Thoughts on Zoro and Tashigi: subplot in OP
I have always wondered over these last 6-7 years why Tashigi was brought into the story, specifically Zoro’s storyline. Here are some thoughts in light of the recent chapters and controversy over sexism in the manga. Quick note: I don’t think Oda is being sexist, quite the opposite actually as I will explain below.
Review of Zoro’s past and motivation:
- Zoro wants to become the best swordsman in the world and carries Kuina’s sword in order to fulfill their promise.
- Zoro may have a kind of ‘chivalry’ though I think it is very different from Sanji’s in that it is more reactive rather than proactive. Sanji will be attentive to any beautiful women, while Zoro will protect or save nakama that are in immediate danger from being hurt or killed. It is likely that he does not enjoy seeing women killed because of what happened to Kuina. This is particularly true in Tashigi’s case.
Edit: You could also think of it as Zoro’s ‘trigger’. Women who are hurt or close to dying are triggers that reinvoke the loss of Kuina, which is probably painful for him remember. It does not however, prevent him from fighting against or hurting women if he is provoked.
Even though Tashigi has been reintroduced to the storyline, it is still somewhat unclear what her role is. It is possible that she will follow Smoker’s own brand of 'justice’ which may be somewhat different from that of the rest of the Marines. For now I will focus on her relationship with Zoro and why interaction between the two may have come up in the storyline again.
Tashigi continues to be a somewhat vexing character for Zoro. She bares some resemblance to Kuina and is also a swordsman who uses the one-sword style that she did. He used their first encounter to satisfy his own desire to beat Kuina in spirit, having felt as though he would have become skillful enough to finally defeat her in what would have been their 2002nd battle. However, he doesn’t want to kill Tashigi despite her wishes because she is far too similar to Kuina.
Tashigi misinterprets this to mean that he looks down on her because she is a woman and she reiterates this in their most recent encounter on Punk Hazard. In an effort to protect her men and arguably to confront Zoro, she stands her ground and insists on fighting Monet. She accuses Zoro of sexism and Zoro allows her to fight Monet on her own. I like to think that he wanted to see what she was capable of doing at this point as well as allow her to have her way since she insisted on fighting.
It’s also good to note that Zoro was in complete control of this fight from the start. When Tashigi was about to get her shoulder bitten off, he decided to act and also proved that he could in fact cut women if he chose to, thus distinguishing himself from Sanji and in a way, showing Tashigi that he is not sexist. He also frightened Monet with just his killing intent alone and ultimately ended the fight despite Tashigi being the one to deliver the final blow.
Despite the fact that Tashigi is a marine, she shares Kuina’s dream of becoming a powerful swordswoman who can stand and fight on an equal level to the men. This is important because most of the other powerful female characters have been Devil Fruit users and don’t carry the same code of honor that Tashigi does when it comes to fighting and battle. I think Zoro recognizes this regardless of their huge difference in power and in his own way is trying to encourage her because she shares Kuina’s worries and goals.
Here I think he was getting back at her for accusing him of being weak toward all women and looking down on him for that.
Oda’s depiction of Tashigi:
It is my understanding that some people are unhappy with Tashigi’s treatment as of late. After reading through the chapters I have come to the conclusion that these worries are unfounded because I believe there is a purpose for showing Tashigi’s struggles in many of her fights.
Tashigi is named after a bird, just as Kuina’s is. Oda has stated that in regards to this name 'although a bird cannot fly that doesn’t mean it never will.’ I’ve taken this to be a metaphor for Tashigi’s continuing battle to prove her worth as a fighter. She doesn’t just have this problem with Zoro, all her subordinates are very protective of her because they see her as being 'cute’ and because she is clumsy. Her blushes are part of the 'cute’ factor. This is an important aspect of her character. While she is stronger than the average soldier and is getting stronger (she can use Haki!) she is still much weaker than many of the main pirates shown in the New World and is beaten soundly by Law and Vergo. She is a bit reckless and runs into battle without thinking about the consequences in order to preserve her honor and above all to protect her men. I believe she does this because she wants to prove herself to others as a capable fighter despite being a woman.
I feel like this is a somewhat sensitive depiction of a woman challenging men on an even level, without using strange super human powers, deceptive tactics or simply running away. Her growth is slower, but steady somewhat like Coby. Unlike many of the other characters particularly the female characters, I think she will struggle the most and I don’t think we will be disappointed with the outcome at the conclusion of the manga, whatever that may be.
Again her cute and clumsy nature is at odds with her pride and abilities as a fighter. Zoro, like her subordinates, is shown to be somewhat protective of her as can be seen in his intervention with her fight vs. Monet as well as this scene where they are escaping from the poisonous gas. I don’t think she’s meant to be thought of as useless, but rather sympathetic and Zoro imo, appears to have a bit of a soft spot for her due to his nostalgia regarding Kuina.
I’m not certain how this is going to develop in the future, but I believe that we will continue to see her increase her power and Zoro will continue to 'look after her growth’.
On a more personal note I am tickled pink that she has been brought back and made somewhat relevant to the manga. I had just about given up hope of ever seeing her do anything half-way significant, but I think this shows that Oda has not forgotten about her and still has plans for her further down the line especially regarding Zoro and his development.
