Blackbeard, a name synonymous with mystery and danger, is steadily becoming one of the final battles in One Piece. As a ruthless and calculating villain, his possession of two of the most powerful Devil Fruits— the Dark-Dark Fruit and the Quake-Quake Fruit— makes him an unpredictable and formidable foe. These abilities, combined with his cunning, make him one of the greatest threats in the series.
Throughout the One Piece saga, Blackbeard’s actions reveal that he’s far from just a brute force villain. Despite his seemingly unassuming intelligence, he has carefully orchestrated his rise to power. By manipulating his Devil Fruits to their fullest potential, he has gained an upper hand over many powerful opponents. Notably, his strategic choices in picking battles reveal a tactical mind at work, choosing enemies whose weaknesses align with his strengths.
The Dark-Dark and Quake-Quake Fruits: A Double Advantage
Shanks and BlackBeard
Blackbeard’s abilities come from two Devil Fruits, an anomaly in One Piece, where one person can usually only possess one. The Dark-Dark Fruit grants him the ability to manipulate gravity and create a black hole-like force, but its most significant power is the ability to nullify other Devil Fruit abilities upon contact. This advantage allows Blackbeard to weaken his foes quickly.
The second Devil Fruit, the Quake-Quake Fruit, allows Blackbeard to create devastating shockwaves and tremors. This combination of powers makes him not just strong, but also extremely dangerous. His ability to cancel Devil Fruit powers and create massive destruction puts him on an entirely different level. Yet, his intelligence and tactical decisions are what really raise his threat.
A Plan Focused on Devil Fruit Users
Blackbeard V/S Luffy (Credits: Toei Animation)
Blackbeard’s focus on targeting Devil Fruit users is a key part of his strategy. He has been able to exploit his powers against characters who are overly reliant on their Devil Fruits. By nullifying their abilities, Blackbeard essentially leaves them vulnerable, ensuring an easy win. This approach is evident in his encounters with foes like Ace, Law, and Boa Hancock.
However, Blackbeard has also been careful about avoiding battles with characters who heavily rely on Haki, such as Garp and Shanks. Haki, especially when wielded by powerful users, would be a significant disadvantage for him, as it can bypass the powers of the Dark-Dark Fruit. Blackbeard’s unique ability suffers when faced with the raw power of Haki, which could overwhelm him.
Avoiding Strong Haki Users
Blackbeard V/S Luffy (Credits: Toei Animation)
Strong Haki users pose a major threat to Blackbeard. The reason he likely avoids these enemies is that their raw power counters his ability to manipulate Devil Fruits. Blackbeard’s reliance on his Devil Fruits would make him vulnerable to such attacks. Characters like Garp or Shanks, who can use advanced Haki, could potentially overpower him, especially since his own power is weakened by Haki attacks.
This is why Blackbeard tends to target characters whose main strength lies in their Devil Fruits, as opposed to those who are skilled in Haki. Although some Devil Fruit users like Law and Boa Hancock also wield Haki, their focus on their Devil Fruit powers gives Blackbeard the upper hand. By avoiding Haki users, he ensures that he is not at a disadvantage in battle.
Dandadan became one of the most successful anime series of 2024, grabbing audiences with its gripping storyline, stunning animation, and memorable characters. For long-time anime fans, a strong cast of characters is crucial for any series to succeed, and Dandadan does not disappoint in this aspect. Unlike some anime that struggle with developing their characters, this series excels at crafting characters that resonate deeply with viewers.
While the show boasts a diverse and fascinating cast, the two protagonists—Okarun and Momo Ayase—stand out the most. Though the characters have different passions, their shared curiosity binds them together throughout the series. Yukinobu Tatsu, the author behind Dandadan, has a deep connection with each character, making it hard for him to pick a favorite. In an interview with Shonen Jump+, he revealed that Momo Ayase is, in fact, his favorite character.
Yukinobu Tatsu’s Affection for Momo Ayase
Dandadan Episode 10 Still
Tatsu shared that he is so fond of Momo Ayase that he would often redraw her whenever he felt that she wasn’t “cute enough.” This dedication sometimes caused delays in the production of Dandadan, but Tatsu’s commitment to his characters is clear. He also compared Momo to Superman, explaining that while Superman’s superpowers are important, his true influence comes from inspiring others to stand up against injustice.
In the same way, Momo’s words and actions motivate those around her to take a stand. Her courage and determination to do what’s right, even in difficult circumstances, give others the strength to rise up, just like Superman does in the face of evil. Tatsu’s comparison highlights the empowering and inspirational qualities of Momo, making her more than just a character in the story.
Tatsu’s Insights on Dandadan’s Creation and Inspirations
Bamora from Dandadan (cc: Yukinobu Tatsu)
Yukinobu Tatsu also spoke about the scene that stood out the most to him: when a cow is taken by a UFO. According to Tatsu, this scene felt like everything finally came together in a meaningful way. The author also shared that since COVID-19, he works alone while his assistants operate remotely. Despite this shift, Tatsu remains focused on his mission to entertain and bring joy to his fans.
Tatsu’s commitment to researching Japanese folklore plays a significant role in Dandadan’s world-building. He spends considerable time studying various aspects of folklore to incorporate these elements into the story. The creatures and occult themes in the series are inspired by his go into Japan’s rich cultural heritage, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
Where to Read Dandadan
Fans who want to investigate deeper into the Dandadan universe can check out the manga, available through official platforms like Shonen Jump+. The interview with Tatsu reveals so much about his creative process and his passion for his work, making it a must-read for any Dandadan fan.
