Part One Archive: Unfilled

Sep 13, 2008 18:16

[will be filled when the mod actually does her darn job]

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Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 11 2009, 15:30:54 UTC
Most of us probably dislike one or more characters in One Piece. Little comments pop up every now and then on the meme, like "I hate Zoro!" or "I don't like Robin," and so on. It always leaves me curious and wanting to know why. As an aspiring writer I'm also interested in knowing what makes people dislike certain kinds of characters.

I don't want this to turn into a bashing thread. So I ask that the ones who feel up to it just calmly state who their least favorite character is and what about them makes you feel that way. I also ask that people try to keep it respectful and for others to not take it personal if someone dislikes their favorite character. And please don't try to change anyones opinion or try to prove them wrong, I just want to hear people's personal opinions based on how they themselves read the characters.

Since I'm the OP, I guess I should start.

My least favorite character is Robin. My reason is something as simple as not finding the "older, enigmatic woman who hides all her pain and sadness behind a calm, mysterious smile" characters very entertaining or interesting, be it in books, movies, comics or any other media. I liked her best during the Enis Lobby arc, where she couldn't hold back the tears and we saw how desperate she was. I simply prefer fiery and emotional women over calm and quiet ones in fiction. I know she has a lot going on beneath the surface, but if I don't get to see it, I'm not entertained by it.

On a much more shallow note, there's something about her design that makes me feel she doesn't fit in with the others. I don't know what it is. Maybe the fact that she still looks like a villain to me?

Does anyone feel like giving me their view on any other characters? Remember that you don't have to answer if you don't want to, and if you don't want to read something like this or suspect that you can't keep from getting angry, you can always scroll down.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 11 2009, 15:49:54 UTC
I think I may have said before that your reasons for liking Robin are pretty much the reasons that I like her. Heh. But you make me wonder if the fact that she "looks like a villain" and started out a villain might actually contribute to it because I doooo like villains, especially shipped with the hero. :)

I don't like Zoro much, simply because he's kind of the "straight man" which I don't find interesting. Compared to all the other quirky characters who are on hand to like, I don't see much in him that is unique or invites me to like him.

I still like some pairings with him because he becomes more interesting in the way he plays off some of the other characters.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 11 2009, 16:07:05 UTC
I actually like Robin, but I agree with you on her design. I think Oda's trying too hard to make her tall, dark and sexy. Fishnets, dark clothes, garters with short skirts etc. Sometimes I feel that her design and clothes are there just to satisfy Oda's dominatrix kink. :P

My least favourite Strawhat is probably Sanji. I don't like Casanova-type characters in general, and Sanji's constant over-the-top fawning just annoys me. First it was somewhat funny but now the joke is older than dirt. Right now I like Sanji best when he's nowhere near women, just because then there's less possibilities for him to drool over them.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 11 2009, 17:12:16 UTC
(OP)
"Sometimes I feel that her design and clothes are there just to satisfy Oda's dominatrix kink. :P"

I feel that way too, sometimes. It would be fun and refreshing to see Robin wearing a simple t-shirt some time, but I doubt Oda will ever do that.

I totally see your point about Sanji. I've preferred him surrounded by guys since day one. Let's hope his current wacky adventures will have a positive effect on him.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 12 2009, 01:18:42 UTC
See the first time she enters: She's wearing Nami's cloths.
And if you're looking for who Oda is REALLY taking his dominatrix kink out on: Check out Sadi-chan in the recent manga... (lol)
I think he does it on purpose. It's for variety. For me, she makes up for it with her character.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 12 2009, 06:46:34 UTC
But those weren't her clothes.

I know Oda does it on purpose. It doesn't make me like her design any better, though.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 12 2009, 01:16:35 UTC
Oooh, interesting discussion.
I'll tell you my reasons for Robin being one of my favs then, and then er, mention someone I don't like? (scans brain quickly for a character I don't like...)
I like Robin cause the point of all the characters is that they are drastically different. they are the misfits, who no one else wants, you've gotta remember most of all, the strawhats are CRIMINALS. That's why Luffy thinks they all fit.
But what really makes me like Robin, is more to do with the entire crew dynamic. Everyone of the strawhats is a parody of something: Zoro: Asian action hero; Sanji: Western action hero (note they are always in disagreement); Nami: Bossy girl; Usopp: The in- over- his- head character; Chopper: Monster in the castle with the heart of gold, frankenstein movies; Robin: Spy girl/mysterious villain; Franky: Mafioso/american dumbass; Brook: Horror movies; Luffy: Typical dumbass hero.

What I think is the brilliance of One Piece is the way that Oda brings these character from all different genres intentionally together and explores how they work together. you pick any two characters, and they are vastly different from the others. Luffy (and Oda) is kinda aiming for that I think. Robin fits, I think because she loves their crazy quirks, has a few herself, needs this kind of thing to clear her head from the life she'd been living, and is also intensely useful in her part on the crew.
Personally, I think there are some VERY hilarious Robin moments, like when she starts talking about blood and gore matter of factly and the entire crew goes pale. She's sorta... childhood challenged too, and that makes her interesting. one of my favorite scenes is with the campfire in sky island, where she suddenly realizes this isn't like all the other criminal organizations she's been in, and starts to defrost.

Also, I love it when she laughs at inopportune moments.

Er, character I don't like...
...
...
OK, I'm a fuckwit, I like everyone. I used to not like Buggy... but he grew on me. oh! that that guy! that guy who shoots ramen out his nose!
hmm, but even he is redeemable cause he made Sanji fight with knives... (puzzles character design vs the fanservice he provided...)
Yeah, I'm sorta made of peace and love and happiness.
It's unnatural, but I carry on.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 12 2009, 06:56:40 UTC
(OP) It's nice that you like Robin. I know I'm in a minority by not liking her, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that people jump to her defense and try to change my mind about the character. But it's not working, and I was kinda hoping that people wouldn't do that and focus on the question of what makes them dislike certain characters instead.

Maybe someone could make a "Why do you like these characters?" thread?

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Not a "Make the OP like Robin" thread. anonymous March 12 2009, 07:54:01 UTC
(OP) I feel like maybe one of my requests from the original post needs repeating. Please don't try to change people's opinions on characters. That's not what I was looking for when I made this thread. I'm just curious to know what makes people dislike certain characters, for educational reasons and because the topic interests me. So OP would like to ask, without trying to sound mean or stop people from posting, that she can be included in the "people" category as well. Don't turn this into a "make the OP like Robin" thread, please. I read the manga and pay as close attention to Robin as I do the other heroes, so I know what she's about and she's still my least favorite character. I know it's tempting to defend the characters you like, but still...

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 14 2009, 04:43:40 UTC
I really like the Strawhat crew but the two I don't really love-love has to be -maybe spoiler-ish Brooke.
I know, I know. He probably hasn't grown on me and such but I have the number one urge to hit -lightly- him the most. It's probably because of the way I am but the way he's so direct with things that seem so private to me and such i.e (may I see your panty) and also some things (burping, etc) just automatically makes me blush and wants to hide.
Plus, his dead jokes are getting just a bit too much. -eye twitch-

But, outside of the strawhat crew (that counts right?), it has to be spoiler-ish Hancock and Sadi-chan. My goodness, they bug me. Once more, it's probably because of the way I am, but Hancock is pure -rawr poke of doom to her-. I don't like the way she treats other people. There is no meaning to the way, she broke that stature that little kids make for her. Since she's the queen, it seems to me that she has a duty to her people and I can only imagine the way she causes many people to be hurt over her. Since so many people respect her as the beautiful, strong Empress of their land, the way she treats them as nothing probably really hurts them and can maybe make them think that it's their fault of being too lowly and such. And then the beautiful... gah. Yes, I do agree she's one pretty person but the way she perpetuabully (sp?) uses that to manipulate people, one more it seems like abuse to me. The kicking of puppies, kittens, and seals make me go huh? as I don't know what to read that as. I read one essay on why Hancock shouldn't be hated, and I believe this person stated on how this is just Oda parodizing (am I using that correctly? sorry if I'm not) evilness in a person. That I will make up my mind later.

And Sadi-chan. First off, more clothes! No, not really but sometimes when I see her I just go gahhh... Yes, I'm kinda like Paulie in that sense... But, it's more than that. We haven't seen her too much, and I'm a bit fuzzzy so I might be wrong but she loves pain more than necessary it seems like. Once more this could be a parody that's way going over my head, but right now, I just don't like the way she revels in other people's pain. Yeah, sadistic... but it sounds like pain is a seven course meal of goodies that she loves with all of the "mmmmmmmm .... (paraphasing badly) I love my pain!"...

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous March 14 2009, 17:33:18 UTC
Brook is actually my favorite, but I can easily see where his humor might hit some people the wrong way. Especially if you're prone to embarassment squick (I usually am too). If I didn't like the more serious parts of his character so much, the humor probably wouldn't have grown on me like it has. So...yeah, I guess I'm just saying even as a fan I can understand why someone else wouldn't be.

Regarding Hancock and Sadi-chan. Oi. Right now I consider them both pretty terrible characters - too much blatant fanservice and too little actual characterization. I don't mind the current Strawhat ladies both being pretty (although I do wish Oda would stop with the "only pretty girls are respect-worthy female characters" trend lately), but Nami and Robin are still a far cry from that nonsense.

...am I the only one who would genuinely love to see an awesome fishwoman as the next Strawhat if we do get any more crew? Not mermaid. Female fishman. I'm tired of females having to be gorgeous to be liked; we've got several odd-looking crewmembers who are nonetheless welcome because they're good people. But all of those are guys. Dear Oda: equality plz.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous November 17 2009, 01:59:16 UTC
Brook. I don't care too much for him. Why? First of all, his backstory is depressing as heck. Beyond that....

Okay, this involves my weird terminology. When I've a strong impression of something, I "see" its "colour" vividly. These are metaphorical colours, by the way. Brook, I can't see his "colour"; or I can only see it as a background-character's dull grey. I can't characterize him, I can't picture his reaction to something; he just doesn't seem to have very much personality, just an angsty history.

That, and I really don't like his character design. Skeletons? Maybe. Afros? No. Skeletons with afros? HECK NO.

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Re: Your reasons for disliking characters. anonymous November 17 2009, 02:17:00 UTC
It's interesting with me and Brook.

Because I have a friend who IS Brook. I mean SERIOUSLY, if Oda'd ever met him, I'd advise him to sue (actually, I'd advise him to kneel prostrate at Oda's feet and proclaim his unworthiness to be included in the plot of one piece over and over)

But me and this 'friend' don't really get along all that well. He pisses me off something dreadful, despite being an overall nice guy. So that puts me at an odd place with the strawhat's musician. He's like, Brook sans the angst that makes Brooks utter insanity acceptable.

The thing I like about him, that while he does have the most depressing backstory in history of forever, he still finds joy in life. Even if he has to crack a little at the edges to do so. All through his lonelyness he was like Yay! I am having fun! I must have fun! I must not dwell on the bad in life! And that makes me respect him, even in his insanity.

And if I ever have trouble liking him, I just imagine him being followed around by a tiny happily chirping laboon.

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