He said Oda hasn't given him an extended fight with a narrative where he is the focus. All we got to see of his clash with Big Mom is him standing in front of her and giving a great speech about his trust in Sanji. The rest was off-screened. Even in that moment, it had more to do about Sanji than it did about Brook.
Interestingly, even when brook was the acting captain of the Rumbar Pirates, he was playing the accompaniment to the rest of the crew. Maybe Brook is never meant to be an MVP in center stage, but rather someone who always has the assist. We’ve seen it recently with Robin when he took care of fodder and fire/webs, and we might see him assist Yamato against the Yokai too. His ice attacks aren’t powerful enough to injure someone, but maybe enough to restrict them so that someone else can give the finishing blow. I think this musician might just be destined to play second fiddle, it might seem lame on paper but lead to cool moments.
I think you nailed it, to me Brook has consistently become the biggest support of the crew, he's ALWAYS doing great things away form the spotlight, since him grabbing Zoro's swords in Sabaody to he now keeping Robin safe, he's always doing those things that won't give him credit but that keep everyone safe and secure. I think this is also why Whole Cake was a big arc for him and cemented that role for him, he wasn't able to fulfill that role in Zou cause Sanji was kidnapped, he basically failed in doing the small things that would've avoided that situation, to his characterization Whole Cake is almost some sort of redemption and boy did he redeemed himself with both the copy of the Poneglyph and by breaking Mother Caramel's picture, again doing things away from the spotlight but making sure his crew accomplish their objectives.
I still think Brook is really essential to Luffy's dream. The fact that he wanted a musician so explicitly from the beginning is a hint. I still subscribe to Luffy's dream being the same as Gol' D Roger's dream, to throw the biggest party ever and unite the whole world. Brook will be the one who plays that music that unites the whole world at the end of the story during that party, and I think that's really cool.
this is the answer.... brook for me is the guy who shall tell the stories .... of his friends to the rest of the world.. through his songs and stories... he may not have the greatest of feats but his song will contain all the achievements of the crew.
so he's basically the hol horse of the one piece verse. Kidding aside, I _was_ hoping he'd have a bigger role in actually fighting black maria. As one of the flying 6, I would have had no trouble believing that it would take the combined effort of brook and robin to take her down.
For what it's worth, as the oldest Straw Hat by far, I think it's okay that he doesn't have a significant arc. He's settled into who he is, and him playing the supporting character plays into his bard role. He's sort of in the background as a supporting character not just because he doesn't need as much development, but also because he's going to be the one to chronicle the Straw Hats' journey and keep it alive through song. Not to mention, he knows that his objective of reuniting with Laboon will only be possible if he supports the crew, so acting in support of the crew is also acting in support of his goal.
i mean your not wrong but as a strawhat he should have 1 vs 1 I really want to see brook go all out he is a swordsman and one of the fighting members of the crew and we all saw what he could in WCI i think it is time to see brook get his 1 VS 1.
Brook doesn't need character development. He wants to reunite with his old friend, so what he needs to do is be a support to his crew. That is his mission and I think it's beautiful.
I don't think being a support role means he doesn't need character development. Every crew member is literally a support for Luffy's and eachothers' dreams. Though Brooke by and large plays smaller roles, character development is necessary for a main character to gain depth, clarity, and strength. Perhaps "needs development" is not quite the right way to say it. Brooke deserves some character development as a member of the next Pirate King's crew. He's already changed to meet the standards of the New World. Why shouldn't he change/grow more. As long as he has an afro and plays music, Laboon should have no problem recognizing him. They are friends after all.
I do not necessarily see this happening in this arc, but I definitely agree with you that Brook is the character who has experienced the most loss among the crew and the ramifications of that have not really been explored fully yet. Especially given, the Pedro scene, this is certaintly something that needs to happend before he meets up with Laboon.
I will disagree, brook never goes into fight just for sake of defeating the opponent (except rYuma). He has a different task mostly and gets into fight during that, getting poneglyphs Nd fighting big mom is W in my mind
@@SagarVirk1996 I am not saying that he is going to defeat an opponent Zoro x Mihawk style, just that he is going to have to confront his issues with loss before the end of the series.
@@henrypeters5291 ive always had the theory something happened in the 50 years of being alone. Might have happened in soul form because it took quite a while for him to Find his body since it was bone already. Not gonna say what happened but in my eyes he lied and did have company for a bit, (not that big of a deal since finding his body was the first year/5years, so he still has atleast 45 years alone)
3 of my friends have brook as their favourite character which has always surprised me it's tough when all the straw hats are so good they all have arguments that are valid towards being someone's favourite.
Well I always think of Brook as he was once his flashback ended, he was the last survivor, the accompaniment to the orchestra, likewise he has the accompaniment to the other Strawhats. Now as Morj said, I fully expect him to eventually find himself needing to be the main act and not simply remain as a support, we got a taste of this in WCI, but this is where I think his character arc is going to take him, whether it be in Onigashima, or further down the line.
Brook has been the character that does what is needed, whether it’s to just run and protect robin or it is straight up fighting big mom. He always has a task that is different from just straight fight 1v1, he mostly fights to accomplish his priority task
Yeah that’s true, rather than just a 1v1 for the sake of it. He gets literal objective tasks/fights. If he has to fight because after the fight he can complete his objective he will. But other than that, he just focuses his priorities on the objective which is fine on my behalf because there will be a day he can’t find a shortcut to the object like the big mom fight and will be cornered and will be more epic when he finds a way to overcome that situation.
plus theres still that end of one piece theory a strawhat will die mostlikely usopp in a epic (brave) fashion and brook will have to awaken his df to resurrect usopp. Just an idea.
If the "Brook is the narrator" theory ever ends up being true, that would be a huge one for Brook. As for Wano - you brought up how he felt regret for not being stronger and failing to save Pedro, so it would just make sense for him to have another go at being strong enough to save someone - Robin. There's still a 3rd CP0 member in Onigashima somewhere, just so happens to be the long-armed tribe one too and Brook has a history with them during the timeskip, so that might be the vague connection. That's the most likely one in my opinion. Another idea I have is more tinfoil, but Brook is protecting Robin, we know Big Mom wants Robin, we've seen how Brook is strong against Big Mom's homies because of the soul shenanigans, and now Big Mom just ate a part of her own soul. Might be just another assist move, but a huge assist at that, if he could help Law & Kidd with beating Big Mom.
@@Mario-ll7lf that theory has some merit but then we also can think that there are alot of stories about Luffy it would make more sense he has told to Brook on their adventure than Koby would be able to piece out
It’s just not true they have complelety different voices and voice actors in the anime and the narrator commented on A LOT of stuff that brook was never involved in or has any idea about the narrator knows about gol d Roger brook doesn’t really know Roger besides that he heard of a rookie named Roger back in his day so brook being the narrator just creates plot holes
Other straw hats: Deep character arcs and character development tied to new information and experiences presented in each new arc Brook: I must sing a song for my whale fren
I like the idea of it being revealed Brook was the narrator of One Piece all along. I can see Brook retiring at Twin Cape with Laboon and just playing music and telling the tale of Strawhat Luffy to passerbys entering the Grand Line.
I think Brook’s storyline is actually about moving on after the death of his previous dream (literally) and finding his purpose. He lost his crew and at the start of his second life he didn’t have any will really to carry on until Luffy offered him another perspective. He needs to learn how to belong to something new, finding his place within the crew and what he wants the rest of his life to be. I think Brook’s actually going to be forced to leave Laboon behind in order to support Luffy’s dreams. His job is to show that you must chase your new dreams abundantly and free yourself from the shackles of failings in the past. I think then, at that point he’ll finally have his 1v1 and it’s likely he’ll finally die. He would’ve lived two full lives by chasing two dreams, just as his fruit suggests he has to.
Oda is a great writer and ofc it’s easy to give hindsight advice, but one thing I would like to see Oda do more is interweave more little moments with the Strawhats throughout the story (especially the lesser shine ones like Brook). I think little moments throughout go a long way, instead of waiting multiple arcs for a big moment that can often feel forced.
For example, I really enjoyed that little exchange Brook and Robin had in Wano regarding their past, little nuggets like these really flesh out the character dynamics much more than you’d think and they don’t take too much time to make
I agree! I guess it sometimes feels there's less "room" for it. In the early days there was a lot of "aimless" travelling and things were more laidback as it were. Now its very goal oriented as Luffy gets closer and closer to his dream, as do the others. But I also want more of those moments.
I would to see a moment were brook helps an other character get character development, like someone who has major trauma and also lost everyone. He has to be serious and with his soul music he helps them heal the heart. Just brook sitting down, drinking tea and talking like the 90 year old he is to a young person crying there eyes out because they lost it all.
Brook's theme is death, his presence is reflective of the actual danger the straw hats face, that's why he was finally given a larger presence in whole cake island. Luffy's relationship with death and the soul's connection to music is what makes the Soul King the most overt and subtle metaphor in one piece Brook defeating the yokai and dispelling any danger to the Onigashima destruction will be his big moment of the raid, screenshot bank on it
I’ve always thought of Brook’s place as the musician and it’s always felt out of place to me how good of a combatant he is. He’s lived an entire lifetime already, he has no need for further personal development. He provides for his crew where he can and allows them to have their journeys while he waits to complete his.
There's a whole aspect of brooks background where he served a kingdom that gets glossed over that I really want to know more about. Imagine someone from that era of his past is somehow still alive, that would give some context for exploring it. Like maybe a certain unmasked cp0 member? Just kidding...unless? There's definitely room for brook to grow though overall
Yeah but the problem is that it really doesn’t look like oda is gonna do that he’s too focused on the main plot rather than the main characters which is dumb i mean he’s doing a great Job with sanji but that’s it the other strawhats are either shadows of their pre time skip selves or straight trash like Jinbe
@@Mohamadtheman how is jinbei trash lmao did u even read/watch wci same for robin sanji usopp and even recent zoro moment in wano he do care but he is a little more focused on developing the story but he gives as much importance to even give full fledged chaps for robin and franky fights
@@sarov7658 I’ll tell you how Jinbe is trash Jinbe doesn’t have anything interesting or unique to him or any personal story that’s related to him specifically if you describe Jinbe’s character he doesn’t have anything unique or new and that’s the problem a bland character like Jinbe shouldn’t be in the main cast he would’ve worked just fine as an ally but not as a part of the strawhathat crew even morj said Jinbe is bland but he’s not so vocal about it because he avoids controversy since he knows Jinbe has fans for some reason
Feel like this past of Brook will be flesh out when the fight between the Straw Hats and Blackbeards are finally happening since Avalo Pizzaro was once a King on the West Blue. This might have some connection.
Oda has got a big challenge when dealing with a character that has already died once, he's pretty explicit with the "no do overs" theme. When Doffy is arrested post Dressrosa he tries to explain how he could have done things differently but the old marine lady says "no this happened and could only happen". Oda's got to craft a storyline that doesn't allow this theme to be contradicted, hopefully he comes to the conclusion that both lives he has he lived with no regrets
I've always thought it was quite fitting that Brook is so often sidelined or made to feel unimportant, because to me that has been his character arc since joining the crew. I remember making a similar comment back on your video about how each Straw Hat changed post timeskip, when you said you didn't really have anything solid for Brook. Pre-timeskip Brook obviously hadn't been with the crew long, but we see in the confrontation with Kuma that he is willing to lay down his life to protect his crewmates. We tend to forget, but Brook has one of the loneliest stories in the series, wandering the fog alone for decades. I think he is eternally grateful to the Strawhats for becoming his friends, but that also makes him insecure which causes him to be overly polite (always using honorifics, also because he's old) and question his usefulness in the crew. I think the Pedro moment is actually perfect for Brook's general character, we just need more moments of actual recognition from Brook in the story rather than just general observations from us the readers.
Brook is a special character and people don't realize it by how successfully he hides the fullness of his tragedy in humor. Brook is by definition a monster. To live as an undead skeleton is both body horror and existential nightmare. And moreover, he has experienced the death of ALL of his loved ones and the dread of unimaginable loneliness. Brook's story is the humanity that transcends. Humanity that goes beyond appearance and beyond despair. Brook is the *Soul King.* His music connects people and destroys alienation. Brooks' arc is him no longer hiding behind humor and fully loving and embracing who he is and embracing his new crew. (Essentially all the crew have this work to do.)
It's strange that Oda doesnt have something for Brook. I mean, when Luffy was in the East Blue without even a ship he wanted a musician in his crew. So Oda already got the idea to add a character like Brook right from the start
Actually, funny you mention it: the joke was always that everybody else would think that a musician would be a completely unnecessary addition to the crew, which with his lack of significance since thriller bark kind of holds water to an extent. I'd like to see this be actually something Oda thought about and have Brook ascend beyond the position he's in right now.
he genuinely was mvp in terms of feats discounting luffy ofc (duh he is mvp every arc). though not a big achievement because rest of the crew consisted of 2/3 of weakling trio (nami chopper) + carrot who would fit right into the trio
Brook is about friendship. That’s why he is always hanging out in his friends stories instead of his own. Since brook is probably immortal, he wants to enjoy having friends while they are alive.
Brook is the oldest, most experienced pirate always looking out for the newbies and coming in clutch, first established with him saving half the crew from the spider-zombie and getting the salt against Oars. After all his dream is too reunite with a friend and his job as a musician is too raise everybodies spirits. He's always at the right place at the right time. You leave out a lot of stuff: Brook met whales like Laboon post-Fishmen Island, slew a dragon on Punk Hazard, saved half the crew when he tricked and defeated Giolla, the only strawhat that left Dress Rosa early to get a real win, saved Carrot post-Sulong and more. His fight on Fishmen Island also got more focus than several of the others. (Robin and Nami didn't even have one) Him coming in clutch against Black Maria and dealing with all her minions including a number in a clever manner is a good display of his experience and drive to not lose any more comrades. Honestly Chopper feels more shafted post-timeskip, with Law just being a objectively better doctor that can do things he can't (he cured the kids), he got no more action scenes than Brook, he failed at being a doctor when Luffy ate a poisonous fish (honestly a standard scenario) so Reiju had to save Luffy, the minks developed the drug that got Zoro up and even did a lot of work in creating the Ice Oni cure. When it comes to their job (doctor) Chopper is frequently failing/outclassed and only relevant when Law is busy.
Brook's emotional understanding of his crewmates is higher than any of the other characters. He understands Sanji when he talks to Big Mom, he understands Zoro after Thriller Bark, he connects with Robin here in Onigashima. I think his character writing is very interesting and I never particularly minded that he doesn't fight on-screen.
I think that chopper's final growth as a character will be wilfully deciding to 'evolve' lets say into his adult form. I think that chopper currently refuses to grow up and thus stays in his child form since he lacks confidence due to his past of being discriminated against. We've seen chopper change and create new forms wilfully throughout the story, a great example being 'kung fu point' which was learnt over the timeskip. This would also mean that chopper has fully grown as a character and through maturing he will gain a power through becoming 'the ultimate human'. Check out Parvision's video for the theory it's great.
The only thing I think of is maybe Oda can reveal in Brooks early life why he left being a leader of a brigade in a certain kingdom to become a pirate.
I could see Robin getting taken and Brook having a personal crisis where he feels unable to safe another friend of his (like his crew and Pedro). This would lead into a shift in Brook’s mindset where his goal moving forward would be that of a protector and a support, and that he really needs to strengthen all the things he’s good at to keep up with the crew. This could lead into him pulling out some new tricks to save Robin and solidify his role in the crew. The support. A jack of all trades. He has speed, CC, stealth, swordsmanship, and music. Perfect for an all around support that the crew can recognize and lean on.
@@Mohamadtheman crowd control in games is usually when someone disables another thing, so I think he’s referring to his ice abilities which can immobilize
@@Mohamadtheman crowd control in games is usually when someone disables another thing, so I think he’s referring to his ice abilities which can immobilize
I'm content with the idea that Brooke is the support player. Availability seems to be one of his biggest strengths. If a job opens up that needs to be done, he will fill that role. Like if the Straw Hats needed a Santa for Christmas, someone to help them move, or a babysitter, he's there lol. Brooke left such a role of massive celebrity and impact, Soul King, to be the "bard" (support) for his crew. Big roles may not be his preference. He seems like an accompanist at heart. That said, I would like more character moments that blatantly highlight this role. Brooke knows how to make himself useful, and I would like to see that resourcefulness get more variance and airtime (especially in a fight).
So didn’t you watch the video ? if you did that’s just exactly what morj said so stop writing useless comments if you don’t have anything to say just don’t say it that’s just an advise
@@no.one_lol2055 yeah when you look at it, luffy zoro sanji getting all this focus (Usopp and nami have there moments too) I guess they are the main MAIN characters 🙃
@@no.one_lol2055 in wano? Clearly not. Nami has a lot of screentime but she ain't getting as much of focus as sanji for example when it cames to character moments or fights
I do like Brook and I’m happy you’re talking about this. Oda says he loves all of his characters and Oda must know of the criticism of the fans as well. Brook will get something. Brook is a great underrated character.
brook has gotten a lot. its just apparently if you dont get a the glory of a one v one fight you got nothing to one piece fans. because one piece is about the fights right? surely
Brook is meant to be the "support" straw-hat. Since he joined the crew he's always been helping others and i think that's his main role (i picked on this while watching Merphy Napier's one piece reviews). I guess since he's been alone for so long, he just wants to help those that saved him, the straw-hats. This could lead to a moment where he needs to stand up alone against a big threat, but IMO his role as a support works well enough
A HUGE hanging plot thread for Brook is his supposed World Tour as Soul King. What was the breadth of this tour? Did he leave the Grand Line? Did he potentially come near the twin capes? Basically, it seems that Brook was well within his ability to reunite with Laboon sometime during the 2 years but potentially chose not to. Because he wanted to do it right, he wanted to complete his adventure through the Grand Line and reunite with Laboon alongside the Strawhats. I feel like that would be a really great character moment for Brook.
Yeah, but if you notice, in most arcs when Brook has been there, he typically is there to witness something (usually silently as well), and he is a unique character to chronicle all of the Strawhats possibly long after they are gone, I mean with his DF how long is he gonna live? He revived once, is there some kind of longevity associated with his DF (besides he is a bard of sorts).
From before I even watch the video. I don’t think Brook is exactly forgotten about it’s just that Brook himself is a side character. His dream isn’t as grand as the other straw hats. So the other Straw Hats are just a tad more important.
Brook doesn’t really need it, he’s already lived a full life and died. His purpose is to help the others get to where they are going. He’s got nothing to prove
@@ThraxxL0rd It’s not every arc he just barely has anything going on for him and it’s BAD and I wasn’t Looking for an argument I just thought your defense was laughably bad
But at least Oda has given Franky fights in all the arcs he's been in. He had an oppenent in Fish man island, he had 2 fighters in Punk Hazzard, Senior Pink in Dressrosa and Sasaki in Wano. He's had plenty of moments post TS
@@dantecrottogini529 i agree in terms of combat i just wish he had more moments for his character. Sometimes it feel like hes just for comedy and fights
The strawhats are really great characters on paper. The problem is that after the timeskip they get screentime but rarely get great character moments except for sanji and the proof of this that in episode 1000 all most all the flashbacks recalling great moments were from the pre-timeskip.
To be fair brooks role is just the musician, I will never talk negativly about the content you put so much work into bit this video did make me just realize this. I want more brook to though, the more I see each strawhat strive and grow the more respect I gain for Oda as a writer.
I've always had a soft spot for Brook even though he's been pretty lackluster since Thriller Bark. He has one of my favorite character designs of all time and I love his backstory. I simply wish that Oda would lean slightly more on some themes with him such as regret, loss, loneliness, old age, and the fear of death. Even power wise, with the whole death and hell abilities Brook has so much untapped potential. I wouldn't want him to become a bummer, just for Oda to tackle these things some more.
why would they lean into his themes of regret loss and loneliness when hes already with the straw hats? that was the whole point of his story in thriller bark is that he was finally able to overcome those things and find a new light
In some ways it maybe sad that Brook will never get the spotlight like the other Straw Hats do, in a 1v1 fight with his own, or even a major event he has to fulfill to change the story, but he has done small things that if he didn't do those it would change the story in big ways. If Brook never grabbed Zoro's swords in Sabaody then Zoro may have been seen to Mihawk's castle without them. If Brook never jumped out of his body to find a way to escape the cage, Zoro and Ussop would still be locked up during the fight with Hordy Jones and his crew. Or Worse Luffy would get side tracked to save them and let King Neptune die. If Brook never found Kin'emon's torso Sanji could never help make him whole again before Smiley died and became the petrification gas. If Brook never tricked Giolla then the Whole Cake crew would have never left Dressrosa for Zou. If Brook didn't fight Big Mom like he had been caught with his pants down he may have been caught with 3 copys of the ponaglyphs. If Brook didn't smash Mother Caramel's Photo they may have stayed to fight longer and end up losing. If Brook didn't chase the ninja guards as a ghost in Wano, Robin would have been caught. Brook's actions maybe minor in the moment but they leave a big impact on the story as a whole.
Brook had his 1v1 with the confident camouflage fish. A battle of confidence infallible youth who knew nothing and never went outside his own hometown vs a doubtful, insecure, experienced elder who did travel around the world and learn about what it has to offer.
Brook is a musician, so he understands the importance supporting other instruments in order for the music to shine, so he plays the support role. And the sine of every support is being unnappreciated until they are gone. In every arc he is always helping someone else's storyline, until Whole Cake, when he gets to become the main instrument and Pedro dies. His storyline may involve growing from a support role into a more proactive role in protecting his friends so that this doesn't happen again, which we're already kinda seing with the whole Robin CP-0 thing.
Maybe the essence of a brook story is that he is a background character. Brook uses music to uplift the crew when they're feeling down or worn out. Brook is usually seen uplifting or helping out the other crew members. In other words if Sanji is the protector, then I would say Brook is the partner. He's not there to steal the spotlight or save the day, but to help other strawhats overcome their obstacle whatever it may be. For example when Chopper is doing his doctor stuff in Wano on the live floor, Brook stays behind to help keep the enemies off him. When Robin goes to fight the spider lady, Brook helps take care of the enemies to let Robin get her one on one fight. When Brook first joins, it's him that brings the big bag of salt and let the strawhats know what the zombies weaknesses are. In the Fishman island arc, Brook uses his abilities to support various members 9f the crew with information, etc. Long story short, Brook is the support. He supports the crew in achieving their endeavors and overcoming their own fights and obstacles
Totally agree. Thriller Bark established Brook to me as the “support from the shadows” kind of crew-mate. Symbolizing the “soul” and tying that to a promise of friendship with his story, seems like it’ll have a profound impact on the morality within the grand scheme but not for purely his character. Especially since he was previously a right hand for so long before Luffy. So now it seems like he can genuinely support someone capable of following through on promises made from loftier ideals and motivations. He’ll get a few big moments but won’t ever truly take center stage. Just my thoughts.
You convinced me, just brainstorming Brook past threads pending: - knows stuff about the past - forgot about good manners during 50 years of solitude - was alone for 50 years then gained huge following as soul king - can control souls - "Rumbar pirates make children stop crying" - wasn't strong enough to get his shadow back By the way, how do you see these mini-arcs play out for possible future strawhats like Tama or Smoker?
as someone who has been actively reading ever since amazon lily (was vaguely following it before hand) it amazes me how several of the straw hats i still feel like i barely know because the story so rarely has used them
Haven't finished the video yet. But I wonder about the theory of Raftel being a connection point between the living and the dead. That might be a perfect place for Brook to shine.
I wish we got another arc in between Thriller Bark and Sabaody, so we got some more time with the full pre-timeskip crew. Or if we could have swapped Thriller Bark and Enies Loby so we had everyone present in the most dramatic arc. This story really doesn't give pre-timeskip Brook much room to connect with the audience, especially since his role of "musician" does not give him much to do in the climactic scenes post-timeskip
If Brook is going to get a big assist moment in combination with Robin, I suspect it will be in piecing together the lyrics of Binks’ Sake as the story of the Void Century. Brook’s story, more than any other, was tied to Binks’ Sake. It just seems appropriate that musician be involved in the deciphering a piece of music, similarly to how Nami the navigator used maps to solve the mystery of Shandora.
Brook is the bard. The storyteller. The witness of the journey. The living representation of Hiluluk speech for the deeds of the strawhats, bond to reunite with a friend that never forgot the promise made by them.
In the anime when brook first joins, there is this wonderful episode where Brook tries to find his place on the crew and ends up butting heads with everyone in one way or another. I'm not sure if it is an anime only scene, but based on that I've always thought that one of the long running things with brook was not really being secure in his place on the crew. I think this even shows a little bit in the way he chooses to express his gratitude to Luffy for freeing him from Moria. I thought Brook had the makings for a really powerful moment where he does something for everyone on the Crew, but after whole cake I'm not sure.
I truly think Brook is the Judas like Kanjuro. He has so much history we never got a backstory for and he sits separate from the rest. I couldn't imagine anyone else backstabbing. Brook fits the best.
Brook has always sort of been the companion, the accompaniment to the rest of the band, and only when he's alone does he take the melody. I want to see Brook go full bard mode one of these days, invigorating everyone when it seems like they're at their lowest, being the support that the Straw Hats need in their most desperate hour. Remember Usopp calling to Luffy at Enies Lobby, getting him to get back up and finish the fight with Rob Lucci? I feel like Luffy might need something like that going forward, given how many times he's needed help to get back up lately.
Brook is someone who has lost his crew, lost his friend (Laboon), and has faced extreme isolation. At the same time, Brook has the power to move people's souls (he is a musician after all and his devil fruit has a deep connection with the underworld). A common theme I see with Brook is someone who protects his friends and someone who is reliable and uplifts his friends. Brook is someone who will do anything for his friends (I believe the whole Big Mom confrontation and sea stone rubbings was due to Brook not wanting Sanji to feel bad for going off to WCI. With the rubbings, it was no longer Sanji putting everyone in danger because Sanji could not trust Luffy to deal with Big Mom and co, it was now a much needed mission to bring Luffy one step closer to becoming the Pirate King). Brook is the character that lifts everyone up and shines hope wherever there is despair. He lives entirely for his friends and is probably the best embodiment of a friend/friendship on the crew.
you're not saying anything new or anything that actually defends brook as a character what you said can be said about all of the straw hat crew members
What about Brooks's past? Bring back some characters or plot points from Rumbar pirates' time, maybe some pending business. Imagine if the pirate crew that destroy the Rumbar Pirates were Rocks, and the Strawhats should be involved in whatever happened in God valley.
That’s just your opinion I think he needs anything interesting it could be a fight or something else but he’s just there and that’s the problem with brook
"Im so glad to be alive!" that was brooke coming full circle. i think the role he plays is support but with a reason. He wants to make sure every strawhat gets to accomplish their dream or, to be more to the point, truly live their life. with their own goals, their own views, their own decisions, because his old crew never got that chance. when Pedro died i think that was the moment he realized he needed to become an even stronger support character if he wants everyone else in his crew to say they are happy to be alive. just like him.
Brook is Brook. he laughs weird, he wants weird pieces of clothing, he plays good and sometimes weird music, he has a weird friend that he want to reunite with, he has a really weird body. But in the end brook is the straw hat that has every characteristic of every straw hat. he’s weird but he has freedom on what he does, he’s weird but has the *badassness* with his fights, he’s weird but has the mischief with what he says, he’s weird but also has the braveness to do what’s right, he’s weird but has the chilvary to save his friend (kin’emon) he’s weird, but, brook is brook he will never be the main protagonist but he will be the one in the background that does what everyone does but only as second placement
i mean it also kinda ties back to that brook’s role in the crew is that he’s a musician, so when you look at what each character does during an arc it’s whatever their special skill is. as a musician, when the action comes into play there’s not really like a set task that music can aid in, but just as music does in real life, it’s kinda cool that brook is adding to whatever missions he’s found himself taking on even if they aren’t specifically his own
If we stop and consider that Brook is the crews musician, or bard. The Bard role in most parties is solely support based. Which is the one thing Brook has done more than any other strawhat. He's been all over helping everyone in some capacity. That's his role the ultimate wild card, that fits where he is needed.
Brook's legacy will be writing the new "bink's sake". Essentially telling the tale of the Strawhats adventure in song form that like the original bink's sake will be sung forever by new generations. yo ho ho
He's already a experienced pirate only thing whole cake showed his what he is willing to do to keep his crew alive (another pirate crew killed his crew). Most of his humour moments besides the I don't have ones are his age, (ei. calling big mom young lady and Rodger rookie) So how do you build a story when someone doesn't have a goal outside hitching a ride to see a whale.
Brook is my favorite outside of Luffy. I love how Oda is using his character, and i think it's legit brilliant. He is incredibly old, and has already had his adventures. He has gone through so many character arcs in those 50 years of solitude that he doesn't need anything else. I believe Oda is going to do the same with Jenbei since he is also seasoned. The part about his past with his loss of his crewmates, and with the way he acted with Pedro dying, I also truly believe that one of the straw hats will die, or at least he and everyone else thinks they die for quite some time, and he will be the one who was partnered with them. A major part of his character is loss and there's literally no better way than that. I'm not saying he's gonna go super saiyan but i would argue it's something very similar and he blows us all away with what he gets done. If that were to happen I'd like to see a major character flip with him being a lot more aggressive and high strung for how much guilt he has, and finally come to terms when he needs to most. and then of course laboon is the ending to his story. Sorry for the fanfic lol
Brook most likely will also attent and look out for the SH graves, lets not forget that. I saw a remix here on YT about that and it makes sense to his character and end game.
With brook you have to remember, he was alone for 50 years. his whole purpose as a character is to be there for his friends. he just wants to be helpful and i love that about him. you accidentally hit it on the head, his final point is to reunite with his friend. the throughline for that is to be there for the friends he has now. to not make it so he has to reunite with anymore friends, like he has to now reunite with Pedro. hes my absolute favorite
Brook remains one of the most clutch and unique characters in OP, even having the balls to throw hands with big mom and nearly killing her (if it weren't for her hard skin)
At least he gets fights and cool moments, like against big mom or his big focus in water 7 and enies lobby when he 1v1 two CP9 agents (Nero and Fukuro), his fight against senor pink... Brook NEVER got a chapter named after one of his fight
i've been waiting for Brook vs. Apoo ever since Sabaody, so _of course_ Oda hit us with that "goes to shake your hand, but shouts 'PSYCHE!' and pulls it away at the last minute" move 😫
Right before Brooke dies in his first life he’s playing the piano alone and he says the accompaniment is always the last to go and that’s exactly what he’s been to the crew, the accompaniment. And in music they’re a vital part if even in the background
Am I remembering it wrong or weren't there 3 CP0 agents around? If yes then the 3rd one could be Brooks opponent. Edit: There indeed is a 3rd one. He wears a striped top hat. What happened to him? Did we see where he went?
Brook is simply like this by design. It's clear Oda introduced the most important members first and Brook being the one that appeares last was never going to have even a fraction of screen time or development any way. That's also why Brook isn't nearly as complex as some of the others, because a simple character doesn't get hurt as much from lack of development. Imagine a character like Sanji relegated to Brook's role, Oda could never really make justice to it's character. So Brook is semplistic by desing, created mainly for the Laboon storyline and because I guess Oda really liked the idea of a weird skeleton joining the crew to add to the fantastical element of the story that was increasing the more the story went on. Unlike the others Brook is an already completed character, he didn't need to grow or change during the timeskip, he just has to be along for the ride. That doesn't mean Oda isn't intrested in him as he always gives him cool moments or one liners each arc, it may not be a storyline wrote for him but that's something. All of this is to say that not all Strawhats are created equal, so we shouldn't expect nearly the same level of focus or attention by Oda for the eventual new member. That's why I don't consider the argument that Carrot can't join the crew because she isn't fleshed out like the other members or that she is a background character. If Oda intends to have Carrot join it's only natural she would be by far the least important. If Brook got the treatment he did, imagine a character that was introduced 300+ chapters later. It's unreasonable to expect or even compare Carrot's role and significance to the story to the others that came before her.
I think that his overall storyline might be that he is the side character and that he is not able to do what the others can. Just think about it: brook was never a captain and he died not being able to see laboon again(or so he thought). Brook was stranded on a ship for 50 years essentially doing nothing until he met the straw hats. Even then he did really nothing (I mean even ussop and Nani have significant feats compared to him) until whole cake where he had his moment but also when Pedro died he felt like he did nothing to save him or that he could have done better and I feel like that may be foreshadowing for robin to be taken by cp0 or him failing to stop the fire monster in onigashima but he might get a redemption act after. Just how I see things rn
I feel like brook is essentially the bard of the arc but hasn't learned how to bard. He has some of the most OP crowd control outside of conquerors haki and could also play the role of a morale boost for the troops. Yet his only great moment in Wano so far is a duet with franky while running over big mom's face.
What are your thoughts on Franky? His roles and the amount of shine he gets/should get? Or his themes with weapons/weapons being used to harm loved ones vs protect loved ones/ the right to exist, how much development will these themes get in the future? I would love to hear your thoughts on this underrated strawhat
Odato not giving Brook a fight and then having him square up with a Yonko has the same energy as writing a thesis paper in college the night its due
He said Oda hasn't given him an extended fight with a narrative where he is the focus. All we got to see of his clash with Big Mom is him standing in front of her and giving a great speech about his trust in Sanji. The rest was off-screened. Even in that moment, it had more to do about Sanji than it did about Brook.
just wrote a speech at 2 am and presented it today and got an A. i have faith in oda
LOL xD
Interestingly, even when brook was the acting captain of the Rumbar Pirates, he was playing the accompaniment to the rest of the crew. Maybe Brook is never meant to be an MVP in center stage, but rather someone who always has the assist. We’ve seen it recently with Robin when he took care of fodder and fire/webs, and we might see him assist Yamato against the Yokai too. His ice attacks aren’t powerful enough to injure someone, but maybe enough to restrict them so that someone else can give the finishing blow.
I think this musician might just be destined to play second fiddle, it might seem lame on paper but lead to cool moments.
Brook is the bard
I think you nailed it, to me Brook has consistently become the biggest support of the crew, he's ALWAYS doing great things away form the spotlight, since him grabbing Zoro's swords in Sabaody to he now keeping Robin safe, he's always doing those things that won't give him credit but that keep everyone safe and secure.
I think this is also why Whole Cake was a big arc for him and cemented that role for him, he wasn't able to fulfill that role in Zou cause Sanji was kidnapped, he basically failed in doing the small things that would've avoided that situation, to his characterization Whole Cake is almost some sort of redemption and boy did he redeemed himself with both the copy of the Poneglyph and by breaking Mother Caramel's picture, again doing things away from the spotlight but making sure his crew accomplish their objectives.
I still think Brook is really essential to Luffy's dream. The fact that he wanted a musician so explicitly from the beginning is a hint.
I still subscribe to Luffy's dream being the same as Gol' D Roger's dream, to throw the biggest party ever and unite the whole world. Brook will be the one who plays that music that unites the whole world at the end of the story during that party, and I think that's really cool.
this is the answer.... brook for me is the guy who shall tell the stories .... of his friends to the rest of the world.. through his songs and stories... he may not have the greatest of feats but his song will contain all the achievements of the crew.
so he's basically the hol horse of the one piece verse. Kidding aside, I _was_ hoping he'd have a bigger role in actually fighting black maria. As one of the flying 6, I would have had no trouble believing that it would take the combined effort of brook and robin to take her down.
For what it's worth, as the oldest Straw Hat by far, I think it's okay that he doesn't have a significant arc. He's settled into who he is, and him playing the supporting character plays into his bard role. He's sort of in the background as a supporting character not just because he doesn't need as much development, but also because he's going to be the one to chronicle the Straw Hats' journey and keep it alive through song.
Not to mention, he knows that his objective of reuniting with Laboon will only be possible if he supports the crew, so acting in support of the crew is also acting in support of his goal.
i mean your not wrong but as a strawhat he should have 1 vs 1 I really want to see brook go all out he is a swordsman and one of the fighting members of the crew and we all saw what he could in WCI i think it is time to see brook get his 1 VS 1.
@@XxX-gv5tu fishman island he has a 1 v 1
I like your perspective
You think? I'm more of the theory that Ussop will be the one to tell the story.
Brook doesn't need character development. He wants to reunite with his old friend, so what he needs to do is be a support to his crew. That is his mission and I think it's beautiful.
That's actually what his character introduction arc was all about, his conflict and struggle was to avoid changing so that Laboon could recognize him.
Yeah he doesn't need character development.
But he rarely actually supports the crew. He doesn't have any actual fights.
I don't think being a support role means he doesn't need character development. Every crew member is literally a support for Luffy's and eachothers' dreams. Though Brooke by and large plays smaller roles, character development is necessary for a main character to gain depth, clarity, and strength.
Perhaps "needs development" is not quite the right way to say it. Brooke deserves some character development as a member of the next Pirate King's crew. He's already changed to meet the standards of the New World. Why shouldn't he change/grow more. As long as he has an afro and plays music, Laboon should have no problem recognizing him. They are friends after all.
The dude is 90 years old he really doesn't lol
I do not necessarily see this happening in this arc, but I definitely agree with you that Brook is the character who has experienced the most loss among the crew and the ramifications of that have not really been explored fully yet. Especially given, the Pedro scene, this is certaintly something that needs to happend before he meets up with Laboon.
I will disagree, brook never goes into fight just for sake of defeating the opponent (except rYuma).
He has a different task mostly and gets into fight during that, getting poneglyphs Nd fighting big mom is W in my mind
@@SagarVirk1996 I am not saying that he is going to defeat an opponent Zoro x Mihawk style, just that he is going to have to confront his issues with loss before the end of the series.
I dont think Brook is forgotten... brook is good side character.
@@henrypeters5291 ive always had the theory something happened in the 50 years of being alone. Might have happened in soul form because it took quite a while for him to
Find his body since it was bone already. Not gonna say what happened but in my eyes he lied and did have company for a bit, (not that big of a deal since finding his body was the first year/5years, so he still has atleast 45 years alone)
3 of my friends have brook as their favourite character which has always surprised me it's tough when all the straw hats are so good they all have arguments that are valid towards being someone's favourite.
Brook is mine I just love skeletons, and the randomness of him still having an Afro on top of him being a gentleman is just mad dope to me
@@ermacbigmac his skull jokes and love for panties is top tier favourite character material
@@ermacbigmac i really liked his 45 degree angle stunt
he’s my fav too i just thinks he’s funny forsure funnier than sanji horny stunts
brook is a man of culture. And polite too.
Well I always think of Brook as he was once his flashback ended, he was the last survivor, the accompaniment to the orchestra, likewise he has the accompaniment to the other Strawhats. Now as Morj said, I fully expect him to eventually find himself needing to be the main act and not simply remain as a support, we got a taste of this in WCI, but this is where I think his character arc is going to take him, whether it be in Onigashima, or further down the line.
Brook has been the character that does what is needed, whether it’s to just run and protect robin or it is straight up fighting big mom. He always has a task that is different from just straight fight 1v1, he mostly fights to accomplish his priority task
Yeah that’s true, rather than just a 1v1 for the sake of it. He gets literal objective tasks/fights. If he has to fight because after the fight he can complete his objective he will. But other than that, he just focuses his priorities on the objective which is fine on my behalf because there will be a day he can’t find a shortcut to the object like the big mom fight and will be cornered and will be more epic when he finds a way to overcome that situation.
plus theres still that end of one piece theory a strawhat will die mostlikely usopp in a epic (brave) fashion and brook will have to awaken his df to resurrect usopp. Just an idea.
Brook has been overshadowed, oh wait, he doesn’t have a Shadow! YOHOHOHOHO, shadow joke!
He got his shadow back tho..
He does have a shadow, it's just skeletal in structure. YOHOHOHO.
lmao
If the "Brook is the narrator" theory ever ends up being true, that would be a huge one for Brook. As for Wano - you brought up how he felt regret for not being stronger and failing to save Pedro, so it would just make sense for him to have another go at being strong enough to save someone - Robin. There's still a 3rd CP0 member in Onigashima somewhere, just so happens to be the long-armed tribe one too and Brook has a history with them during the timeskip, so that might be the vague connection. That's the most likely one in my opinion. Another idea I have is more tinfoil, but Brook is protecting Robin, we know Big Mom wants Robin, we've seen how Brook is strong against Big Mom's homies because of the soul shenanigans, and now Big Mom just ate a part of her own soul. Might be just another assist move, but a huge assist at that, if he could help Law & Kidd with beating Big Mom.
I think Koby is the narrator. He is been there before Zoro since the very beginning.
@@Mario-ll7lf that theory has some merit but then we also can think that there are alot of stories about Luffy it would make more sense he has told to Brook on their adventure than Koby would be able to piece out
It’s just not true they have complelety different voices and voice actors in the anime and the narrator commented on A LOT of stuff that brook was never involved in or has any idea about the narrator knows about gol d Roger brook doesn’t really know Roger besides that he heard of a rookie named Roger back in his day so brook being the narrator just creates plot holes
Bruh I literally freak out everytime brook shows up
Other straw hats: Deep character arcs and character development tied to new information and experiences presented in each new arc
Brook: I must sing a song for my whale fren
I like the idea of it being revealed Brook was the narrator of One Piece all along. I can see Brook retiring at Twin Cape with Laboon and just playing music and telling the tale of Strawhat Luffy to passerbys entering the Grand Line.
I think Brook’s storyline is actually about moving on after the death of his previous dream (literally) and finding his purpose. He lost his crew and at the start of his second life he didn’t have any will really to carry on until Luffy offered him another perspective. He needs to learn how to belong to something new, finding his place within the crew and what he wants the rest of his life to be. I think Brook’s actually going to be forced to leave Laboon behind in order to support Luffy’s dreams. His job is to show that you must chase your new dreams abundantly and free yourself from the shackles of failings in the past. I think then, at that point he’ll finally have his 1v1 and it’s likely he’ll finally die. He would’ve lived two full lives by chasing two dreams, just as his fruit suggests he has to.
Oda is a great writer and ofc it’s easy to give hindsight advice, but one thing I would like to see Oda do more is interweave more little moments with the Strawhats throughout the story (especially the lesser shine ones like Brook). I think little moments throughout go a long way, instead of waiting multiple arcs for a big moment that can often feel forced.
For example, I really enjoyed that little exchange Brook and Robin had in Wano regarding their past, little nuggets like these really flesh out the character dynamics much more than you’d think and they don’t take too much time to make
I agree! I guess it sometimes feels there's less "room" for it. In the early days there was a lot of "aimless" travelling and things were more laidback as it were. Now its very goal oriented as Luffy gets closer and closer to his dream, as do the others.
But I also want more of those moments.
@@gamefreak2050 I think it tells a lot that I usually barely remember stuff but that scene of them both trauma bonding stuck out/very memorable for me
I would to see a moment were brook helps an other character get character development, like someone who has major trauma and also lost everyone. He has to be serious and with his soul music he helps them heal the heart. Just brook sitting down, drinking tea and talking like the 90 year old he is to a young person crying there eyes out because they lost it all.
Brook's theme is death, his presence is reflective of the actual danger the straw hats face, that's why he was finally given a larger presence in whole cake island.
Luffy's relationship with death and the soul's connection to music is what makes the Soul King the most overt and subtle metaphor in one piece
Brook defeating the yokai and dispelling any danger to the Onigashima destruction will be his big moment of the raid, screenshot bank on it
Dang, you may be spot on here, with his soul form and the power of music, he could do something to dispel the hate 🤘🏼
Wish this happened. Kinda sad.
I’ve always thought of Brook’s place as the musician and it’s always felt out of place to me how good of a combatant he is. He’s lived an entire lifetime already, he has no need for further personal development. He provides for his crew where he can and allows them to have their journeys while he waits to complete his.
There's a whole aspect of brooks background where he served a kingdom that gets glossed over that I really want to know more about. Imagine someone from that era of his past is somehow still alive, that would give some context for exploring it. Like maybe a certain unmasked cp0 member? Just kidding...unless? There's definitely room for brook to grow though overall
Yeah but the problem is that it really doesn’t look like oda is gonna do that he’s too focused on the main plot rather than the main characters which is dumb i mean he’s doing a great Job with sanji but that’s it the other strawhats are either shadows of their pre time skip selves or straight trash like Jinbe
I was looking for this comment, I think that Kingdom is going to come into play at some point
@@Mohamadtheman how is jinbei trash lmao did u even read/watch wci same for robin sanji usopp and even recent zoro moment in wano he do care but he is a little more focused on developing the story but he gives as much importance to even give full fledged chaps for robin and franky fights
@@sarov7658
I’ll tell you how Jinbe is trash Jinbe doesn’t have anything interesting or unique to him or any personal story that’s related to him specifically if you describe Jinbe’s character he doesn’t have anything unique or new and that’s the problem a bland character like Jinbe shouldn’t be in the main cast he would’ve worked just fine as an ally but not as a part of the strawhathat crew even morj said Jinbe is bland but he’s not so vocal about it because he avoids controversy since he knows Jinbe has fans for some reason
Feel like this past of Brook will be flesh out when the fight between the Straw Hats and Blackbeards are finally happening since Avalo Pizzaro was once a King on the West Blue. This might have some connection.
Oda has got a big challenge when dealing with a character that has already died once, he's pretty explicit with the "no do overs" theme. When Doffy is arrested post Dressrosa he tries to explain how he could have done things differently but the old marine lady says "no this happened and could only happen". Oda's got to craft a storyline that doesn't allow this theme to be contradicted, hopefully he comes to the conclusion that both lives he has he lived with no regrets
I've always thought it was quite fitting that Brook is so often sidelined or made to feel unimportant, because to me that has been his character arc since joining the crew. I remember making a similar comment back on your video about how each Straw Hat changed post timeskip, when you said you didn't really have anything solid for Brook. Pre-timeskip Brook obviously hadn't been with the crew long, but we see in the confrontation with Kuma that he is willing to lay down his life to protect his crewmates. We tend to forget, but Brook has one of the loneliest stories in the series, wandering the fog alone for decades. I think he is eternally grateful to the Strawhats for becoming his friends, but that also makes him insecure which causes him to be overly polite (always using honorifics, also because he's old) and question his usefulness in the crew.
I think the Pedro moment is actually perfect for Brook's general character, we just need more moments of actual recognition from Brook in the story rather than just general observations from us the readers.
Brook is a special character and people don't realize it by how successfully he hides the fullness of his tragedy in humor. Brook is by definition a monster. To live as an undead skeleton is both body horror and existential nightmare. And moreover, he has experienced the death of ALL of his loved ones and the dread of unimaginable loneliness.
Brook's story is the humanity that transcends. Humanity that goes beyond appearance and beyond despair. Brook is the *Soul King.* His music connects people and destroys alienation. Brooks' arc is him no longer hiding behind humor and fully loving and embracing who he is and embracing his new crew. (Essentially all the crew have this work to do.)
I really like this and I hope Oda explores it
💯💯💯
It's strange that Oda doesnt have something for Brook. I mean, when Luffy was in the East Blue without even a ship he wanted a musician in his crew. So Oda already got the idea to add a character like Brook right from the start
So true. We will eventually see what Oda has in mind for him. Its sure to be something big
@@metzelderk I think Brook exists because Luffy needs a musician for the giant party at the end of the manga.
Actually, funny you mention it: the joke was always that everybody else would think that a musician would be a completely unnecessary addition to the crew, which with his lack of significance since thriller bark kind of holds water to an extent. I'd like to see this be actually something Oda thought about and have Brook ascend beyond the position he's in right now.
People don't expect much from Brook so almost anything he does is "Brook MVP" despite his good moments.
he genuinely was mvp in terms of feats discounting luffy ofc (duh he is mvp every arc). though not a big achievement because rest of the crew consisted of 2/3 of weakling trio (nami chopper) + carrot who would fit right into the trio
Brook is about friendship. That’s why he is always hanging out in his friends stories instead of his own. Since brook is probably immortal, he wants to enjoy having friends while they are alive.
Brook is the oldest, most experienced pirate always looking out for the newbies and coming in clutch, first established with him saving half the crew from the spider-zombie and getting the salt against Oars. After all his dream is too reunite with a friend and his job as a musician is too raise everybodies spirits. He's always at the right place at the right time.
You leave out a lot of stuff: Brook met whales like Laboon post-Fishmen Island, slew a dragon on Punk Hazard, saved half the crew when he tricked and defeated Giolla, the only strawhat that left Dress Rosa early to get a real win, saved Carrot post-Sulong and more. His fight on Fishmen Island also got more focus than several of the others. (Robin and Nami didn't even have one) Him coming in clutch against Black Maria and dealing with all her minions including a number in a clever manner is a good display of his experience and drive to not lose any more comrades.
Honestly Chopper feels more shafted post-timeskip, with Law just being a objectively better doctor that can do things he can't (he cured the kids), he got no more action scenes than Brook, he failed at being a doctor when Luffy ate a poisonous fish (honestly a standard scenario) so Reiju had to save Luffy, the minks developed the drug that got Zoro up and even did a lot of work in creating the Ice Oni cure. When it comes to their job (doctor) Chopper is frequently failing/outclassed and only relevant when Law is busy.
Brook's emotional understanding of his crewmates is higher than any of the other characters. He understands Sanji when he talks to Big Mom, he understands Zoro after Thriller Bark, he connects with Robin here in Onigashima. I think his character writing is very interesting and I never particularly minded that he doesn't fight on-screen.
I think that chopper's final growth as a character will be wilfully deciding to 'evolve' lets say into his adult form. I think that chopper currently refuses to grow up and thus stays in his child form since he lacks confidence due to his past of being discriminated against. We've seen chopper change and create new forms wilfully throughout the story, a great example being 'kung fu point' which was learnt over the timeskip. This would also mean that chopper has fully grown as a character and through maturing he will gain a power through becoming 'the ultimate human'. Check out Parvision's video for the theory it's great.
The only thing I think of is maybe Oda can reveal in Brooks early life why he left being a leader of a brigade in a certain kingdom to become a pirate.
Yeah great Idea
I could see Robin getting taken and Brook having a personal crisis where he feels unable to safe another friend of his (like his crew and Pedro). This would lead into a shift in Brook’s mindset where his goal moving forward would be that of a protector and a support, and that he really needs to strengthen all the things he’s good at to keep up with the crew. This could lead into him pulling out some new tricks to save Robin and solidify his role in the crew. The support. A jack of all trades. He has speed, CC, stealth, swordsmanship, and music. Perfect for an all around support that the crew can recognize and lean on.
Good theory if I can call it a theory i guess but good nonetheless
But what’s CC ?
@@Mohamadtheman crowd control I think?
@@KiraluxAeterna
Maybe it’s conquering cock or something
@@Mohamadtheman crowd control in games is usually when someone disables another thing, so I think he’s referring to his ice abilities which can immobilize
@@Mohamadtheman crowd control in games is usually when someone disables another thing, so I think he’s referring to his ice abilities which can immobilize
I'm content with the idea that Brooke is the support player. Availability seems to be one of his biggest strengths. If a job opens up that needs to be done, he will fill that role. Like if the Straw Hats needed a Santa for Christmas, someone to help them move, or a babysitter, he's there lol.
Brooke left such a role of massive celebrity and impact, Soul King, to be the "bard" (support) for his crew. Big roles may not be his preference. He seems like an accompanist at heart.
That said, I would like more character moments that blatantly highlight this role. Brooke knows how to make himself useful, and I would like to see that resourcefulness get more variance and airtime (especially in a fight).
So didn’t you watch the video ? if you did that’s just exactly what morj said so stop writing useless comments if you don’t have anything to say just don’t say it that’s just an advise
@@Mohamadtheman lead by example.
It is good to know that rather than just ranting on Brook, you are more hopeful for his character.
This title applies to half the Strawhats. Especially Chopper. He has like no moments post ts.
Robin, Chopper, Franky and Brook. You can notice Oda's bias for the 1st 5 straw hats, and i think it's a flaw especially for Chopper and Robin.
@@no.one_lol2055 yeah when you look at it, luffy zoro sanji getting all this focus (Usopp and nami have there moments too) I guess they are the main MAIN characters 🙃
@@tarikizgua1835 Nami and Usopp get just as much focus as Sanji and Zoro lol.
@@no.one_lol2055 in wano? Clearly not. Nami has a lot of screentime but she ain't getting as much of focus as sanji for example when it cames to character moments or fights
Exactly! At least Brook had WCI, he had a lot of really good moments there. Chopper has had nothing for so long
I do like Brook and I’m happy you’re talking about this. Oda says he loves all of his characters and Oda must know of the criticism of the fans as well. Brook will get something. Brook is a great underrated character.
brook has gotten a lot. its just apparently if you dont get a the glory of a one v one fight you got nothing to one piece fans. because one piece is about the fights right? surely
Brook is meant to be the "support" straw-hat. Since he joined the crew he's always been helping others and i think that's his main role (i picked on this while watching Merphy Napier's one piece reviews). I guess since he's been alone for so long, he just wants to help those that saved him, the straw-hats.
This could lead to a moment where he needs to stand up alone against a big threat, but IMO his role as a support works well enough
A HUGE hanging plot thread for Brook is his supposed World Tour as Soul King. What was the breadth of this tour? Did he leave the Grand Line? Did he potentially come near the twin capes? Basically, it seems that Brook was well within his ability to reunite with Laboon sometime during the 2 years but potentially chose not to. Because he wanted to do it right, he wanted to complete his adventure through the Grand Line and reunite with Laboon alongside the Strawhats. I feel like that would be a really great character moment for Brook.
Yeah, but if you notice, in most arcs when Brook has been there, he typically is there to witness something (usually silently as well), and he is a unique character to chronicle all of the Strawhats possibly long after they are gone, I mean with his DF how long is he gonna live? He revived once, is there some kind of longevity associated with his DF (besides he is a bard of sorts).
Maybe because he is dead. Or maybe he is dead because he is forgotten as Hiluruk said. YOHOHOHOHOHO!
From before I even watch the video. I don’t think Brook is exactly forgotten about it’s just that Brook himself is a side character. His dream isn’t as grand as the other straw hats. So the other Straw Hats are just a tad more important.
Brook doesn’t really need it, he’s already lived a full life and died. His purpose is to help the others get to where they are going. He’s got nothing to prove
🤣🤣🤣🤣
What is that ? is that an excuse or a defense for Oda’s writing ?
@@Mohamadtheman if you’re looking for an argument I’m unfortunately not your guy lol. I just don’t think Brook needs huge character moments every arc
@@ThraxxL0rd
It’s not every arc he just barely has anything going on for him and it’s BAD and I wasn’t Looking for an argument I just thought your defense was laughably bad
Always love how much thought mr Morj brings out when comes out with a video.
For me it’s Franky that’s constantly forgotten
Agree
Sad hard boiled screams from young girls 🥲
But at least Oda has given Franky fights in all the arcs he's been in. He had an oppenent in Fish man island, he had 2 fighters in Punk Hazzard, Senior Pink in Dressrosa and Sasaki in Wano. He's had plenty of moments post TS
@@dantecrottogini529 i agree in terms of combat i just wish he had more moments for his character. Sometimes it feel like hes just for comedy and fights
The strawhats are really great characters on paper. The problem is that after the timeskip they get screentime but rarely get great character moments except for sanji and the proof of this that in episode 1000 all most all the flashbacks recalling great moments were from the pre-timeskip.
To be fair brooks role is just the musician, I will never talk negativly about the content you put so much work into bit this video did make me just realize this. I want more brook to though, the more I see each strawhat strive and grow the more respect I gain for Oda as a writer.
Brook also sets the vibe with his music at the banquets at the end of arcs
Morj: “Brook is the most forgotten Strawhat”
Also Morj: *doesn’t mention Jimbei’s name once this video*
But Brook had more screen time so he has less of an excuse not saying Jinbe is better Jinbe is trash
I've always had a soft spot for Brook even though he's been pretty lackluster since Thriller Bark. He has one of my favorite character designs of all time and I love his backstory. I simply wish that Oda would lean slightly more on some themes with him such as regret, loss, loneliness, old age, and the fear of death. Even power wise, with the whole death and hell abilities Brook has so much untapped potential. I wouldn't want him to become a bummer, just for Oda to tackle these things some more.
I liked his attitude in Thriller Bark more than after. He wasn't such a clown.
why would they lean into his themes of regret loss and loneliness when hes already with the straw hats? that was the whole point of his story in thriller bark is that he was finally able to overcome those things and find a new light
In some ways it maybe sad that Brook will never get the spotlight like the other Straw Hats do, in a 1v1 fight with his own, or even a major event he has to fulfill to change the story, but he has done small things that if he didn't do those it would change the story in big ways.
If Brook never grabbed Zoro's swords in Sabaody then Zoro may have been seen to Mihawk's castle without them.
If Brook never jumped out of his body to find a way to escape the cage, Zoro and Ussop would still be locked up during the fight with Hordy Jones and his crew. Or Worse Luffy would get side tracked to save them and let King Neptune die.
If Brook never found Kin'emon's torso Sanji could never help make him whole again before Smiley died and became the petrification gas.
If Brook never tricked Giolla then the Whole Cake crew would have never left Dressrosa for Zou.
If Brook didn't fight Big Mom like he had been caught with his pants down he may have been caught with 3 copys of the ponaglyphs.
If Brook didn't smash Mother Caramel's Photo they may have stayed to fight longer and end up losing.
If Brook didn't chase the ninja guards as a ghost in Wano, Robin would have been caught.
Brook's actions maybe minor in the moment but they leave a big impact on the story as a whole.
Brook had his 1v1 with the confident camouflage fish.
A battle of confidence infallible youth who knew nothing and never went outside his own hometown vs a doubtful, insecure, experienced elder who did travel around the world and learn about what it has to offer.
Brook is a musician, so he understands the importance supporting other instruments in order for the music to shine, so he plays the support role. And the sine of every support is being unnappreciated until they are gone. In every arc he is always helping someone else's storyline, until Whole Cake, when he gets to become the main instrument and Pedro dies. His storyline may involve growing from a support role into a more proactive role in protecting his friends so that this doesn't happen again, which we're already kinda seing with the whole Robin CP-0 thing.
Maybe the essence of a brook story is that he is a background character. Brook uses music to uplift the crew when they're feeling down or worn out. Brook is usually seen uplifting or helping out the other crew members.
In other words if Sanji is the protector, then I would say Brook is the partner. He's not there to steal the spotlight or save the day, but to help other strawhats overcome their obstacle whatever it may be. For example when Chopper is doing his doctor stuff in Wano on the live floor, Brook stays behind to help keep the enemies off him. When Robin goes to fight the spider lady, Brook helps take care of the enemies to let Robin get her one on one fight. When Brook first joins, it's him that brings the big bag of salt and let the strawhats know what the zombies weaknesses are. In the Fishman island arc, Brook uses his abilities to support various members 9f the crew with information, etc.
Long story short, Brook is the support. He supports the crew in achieving their endeavors and overcoming their own fights and obstacles
Thank you Mr Morj for this material and for that eye pleasing golden background
Good work bro, your insights are awsome
Totally agree. Thriller Bark established Brook to me as the “support from the shadows” kind of crew-mate. Symbolizing the “soul” and tying that to a promise of friendship with his story, seems like it’ll have a profound impact on the morality within the grand scheme but not for purely his character.
Especially since he was previously a right hand for so long before Luffy. So now it seems like he can genuinely support someone capable of following through on promises made from loftier ideals and motivations. He’ll get a few big moments but won’t ever truly take center stage. Just my thoughts.
Every straw hat is needed for luffy to achieve his dream
I think brooks quote "people are my happiness" from his introduction episode explains it, he's meant to be the support of the crew
Brook is just here for the ride until he meets his goal. I respect what hes done so far so I think its warranted.
You convinced me, just brainstorming Brook past threads pending:
- knows stuff about the past
- forgot about good manners during 50 years of solitude
- was alone for 50 years then gained huge following as soul king
- can control souls
- "Rumbar pirates make children stop crying"
- wasn't strong enough to get his shadow back
By the way, how do you see these mini-arcs play out for possible future strawhats like Tama or Smoker?
The Yokai also seems to in part be a spirit so it's another connection to Brook and maybe only Brook can actually stop it.
as someone who has been actively reading ever since amazon lily (was vaguely following it before hand)
it amazes me how several of the straw hats i still feel like i barely know because the story so rarely has used them
I remember subscribing you for awesome breakdown content like this 👍🏻
Haven't finished the video yet. But I wonder about the theory of Raftel being a connection point between the living and the dead. That might be a perfect place for Brook to shine.
I feel like it definitely does. Bink's Sake itself is about Laugh Tale.
Morj : Character breakdown explaination
Audience: "Bruh is that an iPhone 6s charging in the background?!"
I wish we got another arc in between Thriller Bark and Sabaody, so we got some more time with the full pre-timeskip crew. Or if we could have swapped Thriller Bark and Enies Loby so we had everyone present in the most dramatic arc. This story really doesn't give pre-timeskip Brook much room to connect with the audience, especially since his role of "musician" does not give him much to do in the climactic scenes post-timeskip
In anime we had a little filler arc about that but it was just 3 episodes
If Brook is going to get a big assist moment in combination with Robin, I suspect it will be in piecing together the lyrics of Binks’ Sake as the story of the Void Century. Brook’s story, more than any other, was tied to Binks’ Sake. It just seems appropriate that musician be involved in the deciphering a piece of music, similarly to how Nami the navigator used maps to solve the mystery of Shandora.
Brook is the bard. The storyteller. The witness of the journey. The living representation of Hiluluk speech for the deeds of the strawhats, bond to reunite with a friend that never forgot the promise made by them.
brook is actually my second favourite strawhat after usopp, although zoro is currently running up fast.
In the anime when brook first joins, there is this wonderful episode where Brook tries to find his place on the crew and ends up butting heads with everyone in one way or another. I'm not sure if it is an anime only scene, but based on that I've always thought that one of the long running things with brook was not really being secure in his place on the crew. I think this even shows a little bit in the way he chooses to express his gratitude to Luffy for freeing him from Moria.
I thought Brook had the makings for a really powerful moment where he does something for everyone on the Crew, but after whole cake I'm not sure.
That was a Great FILLER episode written by the anime only
i think brooks story line should be the classic “for my friends” kinda thing.
I truly think Brook is the Judas like Kanjuro. He has so much history we never got a backstory for and he sits separate from the rest. I couldn't imagine anyone else backstabbing. Brook fits the best.
Brook has always sort of been the companion, the accompaniment to the rest of the band, and only when he's alone does he take the melody. I want to see Brook go full bard mode one of these days, invigorating everyone when it seems like they're at their lowest, being the support that the Straw Hats need in their most desperate hour. Remember Usopp calling to Luffy at Enies Lobby, getting him to get back up and finish the fight with Rob Lucci? I feel like Luffy might need something like that going forward, given how many times he's needed help to get back up lately.
Brook is someone who has lost his crew, lost his friend (Laboon), and has faced extreme isolation. At the same time, Brook has the power to move people's souls (he is a musician after all and his devil fruit has a deep connection with the underworld).
A common theme I see with Brook is someone who protects his friends and someone who is reliable and uplifts his friends. Brook is someone who will do anything for his friends (I believe the whole Big Mom confrontation and sea stone rubbings was due to Brook not wanting Sanji to feel bad for going off to WCI. With the rubbings, it was no longer Sanji putting everyone in danger because Sanji could not trust Luffy to deal with Big Mom and co, it was now a much needed mission to bring Luffy one step closer to becoming the Pirate King).
Brook is the character that lifts everyone up and shines hope wherever there is despair. He lives entirely for his friends and is probably the best embodiment of a friend/friendship on the crew.
you're not saying anything new or anything that actually defends brook as a character what you said can be said about all of the straw hat crew members
What about Brooks's past? Bring back some characters or plot points from Rumbar pirates' time, maybe some pending business. Imagine if the pirate crew that destroy the Rumbar Pirates were Rocks, and the Strawhats should be involved in whatever happened in God valley.
He doesn't NEED a fight, he plays support masterfully
That’s just your opinion I think he needs anything interesting it could be a fight or something else but he’s just there and that’s the problem with brook
Brook gets no moments and then claims an entire ark for himself
"Im so glad to be alive!" that was brooke coming full circle. i think the role he plays is support but with a reason. He wants to make sure every strawhat gets to accomplish their dream or, to be more to the point, truly live their life. with their own goals, their own views, their own decisions, because his old crew never got that chance. when Pedro died i think that was the moment he realized he needed to become an even stronger support character if he wants everyone else in his crew to say they are happy to be alive. just like him.
Brook is Brook. he laughs weird, he wants weird pieces of clothing, he plays good and sometimes weird music, he has a weird friend that he want to reunite with, he has a really weird body.
But in the end brook is the straw hat that has every characteristic of every straw hat.
he’s weird but he has freedom on what he does, he’s weird but has the *badassness* with his fights, he’s weird but has the mischief with what he says, he’s weird but also has the braveness to do what’s right, he’s weird but has the chilvary to save his friend (kin’emon) he’s weird, but, brook is brook he will never be the main protagonist but he will be the one in the background that does what everyone does but only as second placement
i mean it also kinda ties back to that brook’s role in the crew is that he’s a musician, so when you look at what each character does during an arc it’s whatever their special skill is. as a musician, when the action comes into play there’s not really like a set task that music can aid in, but just as music does in real life, it’s kinda cool that brook is adding to whatever missions he’s found himself taking on even if they aren’t specifically his own
Brook vs Apoo would be perfect and I don't know why no one says it
Is it because he has no ears? yohoho
@@andrewebanks1 lmao
Bro its been a fight everyone already talked about when raid starts
Apoo tanked zoro's kid's drake's and cp0's attack, Brook ain't on his level
@@tarikizgua1835 yeah bro a supernova cant be underestimated and brook not even know haki
If we stop and consider that Brook is the crews musician, or bard. The Bard role in most parties is solely support based. Which is the one thing Brook has done more than any other strawhat. He's been all over helping everyone in some capacity. That's his role the ultimate wild card, that fits where he is needed.
Brook's legacy will be writing the new "bink's sake". Essentially telling the tale of the Strawhats adventure in song form that like the original bink's sake will be sung forever by new generations. yo ho ho
He's already a experienced pirate only thing whole cake showed his what he is willing to do to keep his crew alive (another pirate crew killed his crew). Most of his humour moments besides the I don't have ones are his age, (ei. calling big mom young lady and Rodger rookie)
So how do you build a story when someone doesn't have a goal outside hitching a ride to see a whale.
Brook is my favorite outside of Luffy. I love how Oda is using his character, and i think it's legit brilliant. He is incredibly old, and has already had his adventures. He has gone through so many character arcs in those 50 years of solitude that he doesn't need anything else. I believe Oda is going to do the same with Jenbei since he is also seasoned. The part about his past with his loss of his crewmates, and with the way he acted with Pedro dying, I also truly believe that one of the straw hats will die, or at least he and everyone else thinks they die for quite some time, and he will be the one who was partnered with them. A major part of his character is loss and there's literally no better way than that. I'm not saying he's gonna go super saiyan but i would argue it's something very similar and he blows us all away with what he gets done. If that were to happen I'd like to see a major character flip with him being a lot more aggressive and high strung for how much guilt he has, and finally come to terms when he needs to most. and then of course laboon is the ending to his story. Sorry for the fanfic lol
Brook most likely will also attent and look out for the SH graves, lets not forget that. I saw a remix here on YT about that and it makes sense to his character and end game.
Brook is that kinda character which can carry out covert missions for the crew
With brook you have to remember, he was alone for 50 years. his whole purpose as a character is to be there for his friends. he just wants to be helpful and i love that about him. you accidentally hit it on the head, his final point is to reunite with his friend. the throughline for that is to be there for the friends he has now. to not make it so he has to reunite with anymore friends, like he has to now reunite with Pedro. hes my absolute favorite
I really want Brook to be the strawhat with full Armament. A purple skeleton with green haze makes my soul blaze.
Brook remains one of the most clutch and unique characters in OP, even having the balls to throw hands with big mom and nearly killing her (if it weren't for her hard skin)
Franky is easily the most neglected straw hat
I felt that way until Wano, but after that Sasaki fight....
At least he gets fights and cool moments, like against big mom or his big focus in water 7 and enies lobby when he 1v1 two CP9 agents (Nero and Fukuro), his fight against senor pink... Brook NEVER got a chapter named after one of his fight
He is not neglected, he does have his moments in the Manga, he's only neglected by the fans
i've been waiting for Brook vs. Apoo ever since Sabaody, so _of course_ Oda hit us with that "goes to shake your hand, but shouts 'PSYCHE!' and pulls it away at the last minute" move 😫
Brook in WCI literally did equally as much as he did in the whole pre-timeskip lol
I think Brook's unique characterization is his desire to keep promises. Which I guess Oda hasn't fully developed yet.
Right before Brooke dies in his first life he’s playing the piano alone and he says the accompaniment is always the last to go and that’s exactly what he’s been to the crew, the accompaniment. And in music they’re a vital part if even in the background
Am I remembering it wrong or weren't there 3 CP0 agents around? If yes then the 3rd one could be Brooks opponent.
Edit: There indeed is a 3rd one. He wears a striped top hat. What happened to him? Did we see where he went?
Much needed video! ❤️ Wrook respect! Yohohohoho💀
Brook is simply like this by design. It's clear Oda introduced the most important members first and Brook being the one that appeares last was never going to have even a fraction of screen time or development any way. That's also why Brook isn't nearly as complex as some of the others, because a simple character doesn't get hurt as much from lack of development. Imagine a character like Sanji relegated to Brook's role, Oda could never really make justice to it's character. So Brook is semplistic by desing, created mainly for the Laboon storyline and because I guess Oda really liked the idea of a weird skeleton joining the crew to add to the fantastical element of the story that was increasing the more the story went on. Unlike the others Brook is an already completed character, he didn't need to grow or change during the timeskip, he just has to be along for the ride. That doesn't mean Oda isn't intrested in him as he always gives him cool moments or one liners each arc, it may not be a storyline wrote for him but that's something. All of this is to say that not all Strawhats are created equal, so we shouldn't expect nearly the same level of focus or attention by Oda for the eventual new member. That's why I don't consider the argument that Carrot can't join the crew because she isn't fleshed out like the other members or that she is a background character. If Oda intends to have Carrot join it's only natural she would be by far the least important. If Brook got the treatment he did, imagine a character that was introduced 300+ chapters later. It's unreasonable to expect or even compare Carrot's role and significance to the story to the others that came before her.
I think that his overall storyline might be that he is the side character and that he is not able to do what the others can. Just think about it: brook was never a captain and he died not being able to see laboon again(or so he thought). Brook was stranded on a ship for 50 years essentially doing nothing until he met the straw hats. Even then he did really nothing (I mean even ussop and Nani have significant feats compared to him) until whole cake where he had his moment but also when Pedro died he felt like he did nothing to save him or that he could have done better and I feel like that may be foreshadowing for robin to be taken by cp0 or him failing to stop the fire monster in onigashima but he might get a redemption act after. Just how I see things rn
That’s Usopp
@@Mohamadtheman low key
I feel like brook is essentially the bard of the arc but hasn't learned how to bard. He has some of the most OP crowd control outside of conquerors haki and could also play the role of a morale boost for the troops. Yet his only great moment in Wano so far is a duet with franky while running over big mom's face.
This is brilliant
What are your thoughts on Franky? His roles and the amount of shine he gets/should get? Or his themes with weapons/weapons being used to harm loved ones vs protect loved ones/ the right to exist, how much development will these themes get in the future? I would love to hear your thoughts on this underrated strawhat