One Piece: Has Dragon Been A Useless Character?

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Summary

  • Dragon’s role in One Piece has been minimal so far, leading fans to question his significance in the story.
  • Dragon and the Revolutionary Army are being saved for a major role in the Final War against the World Government.
  • Despite his absence, Dragon is expected to play a crucial part in the ultimate battle, elevating his importance in the series.

As a long-time fan of One Piece, I must say that Monkey D. Dragon has been one of the most intriguing and enigmatic characters since his introduction. Growing up reading manga and watching anime, I’ve seen countless heroes and villains come and go, but none quite like this man.

With his mysterious background, unwavering determination, and deep connection to the East, Dragon has always been a character shrouded in mystery. From saving Sabo from Foosha Village as a kid, to appearing at Loguetown to save the Straw Hats, it’s clear that Oda has always intended for Dragon to play a pivotal role in the story.

But what makes Dragon so special is not just his power or abilities, but rather his life experiences and the wisdom he carries with him. As someone who has been fighting against the corrupt World Government for years, he’s seen more than most and has learned valuable lessons that will surely come in handy when the Final War breaks out.

One thing that always bugged me was why Dragon didn’t appear during Marineford, a perfect opportunity for him to tip the scales in Luffy’s favor. But now, looking back on it, I realize that his absence was intentional. Oda wanted to save Dragon for the later stages of the story, where he would have the greatest impact.

So, here we are, with Elbaf finally upon us and the Final Saga underway. With the Revolutionary Army finally making their move against Marijoa, I can’t wait to see what role Dragon will play in this ultimate battle between good and evil. And who knows, maybe one day he’ll even show up at a critical moment to save Luffy yet again.

Now, let me leave you with a little joke: Why did Monkey D. Dragon cross the road? To get to the other side, of course! But watch out for those World Government agents lurking around every corner…

Each group in the One Piece universe is led by a prominent figure who symbolizes their identity and embodies their principles. The World Government appears to be headed by Imu, a secretive and elusive character who holds the highest authority, standing solitarily at the pinnacle of power. On the other hand, Luffy and Joyboy are perceived as pioneers of a new era and champions of the oppressed among the pirates. Lastly, Monkey D. Dragon serves as the leader for the Revolutionary Army.

In the popular series known as One Piece, Dragon emerged early on and is often considered a key figure throughout its entirety. Yet, some dissatisfied viewers question his significance, arguing that despite being labeled one of the World Government’s major adversaries, he hasn’t caused substantial harm to them. Let’s explore Dragon’s role in the world and determine if he’s been merely ineffective during this period.

Why People Claim Dragon’s Useless

How He Could Have Done Much More

First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 100, “The Legend Has Begun”
Debut Date August 9, 1999
Story Arc Loguetown

In Loguetown, Dragon made his appearance and came to the rescue of the Straw Hat pirates, preventing their voyage from coming to an abrupt end. The rumors about Dragon’s immense power started circulating after he arrived on the island, causing destructive storms that left the Marines disoriented, giving the Straw Hats a brief window of opportunity to escape unharmed.

Throughout the story, the Revolutionary Army seldom makes an appearance, but its influence remains substantial. Given its position as the greatest challenge to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, it has become one of the most formidable threats to their power structure. The enigmatic Monkey D. Dragon is known as the ‘World’s Most Wanted’, a title that underscores his significant role in challenging the status quo.

There can be no happiness in a world where the indesirables are thrown away!

While many followers believe he’s undeserving of such a title, it’s questionable whether he can truly be labeled the World’s Worst Criminal when there are powerful and malevolent pirates running rampant. Despite spanning over 1100 chapters in “One Piece”, the Revolutionary Army has shown minimal impact on disrupting the World Government’s rule, which seems unusual given their status as one of the organization’s most formidable adversaries.

In the latest chapter (Chapter 902) of the manga, the revolutionaries have just launched a significant assault on Marijoa and Sabaody, severing their supply lines to the city and substantially hindering food and resource intake for the Celestial Dragons. This action is pivotal in their struggle and seems to be inflicting substantial harm on the rulers of the world. However, it’s worth noting that prior to this event, they hadn’t made a noticeable impact on the rule of the World Government.

In this instance, Dragon was nowhere to be found, leading many fans of the series to speculate that his function is more about giving advice rather than engaging in combat. They further suggest that he should have appeared at crucial points throughout Luffy’s journey, as he managed to reach Loguetown to save the Straw Hats. Fans often refer back to Dragon’s absence during the Marineford incidents, arguing that it could have been an opportune moment for the Revolutionary Army to act and inflict substantial damage on the World Government.

One of Dragon’s distinctive characteristics is his constant gaze towards the East, likely because it’s where his family resides. This detail makes it surprising that he has never intervened to aid Luffy during his times of distress, especially at Marineford where Dragon’s presence could have significantly altered the outcome. Interestingly, when he rescued Sabo from Foosha Village as a child, he had an opportunity to save both Luffy and Ace from there as well.

Why He’s Being Saved For The Future

Dragon Has A Bigger Role To Play

From the beginning, Oda planned for Dragon to hold a significant role in the latter parts of the story. This explains why his appearances have been limited and why we may not see much of him until the Great War erupts against the World Government. To reveal his abilities prematurely or show him frequently throughout the story would diminish the impact he’s expected to make.

It’s clear that, just like the pirates, the Revolutionary Army is likely to take the side of good in the upcoming final conflict, known as the Final War. Though they recently launched an attack on Marijoa, it seems their most significant actions are yet to come, as they appear poised to play a crucial role in the climactic battle against evil forces in the world. With the grand finale of One Piece now unfolding with Elbaf and Dragon, we can expect the Revolutionary Army to become more actively involved in the story.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2024-12-29 21:05