Yasuie's Role in One Piece: Delving into Zoro's Anime Farewell

The most recent One Piece episode, which was unique to the anime, has been praised by many manga readers for its skillful handling of original content. Fans who have followed the original manga's Wano arc appreciated how the episode tied up loose ends and delved deeper into certain character interactions.

One standout moment in the recent episode was Roronoa Zoro's visit to two graves, one of which belonged to Shimotsuki Yasuie, also known as Tonoyasu or Yasu. Yasuie was a member of the Shimotsuki Family, residing in Ebisu Town, and was also the adoptive father of Toko.

One Piece’s Shimotsuki Yasuie an understated MVP of the Wano arc and the Onigashima Raid

Many fans struggled to recall Yasuie and his significance in the long Wano arc, as he only had a notable impact in the early and middle parts of the story. This led to confusion over Zoro's decision to visit his grave.

Who is Yasuie? Explained

Shimotsuki Yasuie, a character in One Piece, was first introduced during the Wano arc. He was the daimyo of Hakumai and had taken in Kurozumi Orochi as a servant while the Kozuki Family ruled over Wano. He also provided shelter to Kozuki Oden after he was exiled from the Flower Capital.

When Kaido and Orochi took control of Wano, Yasuie was one of the four daimyo who resisted and fought back. However, he was the only survivor, and he adopted the name Tonoyasu, going into hiding in Ebisu Town. It was there that he met and adopted Toko, ultimately eating a failed SMILE Fruit after Toko unintentionally consumed one out of hunger.

At some point after, Toko was sold to the Flower Capital, and from there, she sent back money to him. He used this money to support the people of Ebisu Town. This set up Yasuie’s first introduction in One Piece, where he met Roronoa Zoro and decided to accompany the man solely based on a positive feeling about him. This feeling was vindicated when Zoro won a lot of money gambling and took out members of the Kyoshiro family.

Yasuie began his journey in One Piece when he encountered Roronoa Zoro, deciding to join him based solely on a good impression. His faith in Zoro was validated when Zoro won big in a gamble and defeated members of the Kyoshiro family.

Yasuie then asked Zoro to return to Ebisu Town, where he introduced him to the residents and explained how they were all forced to eat SMILE Fruits in order to avoid hunger. This angered Zoro and became a driving force in his mission to overthrow Kaido and Orochi's rule. However, Yasuie was soon arrested for committing theft in the Flower Capital.

This occurred as the Kozuki Family's secret message about the Onigashima Raid was being spread. Facing a death sentence, Yasuie decided to lie and claim that he had fabricated the secret message as a prank. In the Wano arc of One Piece, Yasuie cursed Orochi and advocated for the return of the Kozuki Family before being shot to death by Orochi's soldiers, with Zoro witnessing the tragic event.

Following his passing, Zoro joined forces with Sanji and Franky to rescue Toko and recover Yasuie's remains. In a recent anime episode set after the Onigashima Raid, Yasuie was laid to rest in Kuri. Zoro paid his respects at the grave of his initial ally in Wano. Stay updated on all One Piece anime, manga, film, and live-action developments as 2023 unfolds.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the role of Shimotsuki Yasuie in One Piece. On the one hand, I appreciate the way he was used to flesh out the world of Wano and provide some backstory for the events of the arc. On the other hand, I feel like his character was ultimately underdeveloped and his death was somewhat anticlimactic.

Yasuie was introduced as a mysterious and enigmatic figure, and I was intrigued by his connection to the Shimotsuki Family and his role in the resistance against Kaido and Orochi. However, as the arc progressed, his character seemed to fade into the background, and I found myself forgetting about him for long stretches of time. When he was finally killed, I felt like his death was rushed and didn't have the emotional impact that it should have.

Overall, I think Yasuie had the potential to be a much more significant character in One Piece, but ultimately fell short of his potential. I would have liked to see more of his backstory and his interactions with other characters, and I think his death could have been handled in a more meaningful way.

One Piece Manga - 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.