ZOROBIN: SKYPIEA ARC - 2
(previous Skypiea arc article here)

The story arc of Skypiea, or "The Isle of Heaven", is the first in which Nico Robin acts as a member of the Straw Hat crew. It is also the narrative arc in which the relationship between Robin and Zoro solidifies to become constant throughout the course of the series, like an underground river, but very present for those readers who observe carefully. From the titles of volume 29 we see many traces for a future relationship between Robin and Zoro. The narrative arc of Skypiea begins from chapters 217-234 (volumes 24-25), in which there is the prelude to the island of Jaya, from which they will leave for the Isle of Heaven, and where the entire arc will develop from chapter 235 to 302 (volumes 25-32)

In particular, look at the titles of the chapters of volume 29, entitled "Oratorio", they are almost all related to ... musical moments! In particular, the serenade and the suite are romantic music.

Titolo: Oratorio
Capitolo 265: Robin vs Yama (Robin against priest Yama)
Capitolo 266: Chopper vs Ohm
Capitolo 267: Marcia
Capitolo 268: Suite
Capitolo 269: Concerto (Zoro saves Nami and Aisha from Wiper)
Capitolo 270: Serenata (Ener strikes Laki by lightning)
Capitolo 271: Zoro vs Ohm
Capitolo 272: Play
Capitolo 273: Quintetto
Capitolo 274: Oratorio (Robin is hit from Ener's lightning)
Capitolo 275: Divina Commedia (Zoro wants to avenge Robin)

In chapter 265, "Robin vs. Yama", Robin is the main protagonist: but on the cover there is Zoro! Zoro is sitting in front of a temple on a rainy day and a squirrel hands him an umbrella-leaf, so that he too can take cover. Well, the squirrel has the same belly that Zoro carries; also, Robin likes cute things, like the squirrel, and the animal can be Robin's way of seeing Zoro. Not to mention that the concept of two people under an umbrella, as the image suggests, in Japan symbolizes two engaged couples. Basically, in this cover, Robin asks Zoro to be with her.

Chapter 268 is titled "suite": it is a French term for a particular type of music that implies courtship. In fact, "suite" has the same root as "suivre", which means "to follow", and to woo, in the broad sense, is to follow. It is not an arbitrary interpretation: the suite is ballet music, and a French love film was called "French Suite" (2014), and the title was taken from a novel of the same name. On the cover, Robin is stroking a wolf with scars: the animal symbolizes Zoro (and embodies his danger: when Zoro confronts Monet in the story arc of Punk Hazard, he compares himself to a wild animal). In the Robin-Zoro relationship, at least at the beginning, it is Robin who is courting Zoro, and he gradually responds to this "call". Among other things, it is necessary to add an observation: as on the left of Nico Robin there is Zoro/wolf, on the right of her there is a seal with a ball on his head , which recalls Sanji. In fact, the seal is quite surprised and annoyed by Robin's caress at the wolf, just like a Sanji jealous of all women would. Also, the seal/Sanji has a ball on his head, just like Sanji will have at Davy Back Fight.

There are two bats on the cover: why not three or four? The fact is that Zoro is the second member of Luffy's crew, and his number is two.

If you look at the cover of chapter 107, where Zoro's presence is prevalent on a symbolic level, there are connections. The moon (the title of chapter 107 speaks of "moonlight"); the bats: Usopp drew in chap107 a bat with a flower (and the flower is a symbol of Robin).

Also, on the temple cover of chapter 265 "Robin vs Yama" you can see a symbol that looks like two hearts put together. Also, it is seen that it is the same symbol is on Robin's t-shirt in cover 268 and in the movie "The holy cursed sword" (it is the fifth One Piece film made in 2004). In that film, Zoro abandons the crew and Robin is the only one who still believes him. The word "dark" and the black of the T-shirt put Robin in relationship with Zoro, a "dark" character like Robin herself, nicknamed "the demonic child".

The cover of chapter 269, "Concerto", shows Robin watching Zoro, while he is playing a Japanese musical instrument: it recalls the "concert" of the title, with Zoro playing for Robin. Also, behind Zoro there are two cranes: the bird is the symbol of Robin, in particular the crane, and the cranes are two, the number of Zoro: it is another Zorobin moment.

(Continues here)

HERE ARE ALL THE ZOROBIN LINKS

Edited by joe 7 - 5/11/2022, 14:03