The Significance of Tama’s Influence in Wano Country

Summary

• Tama’s resourcefulness and Devil Fruit power played a crucial role in influencing key events in Wano Country.
• Tama manipulated Big Mom to assist in breaking Luffy out of Udon Prison, gaining more allies for the Raid on Onigashima.
• Tama’s strategic planning and passion for change significantly helped the Straw Hats during the Raid on Onigashima.

Tama played a significant role in influencing the Kozuki Revolution, which hastened results and gained the Straw Hat pirates allies during the Raid on Onigashima. Although Tama displays a cheerful exterior, she’s also incredibly resourceful at problem-solving and passionate about the return of the Kozuki family.

In One Piece, there are several instances in which Tama has directly influenced the flow of the battle with her strategic planning using her Devil Fruit, the Kibi Kibi no Mi, or her ability to influence others. So, what was the significance of Tama’s influence in Wano Country?

Who is Tama?

A Humble and Passionate Young Girl Eager to Save Her Country

Tama, commonly known as O-Tama, was first introduced in Episode 893 of One Piece at the start of the Wano Country arc. Since her first introduction, Tama has been shown to be incredibly resourceful, using her Devil Fruit abilities to tame the wild monsters in Kuri. This is also where she first meets Luffy.

Unbeknownst to many, Tama is actually a member of the Kurozumi Family. The same family usurped the Kozuki Family and plunged Wano Country into turmoil, famine, and slavery. However, this is only revealed at the end of the Wano arc when Tama revisits her parents’ graves to show her respect when she was younger.

Tama’s resourcefulness stems from losing her parents at a young age, forcing her to weave hats to make a living as no one was to look after her. However, she soon meets Tenguyama Hitestu, who takes her under his wing. Since Tama’s first introduction, she has displayed incredible independence and strategic capabilities, which will be valuable for the Straw Hats as they take on new challenges in Wano Country. This is likely due to her meeting Ace when he visited Wano four years prior, igniting her passion to become a bewitching kunoichi.

As mentioned above, Tama uses her Devil Fruit abilities to tame wild animals or monsters. Tama’s Devil Fruit, the Kibi Kibi no Mi, allows her to create dango from her cheeks and is a paramecia-type fruit. With this ability, Tama can tame any animal that eats her dango for one month. However, direct command is also needed to tame those who have eaten her dango. However, after one month, those who have eaten this dango will either revert to normal or continue to serve Tama, primarily due to their nature.

How did Tama influence the events in Wano Country?

Through Her Devil Fruit and Kind-Hearted Manipulation

Throughout the Wano arc, Tama displayed great passion for riding the country from the tyranny of Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido. During her time with Luffy, Tama discovers that her Kibi Kibi no Mi can tame Zoan-type SMILE fruit users, which she effectively uses to her advantage, gaining allies that will faithfully and loyally serve her during the one month her Devil Fruit ability is in effect.

• Tama manipulated Big Mom into invading the prison in Udon.
• Tama devised a strategy that would tame the Gifters in the Beast Pirates into working with them to defeat Kaido.

With this ability, Tama was easily able to turn the tide of various events in Wano, from taming Speed, who ate the Horse SMILE fruit, to the other Gifters her dango has been giving to. Although Tama is still a child, her quick-thinking and strategic moves are what significantly helped the Straw Hats during their time in Wano and during the Raid on Onigashima, especially when she deduced that Big Mom could be influenced to break Luffy out of the prison in Udon, where he, Eustass Kid, Killer, Kawamatsu, and Hyougoro were being held prisoner.

Is she strong? … Then I want her to rescue Big Bro who is being held captive at Udon!

Tama has consistently demonstrated her problem-solving abilities. In this case, she manipulates Big Mom into breaking into the prison with the promise of more food: O-Shiruko, a red bean dish that Big Mom has recently become obsessed with. Tama, Momonosuke, Chopper, and Kiku successfully liberate the prisoners and Luffy. This turn of events worked extensively in their favor, as the Kozuki revolution now had more manpower to evade the Beast Pirates’ stronghold during the Raid on Onigashima.

Tama also played an active role during the Raid on Onigashima. Tama snuck into Onigashima with the help of Speed and the other Gifters, who ate her dango. This is also where she came up with the idea to have the Gifters eat her dango to gain more allies. With Speed on her side, a former member of the Shinuchi, they could quickly distribute the dango under the guise of provisions made by the Queen.

My friends who ate Kibi Dango! I need to ask you all a favor! Please side with Big Bro Luffy’s group… and Momonosuke-kun’s group! And take down Kaido with us!

With this order, Tama drastically changed the tide of the war, giving the Straw Hats and the Revolution the manpower needed to defeat many Animal Kingdom Pirates. Tama’s resilience allowed her to influence vital events and characters before and during the Raid on Onigashima. Her ability to use the resources given to her played a crucial role in assisting the Straw Hats during their battles. Her passion for change and bravery gave her the strength to stand up against those much stronger than her despite the power imbalance.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.