As a long-time reader of One Piece, I can confidently say that Eiichiro Oda has truly outdone himself with the Going Merry plotline. Being an avid sailor myself, the emotional depth and intricacy he infused into this ship’s story resonated deeply with me. The way Oda humanized the Going Merry was nothing short of remarkable – it felt as though I was witnessing the journey of a fellow mariner, fraught with challenges yet filled with hope and resilience.
This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.
Summary
- Merry suffered irreparable damage in the Grand Line
- Klabautermann spirit led Merry to save the crew in Enies Lobby
- Oda’s decision to humanize Merry was challenging but successful
In the world of “One Piece,” the Going Merry was the initial vessel sailed by the Straw Hat Pirates, leaving an indelible mark on the series’ history. Originally built as a carnival ship by Merry herself, the Going Merry became more than just a ship to fans; it was a cherished member of the family. From Syrup Village in East Blue, the Going Merry accompanied Luffy and his crew on their voyage to the Grand Line. A key memory associated with the Going Merry is its heroic sacrifice during the events at Enies Lobby.
In time, the Going Merry succumbed and met its end, set ablaze by the Straw Hat Pirates on their journey through the Grand Line. Needless to say, portraying the demise of the Going Merry was no simple task for Oda, given the deep human-like qualities he had crafted for the ship. On the surface, such a scene might seem absurd. Yet, Oda skillfully executed this narrative twist in ways that continue to impress him even today.
How The Going Merry Died In One Piece
- The Merry Had Suffered Damage Beyond Repair
- The Merry Died In The Grand Line
Initially, the ship known as the Going Merry, serving as the initial vessel for the Straw Hat Pirates, faced numerous beatings during its voyages across the expansive Grand Line. Despite being smaller in size compared to what the crew might have required for such a vast waterway, the Going Merry displayed resilience akin to any other member of the team.
I’m sorry, but your ship cannot sail anymore. – Kaku
The predicament became dire since none among the crew possessed the skillset to repair a ship, let alone the one they were aboard. The Going Merry wasn’t just any vessel; it had seen its fair share of perilous voyages across rough seas. However, soaring through the skies and performing 10,000-meter jumps was an entirely different ballgame. The Merry took on more damage than any ship ever conceived, making it beyond repair – a fact underscored during the Water 7 Arc of One Piece.
Although Merry was left behind by Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates, it managed to carry on, leading to the emergence of Klabautermann’s tale. Readers are aware that Oda isn’t afraid to incorporate miraculous events into his narrative. In the Enies Lobby Arc, the Straw Hat Pirates found themselves in a hopeless situation, having defeated all their opponents but being unable to leave the island because Luffy was immobile and there was no other exit. Yet, it was at this critical juncture that Going Merry sailed itself, making its way down to the island.
Earlier in the Water 7 Saga, Franky explained that the Klabautermann represents a ship’s spirit. It is said to appear only seldomly and manifests when the vessel is treated with affection and respect. The Going Merry was so cherished that it miraculously saved the Straw Hat Pirates from Enies Lobby, even though it should have been incapable of sailing any longer. Braving the perilous Grand Line once more, the Merry made its way to Enies Lobby and successfully retrieved every member of the crew, transporting them to safety. However, mid-journey, the Merry malfunctioned, effectively signifying its demise. The Straw Hat Pirates held a heartfelt funeral for their beloved ship in the Grand Line, accepting that it could no longer travel further. After this incident, the Straw Hat Pirates acquired their second vessel, which they named the Thousand Sunny, and it has remained intact ever since.
Oda’s Brave Decision Of Humanizing The Merry
Oda Knew He Had To Land The Death of Merry Properly
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Making Merry, Oda’s character, more human-like was both a strength and a challenge. On the surface, the idea seems quite unconventional. Endowing a ship with human feelings and having it save its crew members seemed like an excessive dash of fantasy. Some might even find it too sentimental, and executing such a concept in a fast-paced storyline like One Piece is no easy feat.
In my view, Oda indeed carried out his concept and created a scene that One Piece fans still cherish as one of the most memorable moments in the whole series. It’s baffling for those who haven’t watched One Piece to understand why the show’s fans are so passionate about this particular ship. However, once they watch One Piece, they too find themselves moved to tears over this ship. The impact of Oda’s storytelling is truly profound, and it seems that even with high expectations for his own idea regarding the Klabautermann, Oda managed to outdo himself. Here’s what Oda has to share about crafting the entire Klabautermann scene.
In the world of One Piece, the Klabautermann spirit aboard Going Merry seemed extraordinarily imaginative, even for a work of fiction. If some readers argued that ships can’t communicate, it would have been a deal-breaker. I attempted to portray this bond between the ship and its crew, but I wasn’t sure how deeply invested the audience would become in a vessel. The reception I received was much more positive than I had anticipated. – Oda (Paraphrased)
Did Oda Succeed With The Merry Plotline?
Oda Delivered A Phenomenal Plotline With The Merry
Without a doubt, Oda skillfully made the Merry feel relatable in “One Piece”. If Oda hadn’t pulled it off, the Merry would have been one of the most questionable writing choices in “One Piece”. However, it turned out to be one of the finest aspects and significantly elevated the Water 7 Arc. From being entwined with the suspense surrounding the Straw Hat Pirates right down to being integral to the reason for the crew’s survival up until now, the Going Merry played a pivotal role in every aspect.
One of Oda’s most brilliant decisions was making the Merry a significant element, and this is often what makes One Piece stand out among other tales. Remarkably, Oda skillfully balances the almost absurd and beautiful aspects of the Merry within the bounds of the One Piece universe’s possibilities. Undeniably, the handling of the Merry’s plotline is just another testament to Oda’s exceptional talent for creating characters.
At the funeral, many spectators wept deeply, underscoring the immense impact of the event. This tragic loss struck a chord with the entire crew, prompting them to evolve significantly. For the Straw Hat Pirates, it was a tough ordeal, yet one they had to face in order to become stronger. Oda’s skillful storytelling often leaves fans in tears, so it’s no wonder he expertly handled this emotional scene. In the future, fans can anticipate more poignant moments involving the Thousand Sunny, should such a situation arise.
One Piece is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by the fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus apps. The release date for the next chapter of One Piece, One Piece 1134, is set to be December 22, 2024.
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2024-12-16 04:34