Can you explain the appeal of Sanji/Ussop to me (or link to another post that does if u can’t be bothered)?
Maybe I’m dumb but I feel like most of the other One Piece ships I’ve seen make more sense to me. I’m not against it (or any shipping for that matter) I just personally don’t really get where it came from.
I can be bothered! In fact, it doesn't bother me at all and I'm so glad you asked this. Because now I have an awesome excuse to do this:
SANUSO: THE SNIPER & THE CHEF; WHY ARE THEY A PERFECT MATCH?
Lil' note before we start: Although I do consider this ship to be the most genuine, organic one for both characters, most of this will be biased opinions based on how I analyze their characters. So you can share my vision or not, but I don't consider myself or this to be a superior ship or "better". All ships are great and we all have different opinions! I just happen to be right most of the time, though And I just wish to share my personal opinions on why Sanuso works so well and I'm 100% right btw
This won't really be a long, detailed essay because I don't have the time to do it, but I will try my best to put my thoughts into words in a single post!!
Starting with not really getting where they came from:
It's a common misconception to think they barely have chemistry and scenes together, in comparison to the other Strawhats, because, usually, people just ignore those. They're not talked about as much as other scenes, and with such a long show, Sanuso gets forgotten/ignored since it's overshadowed by other ships/dynamics. But they do have a history together since the very beginning.
Not many people think about it now, and while it is true that Post-Timeskip we don't really have much Sanuso content in canon, we used to have soooo many Pre-Timeskip. Both of their characters basically were written around each other in a way, in almost every arc.
Even the order in which the Strawhats join the crew is ideal for them. Of course, that works with all of them, but I believe there is something to say about Usopp being there before Sanji, but after the Romance Dawn Trio. I've made a few posts about this before, but despite obviously being family and just as close as the first three members are, coming before a main trio, being the same age and all, does create some kind of distance there. And in my perception, Usopp's fear of not fitting in there and Sanji's arc happening way after joining the crew, basically separates them a tiny bit from them.
It does feel like they think of themselves as people who shouldn't be there. And honestly, I think it's such a good way to start. With both of them being part of the crew but not really fitting in as much at the start and having that sensation of isolation that only they can relate to. To me, it's always been: The Romance Dawn Trio > Usopp/Sanji > Literally everyone else.
Might be an unpopular opinion and it is hard to explain here, but you get me (for more, read my fanfics on Ao3 or something, I always end up explaining this better there. Recommendation for this subject in specific: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51315742).
Besides their shared feeling of not fitting in, I think they understand each other on a deeper level in comparison to other Strawhats. They've got many scenes together during the first arcs, and it's a fact that Pre-Timeskip Sanuso spends a lot of time together as a pair.
Even during Alabasta, Sanji goes after Usopp's goggles and the guy can't help but act like the most protective boyfriend to ever exist...
But you can easily notice this better during Skypiea.
Sanuso shippers often make that arc one of our main ones because it represents their dynamic so well. The story pairs them together and besides their dynamic being hilarious (Sanji being an impulsive, self-sacrificing idiot, and Usopp being scared all the time, pretending he isn't + Usopp joking all the time and bothering the shit out of Sanji in the most hilarious way) it's also a great way for them to see each other's strengths and weaknesses for the first time.
They're left alone and have to work together, and besides having obvious chemistry, there's so much care and respect. Sanji doesn't talk about them saving Nami in a "I will only save Nami" tone. He's always considering Usopp there because he believes in him. And even when he says he doesn't, and claims he would be okay with Usopp dying if it was for Nami, he ends up saving both. And despite saving both, the whole scene is framed with Sanji pushing Usopp away to sacrifice himself instead.
So that's the first time we see it, but not the last. We know Sanji has a constant um... Tendency to not take care of himself, and will use any excuse to be the savior. Because he wants to be useful and because he doesn't really care as long as he protects the ones he loves. But it's obvious he has a certain preference and favoritism when it comes to women... And Usopp.
The women thing is self-explanatory. He's got obvious trauma with the men in his life, and finds women way more comforting because of his mother and sister, who were the ones to support him through his abusive childhood. But not only that, his view of masculinity is completely altered by trauma too, and Usopp is everything Judge would hate. I think Sanji feels a certain closeness to Usopp because he doesn't really hide everything Sanji does hide, and reminds him of himself. That's why he's softer on him than with other men. Because despite respecting him and trusting him, and offering him the same opportunities as other men, he doesn't have that inherent disdain that comes with masculinity with Usopp.
Usopp is, in a way, a lot of things Sanji wants to be.
And the other way around, too. Usopp sees Sanji as one of the Monster Trio. Strong and respected and lke a Real Man that he wants to be. He wants to prove he is capable of that too, despite not believing in himself like, at all. He doesn't see, though, that he can do way more than he thinks. He doesn't see yet, the respect the crew (and Sanji, mostly) feels for him.
Listen to Lacy by Olivia Rodrigo to get the feeling, trust me. It's the most Sanuso song ever. (I also wrote a fanfic about this topic...)
So when Water 7 comes... Let's say that's the real Sanuso arc.
It doesn't come out of nowhere. We've seen them being closer to each other than they've been with other characters the second they divide the group in pairs. It just makes sense that, this time, Sanji and Usopp are paired together again. Just not in the way you might think.
We all know what happens during this arc and I don't think anyone wants to remember (I will start crying) so I'll keep it brief:
Following what I've said before, a thing between these two is that they'll fundamentally understand each other. This makes way more sense after noticing their parallelisms and after WCI (which I'll talk about later). So when Usopp is rightfully wounded by the decision of leaving Merry behind and acts irrationally, Sanji gets it.
It's a thing between Usopp and Luffy, mostly, yes. Even Zoro knows his place of not saying shit because he trusts them on solving it by themselves and is also angry at Usopp disrespecting their captain. But it's not only a role thing, but a friend thing. A family thing. And the concept of leaving someone behind hits close to home for Sanji too.
Before anyone says anything more hurtful, Sanji kicks his own captain to shut him up and gets involved directly into the whole thing. I think that speaks a lot about how much he cares and relates to Usopp in this situation. It doesn't scare him at all to face Luffy if it means keeping Usopp there before anyone makes any more mistakes. It's about the ship, yeah, but it's way more than that. Usopp lets his insecurities consume him and Sanji sees it.
When the whole fight happens, it's just so obvious Sanji is way more affected by this than the rest of the crew. I don't even know how people just can't see it, when it's right there. He even stops Chopper from helping him out because he knows Usopp and he knows it'll only make him feel worse. Because it would make him feel worse if it had happened to him.
See more of the scene.
During Water 7 and Enies Lobby, Sanji's job is to watch Usopp from afar and make sure he's okay. It's not even subtle. They spend the whole time together. Again, for the third time, defends Usopp from somebody else and this time is Franky. He doesn't even hesitate.
Also, they act like a married couple. Tf is this?? 😭
My post, btw.
Sogeking, as we know, is Usopp's way of masking his vulnerability and pride, so he can fight alongside them without apologizing just yet and facing consequences. And also facing reality and the pain and shame that comes with it. Sogeking x Sanji shenanigans happen (if we go back to the fandom's perception of the ship, I swear, one of the best things about Sanuso is being able to use also their superhero personas) and I adore them.
Okay, so I know, I know the joke about Luffy and Chopper not realizing Usopp is Sogeking are hilarious and not that deep. But the concept of Sanji seeing Usopp behind the mask while some others can't is just perfect for their situation.
Then it comes THE Sanuso scene.
"I'll do what you can't do, and you'll do what I can't do".
Quite literally, their whole relationship.
Sanji relates to Usopp's insecurities, and this is the moment Usopp starts seeing Sanji's too. They're equals now, always have been, and Usopp is now seeing this because Sanji is letting him know that they're all good at their own thing and nobody is ever perfect. But it's not only that, in my opinion. It's also a personal, individual, between the two... Promise. Sanji is saying that yes, all of them have their own thing and need to have each other's backs in their own way, no need to be more than what you are because it's more than enough. He's also making a promise with Usopp, between the two of them only, about trusting each other every time they can't do something. Sanji, who's always acting so brave and strong and self-sacrificing, is letting himself be saved too. And by that, Usopp is being seen.
Which is, pardon me for the sudden break of the "analyzer" character here: Fucking wild.
At the end, Sanji keeps hoping for Usopp to come back and watches him from afar too because he knows it's something he has to deal with on his own. But still, he cares. He has to be there.
Also, yes, I'm gonna bring up the "Would've Sanji left with Usopp if he had decided to leave for good?" discourse: Because I actually agree with that happening in some situation. It would never happen because there isn't any reality in which Luffy lets them leave, first of all. Something more powerful than Sanuso is Luffy's love for them-- But! I do like the concept of them bonding over not fitting in, and if Sanji had to leave the crew for someone... It'd be Usopp. I'm not arguing here. Not saying he would've had, because we just know Usopp would come back every time, but the thought definitely did cross his mind, I don't care. I know it did.
You'd think, then: Oh, but that's just it. They don't have any more sc-
Sabaody.
Every OP fan just shivered in fear the mention of that arc I'M SORRY. I have to talk about it 🫧
It's a cruel scene to rewatch, and they're all trying to save themselves and each other from getting separated (which is, like, canonically, Luffy's worst fear. Their worst fear, in general).
Sanji gets like, fixated on Usopp for a long fucking time there. It's wild to me even after all this time that Sanji, once again, sacrifices himself for Usopp. And it's not like, a thing they can get out of easily. It isn't a "well, if I'm lucky, I'll surive this" type of thing. Because this is the real deal. And yet still, Sanji saves him (or tries to, at least).
More of the scene (anime version) (sorry, Tumblr's picture limit...)
This happening right after Skypiea and Water 7 too... (I mean, Thriller Bark is in between, but for them it's literally right after. Not a long time between those happens, tbh)
I have to mention, also, the theory about Sanji and Usopp ending up on each othe's islands instead of the ones they were meant to go to because they swapped places, technically. Although I adore and agree on the places they ended up canonically, I think it's very telling of their characters and relationship that they can just swap places like that and it would still work. Something about being on each other's shoes and everything.
This is where things get complicated, because we barely have Sanuso scenes Post-Timeskip. I honestly don't think it's because of them, personally, I think it's because of the change of tone in the story. Pre-Timeskip focused more on the characters individually and they had more time to explore that, Post-Timeskip is way wider.
However, I do think there are some scenes here and there during Wano/Egghead that can be seen with a Sanuso mentality. Osoba-Mask being a clear parallel to Sogeking is one of the main ones. And that one scene about Sanji claiming he will save Usopp at all costs, too. Usopp trying Sanji's food after a long time... Sanji trusting Usopp to look after Nami... Etc, etc, etc:
I do have to say, though, that Usopp shuld've gone to WCI to save Sanji. I know you can say this about any Strawhat, really, but I truly believe Usopp fit that scene way better. It's a bit of a missed opportunity there, since it would've been so perfectly lineal with the "I'll do what you can't do" thing they have going on. And it would've been the perfect parallel of their dynamic in Water 7, just roles reversed. In my heart, they're alwasy there with each other every time one tries to leave the crew.
A bit sad they don't get much time together now, but we'll see how that develops during Elbaf (hoping for a scene between them paralleling Water 7... Oda, hear me out. Do you hear me, Oda-).
No that we have their timeline more or less stated, here's something else I adore about them:
Their Parallels:
It's not only their story together what makes them a perfect match, but their own personal stories that brought them together, too.
They both have a huge love and adoration for their dead mothers, who supported them in everything while they had to take care of them in their last moments alive. While also having their own personal issues with their fathers and masculinity (Sanji not meeting Judge's expectations and suffering from abuse. Or Sanji growing up to be like Zeff. And Usopp lacking a father figure while still admiring him from afar but always having to live to the expectations of being like him). Not to mention that their own dreams are inherently tied to the expectations they have for themselves, and how they view themselves. Their hobbies also are parallels!!! Usopp is a botanist, basically, while Sanji cooks. Sanji might be scared of insects, but does love and protect small animals like rats while Usopp does the same with any living thing. It's in their inherent love and protection for anyone that can't protect themselves what makes them love each other so much, in my opinion.
They're just so alike in so many ways that they work perfectly. In my perception, they're both jealous of each other for doing what the other can't do, and they progressively learn to support each other instead of yearning to be someone else. With this, it also comes the inherent trust and connection they usually don't have with other Strawhats, and it feels so... Organic and genuine, that you can't just ignore it. They're meant to be, whether you see it romantically or not.
They both feel like they don't fit in, but they do fit together. They're misfits wherever they go and never feel like what they do is enough. That could be awful for a relationship, if it wasn't because they care so much that they turn it into a strength. And if it becomes a problem, they work it out together.
This now leans more into the Fandom/Tropes perception of their dynamic:
They feel extremely organic. The perfect best friends to lovers. It's not devotional and religious like Zolu, or tragically poetic like Shuggy. It doesn't have that sweet royalty factor Namivivi has, either. They're just... Them. Some people might find it boring, which, understandable if it isn't your type of ship. But I personally believe it's the best part of their ship. They work so well in AUs where they are already Childhood Best Friends because, aside from their Childhoods being similar in a way, they also feel so natural that you could claim they've known each other for longer and I'd believe you. It's easy for me to see them together because they complement each other in many ways, and one of them is that they're best friends. Simple as that. You can say there isn't any favoritism in the crew, but when asked, I think they'd see each other as best friends in a way. The same way Usopp and Nami are a duo, too. The Monster Trio is a thing, but Zoro and Luffy have their own thing going on. And Usopp and Nami have their own thing going on, but Nami is fundamentally also part of the Romance Dawn trio. So I think, really, that Usopp and Sanji being kind of, sort of, left out in a way makes them bond and be their own little thing.
In a relationship, an actual romantic relationship, they'd work so well because they understand each other. There's this jealousy and yearning and longing for each other's lives, yet with so much admiration and love and respect... It also comes with the necessity of protecting each other (from their past demons catching up to them now. They feel protected while also protecting, feeling useful and having each other's backs. They're a team) and the need of comforting the other, too. There's something about them being able to get each other without speaking that is the core of their dynamic, and the most beautiful thing about it. Sanji is a dreamer, and Usopp a storyteller. I don't think there's anything more powerful than the love for hope and stories, and that's what they offer each other. Usopp gives Sanji hope and dreams, and Sanji sees Usopp for what he actually is behind those.
I could say a thousand things about them, but I guess "they just work, idk" it's the best way of explaining all of this.
Besides, one of the best parts of shipping Sanuso and the charm of it is the community and how we all view them. I have never, in my life, been in such an understanding fandom. And somehow we always have the same opinions. We share a braincell. And that's how you know we just get them.
💛💙
THE Sanuso Edit Ever (not saying this because it's mine) (but yeah I say it because it's mine and I love them)
Also, kinda thinking these actors ship them too because look at this.... They're in love.
Official art:
I don't have to explain anything here. They're just constantly together. Crazy. (See this post for more Color Spreads in which they're together)
So my final thoughts here are:
Frequently bought together, do not separate them.