‘One Piece‘ is picking up momentum with its final saga. The manga has set the stage with some of the most shocking reveals and twists. As the Straw Hats traverse their journey in Elbaph, there’s one thing that concerns the fandom.
A question, most specifically, plagues the fandom, and that is, why is Jinbe underutilized? He is strong, formidable, and one of the wisest members of the Straw Hats. He is underrated, too. But there are reasons why it would seem like wasted potential, and here’s why!
Jinbe’s Paramount Role As Helmsman And Advisor
There has been endless criticism of the Egghead arc, especially when it came to Jinbe’s role in it. Many fans felt that the character was being moved completely towards the shadows. His role seemed passive and toward the sidelines.
While the criticism seems partly plausible, they fail to understand one thing. Jinbe is underutilized, yes, but not nerfed. Egghead, as well as Wano, became the center stage for Sanji and Zoro for their epic fight. However, Jinbe overwhelmed Who’s Who through his Fishman Karate and Haki mastery.
He doesn’t get enough credit for his finesse as a combatant. It also meshes in well with his wisdom, his wit, and his ability as a counselor.
Jinbe is the helmsman who not only steers the ship but also makes the decisions associated with his crew. He isn’t the usual fishman but a Yonko-level pirate who was also a former warlord of the sea.
So we’d better put some respect on his name. This is especially true for his loyalty towards Luffy, his unflinching resilience against Big Mom, and his strength.
Jinbe not only carries physical strength but also mental strength. Not to mention, he took a massive blow from Akainu back in Marineford, and in Elbaph, his battle IQ came in handy.
While most fans believe he was one-shotted, to say he was sidelined is partly plausible. It all boils down to the unpredictability of the One Piece series.
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Unpredictability As A Hallmark Of One Piece
Eiichiro Oda is deemed a master in foreshadowing and rightly so. He is also quite unpredictable, especially when it comes to reveals and incessant plot twists. Shamrock’s introduction was a major plot twist, and so was Imu’s face reveal. With Jinbe, it is likely that Oda is playing it safe with the character.
While some feel his character is incredibly underutilized and a waste, others refuse to believe that. Jinbe’s role as a protector and a valuable side character cannot be refuted. He is, after all, an indispensable Straw Hat crew member.
As both a Fishman with formidable strength and mental fortitude, his battle expertise earned him the moniker, The Knight of the Sea.
Elbaph, Egghead, and Wano may seem like those first impressions that eventually soured for Jinbe’s fans. It is also agreeable why it happens, considering the sidelining of some One Piece characters. And rightly so, the fans’ disappointment is valid.
However, Jinbe’s role in the final saga might be something that Oda is trying to build. He might be setting the character up for a showdown, which might hype the unpredictability quotient. After all, the author loves to surprise us.
In conclusion, Jinbe’s character being overshadowed and sidelined paved the way for other characters. With the final saga, One Piece will likely throw in a curveball, and who knows, Jinbe might pivot that very moment!
All we have to do as fans is flow with the narrative and trust the process!
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