One Piece has its fair share of criticisms, and fake-out deaths are one of them. From Igaram to Pell, there was a series of moments that paved the way for fake deaths in the anime. Luffy is no exception to that, especially with the sheer amount of plot armor in the series, but there is a catch to that as well.
While Oda heavily incorporated plot armor in his writing, Goku’s character in the Dragon Ball series takes it to a whole new level. So much so that the character may have even abused this element, as pointed out by several fans. It does, however, tie in well with Oda’s death-baiting aspect in his series.
Goku and the overuse of plot armor
Goku, as we all know, is one of the strongest Saiyans in the Dragon Ball universe. His journey to becoming one of the most powerful fighters is ridden with complexities as well as perils. This is especially true for him, witnessing his loved ones die in front of him.
From Future Trunks to Grandpa Gohan, the Saiyan experienced some of the most heartbreaking moments in the series. The deaths of his close ones and family were something that scarred the viewers as well. But nothing comes close to him witnessing his best friend’s demise.
Krillin’s death ultimately triggered the Saiyan’s transformation in the battle against Frieza. But surely, both Krillin and Kakarot have something in common other than their flair for fighting. That is, both characters are victims of plot armor, but the Saiyan may have overused it.
As aptly pointed out by the YouTuber @weebcommander, Kakarot being saved from death twice is a clear case of plot armor. But here’s the thing: not just twice, but the Saiyan has been saved almost three times. Thrice in the canon and twice in the alternate timeline.
Interestingly, though, the plot armor has become the norm in most Shonen series. And though Dragon Ball may have overused it, Oda is no exception, considering the fakeout deaths that fit in perfectly with the plot device. The series does, indeed, live up to the title of King of Deathbaiting.
Deathbaiting in the One Piece series
Plot armor isn’t the worst thing to happen to the One Piece series, but the amount of “fake deaths” is sure to bamboozle most fans. From Pell the Falcon to Bellamy, the series has innumerable instances where the characters are saved by the towering influence of the plot armor.
This applies to Luffy, as well as other straw hats, who are inadvertently ridden with the plot armor. This would be contentious for the most part, but Ace’s death is one such example where the Straw Hat nearly escaped Akainu’s magma punch.
To add to that, Zoro escaping death on several occasions is another classic case of death-baiting. But it has more to do with the incessant plot armor in the series. His fights in both Loguetown Arc as well as Little Garden Arc are some perfect examples of his surviving fatal injuries.
Other than that, the series set the stage for such moments in the early arcs where even Sanji and Usopp survived fatal blows. Call it a miracle, but it is all in the name of plot armor nonetheless. And though it might eventually anger some fans, it is what it is.
Overall, both One Piece and Dragon Ball excessively used plot armor, yet the latter took it to a whole new level.
One Piece and Dragon Ball Z is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
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