One Piece has a lot of tragic characters but Nico Robin takes the cake and yet the plot and fans are more impacted by Ace’s story.
SUMMARY
Nico Robin and Portgas D. Ace are more similar to each other in terms of how they were treated in their past.
Robin is a main character throughout One Piece, the last Poneglyph reader and a Straw Hat, but got sidelined after Enies Lobby.
Fans expected more from her character but Oda has not utilized her well by not giving many emotionals moments or Haki whereas Ace is still grieved.
There were many characters who were close to Portgas D. Ace in One Piece in a friendly way and mourn his memory. However, there’s one character who never had the chance to meet him but their story was incredibly similar to his. If they had met, we all bet they would’ve understood each other more than anyone would.
Nico Robin was labeled the “Demon Child” for years ever since the Ohara Incident 22 years before the current timeline. She was shunned, betrayed, and insulted just for existing. Similarly, Ace was insulted and shunned for being the biological child of Gol D. Roger, who was demonized by the World Government.
Ace cries over Sabo’s “death” in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]
They both had tragic childhoods that made them question if they should even exist. The breaking point in his childhood was Sabo’s death and he even asked Garp for advice on it. Robin faced her entire people and island getting destroyed. So, despite being arguably more tragic, Nico Robin’s story hasn’t been impactful after the Enies Lobby Arc of One Piece.
Nico Robin is too important in One Piece and yet becomes underrated and sidelined after Enies Lobby
Nico Robin finds out Saul is alive in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]
Mystery surrounds Nico Robin’s character ever since her first appearance as Miss All Sunday in Little Garden. We can’t quite understand her motives, especially when she helps Luffy in Alabasta but is on Crocodile’s side. Luffy’s instincts must be top-notch because she turns out to be the only Poneglyph reader in the One Piece universe and is key to finding the titular legendary treasure.
Beyond her ability to read Poneglyphs, she is a deeply lonely and tragic character. The Straw Hats could sense this, albeit some were skeptical of her. She grew up without friends or anyone she could trust. She lost everything but gained new friends in Enies Lobby after letting herself come to terms with the fact that she wants to live. She’s even survived two Buster Calls at that point of One Piece.
However, after Enies Lobby, she hasn’t impacted the story like we expected her to. She joins the Revolutionary Army but doesn’t know Haki or anything to show for it. Her Devil Fruit, Hana Hana no Mi, is easily an overpowered one, and yet Eiichiro Oda hasn’t awakened it. Up until Elbaph and her reunion with Saul, there are also not enough emotional moments with her and the crew, not even Luffy.
Why Portgas D. Ace is more impactful as a character throughout One Piece and not just in one arc
Ace is freed from execution in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]
Ace has barely been in the overall story of One Piece but his presence is all over. He knew so many characters beyond Luffy, it was surprising but heartwarming. His younger brother also fought tooth and nail to free him, only for him to sacrifice himself. It was a huge turning point for the happy-go-lucky captain we knew who was now full of despair and grief.
That’s what makes him different from Robin. She has found her will to live and survive, while Ace wasn’t so lucky. Just when he did, he died and his last words struck everyone hard.
Still, Robin needs more impact in the story as the last Poneglyph reader and the last survivor of Ohara. No one has attempted to even kidnap her as Blackbeard did with Pudding. Oda better have some plans for her because she deserves better than being sidelined.
