sooo uh what do you think about isuka, from the A novels? you'v read in japanese, so is she really ace's canon gf?
Honestly, there's hardly an opinion to share since I'm neutral on Isuka. A simple overview: She's an ensign, making her even present-Koby's junior, implying she's roughly around Ace/Deuce's age. She's efficient with the rapier, & that makes Isuka a nice blend of Tashigi and Smoker.
Yes, Oda himself penned '恋人' on her concept sketch for the published OP mag. However it never followed through in the final output, as Isuka is relegated to *potential* lover only, a mere shiptease. (Set similar to Shakky being Roger's love interest, but the lover he went in union with was Rouge!) Then there's that discarded love story meant for a 2019 big screen release. See, I do admire Oda for allowing Hinata to convey this minor subplot as nice exploration of what this affection starved boy underwent in *that* department!
{'イスカ' is the local name of the red crossbill, and knowing mythical symbolism, it's befitting this ginger gal. Another brave bird gets associated with Ace}
You read to know Ace has an obvious crush on her by the end but no affair develops. He may have realized too late, after exhibiting protectiveness over her, with Isuka's tears driving an enraged Ace to activate Armt Haki. I will say it was funny reading him insisting おれの船に乗れ! to weepy Isuka more than once. Another thing I caught on was that while typically very polite, Ace's inner bandit tongue slipped out when emotional/provoked. When Isuka doesn't join him on deck, he first blurts out once in confusion but then a more forceful なんでだよっ! which can be interpreted as either angry emotional or sad emotional. It's why Deuce narrates かける言葉がなかった, not out of surprise but an expression meaning unable to console somebody visibly upset...and Ace stayed upset for a whole page. 手を、繫いでおけば、よかったのか？(ok this was sad) If not as a character, then for a plot device Isuka played her role well. Ace learned that harsh coming-of-age lesson from her.
Tbh, I did like how this endorsed another similarity between Ace & Roger with their "love language": To keep their beloved close to them! Distinction lies on how assertive Roger got with his rambunctious persona; while teen Ace is more cautious/hesitant, so his whole deal is folding to persistent attention from the other. That's how Luffy and WB won him over afterall.
so yeah, Ace didn't get some love story. just a tragic farewell.
Isuka's rejection did a number on him emotionally imo. In chronological time oda managed to write how Ace politely refused Tama from joining his crew (her age played a role!), didn't even try with Yamato and the concept of asking Jinbei never crossed his mind! So that's why Ace is visibly shook when Whitebeard flips this question right back at him. The significance of "stay with me on my voyage" is deep for Ace. It's why next time, on-page, he fires this intimate request, unbeknownst a final one, to Luffy.
Disclaimer: We have no canon confirmation if Isuka ever reunited with Ace later on or if Fire Fist found another love interest. Oda's obscured Ace's love life and kept Isuka as well as Deuce out of his main story.
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