Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, held absolute dominion over the seas of the New World as one of the Four Emperors. Though her name was mentioned long ago, she made her proper debut in the Whole Cake Island arc, becoming a renowned figure in the One Piece world.
Big Mom's ambition was to establish a nation encompassing all races, and she had come close to achieving this goal. In addition, she coveted the One Piece for herself. However, her aspirations were thwarted by Roger, who reached Laugh Tale before her, thanks to the Road Poneglyph in Big Mom's possession. Despite her formidable strength, the future Pirate King chose not to engage in battle with her, a testament to her power. Given Big Mom's stature as a compelling character in One Piece, it begs the question of how Oda may have compromised her characterization. To understand this, it is necessary to initially acknowledge her accomplishments.
Her Powers
With the Story Soru no Mi under her command, Big Mom possessed the ability to seize and manipulate the souls of others. Once belonging to Mother Carmel, this Paramecia-type Devil Fruit fell into Big Mom's possession following her destructive rampage in Elbaf. Unbeknownst to the youthful Linlin, she had mistakenly consumed Mother Carmel herself. While the Devil Fruit boasted immense power, it did have certain limitations. It was incapable of extracting the soul of an individual who harbored no fear towards Big Mom.
Big Mom had the capacity to snatch an individual's entire lifespan, resulting in their immediate demise. Additionally, she could extract fragments of a person's soul to fashion homies, which she further empowered with her own soul. Even the tiniest fraction of her essence proved potent enough to birth formidable homies such as Hera, Zeus, Prometheus, and Napoleon. These uniquely crafted homies served as Big Mom's personal weapons, and she wielded them according to her whims.
Physical Strength
While Big Mom's ability, the Soru Soru no Mi, is undeniably impressive, her physical prowess is equally remarkable. Her skin is incredibly durable, rendering her impervious to ordinary attacks. Capone Bege had to meticulously devise a complex plan just to inflict damage upon her. Notably, Big Mom's vulnerability lies solely in her mental stability. In her normal state, she effortlessly withstood an assault unleashed by Luffy's Gear Fourth without breaking a sweat.
Furthermore, Big Mom exhibits her extraordinary strength by effortlessly pummeling a brachiosaurus. She effortlessly dominated Queen, who would have met his demise had Big Mom not succumbed to unconsciousness. Additionally, Big Mom engaged in a fierce confrontation with Kaido for an astonishing duration of two days, emerging unscathed. This indisputably demonstrates that she possesses a level of power that rivals, if not equals, that of Kaido.
The Downfall
Big Mom, the central antagonist of the Whole Cake Island arc, possessed an unrivaled strength that none in the arc could contend with. Both Bege and Luffy stood no chance against her, and it was only through Oda's decision to incorporate her hunger pangs and mental instability that the heroes managed to survive for another day. In the subsequent Wano Country arc, Big Mom returned, intent on leaving a lasting impression.
Her highly anticipated duel with Kaido served to further elevate her status, ultimately leading to the formation of an alliance between the two Emperors. As the raid ensued, Big Mom and Kaido effortlessly dominated the members of the Worst Generation. However, the young pirates were aware that in order to emerge victorious, they had to create a separation between the two formidable adversaries. The Supernovas skillfully orchestrated a plan to incapacitate Big Mom, requiring their utmost commitment. Finally, after meticulous execution, they succeeded, leaving Kaido isolated on the rooftop.
Big Mom recognized that reuniting with Kaido was the only logical option, but she encountered resistance from Law and Kid. The two attempted various tactics against Big Mom, but none proved successful. However, everything changed when they utilized the full potential of their Devil Fruit Awakenings. Big Mom was astonished by their newfound power, but remained confident in her own abilities. She launched numerous attacks fueled by her Devil Fruit, aiming to eliminate Law and Kid. What is perplexing is that she never chose to utilize her Haki to amplify her strength. Given Big Mom's extraordinary capabilities, it should have been a complete mismatch in favor of her, especially if she employed her Haki.
Many fans interpreted this as a deliberate move by Oda to remove Big Mom from the storyline, allowing him to focus on other characters in the final saga. The author's intention to eliminate two of the four Emperors in the same arc is comprehensible, as it enables him to conclude the narrative within a particular time frame. However, Oda's decision ultimately diminished Big Mom, who possessed a captivating backstory and an exceptional amount of power. He could have utilized her in a future arc or defeated her in a more plausible manner. The only silver lining from her skirmish with Law and Kid is the fact that her demise was not confirmed. Thus, there remains a slight possibility of her reappearance in the future.
One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
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One PieceManga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast. |
