doodled Star
THIS SMILE
This scene illustrates something I think is really important and overlooked about Zoro and Nami’s relationship. And to be clear, I’m not talking a romantic relationship, just a relationship between two people.
I’ve mentioned before how Zoro and Nami carry the emotional balance of the crew, how when one of them is worried or freaking out the other will be calm, and vice versa. Zoro and Nami are characters that carry a lot of authority on the crew. Hardly anybody will outright refuse to do what one of them says when they bother to use that authority, and they both seem to be aware of each other’s role without having to discuss it.
Zoro feels the weight of responsibility more than anyone else on the crew, and I think he wants to reassure people that he can handle that responsibility by being strong and reliable. And to him, that means acting reserved and stoic. Zoro is, ultimately, a shy and awkward guy who doesn’t know how to express his feelings.
But Nami is the other person who carries that weight, and this is how Zoro reacts to Nami when he thinks the two of them are completely alone. He has this open, sunny, trusting smile. He, with all his pride, can be honest and a little embarrassed about getting lost. He doesn’t feel the need to act tough around her because he knows Nami understands something about him that nobody else on the crew does.
As the main two characters who manage Luffy, of course a lot of Zoro and Nami’s relationship hinges on their respective relationships with Luffy. But they also have their own relationship with each other and that’s one of my favorite dynamics in the series.
Also Oda, let our boy smile like this again, please. He deserves it. WE deserve it.
