Zoro’s words to Luffy after the death of Vegapunk cause controversy among One Piece fans

Despite the tragic loss of Vegapunk, a division arose among One Piece enthusiasts due to Zoro’s blunt reaction to Luffy’s grief. Despite barely making it through their ordeal, Zoro maintained that Luffy, as one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, should not succumb to tears over Vegapunk’s passing.

Despite Zoro’s carefree attitude, many fans believe he is fiercely devoted to his comrades within the Straw Hat crew. However, there are also those who argue that Zoro’s pragmatism is a necessary survival tactic in their current life-threatening situation. This intense debate surrounding the characters’ personalities and principles, which are beloved by fans, has been sparked by the critical moment at hand.

One Piece: Zoro faces backlash after his latest comments on Luffy’s grief

Zoro criticizes Luffy for sobbing over Dr. Vegapunk's death (Image via Shueisha) — Zoro criticizes Luffy for sobbing over Dr. Vegapunk’s death (Image via Shueisha)

Despite the passing of Vegapunk, Luffy expressed a deep sense of sorrow for the loss of the brilliant scientist who played a significant role in the overarching themes of the plot. However, Zoro’s apparent lack of sympathy towards Luffy during this time was met with criticism from fans of One Piece.

The swordsman acknowledged that while Vegapunk’s passing was unfortunate, they and their allies managed to survive. They believed that Luffy, one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, would be able to handle the situation without facing any repercussions.

Roronoa Zoro as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite Zoro’s declaration, many were swift to criticize it as lacking the emotional depth typically associated with his character. Fans also noted that, considering Zoro’s own experiences with tragedy, such as his defeat by Dracule Mihawk, he would have expected Luffy to react with more care if their roles were reversed.

Despite Zoro’s practicality in the chapter, some members of the fanbase have expressed anger over the idea that he would diminish Luffy’s pain regarding Vegapunk’s death and resort to self-pity. They feel that this goes against the core principles of his character.

One Piece: Differing Views on Zoro’s Remarks

“Zoro: this is pathetic. He’s one of the four emperors now and he’s moping over one geezer dying. Yea, it didn’t make it much better,”a fan said.

“Imagine if Luffy scoffed at Zoro when he was sobbing after the whooping he took from Mihawk back in Baratie arc,”another fan said.

“Exactly. Zoro lowkey a hypocrite? “asked a fan.

Despite his status as a member of the Straw Hat crew, Zoro’s remarks sparked widespread backlash from fans on online forums and social media platforms. Numerous individuals contended that his lack of empathy went against the core values of the crew, which prioritize the importance of camaraderie and fidelity.

Some fans have theorized that if the roles were reversed and Zoro had experienced a devastating loss, Luffy would show empathy and support instead of dismissing his emotions.

“Zoro isn’t wrong though. Considering the odds that were stacked up against them, the SH’s got away with all of their allies alive + one Vegapunk. It may not have been the Prime body but it still counts. He’s being pragmatic,”said a fan while defending Zoro.

“He’s telling that to himself since he feels the same. Coping with his sake,”said a fan.

“They are the stage in the game where loose is inevitable. Kidd and his crew might be dead, Law lost his entire crew and ship except for Bepo, and the Strawhats were unable to rescue who they set out to but their crew remained intact. Zoro loves Luffy. He hates to see him upset. Now and in the future it seems inevitable. Pain for both of them is inevitable, because as long as Luffy is upset, so is Zoro. He sees it,”according to a fan.

Despite facing criticism for his reaction, there are also those who have a different perspective. These supporters argue that while Zoro’s remarks may have been straightforward, they still have some validity.

Despite the gravity of their situation, the Straw Hats and their allies narrowly avoided death. In a treacherous world like the one in One Piece, where the stakes are always high, they believe that Zoro’s practical approach serves as a crucial balance to Luffy’s more instinctive actions.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

The One Piece community has been split due to the controversy surrounding Zoro’s remarks to Luffy. This has sparked fervent discussions among fans about the swordsman’s motives and how they could impact the Straw Hat Pirates. While some have expressed disapproval towards Zoro’s lack of sensitivity, others have taken a stance in support of his perspective, acknowledging that it may be unsettling but not entirely misguided.

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