Big Mom and Kaido’s Downfalls in One Piece: An Examination of the Wano Arc’s Themes

The Wano arc of One Piece concluded with the downfall of both Kaido and Big Mom at the same time. This outcome solidified Luffy’s increased strength and his position as one of the new rulers of the sea, alongside Blackbeard. However, some fans were disappointed with the underwhelming departure of Kaido and Big Mom.

Despite frequent discussions among the One Piece fandom about the significance of their deaths, the people of Wano, who were the true victims of Kaido’s tyranny, remain unaware. Despite the popular sentiment, the themes and narrative of the entire Wano arc suggest that this may not be the case.

Please be aware that this article contains spoilers for the One Piece series.

One Piece: Kaido and Big Mom’s Offscreen Defeats in Line with Arc’s Theme

Kaido as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Wano arc has gained immense popularity in the One Piece community, thanks to its powerful themes and extensive duration of almost four years. Through showcasing the enslavement of Wano by Kaido and Orochi, who exploited the land to produce artificial Devil Fruits and poisoned the population, the arc successfully established them as the primary antagonists.

Despite the conclusion of the arc, where Kaido, Orochi, and Big Mom met their demise, going unnoticed by the people of Wano, a significant portion of the fandom was left disappointed. While some may view the subtle deaths of these characters as a poor writing choice, the underlying themes of Wano suggest that it was a well-integrated decision within the story.

The fire festival held in Wano is a way to honor and remember the deceased, as the lanterns released into the sky represent the living’s emotions reaching their loved ones. This annual celebration allows the people of Wano to freely express themselves and experience happiness. The focus of the festival’s symbolism is on the revival of the Kozuki clan and the rightful restoration of their authority.

Momonosuke as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Red Scabbards, who carry the will of Oden, represent the ghosts that plague Orochi and serve as a constant reminder of his heinous deeds. These formidable warriors, whom Orochi dreaded above all, roamed through Wano like restless spirits, seeking retribution against their oppressor.

At the end of the arc, Kaido and Orochi were secretly defeated without the public’s knowledge, and Momonosuke and the Red Scabbards made a surprise reappearance before the people. This unexpected return could be seen as the culmination of their wish for freedom during the festival, and the night of celebration marked the end of years of hardship. The defeat of Big Mom, who was silenced by Law’s attack, further emphasizes this theme.

The surreptitious manner in which Kaido and Big Mom were defeated enables the citizens of Wano to prolong the fire festival indefinitely, representing a fresh era of liberation for the country.

Concluding Remarks

The Gorosei as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Egghead Island arc, which is currently coming to a close, followed the Wano arc. In chapter 1122, Joyboy unleashes his haki from the past, adding to the excitement of the arc.

The latest installment of the Egghead Island arc also uncovered the fact that Joyboy’s Haki possessed the strength to reverse the Gorosei’s transformation and return them to Marijoa. The much-anticipated One Piece chapter 1123, set to release on August 18, 2024, will unveil the thrilling finale of the Egghead Island arc.

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