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short thread on Portgas D. Ace
what amazes me about this exchange between Garp and Ace is how he wasn’t looking for any sort of sympathy or consolation behind his question. he just genuinely wanted to know if his life had meaning; if there was a purpose behind simply existing in the face of worldwide animosity
for Ace, joining Whitebeards fleet never indicated resignation, he never gave up that freedom he aspired to reach. he saw them as family he wanted to support, rather than a power he was obedient to. he never wanted to resign his fate to anyone nor live with that regret
i just find it incredible how Ace wasn’t even able to realize his own dream because of the people he considered to be family. “Living a life without regrets” became unachievable once he passed away, due to lamenting the fact that he’ll never see Luffy become king of the pirates.
and its this contradiction that makes his character so special. that same attachment he desired resulted in the inability to accomplish his presumed self-fulfillment. that family came at a cost, and it’s that sudden realization in his final words that makes his death so impactful
his impulsive, brash, and unhinged behavior is layered within those relationships he’s formed. his confrontation with akainu is the pinnacle of all the humiliation he’s faced throughout his entire life due to being the son of Roger. those pent up emotions exploded into aggression
it was a mistake that aligned with who he was as a person. a key character flaw that highlights the impact family had on his actions and behavior. regardless of it being an incorrect decision, if he ignored Akainu, that would go against everything he wished for and represented
Whitebeard’s arrival showcased that internalized conflict consuming ace. on one hand, he was mad at them for not letting him bear the consequences of his actions alone, but on the other, he was genuinely moved to tears because of how much they cared for him.
he didn’t want to let their kindness go to waste, and chose to persist through in the face of adversity, calling back to garp and ace’s initial exchange. instead of doubting the value of his own existence, he’s determined to continue living even after everything he’s been through
trivialities and everyday occurrences evolve and expound into paramount circumstances. simple acts of kindness can go a long way. and this compassion is exemplified through ace and oars jr’s relationship, where he made a kasa hat to merely protect him from the weather.
a mundane display of affection in turn led to a giant risking life and limb to rescue the pirate. it’s a straightforward yet effective way of communicating the value small exchanges have in our lives
ace continuously reciprocates these kind of emotions. going to the extent of even personally thanking those who’ve helped and supported his little brother. whether they’re strangers or family, that same level of familiarity persists through every single one of his encounters.
the time he spent in Wano with o-tama demonstrates his kindheartedness. he sympathized with the level of motivation she had towards accomplishing her aspirations, and in a sense, i feel like it reminded him of his childhood with luffy and sabo.
he’s the personification of selflessness. being chained to a wall in the highest level security prison in the world yet he’s relieved about the fact that luffy has crew mates he can depend on. i love how his conversation with jinbei illustrates his influence and altruistic nature
if his life never carried any meaning then what was the point behind his mother’s sacrifice? that guilt weighs down on him heavily, and i believe that it’s part of the reason why he chose to deny that fate in the first place. he didn’t want to accept that Rouge died in vain-
rather that her death became the impetus for something great; an undying will that is passed on to the next generation, seen through ace and luffy’s brotherhood.
only living in the moment, choosing a short life of freedom rather than a long one of compliance, encapsulates ace’s character for me.
Ace’s journey was both tragic and heartwarming. throughout his life we bear witness to the value of human connection, and how those bonds are equally fulfilling and terrifying. he died protecting those close to him, and found meaning in life through his eventual sacrifice
