Something That Haunts Me Is How Kuraigana Island Is An Extension Of Thriller Bark. The General Aesthetic,

i adore how zoro and luffy are oftentimes put on an equal level.

like initially, their main parallels exist in shanks and mihawks. even if you remove their connections to zoro and luffy, both interpersonal and as their heroes/fated rivals/some indescribable in between, and how eventually both of zoro and luffy’s narratives will circle back to them respectively; they are blatant parallels to one another on even a character trait level. mihawk and shanks, who were always equally matched in combat, are zoro and luffy's counterparts.

next is how they are each other's weaknesses. luffy is famously, and terrifyingly, susceptible to cutting attacks. after the strawhats have achieved their goals, in concept, luffy's ultimate weakness would be zoro; the world's greatest swordsman. luffy's first mate is his achilles heel. but of course that will never matter, because what would have been his ultimate threat is his strongest companion, his most devote follower, of whom there is no one he trusts more to eternally stand by his side. zoro is equivalent; he is a power focused fighter, strong and fatal, and luffy is agile and inventive, his natural opposite.

additionally is how their dreams balance. luffy, the captain, and his dream that yearns for unparalleled freedom. zoro, the swordsman, who's dream aches for untouchable power. zoro facilitates and protects luffy's dream of ultimate freedom, using his drive of power to be his dearest soldier. while luffy catalysed zoro's direction and puts him in positions to closer attain ultimate strength every day, whereas he existed in limbo without him. luffy's drive of freedom rid zoro of his aimlessness.

lastly, there are so many small moments where they are intended to be viewed as coequal, something closer to partners. them both dying in onigashima then waking up in the same moment, them both being supernovas, kuma accepting zoro's life instead of luffy; equating them in value in thriller bark, them both having supreme king haki, etc. is there nothing more indicative of being equals than two conquerors, harmonious together?

i think a lot of it stems from how zoro's devotion is an outlier. zoro's devotion, at it's foundations, is something so precious because he doesn't need to be luffy's follower, but he wants to be. every enemy pre-timeskip is confused that zoro is the one taking orders, his sheer power and 'kingly qualities' could make him an infamous captain in his own right, and that's a constant theme in his worship. zoro wants to follow, he loves answering to and trusting luffy to make the decisions that's best for them. if zoro had the gnaw for leadership he would thrive doing so, and that makes his loyalty all the more momentous. they could be equals, and there are so many subtle moments where they are shown to be as such, but zoro doesn't want that. he happily stands on the stair beneath luffy just to have the privilege of being allowed to look up at him.

i adore how zoro and luffy are oftentimes put on an equal level, but zoro chooses to revere and follow regardless.

Finally watching the raid on Onigashima and my luzo brain has never been more fed. The sheer amount of times Zoro has said the word captain and jumped in behind luffy is making me dizzy lmao

👒"If we fight the Navy together now, you'll be a Government-defying villain! Would you prefer that or being killed like this?" ⚔️"What are you, the devil's son?! Well, whatever. I will be your pirate, if I'm just gonna die here instead!"

I love the One Piece OVA so much. We get to see OP animated in 90s style, and also the boys are just so chill and we even get to hear Zoro's laugh. I miss early OP wholesomeness.

Zoro: I wonder what happened to Nami.

Luffy: Dunno. She's probably alive. We're alive right?

Zoro: Got that right.

*laughs hysterically*

Such a dumbass4dumbass conversation. I really love seeing them laughing together but they literally saw her get eaten by a Sea monster lmao. What a bunch of idiots!

Also, the way Zoro looked at Nami then at Luffy tho. I love the Romance dawn trio sm.

Nami is so pretty in this artstyle ♡

More ZoLu crumbs

"Zoro, let's go." "Yeah"

they never change♡

i’ve always smiled at the idea of taller zoro, shorter luffy as young adults until zoro seems to mellow out and luffy grows three heads as they get into their 30-40s, swapping builds.

zoro suddenly has to deal with a captain who already loves to fling him about, now doing so at maximum efficiency, and luffy loves the hugs he can give everyone with the size advantage. it’s such a sweetly funny thing to imagine

techno is in charge of the pizza money when dadza is out

One piece ships + taking bullets for each other

Imagine old men Zolu but they are both in their 60s and Luffy would still fling himself on to Zoro's back for a piggyback ride. Luffy, who is as large as Garp, and Zoro, who has chronic back pain but Luffy would still insist Zoro to carry him as if they were still 19 and 21.

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But it's actually 60 yo Zoro sitting in front of Luffy's grave imagining a future IF Luffy did lived longer because Luffy didn't live pass his forties. He would rather suffer tha pain of having a giant Luffy hurting his back than his current life where Luffy isn't there anymore.