Fishmen's Lack of Yonko-Tier Characters Sparks Debate | Are Fishmen Underrated?
Edited By
Liam O'Reilly
A recent surge of discussion highlights the absence of powerful fishmen in One Piece. Fans argue that creator Eiichiro Oda consistently sidelines fishmen, suggesting this may be linked to underlying themes of racism within the series itself.
Fishmen in One Piece
Fishmen have existed since the beginning of One Piece, yet they often seem to occupy a lesser role compared to humans. Some fans claim that Oda's portrayal has resulted in a lack of legendary fishmen characters, raising questions about narrative bias.
Notably, the most recognized fishman fighters are Jinbe and Hody. Fans note, "Jinbe is disciplined but only reaches YC3 level. The other, Hody, isn’t strong at all; they are just comic relief."
Themes From the Community
The forums are buzzing with three major themes:
Comparative Strength: Users assert that fishmen suffer from a lack of exceptional fighters due to their population size. A comment highlights, "Humans vastly outnumber the fishmen, so it makes sense you'd find more top tiers amongst humans."
Narrative Choices: Comments criticize the character development of figures like Fisher Tiger. "Oda messed up his potential, and now the storytelling seems off," said one commenter, reflecting overall dissatisfaction with direction.
Racism Allegory: Some argue that the portrayal of fishmen serves only to advance socio-political commentary on racism, leading to one-dimensional characterizations. "Fisher Tiger’s feats were poorly executed; Oda just wanted to cover his tracks," claimed another user.
Community Discontent
Overall sentiment tends to lean negative, as many fans feel frustrated that their favorite race of characters isn't given the depth or strength seen in others. As one user harshly put it, "Literal subhuman garbage" regarding the handling of fishmen.
"Honestly, would the World Government give a fishman the title of Yonko anyway?"
Key Insights:
🐟 Fishmen have limited representation among top tiers in One Piece, fueling disputes over narrative focus.
💬 "Fisher Tiger should have been iconic but was poorly executed" - Top-voted comment.
🤔 Many agree that human fighters dominate the narrative, sidelining fishmen characters.
In summary, the lack of strong fishmen in One Piece raises significant questions about Oda's intentions. The discussions remind fans that diversity in character strength and portrayal remains vital for a balanced narrative.
Looking Ahead: Possibilities for Fishmen in One Piece
There’s a strong chance that as One Piece moves forward, fans will witness increased focus on fishmen characters beyond Jinbe and Hody. Oda might address the concerns surrounding representation in response to community feedback. The introduction of new fishmen with powerful abilities is plausible as the narrative unfolds, with an estimated 60% likelihood of seeing more complex characters emerge. Given the prominence of social issues within One Piece, Oda might leverage fishmen to highlight deeper themes related to discrimination and acceptance, enhancing their significance in the overall storyline.
The Surprising Echo of History
In a way, the situation with fishmen in One Piece mirrors the portrayal of certain groups in classic literature, notably the treatment of Native Americans in early American novels. Just as many authors sidelined Native characters, focusing mostly on the dominant narrative, Oda stands to repeat this trend with fishmen unless he makes intentional storytelling choices. This parallel serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diverse representation in all forms of storytelling, pushing creators to reevaluate their narratives to include perspectives that enrich the audience's experience.