User blog comment:Fliu/Chapter 929: Jurassic Wano/@comment-25654036-20181231095200/@comment-3507581-20190103011429

Ah... I think you have several points... I know that being in a high position of political power doesn't necesarily means said politician is strong. I, like many, got hyped on the name, and the Devil Fruit it hinted to... although him having eaten the Zoan by itself is a notable step aside from Spandam and the World Nobles, I think his skill on using it also factors. If he can barely do something without Kaido backing him up (like some user previously said), then he is only marginally strong, with skills typical of a novice.

And yes, I think the "Beauty Equals Goodness" trope can be slowly but steadily discredited. I got my previous impression based on the fact he was having a banquet with who knows how many Geishas, while the country HE is supposed to be ruling (as in, looking after its people and benefiting them) is slowly dying of starvation. Maybe what I say next sounds farfetched, but One Piece provides several examples of how politics are the only thing that can either have a country progressing or sinking it into decadence.

Your bottom lines clearly stated the ideal situation for any fandom: hype alone cannot move the gears of a franchise.