Zoro And Law Were So Unnecessarily Rude To Tashigi In Punk Hazard, And My First Reaction Was To Be Irked

Though the latest chapter was relatively short and rose more questions than it gave answers, I believe Fyodor's speech about the "dimensions" is hinting Atsushi's role in the upcoming fight against Amenogozen.

In this panel, Fyodor is clearly talking about Akutagawa, who is able to block Amenogozen's space and time attacks. What's interesting here is the choice of words.

The individual inhabits "the paper world".

Ofc, this could only be a callback to the paper that magically popped out of thin air right into Fyodor's hand, and which he stabs to demonstrate that a two-dimensional character cannot escape an attack coming from someone outside the paper.

But! It is interesting to note that it can also call back the The Book, which Fyodor referred as "our origin" in chapter 119.

Akutagawa, like any other character in BSD (minus some exceptions), is part of the Book. Therefore, that would mean he is a two-dimensional character, since his life is part of a piece of paper. Now that Fyodor controls Amenogozen a singularity which defies the logics of the BSD world, he is "a dimension higher" than the Book. Which allows him (through Amenogozen) to land attacks that seemingly "come out of nowhere" (in the panel below Amenogozen's arm comes from Aku's belly instead of piercing it from side to side)

Now, back to Atsushi. In chapter 119, Fyodor said something that I believe is the hint for Atsushi's role in the fight against Amenogozen.

Atsushi is a bookmark. Therefore, that means he's not completely part of the Book, but outside the Book. Thus, a dimension higher than the Book, on par with Gozen (dimensionally speaking, at least).

It's also interesting to note that, in the panel below, Fyodor says "us three-dimensional beings", which could mean he's including Atsushi in this label - but this is kind of a stretch imo, since he could also just be referring to Gozen and himself.

At any rate, Atsushi's role as a "bookmark" has to be relevant for the upcoming final clash against Gozen. Especially if he fights alongside Akutagawa (forget that the latter has been stabbed. He is fine. The anime says sskk will fight together and I believe it. RYU IS FINE 🥲🥲)

After all, chapter 119 has already showed us that Aku can fight on equals terms with Gozen in terms of space and time (the first two dimensions).

All he lacks is the ability to counter the thrid dimension, "depth", that only the people "outside" the Book possess. In other words, people like Atsushi. We already know that the tiger's claws can erase abilities, so I think Atsushi is able to counter Gozen's 3D attacks... theoretically speaking.

So in conclusion, I think that chapter 119 and 120 gave us the hints of what the cast needs to defeat the divine being: someone who can counter him in the two dimensions of space and time (Akutagawa), and someone who can block the attacks coming from the third (Atsushi). Which would eventually lead to the final clash the anime has teased, with sskk facing Gozen, and this famous sentence finally taking on its full meaning:

No. Technically, there is no need for more than Atsushi and Akutagawa.

Technically. As long as they manage to complete each other's weaknesses with their own strengh.

Please note that this post is merely my own interpretation of the recent chapters, from which I've built my theories. They could be a total stretch and be proven wrong in the upcoming chapters. But I firmly believe that the elements from Fyodor's villain monologue have to be relevant at some point in the future. Hopefully chapter 120.5 and its successors will provide more answers than questions...

if i had to choose him or the sun i'd be one nocturnal son of a gun

Oh boy I thought people were over the Rayleigh-Zoro parallel being a 1 for 1 thing. But I see with this chapter they're not and now they're doing the same with Sanji and Gabán.

Rayleigh was a parallel to both Zoro and Sanji and Gaban's the same.

Rayleigh's a swordsman but he also uses his legs to fight while Gabán uses two axes (which ironically makes for 3 weapons + 1 pair of legs, it's probably just chance but who knows with Oda).

Rayleigh made fun of Zoro's stupidity the same way Sanji would, he's got a got a scar similar to Zoro's.

Rayleigh's a big drinker like Zoro and Gaban's very into love like Sanji.

Gaban's linked to Wano like Zoro and they both like to stir shit up.

Both Sanji-Zoro and Gabán-Rayleigh will not hesitate to argue against their captains if they feel like it's needed, so far Gabán and Zoro have only been shown to do it when they're particularly worried (both shown in chapter 1139), meanwhile Sanji and Rayleigh will scold Luffy-Roger for more mundane stuff as much as when they're worried.

So like outwardly Gabán-Sanji and Zoro-Rayleigh parallels are super obvious but in truth it's a mix because Luffy's crew is not just a copy of Roger's.

(also don't comment by saying that both Rayleigh and Zoro are 1st mate/Vice Captain as a parallel, Oda confirmed in vol. 102's SBS Zoro isn't, which we've been knew but apparently not everyone, anyway the idea of the Strawhats having a 1st mate is just weird when them not caring about hierarchy bc they're a family is so important)

fem!chuuya for chuuya day 😋🩷

for atsushi to comment on akutagawa’s eyes here makes me crazy because of how much it means

in a manga where the artist visually portrays character mood and morality in their eyes, especially during key moments, this means a lot

atsushi recognizes those eyes… he recognizes akutagawa’s true character and his virtue, he’s no longer holding a morality bias over him

he understands him, finally…

akutagawa might not recognize him but atsushi remembers

and he understands now.

New spread :3

Well... this really doesn't seem like a good sign

motivational poster for when you, too, need a dazai osamu in your brain speaking words of wisdom to help you through times of trouble

Low key the hunting dogs are so much further detached from humanity than I think we give them credit for.

Aside from the obvious dehumanizing of themselves to characters like Sigma or Kunikida, they also just treat their bodies like objects.

Teruko punctures her own eardrums without hesitation to protect her brain.

Jouno’s first thought when being lit on fire is using his blood to cool the flames.

Tecchou says that even if they knock him down from the helicopter, he’ll just use his sword to get right back up, not even mentioning the pain.

Tachihara stabs himself with his own ability to keep his cover. When the coin bomb explodes in his hand, he’s only mildly upset that it could’ve “messed him up”, before going back to what he was doing.

Fukuchi was willing to be the centerpiece of his plot for world peace, and intentionally took the blame. It’s no mistake that his plan included his death.

Beyond all that, Teruko describes them as slaves to society. Tachihara (and I think Fukuchi also does this) refers to them as the fangs of the government.

One of the translations of Fukuchi’s speech to Fukuzawa while he’s being interrogated is that the Hunting Dogs won’t rest until they catch their prey because that’s how they were designed.

Idk just something abt the silly dog soldiers and their own humanity. Not questioning it, that’s not their place. They already know that they’re weapons.