One Piece Musings
Ace's death has affected fans of One Piece in a variety of ways. I'll admit to a level of personal callousness about it, especially in juxtaposition with a number of other Ace sympathizers. That isn't to say I wasn't affected at all. The day I read the chapter where his Vivre Card falls to the ground almost gone ended up being a rather dark day for me. My husband, (who goes by the handle foxfire981) has even made the accusation that Ace's death feels like Oda is struggling with the story.
I won't go so far as to say that the notion is wrong. In fact, when it comes to speculation about an author's intent, my attitude is that we can discuss and hypothesize all we want to no end. Only the author knows their true intent. But it IS rather fun to speculate, and so I shall.
I think it was necessary for Ace to die. It was symbolically necessary. Ace is the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Essentially, he's the heir to the throne. No one could rightfully claim it without Ace's blessing. At first, he was giving that blessing to Whitebeard, who did not want it, and made that very clear by being the biggest, baddest thing out there- and never doing anything to find One Piece or take the title of King. Luffy aspires to the throne, but has so much respect for this sort of "pirate law" that he's got in his head- which seems to be shared at least by the most powerful of pirates- that I don't think he would ultimately take the title just on his own. Luffy can be selfish and greedy, especially when it comes to things that he wants really badly, but he has moments of almost priestly honor regarding the finding of One Piece and taking the mantle of King.
Ace, in his last moments, essentially named Luffy as his successor, giving him the right to do so without hesitation. If he does not, he will disgrace Ace's memory, will break a promise. I suspect the "Will of D" will play into this somehow.
That's just what I'm currently thinking. Discuss?
I won't go so far as to say that the notion is wrong. In fact, when it comes to speculation about an author's intent, my attitude is that we can discuss and hypothesize all we want to no end. Only the author knows their true intent. But it IS rather fun to speculate, and so I shall.
I think it was necessary for Ace to die. It was symbolically necessary. Ace is the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Essentially, he's the heir to the throne. No one could rightfully claim it without Ace's blessing. At first, he was giving that blessing to Whitebeard, who did not want it, and made that very clear by being the biggest, baddest thing out there- and never doing anything to find One Piece or take the title of King. Luffy aspires to the throne, but has so much respect for this sort of "pirate law" that he's got in his head- which seems to be shared at least by the most powerful of pirates- that I don't think he would ultimately take the title just on his own. Luffy can be selfish and greedy, especially when it comes to things that he wants really badly, but he has moments of almost priestly honor regarding the finding of One Piece and taking the mantle of King.
Ace, in his last moments, essentially named Luffy as his successor, giving him the right to do so without hesitation. If he does not, he will disgrace Ace's memory, will break a promise. I suspect the "Will of D" will play into this somehow.
That's just what I'm currently thinking. Discuss?