The God Valley flashback has completely taken over the One Piece fandom—and in the middle of all that praise, a much harsher conversation is quietly gaining traction. As Eiichiro Oda delivers some of the most ambitious storytelling of his career through the past, many fans are looking back at the present and asking an uncomfortable question: what happened to Usopp? After Elbaf, a long-anticipated arc many believed would finally redefine him, a growing portion of the fandom feels that one of the Straw Hats has been permanently left behind.
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
The God Valley Incident has become one of the most captivating storylines in One Piece history. Eiichiro Oda’s exploration of this long-mysterious event has brought together legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Monkey D. Garp, and even the enigmatic Imu—creating a flashback that feels more like a grand historical epic than a side story.
The arc dives deep into the power struggles that shaped the modern world, exposing secrets about the Celestial Dragons and the true foundations of global power. For many longtime readers, God Valley represents something they’ve been waiting decades to see: the “real history” of the world, finally revealed. The tone is darker, the stakes are higher, and the storytelling feels almost mythological in scale.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats Yet
Surprisingly, a large part of the fandom says they don’t want to go back to the Straw Hat Pirates just yet. Social media is filled with comments praising God Valley as the most thrilling stretch of the series in years. One viral post summed up the mood perfectly: “If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.”
But beneath that excitement lies a growing frustration. When fans imagine returning to the crew—especially after Elbaf—the enthusiasm fades. For years, Elbaf was hyped as Usopp’s arc, the moment where his lies, dreams, and insecurities would finally crystallize into real growth. Instead, many readers feel that the arc came and went without delivering the long-promised payoff.
The Usopp Problem After Elbaf
For a character once defined by emotional highs like Water 7 and Enies Lobby, Usopp now feels stuck in place. Elbaf was expected to be his turning point—a land of giants that symbolized bravery, pride, and warrior culture. Yet despite the setting, Usopp’s role never truly evolved.
Fans argue that while other Straw Hats have steadily progressed—gaining new powers, deeper backstories, or narrative relevance—Usopp has been trapped in the same cycle of cowardice and comic relief. Moments that once felt charming now feel repetitive. After Elbaf, the excuse of “his time will come” no longer holds the same weight.
This has led to a harsher conclusion spreading across the fandom: not that Usopp was mishandled temporarily, but that Oda may have fundamentally abandoned his long-term growth.
A Stark Contrast to Oda’s Brilliance
What makes this criticism sting even more is the contrast with God Valley itself. The flashback has reminded readers why Oda is considered one of the greatest long-form storytellers in manga history. His ability to weave generations of characters into a single, cohesive narrative is on full display. Every chapter feels intentional, layered, and emotionally rich.
And yet, that same precision feels missing when fans look at Usopp’s trajectory. While Oda continues to elevate legends of the past, one of the series’ core protagonists feels increasingly irrelevant to the present.
A Legacy Moment for One Piece—With One Big Asterisk
The overwhelming praise for the God Valley saga underscores Oda’s enduring genius. After more than two decades, One Piece is still capable of shocking, thrilling, and emotionally overwhelming its audience. The arc has already cemented itself as one of the most defining moments in the series.
But as fans brace for a return to the Straw Hats, the conversation around Usopp refuses to fade. For many, Elbaf was the final chance—and its aftermath has left a bitter realization. While One Piece continues to soar to new heights, some believe one of its original heroes was left behind forever.
Whether that perception changes before the series ends remains to be seen. But for now, the fandom’s verdict is growing louder: God Valley proved Oda still has it—and Elbaf proved that Usopp might never get it back.
