Many One Piece Fans Are Disappointed With Oda For Not Making Usopp Stronger
For years, One Piece fans have looked forward to the day Usopp would finally get the power-up worthy of his dreams — and many believed that moment would arrive in the current saga. Instead, recent chapters have left a noticeable portion of the fandom frustrated and disappointed with Eiichiro Oda for not making Usopp significantly stronger, especially as the series barrels toward its endgame. Social media is filled with posts lamenting how one of the most relatable and emotionally rich Straw Hats has been left behind while the rest of the crew continues to soar in strength.
To these fans, it isn’t just about raw power levels — it’s about payoff. After Enies Lobby, Dressrosa, and Whole Cake Island teased Usopp’s growth as a sniper, liar-turned-hero, and future “brave warrior of the sea,” many expected the final saga to give him a defining leap forward. Instead, compared to Luffy’s god-like power-ups, Zoro and Sanji’s monster trio upgrades, and even the dramatic growth of characters like Robin and Jinbe, Usopp still feels stuck in the shadow of his own potential.
The God Valley Arc Has Taken Over the Fandom
Adding to the complicated feelings around Usopp’s development is the fact that all of this is happening during one of the most celebrated stretches of the manga: the God Valley flashback. The God Valley Incident has become one of the most captivating storylines in One Piece history, and many fans aren’t ready for it to end. 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 of One Piece, revealing long-hidden secrets about the Celestial Dragons and the early days of piracy. For many, it’s a rare glimpse into the “true history” of the world, something fans have been waiting for since the manga’s earliest chapters. While readers are glued to every panel involving legends of the old era, some can’t help but worry that by the time the story fully returns to the present, characters like Usopp will have even less time to receive the development they deserve.
Fans Don’t Want to Return to the Straw Hats — But They’re Worried for Usopp
Ironically, a lot of fans are openly saying they don’t want to go back to the Straw Hats yet, because the God Valley storyline feels like the most thrilling part of One Piece in years — with its dark tone, intense storytelling, and lore-heavy revelations. While Luffy and his crew are the heart of the series, the God Valley storyline offers something entirely different: a look at the legends and events that shaped everything we know.
One fan summed it up best on X (formerly Twitter): “If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream.” That sentiment reflects how deeply invested readers are in the past — but hidden in those reactions is another fear: when the story does return to the Straw Hats, will Oda actually give long-awaited underdogs like Usopp the spotlight?
Many fans argue that Usopp, more than almost anyone, needed the final saga to validate his character arc: the coward who lies about bravery slowly becoming the hero he pretends to be. Instead, some feel he’s been relegated to background reactions and light comic relief, especially in comparison to the insane feats around him.
Why Usopp’s Lack of Growth Hurts So Much
The disappointment surrounding Usopp isn’t only power-scaling frustration — it’s emotional. From his tearful stand in Syrup Village to his legendary “God Usopp” moment in Dressrosa, he’s always been the character who fights while terrified, making his victories feel raw and human. Fans expected the final saga to reward that emotional journey with a tangible evolution in combat and leadership.
Common criticisms include:
- No major new technique or sniper feat on the level of his past big moments.
- Little use of Observation Haki, despite earlier hints he might become one of the crew’s most gifted long-range sensors.
- Few chances to outsmart enemies in the creative, trickster-style way that defined his best fights.
With the world growing more dangerous and god-like powers becoming the norm, fans feel there was room — and narrative need — for a “human-scaled” growth moment that showed Usopp could still stand tall in a god-tier world.
A Testament to Oda’s Storytelling and Legacy
At the same time, even many frustrated fans acknowledge that their disappointment comes from a place of love — for both Usopp and Oda’s storytelling. The enthusiasm surrounding the God Valley flashback underscores Eiichiro Oda’s enduring genius as a storyteller. After more than two decades, he continues to surprise fans by revealing layers of history that connect generations of pirates, marines, and rulers.
The arc’s pacing, emotion, and scope have reminded readers of One Piece’s golden era — a blend of mystery, world-building, and drama that few series can match. Even as some fans fear that returning to the Straw Hats will slow the story’s momentum, others believe this balance between past and present is what makes One Piece timeless.
And that’s where the hope for Usopp still lives: Oda has a long history of saving big moments for when fans least expect them. Whether the flashback ends soon or continues, the God Valley saga has already cemented itself as one of the most powerful and defining chapters in the series’ history. Many readers are now just hoping that when the story fully returns to the present, the same level of care will be given to characters like Usopp — so that the “brave warrior of the sea” can finally become as strong as his lies always said he was.
