A quick thread about some of the ways that I think Oda used the East Blue and Baroque Works sagas to raise the stakes in One Piece, elevating it in complexity and scope and bringing it closer to god tier, a status it would later achieved at Water 7.
#OnePiece #Manga

1. Oda used the East Blue Saga to develop each member of the East Blue 4 individually (Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji), the dynamic between them, & their relationship with Luffy. By the end of the saga Oda had the readers emotionally invested in the crew collectively and individually.

2. Through Mihawk, Oda was able to telegraph Crocodile’s strength, establishing him as a credible threat. Oda understood that simply telling the readers that Crocodile was strong and dangerous would not have been enough to convey a real sense of danger.

3. Oda then put Luffy and the East Blue 4 -- 5 people the readers became emotionally connected to thanks to their development during the East Blue Saga -- in the midst of a dangerous and complicated conflict, one that felt real thanks in large to his brilliant setups.

4. Oda took time to flesh out Vivi a bit across 2 arcs: Little Garden and Drum Island. In doing so, Oda was setting up Alabasta to feel very personal, thus elevating the stakes to even greater heights. (Oden and the scabbards should serve a similar purpose for Wano.)

5. Since Oda took some time to develop Vivi, her verbal and physical confrontation with Luffy carried more emotional weight, which further elevated the stakes and made Crocodile's defeat even more rewarding, and the ending bittersweet.

6. Last but not least, through the introduction of Nico Robin, Oda greatly increased the lore of One Piece, adding to its mystery and promise, while increasing the readers' sense of wonder. From that point on the readers knew that this journey would become even more magical.

Now kneel before GOda you foolish human.