As usual, it's a joy to read these posts - you point out lots of things that the fandom tends to overlook in its hastiness.
The Straw Hats would never have made it half as far without such a talent for making friends with the right people.
Absolutely. Also - this doesn't fit for all the arcs, but sometimes I get a feeling that if it hadn't been for the impressive actions of local people, the Strawhats wouldn't have been as motivated to fight. Like way back in Usopp's introduction arc, when Zoro tells him after the battle with Kuro & crew, "I wouldn't have fought if you hadn't". They're motivated to fight when they see a new friend stand up bravely for what they believe in: then they can take over because the friend needs help (it's sometimes a future crewmate, sometimes a local like Cricket).
But then Sabaody comes along and breaks the whole pattern. Like you say, the slavery and the World Nobles are too big problems for Luffy to handle. So for once they don't much bond with the locals (Caimie, Hachi and Pappagu aren't locals; Shakky and Rayleigh are, but they don't need any help), and not much is made better by their visit (except that about a dozen slaves have been freed). It was very unexpected to read at the time.
Early in my One Piece viewing experience I took to describing a particular expression Luffy often pulled during serious scenes with, ‘either he’s paying deep and careful attention to every word he hears, or he’s fallen asleep with his eyes open’. With Luffy it’s sometimes hard to be sure.
:DD Seldom has truer words being spoken. *adopts this*
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The Straw Hats would never have made it half as far without such a talent for making friends with the right people.
Absolutely. Also - this doesn't fit for all the arcs, but sometimes I get a feeling that if it hadn't been for the impressive actions of local people, the Strawhats wouldn't have been as motivated to fight. Like way back in Usopp's introduction arc, when Zoro tells him after the battle with Kuro & crew, "I wouldn't have fought if you hadn't". They're motivated to fight when they see a new friend stand up bravely for what they believe in: then they can take over because the friend needs help (it's sometimes a future crewmate, sometimes a local like Cricket).
But then Sabaody comes along and breaks the whole pattern. Like you say, the slavery and the World Nobles are too big problems for Luffy to handle. So for once they don't much bond with the locals (Caimie, Hachi and Pappagu aren't locals; Shakky and Rayleigh are, but they don't need any help), and not much is made better by their visit (except that about a dozen slaves have been freed). It was very unexpected to read at the time.
Early in my One Piece viewing experience I took to describing a particular expression Luffy often pulled during serious scenes with, ‘either he’s paying deep and careful attention to every word he hears, or he’s fallen asleep with his eyes open’. With Luffy it’s sometimes hard to be sure.
:DD Seldom has truer words being spoken. *adopts this*