From the diagram of OG Merry, the living quarters are below deck.
And it seems likely that its still the case in OPLA.
I've said before that in Season 2 episode 6, Sanji exited from this door as he left Nami's room.
Now, Nami's room can't really be at this level on the deck, as the galley is just next door to this door and takes most of the space, so here's what I think could be the case:
(Let's keep in mind that the exterior sets and interior sets don't really lineup, mainly due to placements of the portholes, windows, and hatches. So, total accuracy is not necessary. Also, I don't know anything about how to maintain a ship's integrity *or whatever you call it* when it comes too...floor planning?)
At the other side of the door is a short stair case leading below deck. Below deck is lined with corridors (perhaps something like an L-shaped hallway) containing doors that leads to Nami's room, the men's quarters, and maybe even the bathroom or storage.
The reason I think there's corridors is we do see that Nami's room leads out to a hall.
I was able to make something to help with my vision of this:
(Keep in mind, Nami's room is placed near the ship's stern.)
The yellow lines...if you can see them on Nami's room (-_-;)...are doors leading into the rooms. The green lines lead to any additional rooms/areas of the stern and bow (perhaps the bathroom and storage rooms...maybe a room being designated as the infirmary since Chopper is now onboard).
I'd say that there's probably another staircase in the bow nearby the men's room because Luffy lead Miss Wednesday from that side of the ship.
And, since I think I'm having a slight better idea of what could be where, I might make some like a...level...thing...my ADHD is acting up XD
And it's in regards to Zoro's parents, Arashi and Terra. I made a headcanon post for them before.
Basically, when they died (Arashi during a pirate attack and Terra to an illness around the same time), despite their actions being part of the reason the village and most of the residents being saved, despite even called heroes...they were feared.
The villagers have watched how the pair have fought and they looked vicious. Liked demons. Arashi had laughed even when he was stabbed many times.
Many of the villagers had equated Arashi's 'descent into madness' to Terra's influence due to her reputation.
And now, many of the villagers sees Zoro as sort of a ticking time bomb. Adults would avoid him and parents would worn kids to stay away from him.
The only ones who genuinely saw Zoro as he is (a literal child) was Koshiro (and Kuina, of course) and Kozaburo.
...Yeah, in a sense, Zoro was given the Naruto-treatment.
And a good bit of the villagers didn't like that Zoro was attending the Isshin Dojo, but Koshiro was having none of it, as every child in this village deserved to be educated.
Nami got to see Sanji and Zoro's vulnerable sides and learn something about them that only a very, very, veryveryveryveryvery few people knew about...
Sanji, to have Nami understand his actions, told her about his mother. Straight up broke apart talking about her too (shout out to Taz on that performance, good god...).
Zoro was, of course, more subtle/subdue. He doesn't say much about it, just that he 'had one friend'. Not have. Had. Nami could make educated guesses on what this could mean, but they have the same conclusion. This friend is no longer in Zoro's life. That look of contemplation before saying 'I had one friend' plus the look he gave her after...Zoro had just shared her something he doesn't give out freely...
A part of me thinks its weird that Zoro has no idea of his lineage when its part of the founding of Shimotsuki Village. His grandma was a Shimotsuki...
But, another part of me thinks that Zoro does know...he just doesn't give a fuck. And him not knowing about Ryuuma could be a thing in that such information is meaningless to him and he just forgot.
And...I can't help but think this:
One Piece is a long ass fucking story. And it has been proven that Oda forgot some stuff simply because of how dense the story is. Such as the fact that it completely slipped his mind that he had never revealed Kid's Devil Fruit and did so in the Wano Arc.
In a sense, while OPLA is (or was) a means to introduce new people to One Piece and not having to deal with the vast amount of chapters/episodes...
I almost see OPLA as a sort of a...I hesitate to call it a 'fix-it' adaptation. As an adaptation, it's not necessarily fixing anything. It's simply a reimagining of the source material. (though some would say that OPLA does fixes some of the issues from the animanga and I very much see it)
And, thanks to the power of hindsight...Perhaps, OPLA Zoro does know of Ryuuma from the stories and legends spoken in Shimotsuki Village. Maybe, he is aware that Ryuuma was a Shimotsuki. Maybe, he is aware that he is a descendant of Ryuuma.
He'd still won't give a fuck when he eventually faces Ryuuma in Thriller Bark because it wouldn't matter to him as a person and his dreams. He wouldn't care because a) Ryuuma is dead or is supposed to still be dead and b) he'd be in Zoro's way.
So, I just remembered Surface Pressure from Encanto and...
Um...
I'm the strong one, I'm not nervous
I'm as tough as the crust of the Earth is
I move mountains, I move churches
And I glow, 'cause I know what my worth is
I don't ask how hard the work is
Got a rough indestructible surface
Diamonds and platinum, I find 'em, I flatten 'em
I take what I'm handed, I break what's demanded
But under the surface, I feel berserk as a tightrope walker in a three-ring circus
Under the surface, was Hercules ever like, "Yo, I don't wanna fight Cerberus?"
Under the surface, I'm pretty sure I'm worthless if I can't be of service
A flaw or a crack, the straw in the stack
That breaks the camel's back, what breaks the camel's back?
Give it to your sister, your sister's older
Give her all the heavy things we can't shoulder
Who am I if I can't run with the ball?
If I fall to
Give it to your sister, your sister's stronger
See if she can hang on a little longer
Who am I if I can't carry it all?
If I falter
Under the surface, I hide my nerves and it worsens, I worry something is gonna hurt us
Under the surface, the ship doesn't swerve as it heard how big the iceberg is
Under the surface, I think about my purpose, can I somehow preserve this?
Line up the dominoes, a light wind blows
You try to stop it tumbling, but on and on, it goes
But wait, if I could shake the crushing weight of expectations
Would that free some room up for joy or relaxation, or simple pleasure?
Instead, we measure this growing pressure
Keeps growing, keep going
'Cause all we know is
Give it to your sister, it doesn't hurt, and
See if she can handle every family burden
Watch as she buckles and bends but never breaks, no mistakes
Give it to your sister and never wonder
If the same pressure would've pulled you under
Who am I if I don't have what it takes?
No cracks, no breaks
No mistakes, no pressure
I'm...starting to associate it with a certain swordsman...
The change is a bit minor in the grand scheme of things, but I do think that the East Blue gang are slightly older in OPLA by like one year (assuming this applies to them as a whole).
What came to mind was that Kaya was turning 18 in episode 4 and she and Usopp would be the same age, like in canon where they were 17.
In most countries, the age of majority is 18.
Everyone in the current crew are, more or less, adults.
Not that it would matter in the world of One Piece, especially if Chopper is still canonically 15.
So in short:
Luffy and Usopp: 18 (when you think about it, 18 is the 'threshold'/'transition' age of adulthood; which fits the pair as they officially start their journey at this age)
Nami: 19
Zoro and Sanji: 20
Of course, I feel like to bring up their respective flashbacks.
Luffy: 10 years ago, he would be 8
Zoro: 7 years ago, he would be 13 (this version of young Zoro does look like a preteen)
Nami: 8 years ago, she would be 11 (still works with her line about Arlong releasing her from her shackles on her 12th birthday)
Usopp: 7 years ago, he would be 11
Sanji: 9 years ago, he would be 11
I am sorta of debating on having the East Blue crew slightly older, like the ages they would've gotten to after the timeskip.
Again, giving into the more mature feel of OPLA.
I am aware that, as pirates (even teen/barely adult ones), no one is around (or care enough) to stop them from doing things like drinking alcohol underage. Usopp and Luffy have drank alcohol at the age of 17 and I think Chopper did too, and he was 15.
Despite this, the mature tone of everything does make the East Blue group feel older...
Plus, the OPLA team had to make changes that makes sense given the realistic approaches and the standards to live-television as oppose to a cartoon...
Well, look at the last duel between Zoro and Kuina. In the animanga, Zoro was 8. You don't want a kid at that age playing with real swords. Having young Zoro look more closer to a young teen in OPLA was a realistic choice (although slight worrisome, depending on who you ask ^^;)
And let's stop here with the rambling before I overthink XD
So, let's have the East Blue crew instead be two years older than the OG pre-timeskip counterparts.
Refresher:
Luffy and Usopp: 19 (and it could be changed that Usopp is just a year older than Kaya; plus, Syrup Village mayor's line towards Usopp about his tall tales sounds like a tone of 'You're an adult now, when are you gonna act like it?')
Nami: 20
Zoro and Sanji: 21 (and it kinda gives more weight to Zeff wanting Sanji to go out and follow his dream)
Like I did before, their ages in their flashbacks
Luffy: 10 years ago, he would be 9
Zoro: 7 years ago, he would be 14 (again, no idea of young Zoro's actor's age; though I have seen 14yos who look similar)
Nami: 8 years ago, she would be 12
Usopp: 7 years ago, he would be 12
Sanji: 9 years ago, he would be 12 (and...he's working as a cook in a ship at this age)
And let's just keep in mind that kids do age/mature in different rates; so gauging the ages of the kid actors isn't really necessary.
Now, the sorta main problem would be Nami's line about Arlong removing her shackles on her 12th birthday. I guess a way to make sense of it is that Arlong's raid into town happened sometime (maybe a few months) before Nami's birthday (which is July 3rd), just as long as it was within the same year before.
Disclaimer: Everyone in the StrawHats are traumatized one way or another. I just wanna focus on (be mean to) my boi.
Zoro is...interesting in that most of the time, he's presented as unbreakable and unbothered. And for the most part, he kinda is. He is typically aloof and stoic (if maybe a bit world-weary, at least in the case of OPLA) and has a pretty good grasp on what it means to be a good leader.
I just like to dive into the psychology of the characters.
And add angst.
Not to mention the talks about a 'crash out'
Of course, a shounen like One Piece doesn't often dive too deep into this kind of subject.
That's why we have headcanons and fanfiction. ^^
Here we go.
There are two things I wanna bring up that is more connected to what happened to Kuina: Imposter Syndrome and Survivor's Guilt.
Or, at the very least, variants. And probably relatively minor.
And I don't think Zoro's sees himself as a fraud or the like, but...well, he was never able to beat Kuina before she died.
Unless...this one theory becomes true, where Zoro achieves the World Greatest Swordman status...but
A lot of 'what ifs' and 'why mes'...
So, I guess its more about him having intrusive thoughts about the aftermath of Kuina's death.
Now, onto the next bit of trauma: PTSD
I...like to think that Zoro actually starts developing PTSD some time after entering the Grand Line. Like...the further they go into the Grand Line, the stronger the enemies get, plus his need to protect his crew...
And let's not forget the fact that Zoro froze when PX-4 was preparing a laser blast at him and he had flashbacks to when Kuma did it and the pain he had to endure. That was a trauma response.
If anything, it was likely Thriller Bark and the whole thing with Kuma is where the PTSD fully happens.
Also, I do think that Zoro is...naturally anxious. At least for the people he cares about.
I keep thinking back on OPLA Brogy's words: 'I don't trust my life to a warrior who isn't afraid,' or something like that.
For anyone unfamiliar with me...if a character is my favorite, they are likely subjected to angst either in my own fanworks or fanworks I like.
How Vivi could return to the StrawHats pre-TimeSkip
(AKA, my backstory for why she’s with the crew in my fics)
Like…we can bitch and moan about how we wished Vivi stuck around, but she had an honest good reason for needing to stay in Alabasta.
She’s a princess! And she cares so deeply for her kingdom! Plus, the StrawHats didn’t want the Marines to know that she’s affiliated with them and endanger Alabasta.
So, here’s an idea of how she could’ve rejoined the group.
This is by no means a fix-it thing. As I’ve said, Vivi leaving was for good reason. This is just a what-if thing and a bit of backstory for her being in my stories.
I’d say...a good place for a reunion to happen could be Water 7. In this scenario, it has been a month since the StrawHats left Alabasta and their arrival to Water 7. Vivi is at Water 7 for some diplomatic purposes for the most part.
She was also there in regards to a letter sent by a relative.
Let’s say...her uncle. King Cobra’s brother, Nefertari Adder.
This relative, Adder, is a traveler and would often send Vivi letters about his explorations over the years. His latest letter was sent from Water 7, detailing that he wanted to meet up with Vivi. Upon arriving at Water 7, Adder is nowhere to be seen. During a meeting with Iceberg, she asks him about the whereabouts of her uncle since the man is familiar with the traveler as he had visited Water 7 many times before. But, Iceberg didn’t have an answer.
Not long after arriving in Water 7, the StrawHats reunite with Vivi. It’s heartfelt...until Vivi sees Robin. The others explain to her what happened since they left and, despite her feelings towards Robin, trusts Luffy. It doesn’t stop her from feeling protective. She does tell them about her reasons for being in Water 7 and her uncle.
She doesn’t get involved in the Enies Lobby arc, but is made aware of what was happening and has helped during the Aqua Laguna incident. She stays behind in Water 7 with Iceberg, hoping that the others would be alright.
...Actually...while the StrawHats head for Enies Lobby, Vivi protects Iceberg from the remaining agents in Water 7 in disguise. The disguise consisted of a kasa hat decorated with beads and a veil covers her face...for any manga readers, this is referencing something in chapter 1182.
When the StrawHats do return with Robin, Vivi is overjoyed that everyone came back alive, including Robin.
Later, Iceberg tells Vivi the truth: he was sworn to secrecy by Adder until the matter with the agents in Water 7 was resolved and that Adder had to leave abruptly because of those agents.
Iceberg gives Vivi a letter left by Adder. The letter tells Vivi not to return to Alabasta for the time being and to lay low. Through a Den Den Mushi and through some careful wording, Vivi learns that something strange activity is happening in Alabasta and that her father wishes her to keep her distance for now for her own safety. Cobra assures her that they can handle this now that the civil war was over.
With all of this going on, Vivi’s entourage implored her to follow her heart, wanting what’s best for her. And knowing that she would want and should go with the StrawHats for now.
And...maybe her actions in Water 7 grants her a bounty (if so, how high would you say the bounty could be? Maybe...60-something million?), though the picture would contain her in her disguise and the name is either a name she gave herself for her disguise or an epithet the Marines granted her. Lady of Rain, Lady of the Lake...Lady Nile! Something water-related. Think Sogeking.
In the end, Vivi decides to go with the StrawHats, under the guise of her “Lady of the Lake/Lady Nile” persona as they leave Water 7.
When Vivi does unmask herself when they are in a safe distance, the others are understandably furious and concerned. What about her kingdom? What about her duties as princess?
Vivi reveals that she had brought the essential stuff she needed to continue with her duties remotely.
Some of the technology, including the Den Den Mushi, in OPLA feels more modern compared to the original source material and it makes sense. One Piece started in the late 90s and it’s technology reflected the decade’s technology. OPLA was in production at around the 2020s and while it still kept the bulky Den Den Mushi (which is commonly like a landline), there are some modern examples. I’ve said it before regarding Bleach, as it was written in early 2000s, but in the anime adaptation of the final arc, it showed tech of the 2020s. Technology Marches On or however that trope goes.
She also tells them about what is happening and about the situation with her uncle. Adder does give her a location of where he is currently hiding out, but it was in the form of a riddle.
So, she stays with the StrawHats this time around.
Just occurred to be its Pride Month, so let's get to orientation headcanons for the StrawHats!!
Luffy -- AroAce
Zoro -- AroAce (though maybe a demi?)
Nami -- Lesbian!!!
Usopp -- Straight Bi
Sanji -- I hesitate to call this man straight. Either bi-curious or bisexual.
Chopper -- I'd say that he's an animal (so his orientation doesn't apply)...buuuuut, the fact that he ate the Human-Human Fruit and it sorta made him Mink-like (plus he was crushing on Milky)...he's a demi with a preference to non-human females.
turnnoffyourmind
dailybridgerton
gummygunk
romaincrisis
