a female shichibukai and not only does it seem like we're not going to get a great Boa/Luffy fight, but her powers (which I do find kinda obnoxious) don't even affect him. She's not even a threat to him at this point (let's see how her sisters do). I don't,know, my feelings are mixed on this whole arc.

[pikabot]

Potent as turn-to-stone powers are, I doubt she made it to shichibukai status based on that alone. I think saying that she's not even a threat to him is premature at this point.

[3goodtimes]

Agreed. And she's certainly got the mental capabilities to best Luffy.

I doubt Oda will make her easy to defeat or weak.

[pikabot]

I should also point out that this would be far from the first time that Oda's made it seem like Luffy's got an overwhelming advantage, only to suddenly turn the tables. I can't be the only person who thought that Enel would be a pushover once Luffy turned out to be immune to his attacks, or that Moria wouldn't be a big deal once they took the fight to him directly, since he...well, looked like a leek.

[3goodtimes]

Haha, no you're not the only one.

I would also like to add that she's a Shichibukai: one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. I would be very dissapointed in Oda if he made her less dangerous than the other men in that group. Beyond the gender implications, it just wouldn't make sense for the World Government to put a weak pirate in an organization of elite warriors.

[pikabot]

Yeah. You don't get to be a shichibukai just because you've got a one-trick pony ability than any Vice-Admiral can get around by stabbing himself in the hand. Especially when you come from an island where we've been hit over the head with the fact that 'strength is beauty' and that she's considered the most beautiful one of all.

[3goodtimes]

Too true!

Although I'm dissapointed in the fact that Oda focused on a strong female's looks yet again, I have to believe Hancock will end up showing us her other strengths. Especially if she's going up against Luffy.