#ch324

[pardon-my-scifi]

This scene had me bawling in the anime. It has me crying in the manga, too.

[everyhidan]

[every-sanji]

[opbackgrounds]

One of the things that makes Water 7 such a treat is how there are very few wasted scenes. It’s pretty evident in a series that’s 1000+ chapters and counting, but Oda generally likes to meander. He likes his gags, his side characters, his world, and for the most part, that’s fine. It’s one of the series’ charms. But for Water 7, Oda trimmed off that excess fat. He knew exactly where he was going and the way he went about it was masterful. 

The control of information is one of those authorial skills that is severely underestimated but is so, so important. In a mystery and exposition-heavy story like this it can be very difficult to figure out what information to put out and when, and that task becomes even harder because Oda has to balance it with the intense interpersonal conflict brewing between Usopp and the rest of the crew. There’s a lot that needs set up before the payoff can become satisfying. 

This simple exchange has significance from a purely mechanical perspective. The Straw Hats need to exchange their gold for cash so they can get repairs for the Merry, but then Oda chooses to add this panel which adds further thematic significance  This whole subplot isn’t really about the money--at least not completely. At the heart of the matter it’s about trust, and Oda doesn’t waste time setting up the dramatic stakes that will nearly fracture the Straw Hats beyond repair.

An average reader isn’t going to pick up on how damn important all these little tidbits are. Each exchange of dialogue is a single brick making up a monument of greatness. But if done right, it helps the eventual explosion between Usopp and Luffy feel more believable and makes for an extremely satisfying reading experience.

[dailyakaashi]

[iiloffy]

[pardon-my-scifi]

Fear breeds a lot of different responses, but it's always amazed me that a lot of people will turn on others at the drop of a hat like this. It's easy to criticize when you aren't the one doing the job. Horikoshi really did an amazing job depicting all the different fear responses and emotions that can come from a crisis.

[everyhidan]