Black Clover trumps One Piece with a twisted moment

The world of shonen manga is full of epic moments, dramatic scenes, and heart-wrenching events. In particular, two long-running series, One Piece and Black Clover, have showcased situations where characters are forced to react to sensitive moments in ways they wouldn’t have done normally. While both series have their fair share of shocking twists and turns, there is one moment in Black Clover that some argue surpasses one of the most gloriously twisted moments in One Piece.

In chapter 349 of Black Clover, the villain Lucius Zogratis has ingrained the idea that he is right so deeply in the mind of Sister Lily that she can’t help but carry out his desire to kill Asta, even though she still possesses her original feelings for the magicless mage. This scene is masterfully executed by mangaka Yuki Tabata, translator Taylor Engel, and letterer Annaliese “Ace” Christman. The chapter shares many similarities with Shimotsuki Yasuie’s crucifixion during One Piece’s Wano arc. Shimotsuki’s loved ones witness his death and can’t help but laugh because of the Smile Fruit. Both instances showcase situations when some outside force causes characters to react to sensitive moments in a grossly inappropriate manner, one that they would have handled very differently under normal circumstances, but are painfully aware of what they’re inadvertently doing.

While One Piece’s effort is commendable, it falls flat due to its formulaic nature that favors mystery, complex storylines, and a reliance on quantity over quality with its characters. Immediately after Shimotsuki’s execution, the story explains how the Smile Fruit came to be and how it led to the culmination of three different armies before delving into the capture of another character, the reveal of yet another character’s true identity, water torture, and then the arrival of a major villain. Aside from the uneven pace that took the focus away from Shimotsuki, the explanation of the Smile Fruit’s background highlights the series’ overreliance on withholding key information from readers. Knowing the true origins of the Smile Fruit beforehand wouldn’t have negated the impact of Shimotsuki’s death. But, by taking a fair amount of panels to unveil the mystery afterward, the series doesn’t give readers time to really mourn Shimotsuki.

Black Clover, on the other hand, is far more focused and impactful than One Piece in this instance. Not only did Black Clover’s execution avoid unnecessary distractions, but the characters involved highlight another failing in One Piece. Sister Lily is a character that readers have known about since chapter one and who shares strong ties to Asta. The fact that Sister Lily is the victim of its form of manipulation and directly affects the main character heightens the impact of the entire experience. Meanwhile, One Piece’s Shimotsuki was one of Wano’s many new characters. Although Shimotsuki had appeared before his execution, his character didn’t hold any significant importance until his crucifixion, limiting the scene’s potential. The same can’t be said of Sister Lily’s suffering. The character One Piece fans care about the most, Luffy, was only offended by the entire spectacle because he didn’t have any particular ties to him. The same can’t be said of Asta.

In conclusion, while both Black Clover and One Piece have their merits, Black Clover’s execution of this trope in chapter 349 surpasses One Piece’s handling of Shimotsuki’s crucifixion. Black Clover’s scene is more focused and impactful because it involves a well-known character who directly affects the main protagonist, while One Piece’s scene involves a relatively new character and is followed by multiple plot points that detract from the emotional impact. Both series rely on certain complexities, but Black Clover’s execution is more streamlined and doesn’t suffer from a loss of focus.

It’s also worth noting that Black Clover’s handling of this trope reflects a larger trend in modern manga and anime towards a more streamlined, focused storytelling style. As audiences become more sophisticated and demand tighter narratives, creators are being forced to find ways to deliver more impactful moments without sacrificing the overall flow and structure of the story.

This trend can be seen in other recent works like Attack on Titan, which uses a similar technique to build tension and create emotional resonance. By using a tight focus and deliberately pacing the story, these works are able to create moments of genuine emotional impact that resonate with audiences long after the story has ended.

Of course, there is no one “right” way to tell a story, and different readers will have different preferences when it comes to style and execution. However, it’s clear that Black Clover’s handling of this trope represents a significant step forward in the evolution of modern manga and anime, and is a testament to the skill and creativity of its creator, Yuki Tabata.

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