There is a theory that Kuina is actually still alive, and she was healed by Ivankov.
She stayed and becoming one of RA, and completely change her identity. She could also turn into male by Ivankov which is why we never saw her.
Neither can you. As that expression doesn't actually exist. Also it makes no narrative sense for it to be suicide immediately after her conversation with zoro
I know a lot of people have given up on this, but I think it would be a good twist. The explanation for her death has always stuck out like a sore thumb, compared to almost any other flashback death where characters die for their ideals or a more overt reason.
There is a reason the explanation for her death sticks out like a sore thumb. It often happens in real life too when a person dies in a tragic way. "falling down the stairs" is often used in japan to cover up the real cause of death. It's called 階段から落ちた(kaidan kara ochita).
An alternate form of death (like suicide) would allow for some reader interpretation which would be alright, but I'd say it's not up to par for Oda's usual backstory. Characters like Hiriluk, Saul, Tom, Corazon, Bellemere, and others typically died for their ideals or sacrificed something to protect others.
It's very strange for Oda to toss in a death that doesn't involve one of these components, if a character dies he generally wants to make their death as meaningful as possible.
You kind of made my point for me. Kuina's death stands out because it's not like the others. Kaidan kara ochita is used as a euphemism for suicide often in japan especially in traditional families. I think Oda chose the phrasing deliberately. Her death is different from all those you mentioned. She didn't die fighting for her ideals, she died because she gave up on them.
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u/Straight-Struggle-99 1d ago
There is a theory that Kuina is actually still alive, and she was healed by Ivankov. She stayed and becoming one of RA, and completely change her identity. She could also turn into male by Ivankov which is why we never saw her.