Without the frightened, angry, fighting, "shameful" Robin - to quote Spandam's word - the others would have been too late to save her.
Yes, agreed. And I find it all the more moving, in that I get the impression that Robin genuinely never feared death before. She had nothing to lose by it, until now. (She seems positively grateful for the prospect in Alabasta.)
That's an interesting comment about Zoro. I wonder if we might see more of that at some point in the future. I think his weakest moments have been his shame at losing to Mihawk (wayyy back when), and his complete inability to deal with Tashigi, which I agree is not that much.
ETA (how many things can I edit today?): I have to say, though, that I don't think it would be in character to see either Zoro or Luffy being undignified because they're afraid to die. I honestly don't think either of them does fear death (Zoro because he has the warrior's view of death with honor, and Luffy because he gives himself over entirely to fate, I think). But they both have things they fear more than death. Zoro fears defeat and disgrace, and failing in his promise; Luffy fears letting his nakama down and not being able to protect everyone. I do think it would be nice to see more of them confronting their particular fears.
You're probably right about your ETA, although Luffy has still shown some comic petulance, like I think towards Buggy? "Sorry. Now let me go" or something? Okay, not heartfelt, but less than complete stoic acceptance... But generally I think Luffy manages to not fear death because he embraces living life completely, with all of his heart, and so he has nothing to regret.[post-Marineford]Certainly as a kid Luffy cried when he was beaten and threatened with death - but never enough to betray someone he wanted to be friends with. He always hated being alone more than dying, even back then. Maybe it's because he was so open with his emotions then that he could be so sure of himself, and be able to master his fear of death before he reaches 17 and the story proper starts?
I don't quite see that with Zoro, though maybe that's just because he doesn't show things as much - it could all be on the inside. I agree that it would be nice to see them encountering their fears more often. (I'd relate more to Zoro that way, at least.)
But generally I think Luffy manages to not fear death because he embraces living life completely, with all of his heart, and so he has nothing to regret.
Yes. The moment that sticks in my mind is when he was almost executed at Loguetown. Certainly, as long as there's any chance of survival, he will often react with "oh crap I'm gonna die!" comic-panic, but at that moment when it looked like he'd gambled and lost, his acceptance of fate is so complete. "Sorry guys, I died!" No regrets.
Also agreed that young Luffy and Zoro would both have needed time to develop their personal philosophies. Young Zoro, to the extent that we see him interacting with Kuina, shows frustration, anger and disappointment far more readily than his adult self.
Yes, agreed. And I find it all the more moving, in that I get the impression that Robin genuinely never feared death before. She had nothing to lose by it, until now. (She seems positively grateful for the prospect in Alabasta.)
That's an interesting comment about Zoro. I wonder if we might see more of that at some point in the future. I think his weakest moments have been his shame at losing to Mihawk (wayyy back when), and his complete inability to deal with Tashigi, which I agree is not that much.
ETA (how many things can I edit today?): I have to say, though, that I don't think it would be in character to see either Zoro or Luffy being undignified because they're afraid to die. I honestly don't think either of them does fear death (Zoro because he has the warrior's view of death with honor, and Luffy because he gives himself over entirely to fate, I think). But they both have things they fear more than death. Zoro fears defeat and disgrace, and failing in his promise; Luffy fears letting his nakama down and not being able to protect everyone. I do think it would be nice to see more of them confronting their particular fears.
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I don't quite see that with Zoro, though maybe that's just because he doesn't show things as much - it could all be on the inside. I agree that it would be nice to see them encountering their fears more often. (I'd relate more to Zoro that way, at least.)
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Yes. The moment that sticks in my mind is when he was almost executed at Loguetown. Certainly, as long as there's any chance of survival, he will often react with "oh crap I'm gonna die!" comic-panic, but at that moment when it looked like he'd gambled and lost, his acceptance of fate is so complete. "Sorry guys, I died!" No regrets.
Also agreed that young Luffy and Zoro would both have needed time to develop their personal philosophies. Young Zoro, to the extent that we see him interacting with Kuina, shows frustration, anger and disappointment far more readily than his adult self.
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