Overview
- Monkey D. Dragon’s presence in One Piece has been limited, leading to questions about his significance in the overall narrative.
- Many speculate that Dragon and the Revolutionary Army are reserved for a pivotal role in the impending Final War against the World Government.
- Though he has remained largely in the background, Dragon is anticipated to emerge as a key figure during the climactic conflict, amplifying his relevance in the series.
In the expansive universe of One Piece, every faction is led by a prominent figure embodying its core values and identity. The World Government is symbolized by Imu, a mysterious ruler shrouded in secrecy, while the pirate faction is represented by Luffy and Joyboy, who stand as beacons of hope against oppression. For the Revolutionary Army, that paramount figure is none other than Monkey D. Dragon.
First introduced early in the series, Dragon is positioned as a crucial player in the overarching conflict of One Piece. However, some fans express dissatisfaction with his limited on-screen activity, arguing that despite his notoriety as a significant threat to the World Government, his actions often fall short of expectations. Let’s delve into Dragon’s role and assess whether his perceived inactivity holds any merit.
Reasons People Perceive Dragon as Ineffectual
Opportunities for Greater Impact
Dragon made his debut in the Loguetown arc, where he heroically intervened to rescue the Straw Hats from a dire fate. His arrival was dramatic, accompanied by turbulent storms that allowed the crew to escape from a precarious situation. This moment established him with an impressive reputation, but since then, his appearances in the narrative have been sporadic.
Though the Revolutionary Army plays a significant narrative role as a formidable adversary to the World Government, many fans argue that Dragon’s actions have not aligned with his formidable reputation as the ‘World’s Worst Criminal.’ Despite possessing a mysterious past and potential power, his impact on the World Government’s rule has been minimal for much of the series.
Until recent developments, such as their assault on Marijoa, the Revolutionary Army had not executed any significant plans to undermine the World Government. Although the attack on Marijoa was indeed crucial, highlighting their disruptive capabilities, it took place in Chapter 902, which is a long stretch into the series without any notable actions against their main adversary.
Even during significant events like Marineford, where many believe Dragon’s intervention could have changed the tide in favor of the allies, he was noticeably absent. This has led to critiques that Dragon adopts a more advisory role rather than taking direct combat action when it is most needed. Fans often raise the question: why did he not step in during pivotal moments in Luffy’s journey, particularly during the devastating conflicts that have unfolded over the years?
Anticipation for Future Appearances
The Bigger Picture for Dragon
From a narrative perspective, it seems that Eiichiro Oda has strategically conserved Dragon’s appearances to maximize their impact in the story’s later stages. His eventual confrontation with the World Government during the Final War is highly anticipated, and if he were showcased too soon, it could diminish the power of his eventual involvement.
Likewise, the Revolutionary Army’s delayed engagement suggests that they will play a crucial role in the Final War, potentially uniting with the pirate factions against their common enemies. With the series entering its Final Saga, especially with recent developments on Elbaf, the long-awaited participation of Dragon and the Revolutionary Army is more likely to unfold, promising to be a significant turning point in the series.
Fans eager to follow these unfolding events can catch One Piece streaming on Crunchyroll.
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