Buggy Arc- Part I

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In thematic terms, the Buggy arc:

1) Expands on themes that were introduced in the opening chapters; most notably Don't Judge by Appearance and Actions=Consequence

2) Introduce a new concept: treasure and what it means. Though this concept will be further explored in part two of this arc.



Initially, however, the bulk of the beginning of the arc is about set up and characterization. We open in on our heroes sailing around with no clear idea where they're going and hungry to boot. We get a hint of Zoro's lousy sense of direction:






Amusing as all this is, what's really interesting is what it says about Zoro's character. That bounty hunting is only a means to an end. This is a shade different from someone hunting pirates for a living and, perhaps is what allows him the freedom to be a pirate, since he seems to bear no personal grudge against them.

This scenelet also shows how capable Luffy is at understanding the truth about people, with the 'you're lost' line. Which is hilarious, besides, but it really shows that he can tell what Zoro is really saying even if Zoro isn't necessarily saying it.




Another interesting little seed of theme planted. Most pirates know how to navigate which is something Luffy has no idea how to do. This, of course, will come out more later. Also worthy of note, Zoro seems fairly casual about them not having any idea where they're going--coming up with an easy solution.

At any rate, Luffy spots a bird, rockets up to catch the bird, is carried away by the bird and Zoro rows like all heck to try and save his ass.



This further highlights Zoro as a warm-hearted kind of guy. It's one thing to protect a little girl, it's another to save people who are in the way when he has a captain to save. Granted, he doesn't stop, but he doesn't ignore their plight either. Of course these guys are Buggy's guys and try to threaten Zoro into handing over the boat or else.



Hee



And get thoroughly schooled.
Note, too, that they have heard of Zoro. This is important for later. Also, that they are quick to give after thoroughly beaten.

At any rate, they tell Zoro of the evil (but cute!) girl that put them in such dire straits. This girl is, of course, none other then Nami-- so let's take a look at what we are presented with. After finding her drifting seemingly hopeless and weak in a boat, this is one of the first shots we have of her:



Weak. Shivering. Hungry. It's easy to believe that she is telling the truth by her looks alone. Though interestingly, if what she says is so, why is her own ship so perfect and undamaged and how predominant and ornate that chest is. (the sea chest, you rubes). She offers to pay them out of the chest and the Buggy Pirates agree to help, but they want to check out what treasure they're getting first. Their greed leads to their downfall.



Not only was the chest empty, they lost the ship in the bargain! I love Nami's open happy expression here. The girl really likes doing one over on pirates. This is also an example of treasure of the monetary kind being not entirely worth it, because you can easily be tricked in the pursuit of it and, in the end, have nothing to show for it.



Nami makes a prediction here and, of course she's right. The ship sinks, leaving those guys for Zoro to pick up. So, so far, what does this tell us about Nami?

1) She's deceitful. She has no problems playing the damsel in distress part to get what she wants.
2) She's smart as a whip, not only planning this whole escapade-- but being able to read and predict weather patterns on top of it.
3) For whatever reason, she wants treasure and is willing to risk her life to get it. Since, as we've seen, those guys aren't afraid to threaten someone with death.




Zoro is pretty nonplussed about their story, mostly interested in her ability to predict weather and wondering whether or not she'll join them (showing that he's a bit of a tactical thinker as well--or at least seeing opportunities right in front of him)

Firstly, much like the previous antagonists, Buggy's men are afraid of their captain, which says something about Buggy's character. Another thing that says something about his character is the fact that Zoro has never heard of him. This seems to suggest he's not as big a deal as he will let on, considering Zoro is a bounty hunter and has no idea who this guy is.

Though it can be argued that he fell into bounty hunting and as such might not know, it makes sense too that with his need for money and general character to go after the big bounties that would make things a challenge. Buggy is apparently neither.

We see an island and then are met with Nami running.



We discover that she wants to go to the Grand Line. No... she really wants to go there. Enough so that she is risking her life to filch that map. Those guys look like serious business and we already have an idea that Buggy isn't the nicest of guys--which is confirmed here:



These guys are afraid of getting killed if they don't catch up. No telling what Buggy will do to her. So we already see that she's risking her life for her goal. Which is something we see consistently with the Strawhats, especially in the beginning where this is a major theme.

Now, for me, Buggy has always had simultaneously the best and worst luck in the world. Case in point, the bird carrying Luffy is spotted, Buggy orders it shot down and he lands right in the midst of the chase.



This is bad luck for Buggy because it gets Luffy involved. (but ultimately, in a sense, good luck as we will see much later on)

At any rate Nami, ever the opportunist, sees this as a chance, and takes it!



She gets off scotfree! Or does she? Because, whatever else she's done, she's involved herself with Luffy now. In either case, we see how much of an opportunist she is and how quick on her feet. Buggy's guys decide not to chase after her because her 'boss' is a bigger fish to fry, as it were.



At this point, treasure has been mentioned three times. The treasure that the Buggy Pirates had that Nami stole, (plus with the treasure they thought they were going to get), the Grand Line map that was Buggy's treasure (easily stolen) and Luffy's hat, which is easily knocked off. While the difference is not made clear at this part, there is a definite emphasis on the importance of treasure.

The guys attack. Luffy clobbers them easily and Nami, who is roosting nearby, is impressed and introduces herself.



She's not ashamed of who she is and what she does. In fact it's a source of pride. Plus she shows her boundaries. She only steals from pirates. In short: she steals from them what they've rightfully stolen, (to paraphrase The Princess Bride), and not from innocents.

She asks him to join up with her, knowing nothing about him other than that he's strong, and he refuses saying he's not interested.



Here we see how much 'money' makes up Nami's worldview. She defines treasure as monetary gain, and doesn't consider sentimental value. It could also be that she's seeing what exactly Luffy has on him that's valuable, so perhaps she can share the profits (or take them).

Though these couple of chapters are mostly about Nami as a character, let's take a look at our villain for this arc.



From the outset, he seems a mix of Alvida and Morgan. Supposed to be taken seriously, with all the dark shadows and evil glares, yet also with twist of the ridiculous which is easy to tell even from the first panel he appears. He seems pretty badass and dangerous, though.



And here we see his motivation. Or at least one of them. He wants to get to the Grand Line so they can start doing their 'business'. Whatever that is can't be good.



Even more serious! You can see how nervous the subordinate is and the dark shadows really add a menacing aura. But-- you can also see how careless these numbnuts are. They left the key in the lock of the safe. Way to treat a treasure there.



Difficult pun to translate is difficult, but essentially, we see that, much like Alvida and Morgan, Buggy hates to be disrespected-- and expects disrespect and people to mock his nose! (ten to one he got so much flack for it as a kid)



You can also see that, much like Morgan and Alvida, his underlings have a lot to fear from him. This was evident as everyone was terrified of his anger when they messed up.



And yet, there is some legitimacy here. He is quite badass looking in his own right. And he doesn't get mad for people not calling him what he isn't (beautiful/strong) but of a feature he has (his big red nose). But also, he has something that Alvida and Morgan don't really have. Guys behind him who don't look afraid at all, but badass. It really adds credence to the idea that he's at least somewhat competent.

Also, unlike Morgan and Alvida who were a lot of bluster and meanness, there's a sense of genuine menace about Buggy. I think it's because while Alvida isn't as strong as she seems, and Morgan is at least somewhat restrained by the navy; Buggy has no such restraints.

He orders the insulting subordinate to be blown up and here you see why Buggy is the villain, and, more importantly-- a counterpoint to Nami. (Just as Morgan was a counterpoint to Zoro. True strength vs. false strength)



Whereas Nami is taking treasure that's already been stolen, his plans involve taking from those who did not choose to become involved.



Speaking of Nami, here she is casually holed up in a stranger's house with Luffy--probably so she could discuss terms without being spotted. It's like she so used to being in places she doesn't belong, this doesn't really phase her. Also the fact that she knows the situation of the town shows that she's no way going in blind. If Nami is anything, she's calculating.



This further proves that she's been tracking this Buggy situation for a long time. This isn't even the village but some village awhile ago. Going on from what we know of Nami's character--it's possible she targeted him specifically because he decimated a village. Either way, it's a serious situation all around and we would think that Luffy would react with a similar amount of gravitas.



But nope. He's lost the sea train of conversation. It also shows that Nami has quite a temper on her-- as would anyone trying to tell Luffy things, I imagine.



Though I love that his reaction is to laugh and tell her to calm down. Like, nothing to worry about! I've got it now! He just looks so relaxed about this whole thing. I love his carefree attitude.



Nami states her goal to earn a hundred million beri and buy a 'certain village'--and that she plans to use the map she stole from Buggy to get her to the Grand Line. And here we come to one of Nami's problem of putting her foot in it.

All she knows about Luffy right now is that he is strong and also somewhat stupid. While I think that she wouldn't completely stiff him out of money for his help, she is probably planning to use his strength and cheat the hell out of him behind the scenes. It's kind of a dangerous game, but Nami has played with even higher stakes (as we'll see).

Though most of it is conjecture, the fact that she says she will 'use' his power and he'll 'get his share'. It's possible she plans to head this thing with Luffy as a sort of hired thug. She assumes, based on her own experiences, that money is what he'll be interested in. (because isn't everyone?)

But she's not entirely looking at the whole picture here, seeing strength and making a grab for it. She doesn't know anything about him. She makes the action without fully knowing what the consequences might be. She's fooled by Luffy's simple mindedness and figures--how much trouble can he be? Especially since he's a little dimwitted.



Luffy spots his chance! The target is in view! Navigator potential targeted!

And man! Look how confident Nami is! This a powerful pose she's got! As strong a pose as Luffy himself uses, flexing her muscles, clenching her fist. She may not be able to fight but Gan Fall in Skypiea does she know how to navigate! We also learn that she loves the sea, cluing us in to the fact that this is also a passion for her. For whatever reason she just loves the hell out of navigating and she's good at it.



Look into the rubbery face of your doom, Nami, and despair. I love his expression and double air punch of yay! He just feels things to the depth of his being.



Aww, Nami baby! Just look at that happy expression! It's radiating off of her! It's like she didn't expect it to be that easy and wow it was! Fantastic! And Luffy is echoing her excitement and inviting her to join up!



Wow-- change on a dime (beri?). Nami really does not like pirates. She savagely does not like them. In both glee and this hatred, she is her true self. Not masked at all or playing any sort of game. Not even for a potentially easy ride to the Grand Line.



Just love Luffy's clueless expression here. He does not know what's going on with her. But you get the sense that he's kind of passively waiting for some kind of explanation.



I just find it really interesting how she's pulled back from the seething anger here into a more; I'm miffed, pose. She obviously doesn't consider Luffy any kind of a threat--which is understandable because he doesn't exude that kind of aura (and he's really not a threat except to her sanity). And she so easily brushes him off.



Now Nami's inner suspicion is coming to play. She's like 'ah I got you puzzled out. It's obvious!' And it makes sense she think he be after some treasure, since all the pirates she's been exposed to have been the brutal type, always after treasure or money of some kind.

Luffy looks kind of irritated, understandably. She is dissing his treasure and treating it so lightly.



Look how enthusiastic he is about it. It's so cute. But he's obviously really authentic and truly himself in what he says. There is no sense that he's lying about anything here, even though the desire is such an ostensibly simple one.



You can tell that Nami almost believes him. You can see the gears turning in her head as, is this kid really that authentic? Could that be true? But even if he is a naïve little twit, she's not going to forgive him for being a pirate.



You tell him, Nacchan! Again, she really does not like pirates of any stripe. She is also stating definitively who she is. What she hates is somewhat obvious, but what she likes largely symbolic of other things. Oranges, though more accurately tangerines, or mikan... represent family and home. Money represents protection and success. We will of course look at this more when we arrive at Arlong's arc.



The claws are coming out here. He is a pirate and therefore not worthy of respect despite the fact that he saved her. She kind of wants to get revenge on him for this-- in a way, I think; she feels a sense of betrayal. He had her all good and going--excited about the Grand Line, and then he had to ruin it.




O, Nami. Your fate is sealed. Luffy doesn't care if she hates pirates. He needs a navigator :T and she's there. Nami's just like I'm trying to scheme against you here! Shut it! Also no a thousand times! Weren't you paying attention?!



But then she gets an idea! She's so adorable. Look at her scheming face XD and the little skull and cross bones lightbulb. She's like, I'm gonna use him so good. ~<3

Nami tells Luffy that she will help him out of his 'fix' on one condition, that he go visit Buggy with her. He readily agrees without even questioning why. It shows both how trusting Luffy can be, but also how even he has the sense to realize they need a navigator to get where they are going.



Oh Nami's got plans, using Luffy's own carelessness against him. Luffy really has no reason to be suspicious of her. The fact that he has no idea what is coming further emphasizes his simple mindedness. It just doesn’t occur to him that Nami would do anything bad because, as far as he can see, she’s not a bad person.



He’s so trusting of her that he’s completely blindsided by this. He doesn’t even suspect her when she starts moving and his expression is one of total shock as she pins him to the ground. Thus highlighting one of Luffy’s greatest weaknesses in not suspecting people he trusts.



We cut back to Buggy, whose men have just informed him Nami made off with the map and they couldn’t catch up to her. Buggy is understandably pissed.


And despite the clown makeup and the silly circus themed set-up, we’ve seen again just how threatening a guy he really is. He is a lot of bluster and flash and we have already seen he can back this up.


So one of Buggy’s men tell him that the thief has returned and… we see another side of Buggy’s characterization….




He speaks without thinking. ‘Okay! Bring her in!’ is such a strong commanding statement. And then the rest of him catches up to him and he has a comedic moment of what the hell? Before reverting back to commanding mode. All throughout, we’ve seen how reactionary he is and how he maintains this tough captain image while at the same time hugely self conscious of it.

The page coming up as a great set of striking characterization moments, and what is there is more than meets the eye.



Firstly, Nami is playing her huge gambit as cool as ice. She’s done this kind of thing before. Which says that Nami has to have utter self confidence in her ability to fool people. She’s found her angle and is pursuing it without hesitation.



Luffy is pissed at the betrayal, but not truly angry. If he was deeply angry about it, the ropes wouldn’t be able to hold him—even at this state. I believe that’s because she only hurt him and is not involving anyone else. If she had tricked and trapped someone else in this position that he didn’t think could get out of it or had been completely innocent, then he would be angry.



Nami is all: ‘Serves you right’and is shameless in her deceit. As far as she’s concerned, he is a pirate and therefore had it coming.



Buggy, while as flash-bang and hair-trigger reaction as he is, is not stupid. This puts him above the rank of Alvida and Morgan. While Morgan might think this kind of thing was his right, Buggy is suspicious. He expects some kind of angle from this and doesn’t think Nami is returning the map out of the kindness of her own heart.



And hoo! What a gambit this is! It takes a certain amount of downright balls to try and pull this off. It shows both her confidence and her experience in this—but also a kind of flinging herself headlong into this ploy without holding back. She has a goal and set her sights on it and is not looking back.



Essence of Buggy. Though he is very aggressive and, as we’ll see, a legitimate threat—his inner emotions sneak out all the time. No matter how much he wants to put up the front of the cool in charge captain unbothered by anything, this is unexpected and it shows. Whatever he was expecting, it wasn’t that.



And he’s completely taken in, right?

Or is he?



Whichever the case, Nami certainly thinks she’s in the clear. Not only that, she’s upped the gambit. It’s not just about the map but the treasure, too, using Luffy as her get in free card. Though there is something about that smile that seems strained. Especially when compared to here:
Brimming with confidence…




Or here:



With a con gone right.






Annd back to Luffy, who is put out and childishly grumpy at being tricked. He’s not furious at her, just miffed. He doesn’t say anything about kicking her butt or sending her flying, and I believe it’s because 1) he fully understands the consequences of being a pirate –that these kinds of things happen and it’s his own fault he was tricked. 2) She didn’t hurt anyone else and 3) he’s not particularly threatened by this situation. Yes he’s tied up and in a cage, but so far, that’s the worst of it. Nothing to worry about yet.

And finally:



The cavalry has arrived with a “Don!”, quite literally. Zoro has made it to the village and goes straight for the source of anyone who might know any information. While he doesn’t seem concerned that the village is being raided (as the Buggy Crew have told him), look at how his hand is on the unnamed swords and his stance in general.

While he’s unconcerned at whatever threat Buggy may pose, he’s not taking the situation lightly either. He knows he’s meeting a pirate captain and so needs to be prepared for it. This shows, among other things, that Zoro knows his way around the sea.


Overall:
This initial chapter of the Buggy Arc is a set up for revealing some of the complexities of the world/narrative in general. Though there is one important thing to keep in mind before delving into the characterization

Treasure: This introduces (and reintroduces) two kinds of treasure. The sentimental kind, such as Luffy's hat (and Wado Ichimonji) and the monetary kind which is what Buggy and, ostensibly Nami, value. Monetary treasure can be easily taken away by deciet or can make one become greedy, but what about sentimental treasure? Are they really so vulnerable?

Characters

Nami: Cunning and vastly intelligent. She has a deep knowledge of the weather and the seas and how to manipulate the surface appearance to fool people. There is also a sense of her friendly nature in that one instant of joy when she feels she might get Luffy to join with her on her quest, and a ton of confidence. This is a lady who knows who she is and how to work with what she’s got. She knows her advantages and presses them. She also knows how to twist a situation to fit her needs.

Nami also knows her own values and sticks to them. While it would be easy for her to rob the houses, she only robs from pirates and not innocent people. And she loathes pirates for good reason. But at her core, she has a genuine love for the sea and mapmaking. She’s not just doing this because she has to but because it’s something she loves to do and she believes in the strength of her knowledge. Almost, perhaps to the point of overconfidence. In that she’s also really reckless, risking it all for her treasure. Though what is her treasure is not what it first seems to be.

Though this is not all to Nami, and indeed, not even all to Nami as presented in this arc, this is what we are shown at first.


Buggy: Much more complex than any villain we’ve seen yet, right off the bat. He is aggressive and violent with his men, but as we’ve seen he instills some loyalty not based on fear—as judged by the confidence in Mohji and Cadaj as they flank him. He can’t stand to be disrespected, even if it’s something he imagines as with people insulting—or he thinks they insult his nose. It’s almost like a kind of paranoia. Where Alvida and Morgan expected their people to respect them, it seems sometimes as if Buggy almost fears they won’t and won’t let anything (especially about his nose) slip under the radar.

As the counterpoint to Nami, it seems he is also putting up some kind of façade, though he is not as good as Nami is to keep it and the startled moments leak through—like when he speaks without thinking or the reaction to Nami’s request. He very much falls into the rule of Everyone is a Dumbass. Also, in that as threatening as he seems, the fact that Zoro has never heard about him means that he’s not

Luffy: Nothing particularly new here except for his ability to see through to the heart of things while at the same time being able to be tricked by people he trusts. I think it’s because Nami started out so genuine that he kind of likes her and her passion and BAM tied up. But also he’s not the kind to get furious about things that happen to himself. Only when others are involved/hurt in the process.

Zoro: Is compassionate—in that he picked up the stranded guys, but also doesn’t take their bullshit. The only thing he cares about right now is getting Luffy back since Luffy is his captain and he knows better than to take any situation when dealing with a pirate captain lightly.