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Critique on loden's role in recent manga developments

A fresh wave of criticism is hitting Eiichiro Oda for reintroducing Loden in the latest manga arc. Many fans believe this decision dilutes the impact of the storyline, marking a significant rift within the community.

By

Luis Gomez

Feb 8, 2026, 03:06 AM

Edited By

Ravi Patel

Updated

Feb 17, 2026, 07:29 PM

2 minutes (approx.)

Loden stands prominently in a manga scene, surrounded by fans discussing his role and impact. Some hold signs expressing support while others show signs of discontent.
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The Stirring Debate on Character Returns

Odaโ€™s choice to bring back Loden ignited heated discussions across forums. Fans are vocal about how this addition feels more like a lore dump than a noteworthy plot development. One commenter argued, "Zoro couldnโ€™t remember the guy who literally crucified him as a gag; thatโ€™s not particularly out of character for him."

Critiquing Characterization

Fans are also pointing out the inconsistency in character intelligence, especially regarding Zoro. One fan noted, "Eh, lots of folks forget how dense Zoro can be sometimes." Others added that the gag, while funny, distracts from deeper narrative elements: "Rob Lucci participating in this gag was really out of character."

"Zoro being dumb is in character but it should serve a bigger purpose." - Active forum member

Mixed Reactions on Humor and Continuity

Some fans are amused by the humor but still feel it compromises the storytelling. "Itโ€™s funny, but yeah it has no real depth," stated a fan mentioning previous arcs. A growing sentiment of frustration suggests a common belief that character arcs aren't living up to their potential.

Curiously, many feel that this reliance on humor weakens the overall narrative continuity.

Addressing Cultural References

Further complicating Oda's storytelling are cultural themes that some argue blur rather than clarify the story. "It shows how shaky the worldbuilding is, with no character deserving higher IQ than Zoro," noted a participant frustrated with inconsistencies.

Community Divided

With opinions ranging from acceptance to strong criticism, it appears Odaโ€™s latest choices have split the fanbase right down the middle. Some fans ponder whether this character's return will ultimately pay off, while others remain doubtful about the arcโ€™s overall quality.

Key Points of Friction

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Many fans express frustration over character intelligence discrepancies in humor.

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Critique targets Odaโ€™s comedic choices, arguing they lack real resonance.

  • โ€ป "That gag may be fun, but it adds nothing essential" reflects user sentiment.

As the series advances, it's unclear how Oda will navigate these criticisms. Will he continue down this comedic path or pivot back to stronger storytelling that resonates with audience expectations? Only time will reveal the true impact of these developments on the story's cohesion.