Morgan Arc- Part I

[we_are]

We are finally into a more meatier arc, though there is still a lot of set up going on here. The Morgan Arc has two major purposes.

1. Sets up Marines
2. Establishes the character of Zoro.
3. Completes Coby's character arc (for the moment anyway)

But it also:

1. Continues Luffy's characterization
2. General world building stuff like hints about the DF that we won't really get into in this analysis.

In other words, there is a lot to unpack in this arc-- so bear with me. (it's only going to get tricker from here)

So we begin where we left off, Luffy contemplating adding Zoro and Coby calling him off of it because of “rumors” about him. And then this:



Other than further enhancing Luffy's not judging on appearance or rumor, the key thing here is Coby saying:

He's arrested because he's bad!

Remember that. It'll be important later.

They reach the Marine Base, to which Luffy is surprised they made it, and Coby is surprised that Luffy is surprised because it's basic navigation. Already, we see there's kind of something important Luffy can't do. They go eat and Luffy tells Coby should be an awesome Marine, even though Coby knows that they will be enemies. It is also revealed that the name Zoro invokes fear and so, for that matter, does Morgan's. This leads to:



Luffy's expression in the top. Stop being so cute. I can't-- -le cough-

More importantly, note Coby is pretty perceptive. He's not sure what's going on but he's got a good enough head on his shoulders to wonder why they should be just as afraid of a 'demon' as they are of a Marine--who, to Coby, are Heroes. He can't even conceive of one being terrible, as evidenced by his flat out refusal of Luffy's statement and his 'are you a dumbass?!' expression.

For Luffy's part, we will of course come to see that he's very perceptive. Also something interesting to keep in mind, he's not dumb about Marines either due to Garp.

So they reach the Marine Base and:


HMMM. Foreshadowing?

Another point of character. Luffy likes to jump in with both feet, but Coby is starting to lose his nerve. He's not yet had a push to make him take that step toward the Marines. Anyway, Luffy peers over the fence looking for Zoro. Coby repeatedly doubts that Luffy can find him, saying he's probably in a special room or--

But lo and behold
DOOM



Hnnn Zorooo.
But aside from utterly lickable earrings Zoro is first presented as dark and dangerous and terrifying. And Coby is rightly terrified, freaking the hell out over his appearance and intimidating aura




So what do we see here, pretending we know nothing about the character? That he's tied up with ropes that are “pretty easy to break”. Keep in mind, Zoro's supposed to be a strong demonic guy! So why is he just tied up with ropes?There must be something else going on here, right?



Coby jumps to so many conclusions based on the fact that townspeople are afraid to hear his name and Zoro's own reputation...which he heard from pirates.


A bit out of order here, but Luffy's reaction is just priceless.




Luffy is just like. That is so weird. I don't get it at all. Why is it so weird, Coby?
And Coby's just like this is the scariest shit ever can we get out of here now?

Now for those that follow the anime more than the manga, these panels (and this part in the anime) may cause some confusion.





Wot is this? You say. Doesn't he have to stay up there to protect that little girl? Well, no. Not at all. This will be explained a little later on, but suffice it to say for the moment, the only thing keeping him up there is the Marines, specifically Helmeppo. There is nothing stated that he promised not to escape. I suspect they did it in the anime to be more badass... but in the manga, this shows:

1. He is a man who says he is a man of his word
2. He is vulnerable here. Le what? Did I just use the “v” word? Oh yes I did. He's been stuck up there for 9 days and he wants to gtfo and continue to work on his goal.

Why does he not just do the kicking of the ass and the taking of the names? All will be revealed in time. -magic fingers-


These next few panels are...just amazing with expressions. I love Oda's expressions, they color the words so much.



We hear Luffy's confidence, but we see that he's pretty damn intrigued by this guy. He's like, I don't know what to think about it yet, but he's fascinating.



Zoro's like: That expression is completely unexpected. What the hell is going through that kid's head?




The first example of someone underestimating Luffy and thinking he's the dumbest thing ever. Coby has seen Luffy's strength but doesn't have a whole lot of confidence in it yet.

And then we meet one of the bravest people in these early arcs:




This little girl is named Rika and she's brave as shit. I mean it's one thing to sneak into a Marine Base when you're made of rubber, or even when you're an older boy, but for a little girl sneaking in to do what's right, that takes some guts.



Several subtle characterizations here.

Coby: At this stage he wants to be Marine and protect people but he is hiding behind Luffy to do it. Rather than going to stop Rika himself from approaching a dangerous criminal.

Luffy: Is no hero. What? This early? Ayep. He does what he wants and, more importantly, let other people do what they want. Since Rika chose to go in there and feed him, Luffy's not going to stop her from doing it. But he's also not going to stop Coby from stopping her if he wants to. (I wonder if this is because Garp kept trying to force him to be a Marine)

Rika: Is brave as hell not only sneaking in, but also presenting rice balls that she's never made before. (and I don't know if this was established at this point or not, but Zoro's favorite food is onigiri. D'aww)

Zoro: Is self sacrificial. We know he's been up there for 9 days and yet his main concern is for Rika's safety and trying to get her away even though he must be half starved.

Anyway, after this little dialogue, Helmeppo enters. Now these few pages are actually more about Coby and Helmeppo rather than Luffy and Zoro. Surely you jest! You say. And well yeah I do, but not in this case.




Coby is so dumb, we are inclined to say. It's obvious that this guy is a sleezeball! Obviously he's not here to save anyone--just be a jerk! And, while yes it's true that Coby is deceived by appearances--it is not necessarily a weakness but exhibits the strength his faith in the Marine institution. He has no reason to think that a Marine, someone who is supposed to protect the people, would be bad!

Yet, Coby is not dumb--because he knows what he sees right in front of his eyes after Helmeppo steals and then curb stomps Riku's onigiri because it's inedible.





His faith is starting to crack. He recognizes cruelty when he sees it.


And now to Helmeppo. Yeah we know he's an asshole. We get that. A jerk and a bully who taunts others for fun and hides behind his father's name, much in the same way Coby has hid behind Luffy, expecting Luffy to do the right thing for him. Parallels already? My goodness! Yet there is something else, too. Yes, he is a huge bully to Rika, flattening the onigiri and just being the asshole, and he does tell his father's subordinate to chuck her over the wall...yet there is this:




Yeah, he's doing it to scare the hell out of her and is a huge jerk, but as we'll see later, merely chucking her over the wall shows that he has a sliver of decency in him. But speaking of chucking her, another subtle twist on don't be fooled by appearances.

So Helmeppo is a jerk-- so that means Marines are bad right?




No, in fact this guy looks surprised at the very thought and has to be bullied into it. This also clues you into Morgan being a pretty scary-ass guy.

Anyway, Rika is tossed over the wall and saved by Luffy and we see more of Coby's realization that these are pretty awful guys.



And we also see that Coby is compassionate and cares for others.



Luffy's processing face. Something is going on. He doesn't know what, but he's storing all this information for later for when he wants to make a decision.




This is mostly evidence that Zoro promised nothin' here. He just expects Helmeppo to keep his promise. Helmeppo, meanwhile, is treating Zoro like a fly and pulling his legs off one by one.



Bloody Zoro... hnn.
Fangasming aside... What does this say right here? Zoro has no idea who Luffy is, and Luffy could very well free him, but he's protecting Luffy by trying to get him to scram.




Two things here as well!

Firstly, Zoro doesn't want to be a pirate because for him, that's giving up and he's not a criminal. This will come up again later.

Luffy says there is nothing wrong with being a pirate because he does not judge by the labels of things. A pirate is just a title for him, but nothing inherently good or bad.




Heh, another aspect of Zoro is that--he loooves the challenge. He wants Luffy to try and force him to do anything and get into a fight. See who is stronger.

But also you see that while Luffy doesn't attach labels to things, he still pays attention. Everyone thinks he's a bad guy--Luffy keeps that in mind, knowing there may be valid reasons for that but at the same time, keeps an open mind. This is important because he wants Zoro as crew.

After Zoro says, w/e, I'm not going to join you and this won't kill me, I'll stay alive anyway because I have something to do...we see a burst of his determination.



This? This is Zoro's determination. His will. Everything about him that you need to know from Mihawk, to Daz Bonez and all the way to Kuma. But for right now, this is Zoro's core. The whys we shall discover later (and along the way) but for right now, knowing this is important.


Anyway, he asks Luffy to pick up the ruined onigiri for him and Luffy's like, ew, you're gonna eat this? And when Luffy is questioning your dietary choices... Zoro insists Luffy throw it in his mouth and Luffy does and it...



Iiiis really freaking awful. I just love Oda's expressions here. There is no doubt that Zoro wants to hurk that right back up but he swallows anyway and tells Luffy to tell Rika that it was good.

This comes under a more subtle theme of OP

Gratitude.

Even though the food is awful, Rika went out of her way to make it for him--and he is grateful for what she did to help him--risking her own life to do it, mind--since she very well knows it's dangerous. Zoro shows that he is grateful in the only way he can. (Sanji would be impressed, since gratitude is his core theme in the beginning and we all know what he's like with food)

It also again emphasizes Zoro's self sacrificing nature. However, I'm sure there was a better way to do that, dude.

Luffy's expression shows that he is impressed by Zoro and is thinking he might be a pretty good guy after all.

At any rate, Riku is pleased that Zoro liked her food. Coby begins to wonder if Zoro is really bad after all and then we learn the truth.




So now Coby is discovering that, hey, Zoro isn't really a bad guy after all-- And putting together the puzzle. Being a bounty hunter is bad for pirates and criminals, so it's only natural Alvida calls Zoro a demon. But it is an activity sanctioned by the Marines.

As for Zoro himself, we see his protective nature as he's standing in front of Rika.

This scene also helps to establish a reason why Zoro is trapped the way he is. Look at his situation. He views being a pirate=being a crook=taking the easy way and failing. He can't fight the Marines because if he goes against them, he'll be labeled as one. Also, perhaps he was overwhelmed by them. Zoro is badass, yes, but he's not at the deflecting bullets stage (yet)


Rika reveals that the Morgans are the bad guys, and that they'll execute you if you disobey them. Helmeppo struts through town, making everyone bow and revealing to Luffy that he's just playing around (read: torturing) with Zoro and doesn't intend to keep his promise at all. Leading to this:



This page pretty much speaks for itself, but interesting to think about: What makes Luffy decide to ask Zoro to join him? Why not when Rika revealed he was actually a good guy?

I think it's because Luffy realizes Zoro doesn't have a whole lot of choice now. He can either stay there and die because Helmeppo lied, or fight his way out and become a fugitive. If he's going to be a fugitive, he may as well be a pirate with Luffy. This is the beginnings of Luffy wanting to protect someone else's dream when they can't.



Not much to say other than this is an awesome angle. The townspeople are freaking out because of what's going to happen with Morgan and Coby is still defending Marines, though more I think, saving Luffy's life. You can really see his anger here and is own temper, that comes with someone being unfairly treated.

Helmeppo says he'll go cry to Morgan and Luffy wants to fight him but Helmeppo runs away and Luffy says it's pointless to fight a guy like that. Why? Probably because really, Helmeppo seems like a big deal but he's really pretty weak. Buuuut



Pretty hilariously would go to keep on hitting him if it made Rika happy. And let's face it, Helmeppo kinda had it coming.




Another core factor to Luffy's character. He'll worry about the problems when they get there. Though Coby is understandably freaking out. He does not want to be caught by the Marines-- at all. Which is understandable considering he'd just been a pirate (even if not of his own free will)

And then the big guy himself.



Shades of Alvida, isn't he?

But we'll get to him next week because, my god, this is a lot to unpack. Pity me, dear readers. It's going to be a long ass haul.

(though next time I should be able to cover a few more chapters)

Theme:

The beginning of this arc further expounds upon the theme of don't judge something by appearance. Appearances can be deceiving and judging something based on rumor or expectation can cloud what's really going on.

Coby expected the Marines to be good and Zoro to be bad and the truth of it is somewhat more complicated. Helmeppo isn't really good and it's implied that Morgan is worse. Yet some subordinates show signs of not really wanting to go along with Helmeppo's demands but having little choice.

Because having Zoro as crew is important to Luffy, he takes in what's going on and figures out the nature of Zoro's character by what Zoro does and how the weakest characters (strength-wise) react to him.


Characterization:

Coby: Since it is just the beginning of the arc, he's only been nudged forward a little, but is still hampered by uncertainty of not being ready for this thing. Also, reflecting another Marine character who appears later, he has difficulty in seeing the Marines as anything other than heroes, as well they should be. Though he is not so blind as to not put the pieces together when he sees terrible things happen, he is not brave enough, yet, to step out from Luffy's shadow and confront them on his own.

Helmeppo: So far, all we know is that he is a bully that hides in his father's shadow because it gives him power. He loves tormenting people weaker than him, like Rika-- and seems to enjoy tormenting people stronger than him, like Zoro--all bolstered by the strength and measure of terror Morgan has over the town and his officers--which by the way--has only been seen in the reactions of others.

Zoro: Is of course the headliner of this arc. His core characterization is strength. He has a strong will to live and fulfill his own dreams (due to a promise to another, sort of, which we will touch on later) But he also has a very protective side and is not afraid to use intimidation to try and scare people off in order to protect them. In relation to this, he is also self-sacrificial, both in terms of displaying gratitude and trying to shoo people away. He loves a challenge and does not like to fail. Failure is just not an option for him and as long as he sees piracy as giving up, he will not join.

Luffy: Mostly continuation of the Alvida arc. He doesn't judge by appearances, but gathers evidence to make his own opinion and thinks what he wants to think. He allows people to do what they want to do just like he wants to do what he wants to do...and he gets really mad if other people's dreams are messed with.



Part II coming up next!