Usopp’s Downfall: Why One Piece Fans Are Worried About the Straw Hat Sniper

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This post contains spoilers for One Piece.

Summary

  • Usopp’s strength has stagnated since Dressrosa, failing to improve his Haki or achieve any significant combat victories in Wano.
  • Despite lacking combat prowess, Usopp has made important contributions outside of fighting, such as saving the Thousand Sunny.
  • Fans hope that Usopp will receive a new power-up in the Elbaf arc, potentially improving his Haki or gaining new abilities to face strong opponents like Van Augur.

In the popular series “One Piece”, it’s the Straw Hat Pirates who take center stage. This is because the creator, Eiichiro Oda, has dedicated a considerable amount of time and energy into shaping them. Each member of the Straw Hat crew stands out uniquely, contributing distinct elements to the storyline.

Besides their captivating personalities, the Straw Hat Crew also boast a variety of skills that aid them in defeating adversaries. Over the storyline, they’ve acquired numerous power enhancements. The majority of these upgrades have been effectively showcased. However, it’s only Usopp who hasn’t consistently demonstrated this improvement.

The Straw Hat Sniper Showed Promise After The Timeskip

Usopp became a part of the team, taking up the role of their marksman – a crucial position within the group. Despite his fearful nature, Usopp consistently strived to surpass his adversaries for the good of the team. At times, he would outwit them through clever strategies, and on other instances, he’d rely on his weaponry to overpower them.

Upon returning from my two-year training with Heracles, I noticed that Usopp had significantly bulked up. This led me and many other fans to speculate that he would no longer be the frail character we once knew, but instead, a formidable ally for Luffy in his quest to become the Pirate King. Indeed, Usopp’s growth was evident in the early arcs, and it was a joy to witness him thriving.

Throughout the Dressrosa saga, Usopp consistently maintained the story’s pace, inadvertently becoming a symbol of optimism for the combatants within the Corrida Colosseum. This earned him the title ‘God Usopp’ from the fighters. His most significant moment in this arc was when he rescued Trafalgar Law and Luffy from Sugar. As Supernova pair, they had no prior encounter with Sugar, leaving them unaware of her abilities. Seizing this chance, Sugar attempted to approach them stealthily for a touch.

At a crucial moment, Usopp activated his Observation Haki successfully and prevented Sugar from transforming the two pirates into toys. This was a significant milestone for Usopp since he not only safeguarded his captain but also unleashed his Haki. Given his contributions in Dressrosa, viewers anticipated that Usopp’s power would continue to grow across future story arcs. However, it turned out differently than expected.

Usopp’s Development Has Stagnated Since Dressrosa

After Dressrosa, Usopp has been involved in the following arcs:

  • Zou
  • Wano
  • Egghead
  • Elbaf

In stark contrast to the tight-knit Zou arc where I barely made an impact, the Wano arc was a breath of fresh air! This time around, Eiichiro Oda really delved deep into the storyline, stretching it across a whopping 130 chapters. With such high anticipation for the Straw Hats to seize their next major opportunity, things didn’t pan out as expected. In Wano, I was more of a bystander, and when it came to combat, my meaningful contributions were minimal at best.

In simpler terms, Usopp, a member of the Straw Hat crew, hasn’t developed his Observation Haki and hasn’t activated Armament Haki yet, which is crucial for any fighter. It’s surprising that despite being a sniper, Usopp lacks this skill. Moreover, during the Wano arc, he didn’t manage to defeat any notable opponents, which was quite disheartening.

You Think I Don’t Know An Emperor Could Obliterate Every One Of Us!? —Usopp

After leaving Wano, the Straw Hats found themselves on Egghead Island, home to Dr. Vegapunk. Given Usopp’s knack for inventing new devices, this storyline seemed ideal for him to receive a significant boost in power. Yet, for reasons we’re unsure of, Oda didn’t choose to do so.

Despite his seemingly limited displays of physical power, Usopp has proven to be quite valuable in other areas. For example, he played a crucial part in safeguarding the Thousand Sunny from Admiral Kizaru on Egghead Island. To clarify, when it comes to strength, Usopp hasn’t progressed much. He may not be as powerful as his companions, but he certainly isn’t without worth or utility.

Will Usopp Get A New Power-up In Elbaf?

For quite some time now, fans have had faith that Elbaf will be Usopp’s storyline, implying that he will shine as the star character. With the arc just beginning, there’s plenty of room for Usopp to develop. Fingers crossed, he enhances his Haki or acquires a completely new ability in the process. Given that his final adversary is probably Van Augur, it’s crucial for Usopp to significantly boost his strength before taking on the colossal captain from Blackbeard’s team.

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2025-04-14 04:04