I believe it was in an SBS that Oda said that Vivi breaking down was one of the most emotional scenes for him to draw, and I can see why. Vivi has had to be so strong for so long, trying to save a people that seem intent on destroying themselves.
As far as she knows, all of her childhood guardians are dead. The last time she saw her best friend he’d been shot, and her father had been literally nailed to a wall. She’s lost so much in such a short period of time…and still no one can hear her voice.
Except the Straw Hats, who even though all seems lost continue to fight on her behalf.
this entire little sequence has a double meaning in japanese, because the word being used is 竜巻/tatsumaki. it’s the japanese word for ‘tornado/waterspout’, but the kanji spell out literally as dragon-scroll/coil. which is, of course, doubly appropriate given kaidou’s powers.
hence, a large part of the reason kaidou is specifically offended that zoro challenges him at his own game, and uses a tornado based attack right back at him.
big mom’s sword attack here, as is pretty standard for one piece, is a double-meaning pun- specifically the word 刃母/haha. 母 is the kanji for ‘mom,’ and the word 母/haha is a formal-leaning way to say 'mother’, but here one of the syllables has been replaced with 刃/ha,which isone of the kanji that means 'sword’ (it’s the same one found in the title of kimsetsu no yaiba!)
If anyone is interested in support me or getting a small commission you can buy a coffee! shares are appreciated uwu Funds going towards new drawing tablet!
