The design of the top boat inside the black whale is suspicious as well, the design allows the top boat to escape once the chaos on the lower levels is out of control.
The succession war is a literal side trip but could be one of the best manga arcs(if completed) .. Togashi really nails putting concepts like this into his character storyline..
I think the most disappointing thing about this whole arc is that this is humanity's best attempt to venture to the Dark Continent in a long time. The idea that this absolute miserable joke of a ship was intended to somehow survive a place as unforgiving as the Dark Continent is hilarious at best. It makes it seem like the idea of actually doing something as unthinkably difficult as seeking, let alone finding, Don Freecs seem like something that Togashi would in no way be capable of creating within his lifetime.
This was an absolute banger of a video. I have always wanted someone to dissect this crazy arc since it seemed ripe with layers of thematic messaging and morals
The great thing about this is that the election arc and the chimera ant arc tie in so beautifully to the themes you explained here. From the human families reunited after being turned into ants, from the chaos and heart of the election arc, I love how Togashi never underestimates the underdogs and the power they can have to disrupt things or showing how regular people are affected.
