An OOC Note: Who is Luffy?
As I've been talking and interacting with some of my other esteemed colleagues here on Paixao, it's become increasingly apparent that many do not know much at all about my favorite future Pirate King. Now, I can certainly appreciate it if people aren't a fan of the series, as it just might not be everyone's cup of tea; the problem, however, is not lack of enthusiasm, but purposeful lack of information. Many people think they know who Luffy is, based on second-hand information, and from this, form a very unfavorable disposition towards him. I think this is a good chance for me to set the record straight by examining some of the more common misconceptions I've seen.
Bad Idea #1: One Piece is the story of Luffy, a boy (between the ages of 12-13) who has the power to stretch his arms out. Luffy searches for treasure wherever he goes, and does his best to fight off mean pirates, only winning through sheer luck or fortuitous accident.
Good Idea: One Piece is the story of Luffy, a young man of appoximately 19 years, whose body is completely made out of rubber, inside and out (even his bones and organs are rubber). Luffy aims to be the Pirate King, a position only held by the strongest and fiercest pirate to brave the most dangerous waters of the world.
Example: Luffy vs. Mr. 0
As this infamous battle shows, Luffy is not some timid child who wins his fight in a Scooby Doo-ish fashion; his battles are knock-down, drag-out bloody brawls in which he and his crew often suffer grievous injury. This clip features Luffy in a fight to the finish with a ruthless rival, and as the two trade blows, the surrounding cavernous stone tomb crumbles around them. Bloodied and suffering from a highly lethal poison, Luffy desperately fights off the rising numbness and delivers such punishing attacks that he is able to split straight through layers of solid bedrock.
Bad Idea #2: One Piece is nothing but silly sight-gags and goofy characters; the show lacks any real depth.
Good Idea: Yes, One Piece is definitely comedic, but the main characters in this series have such a rich history and personality to them, as illustrated by their pasts, and the hopes and dreams these events have inspired.
Example: Nami's Past
This clip is part of the flashback that establishes the story of the crew's navigator, Nami; before her very eyes, the woman who took her in and raised her lovingly is brutally murdered by a cruel pirate warlord when she cannot pay his exorbant extortion fees. Just before she is killed, she weakly reaches around the two girls with her shattered arm and holds them in one last tender embrace.
Bad Idea #3: Luffy isn't very strong, being a comedy character. There's no way he could stand up to (insert name here)!
Luffy vs. Bellamy
Luffy vs. Blueno
These examples are linked to on this journal's profile; I think they speak for themselves, but allow me a bit of commentary.
In the first clip, Luffy barely takes the fight seriously, only engaging when he becomes riled. Take note of how incredibly fast his opponent moves before he attempts to strike, and yet how easily Luffy beats him down with a single blow.
In the second clip, Luffy demonstrates a newer ability known as 'Gear 2nd'; ask me, and I'll explain the technique in greater detail. In short, this boosts Luffy's already tremendous strength and speed to even higher levels. This acts as Luffy's trump card in case of stronger opponents. There is also another technique, Gear 3rd...but we'll leave that a surprise.~
In summary, One Piece constantly surprises people who are unfamiliar with it. If you take a little time, you might find that Luffy seems a bit more fun to play with all of a sudden.~
Bad Idea #1: One Piece is the story of Luffy, a boy (between the ages of 12-13) who has the power to stretch his arms out. Luffy searches for treasure wherever he goes, and does his best to fight off mean pirates, only winning through sheer luck or fortuitous accident.
Good Idea: One Piece is the story of Luffy, a young man of appoximately 19 years, whose body is completely made out of rubber, inside and out (even his bones and organs are rubber). Luffy aims to be the Pirate King, a position only held by the strongest and fiercest pirate to brave the most dangerous waters of the world.
Example: Luffy vs. Mr. 0
As this infamous battle shows, Luffy is not some timid child who wins his fight in a Scooby Doo-ish fashion; his battles are knock-down, drag-out bloody brawls in which he and his crew often suffer grievous injury. This clip features Luffy in a fight to the finish with a ruthless rival, and as the two trade blows, the surrounding cavernous stone tomb crumbles around them. Bloodied and suffering from a highly lethal poison, Luffy desperately fights off the rising numbness and delivers such punishing attacks that he is able to split straight through layers of solid bedrock.
Bad Idea #2: One Piece is nothing but silly sight-gags and goofy characters; the show lacks any real depth.
Good Idea: Yes, One Piece is definitely comedic, but the main characters in this series have such a rich history and personality to them, as illustrated by their pasts, and the hopes and dreams these events have inspired.
Example: Nami's Past
This clip is part of the flashback that establishes the story of the crew's navigator, Nami; before her very eyes, the woman who took her in and raised her lovingly is brutally murdered by a cruel pirate warlord when she cannot pay his exorbant extortion fees. Just before she is killed, she weakly reaches around the two girls with her shattered arm and holds them in one last tender embrace.
Bad Idea #3: Luffy isn't very strong, being a comedy character. There's no way he could stand up to (insert name here)!
Luffy vs. Bellamy
Luffy vs. Blueno
These examples are linked to on this journal's profile; I think they speak for themselves, but allow me a bit of commentary.
In the first clip, Luffy barely takes the fight seriously, only engaging when he becomes riled. Take note of how incredibly fast his opponent moves before he attempts to strike, and yet how easily Luffy beats him down with a single blow.
In the second clip, Luffy demonstrates a newer ability known as 'Gear 2nd'; ask me, and I'll explain the technique in greater detail. In short, this boosts Luffy's already tremendous strength and speed to even higher levels. This acts as Luffy's trump card in case of stronger opponents. There is also another technique, Gear 3rd...but we'll leave that a surprise.~
In summary, One Piece constantly surprises people who are unfamiliar with it. If you take a little time, you might find that Luffy seems a bit more fun to play with all of a sudden.~