[Discussion] Has Zoro lost his substance?

[ultraChalk]

I've heard numerous times that as of part 2 Zoro has become more and more shallow, and not very entertaining or contributing much to the plot.

Do you agree or disagree with this? How has he grown, or taken a step back since part 1? Was he more relevant to the arc plots back in part 1 than he is now? Is there more to him outside of combat ability that we have yet to see, as in new things during his past, or training with Mihawk? And most importantly, has his personality been watered down?

Let's talk Zoro.

 

[I'm stupid real stupid]

He has gotten better

 

[Frikid]

i disagree.
Zoro is was and will remain badass.

He contributes a lot in the plot and he is one of the main reasons which got me hooked to OP.

 

[deva pein]

He isn't as important as before but that will be next. The previous arcs didn't affect him that much, but the arc with the Wano country will be his time to shine!
Zoro-sama won't let down!

 

[Olorin]

well, so far I agree but I don't think it will stay this way

 

[Hexuze]

Too early to tell. He never had a main fight since the TS.

 

[Jordanofthecloud]

I think Zoro in part one was showing a new attack in every fight, each one stronger than the next.

In part two, I believe he is holding back, so far, because no one has been worth going all out on. He beat that snow logia chick with one slash WITHOUT haki.

I think we just have to wait for a challenge. Then you will see the zoro you're looking for.

I bet he'll be slashing through someone's Armanant Haki (infinite defense haki) in time.

 

[kmrasengan]

Oh wow, look at that, another Zoro thread.

OT: He still remains the same, but it feels like Oda is giving other SH's more chance to shine, and his personality still remains the same, look at his battle with Hyozou, Monet and Pica.

 

[I'm stupid real stupid]

Too early to tell. He never had a main fight since the TS.

What about Pica?

 

[Hexuze]

What about Pica?

No where as strong as the opponents Sanji fought: Vergo/Doflamingo.

 

[I'm stupid real stupid]

No where as strong as the opponents Sanji fought: Vergo/Doflamingo.

Ok
Idk why you used Sanji's name but ok

 

[VongolaX]

Not at all, he's still best friends with Chopper

 

[Zorø]

I personally think Zoro is improving every Arc and is getting better he just needs to show his new techniques he learnt from mihawk.

 

[Bogard]

Zoro remained practically the same. Like he already told to Luffy, he leaves everyone including him do what they want, but he intervenes only when he find something necessary. Those who don't understand that, don't understand Zoro as a character. He has always been arrogant. The only difference is that he wins his battles so far much more easily. One of the reasons it happens though is that unlike in part1 where he was walking with injuries 90% of the time, he is so far healthy

 

[YellowFang]

Well, he hasn't come across an enough threatening opponent so far, so he's just trolling for now...
It isn't that he lost substance, he just didn't get to become serious in a battle...

If they go to Wano, Land of Samurai... Maybe there, he'll enjoy some serious battle...

 

[TakeoSusumu]

Zoro has yet to show his true strength in part 2. I can't wait till he does...

[video=vimeo;97307651]http://vimeo.com/97307651[/video]

 

[KGB Kakuzu]

Zoro remained practically the same. Like he already told to Luffy, he leaves everyone including him do what they want, but he intervenes only when he find something necessary. Those who don't understand that, don't understand Zoro as a character. He has always been arrogant. The only difference is that he wins his battles so far much more easily. One of the reasons it happens though is that unlike in part1 where he was walking with injuries 90% of the time, he is so far healthy

The only times Zoro has had to fight while seriously wounded was against Arlong, Cabagi after Buggy knifed him.

He was fine at Ennis Lobby. Fine at Thriller Bark. Fine at Alabasta. Fine at the Barrattie, Fine on Skypia.

Orange Island and Arlong Park are the only two instances in which he fights while seriously wounded (only moderately at Orange Island).

 

[Love Cook]

I think that there is a misconception with some of the posters here, OP is stating that Zoro lost his substance, which has nothing to do with his strength or the kind of battles he is fighting.

If you look objectivity what Zoro is bringing to the table each arc, you could say that he isn't a very colorful and entertaining character.

He has a habit of disappearing or being occupied during the biggest part of an arc only to come back to finish his fight against a big bad at the end.

I agree with this statement that Zoro became a predictable shell of his former self. If you compare him to pre-skip he got a bit more attention and also his past came more into play. But if you look now you'll see that he received little to none character development lately. His backstory might've carried him up till part 1, but eventually the kuina falling off the staircase and the Taishigi thing is also played out at some point. I still Oda worked that out a bit more. During Punk Hazard they met again but nothing happened. Also what about his swords, when will the expend more into that territory.

Sadly Zoro became a tool in Oda's toolkit and he utilizes him as the typical shonen grumpy protagonist to cut down a baddie at the end.

Even Kin'emon and Franky, Robin and Usopp got more time to shine during the current arcs to explore and do other stuff.

I think the only 2 characters who have it worse than Zoro are Chopper and Brook at this point. Why the hell are those two even around anymore ?

 

[Bogard]

The only times Zoro has had to fight while seriously wounded was against Arlong, Cabagi after Buggy knifed him.

He was fine at Ennis Lobby. Fine at Thriller Bark. Fine at Alabasta. Fine at the Barrattie, Fine on Skypia.

Orange Island and Arlong Park are the only two instances in which he fights while seriously wounded (only moderately at Orange Island).

Well the thing is Oda made Zoro defeat Morgan while terribly hungry for not eating for days, got back stabbed by Buggy's knife handicaping him in the fight against Cabaji, had to fight a top tier in Baratie that left him wounded in the Arlong Park. Had to encounter Kuma at Thriller bark that left him wounded in Shabondy. He fought wounded in Shabondy arc as well. I didn't say however that he was unhealthy all the time

 

[kmrasengan]

I think that there is a misconception with some of the posters here, OP is stating that Zoro lost his substance, which has nothing to do with his strength or the kind of battles he is fighting.

If you look objectivity what Zoro is bringing to the table each arc, you could say that he isn't a very colorful and entertaining character.

He has a habit of disappearing or being occupied during the biggest part of an arc only to come back to finish his fight against a big bad at the end.

I agree with this statement that Zoro became a predictable shell of his former self. If you compare him to pre-skip he got a bit more attention and also his past came more into play. But if you look now you'll see that he received little to none character development lately. His backstory might've carried him up till part 1, but eventually the kuina falling off the staircase and the Taishigi thing is also played out at some point. I still Oda worked that out a bit more. During Punk Hazard they met again but nothing happened. Also what about his swords, when will the expend more into that territory.

Sadly Zoro became a tool in Oda's toolkit and he utilizes him as the typical shonen grumpy protagonist to cut down a baddie at the end.

Even Kin'emon and Franky, Robin and Usopp got more time to shine during the current arcs to explore and do other stuff.

I think the only 2 characters who have it worse than Zoro are Chopper and Brook at this point. Why the hell are those two even around anymore ?

Yeah, I'm with you on the Brook subject, I would really like for him to show more, same with Chopper, perhaps in future arcs.