Buzz
Many One Piece fans are questioning Oda's pacing as the Wano arc intensifies unusually.
Never has there been an arc where the Straw Hat crew and Luffy's allies were powered up so fervently by Oda. While many agree, believing 'without buffs, how can they defeat the Yonko alliance,' a significant portion of One Piece fans feel Oda is rushing Wano.
When Luffy Becomes a Saiyan
Fans can't help but compare Luffy's miraculous power-ups in this Wano arc to a Saiyan's journey. Despite being knocked down by Kaido three times, our protagonist noticeably grows stronger with each awakening.
First defeat by Kaido, Luffy learns Advanced Armament Haki. Second defeat, the Straw Hat captain masters Conqueror's Haki combined with devastating blows. Now, with the third knockout blow from Kaido's club, it's highly likely Luffy will awaken his Devil Fruit.
Witnessing these events, many fans draw parallels to Goku and the Saiyan warriors in the famous Dragon Ball series. Like these Saiyan warriors, Luffy seems to power up visibly every time he's knocked out in the Wano arc. Except for the first time, which involved training in Udon Prison, subsequent power-ups happen quickly and instantly, bypassing training. Seeing Luffy at this point, many fans are no longer as thrilled as before. Perhaps after One Piece chapter 1043, killing Luffy is something very few can accomplish.
When the Yonko Become Comedians
The Yonko pirate alliance of Big Mom and Kaido is something terrifying, unprecedented in history. However, the Wano arc turns both Yonko into comedians no less. Most notably, Big Mom, from falling into the sea and losing her memory, being toyed with by Jinbei and Robin, to Franky crashing a car into her face, and climaxing with being defeated by Law and Kid.
As for Kaido, his role as a Yonko seems somewhat more dignified but still brings surprises to readers. From being injured by the Scabbards or enduring attacks that never seem to land, Kaido is gradually becoming a test of strength for Luffy. Sharing Kaido's fate, members of the Beast Pirates like the Tobi Roppo or the Three Disasters are sidelined and have little stage presence in this Wano arc. Other forces like CP0 also turn into clowns in the Wano battle.
The Simultaneous Power Boost for Luffy's Alliance
This is perhaps what frustrates many One Piece fans the most. The most prominent cases are Kid and Law, one knocked unconscious by Kaido while the other was almost killed by Doflamingo but unexpectedly shines in battle against Big Mom. Thanks to awakening their Devil Fruits, both Supernovas unexpectedly triumph over a Yonko at the peak of their power.
In addition to the Kid and Law duo, other names like Zoro and Sanji have also received significant power buffs, defeating the two strongest calamities under Yonko Kaido, King and Queen, much to the readers' astonishment.
Truly, there has never been a part where readers complain about the issue of 'dirty buffs' for characters like in the Wano arc. From this arises a question that many One Piece fans ponder: is Oda truly rushing and running short of ideas for this thrilling battle? What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to share your opinions!
