Few shōnen series handle character growth as gracefully as One Piece . Oda’s time skip promised to refine the Straw Hats, making each of them stronger, sharper, and more prepared for the turbulent New World. For the most part, that promise was delivered with things like Luffy’s haki, Sanji’s martial mastery, and Robin’s refined powers all elevated them. Unfortunately, not everyone emerged from the time skip better.

The most glaring victim of this narrative imbalance is Tony Tony Chopper. Once beloved as both comic relief and a surprisingly fierce fighter, Chopper now feels reduced to a mascot. Despite his pivotal role as the crew’s doctor, he has lost much of his pre-timeskip grit and presence, leaving fans wondering how such a lovable underdog suffered one of the harshest glow-do

See Full Page