Tokyo, Japan — October 2025 — As the One Piece fandom is currently ablaze with excitement over the unfolding God Valley arc, one surprising undercurrent has been the intensifying backlash against one of the Straw Hats: Usopp. While many fans hail the God Valley flashback as a return to gripping lore and timeless mystery, a vocal segment argues that Usopp—once widely beloved—is now suffering remarkably harsh criticism. What has changed?
The Rise of God Valley—and the Shift in Fandom Focus
The God Valley Incident arc has drawn fans deep into the history behind the world’s greatest power players. Figures like Roger, Garp, Rocks D. Xebec, and the Celestial Dragons loom large, and new revelations about Imu and “Truth” have dominated discussion. Rather than following the current-day Straw Hat crew, many readers are so enthralled by these grand historical stakes that they’ve expressed reluctance to return to the present timeline:
“If we return to the Straw Hats now, it’ll feel like waking up from a dream,” writes one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
In this environment, characters who aren’t central to the God Valley spectacle—like Usopp—are increasingly viewed as distractions or weak links. Some fans compare the moment to when side characters in other epics fade in relevance during the epic flashback chapters. The more that lore and titanic history take over, the more Usopp’s perceived limitations stand out in contrast.
Common Criticisms Laid at Usopp
Several recurring themes emerge in fan criticism of Usopp. Below are the most frequently cited grievances:
- Stagnant development / lack of power scaling
One critique is that Usopp hasn’t grown enough in the eyes of many fans. After unlocking Observation Haki during Dressrosa, he has had few standout power moments in subsequent arcs, and critics argue he has stayed in the “support / comic relief” lane rather than evolving into a more formidable fighter. (See commentary from Fanverse) - Cowardice and retreating too often
Usopp’s fear-driven behavior—hesitation, running away, expressing doubt—has always been part of his character, but some fans claim he leans into it too heavily now. Posts on Reddit accuse him of failing to act even in critical moments:
“He literally has gotten so bad … I’m having trouble continuing watching the show.”
Others lament that he used to have more moments of courage, but now seems frozen more often.
- Overreliance on tricks, gadgets, and indirect support
Some fans feel that Usopp’s role has long been as the strategist, the trickster, the ranged support—but in grand confrontations with powerful foes, they argue his contributions often feel secondary or narratively overshadowed. (One long-running forum thread directly states that “most of the time his strength was tied to his ‘coward’ personality.”) - Perceived regression or inconsistency
A frustration among critics is that after strong arcs (like Dressrosa), Usopp seems to fall back into older tropes or even regress. Some feel his flair, cleverness, or confidence have been undercut by newer arcs that emphasize fear or remove spotlight from him. - Controversy in adaptations
Separately, the One Piece remake drew backlash for how Usopp’s depiction appeared lighter in skin tone—sparking accusations of whitewashing.
While this is more about adaptation than the character in the manga, it has fueled additional negative sentiment toward how various media handle Usopp.
Why the Timing Is Amplifying the Hate
The God Valley arc’s lore-heavy momentum puts peripheral characters under sharper scrutiny. In earlier arcs, Usopp’s mixture of fear and ingenuity could feel endearing or heroic in context. But now, when fans are expecting world-shaking revelations or legendary showdowns, Usopp’s “weaker” moments are harder to reconcile with the stakes.
Moreover, when many fans are clamoring for intensity, power scaling, and clarity on ancient secrets, characters who don’t deliver spectacle are sometimes judged harshly by comparison. The contrast between lore-bearing titans and a struggling sniper can make the latter look inadequate—even if that was never the intention.
Defense of Usopp: Why Many Fans Still Love Him
Of course, not all feedback is negative. Many longtime fans remain fiercely protective of Usopp’s role and value:
- They argue that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but acting despite fear—precisely what Usopp has often done at key moments.
- They note Usopp’s many clutch contributions, such as saving allies, creating vital devices, and sacrificing his own stability in earlier arcs. (One longtime forum post lists multiple instances of him rescuing the crew in critical moments.)
- Defenders say that expecting Usopp to become a powerhouse like Luffy or Zoro misses his identity: he plays a different but essential role.
- Some posit that the criticisms come more from modern fandom expectations (power fantasy, flashier combat) than from balancing how Oda intended the story to unfold.
In fact, one recent article, “One Piece: You’re All Wrong About Usopp, And Here’s Why”, argues that much of the hate springs from misreading his narrative function and underappreciating emotional weight in his arcs.
What Could Change for Usopp Going Forward
Will Oda respond to this outcry? While no one knows for sure, several paths might restore balance or soften the animosity:
- A standout battle in a high-stakes arc — if Usopp lands a major victory in an emotionally or plot-central context, it could shift the narrative lens.
- Character focus and internal growth — giving Usopp moments of self-reflection, confronting his fears in meaningful ways, or showing him wrestle with the past might rekindle empathy.
- Greater integration into major plots (e.g. God Valley revelations) — if Usopp is tied more directly to the lore or receives personal stakes in the flashback timeline, fans may see him as more relevant.
- Consistent portrayal in adaptations — if anime, live-action, or spin-offs keep respecting his identity and avoid missteps (e.g. with shading or character design), that can reduce external friction.
Conclusion: A Fandom in Flux
The passionate vitriol toward Usopp right now is partly a symptom of how strongly fans feel about what One Piece has become. The God Valley arc has reoriented expectations around lore, power, legacy, and history—and characters who don’t align with that elevated framework are feeling the backlash.
Yet, Usopp has survived worse judgments before. Whether Oda writes him back into the spotlight or lets him remain the flawed but indispensable sniper, the debate over his place in the saga has never been louder.
If you like, I can also write a companion piece defending Usopp or comparing his arc to other controversial characters in shonen fandoms. Do you want me to do that?
