I always said pre time skip is like a JRPG. Go to a new location, solve a problem with the society, recruit someone to join your party. Especially Dragon Quest lol.
Yeah I don’t get how that’s a fair critique of “modern” OP when that’s largely how the entire series has gone. And if anything post-time skip I feel like that only really applies to Fishman Island, Dressrosa, and Wano. There isn’t a single arc pre-time skip that involves them *fleeing* the island from an overwhelming enemy the way that they do in Whole Cake or Egghead
hmm that's a fair point like fuck at least we got out of there alive lol. the first time that happens pre-timeskip is sabaody I maintain my supposition that the flashbacks will continue to be the best part of each arc going forward now that we're in the lore dump era