The series begins with the execution of Gol D. Roger, the King of the Pirates. Before his death, he told the legend of his treasure, the One Piece. Roger's death caused a Great Age of Pirates as countless pirates set out to look for his treasure.
Twenty years have passed since Gol D. Roger's execution, and Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy inspired by the pirate known as "Red-Haired" Shanks, sets off on a journey from the East Blue to be the next King of the Pirates and find the treasure. Along the way, he organizes and leads a crew named the Straw Hat Pirates. The crew consists of a swordsman and first mate named Roronoa Zoro; the navigator and thief Nami; the liar and cowardly sharpshooter Usopp; the womanizing chef Sanji; the doctor Tony Tony Chopper, an anthropomorphized deer; the archaeologist Nico Robin, a former villain; the cybernetic shipwright Franky; and a musician skeleton named Brook.
The crew encounters diverse villains such as the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Marines. They encounter Baroque Works, the crime syndicate responsible for a civil war in Alabasta, and meets Blackbeard, whose dream is also to become the King of the Pirates. The crew also encounters Eneru, a ruler of Skypiea. Later, the crew meets Aokiji, who reveals to him that Nico Robin was involved in reading Poneglyphs left by Roger. The crew also encounters Cipher Pol No. 9, the intelligence agency responsible for the destruction of Robin's homeland, whose actions cause them to declare war on the World Government. After an epic battle at Enies Lobby, the crew defeats CP9, avenging the lives of people lost in the destruction, and receives bounties on their heads.
Later, the crew completes their journey to the first half of the Grand Line. Luffy, after being separated from his crew, finds that his adopted brother Portgas D. Ace is to be executed. The Marines hold a war against a group of pirates led by Whitebeard. Luffy rescues Ace, but both Whitebeard and Ace are killed in the ensuing chaos. After the epic battle on Marineford, Luffy and the crew undergo rigorous training regimens, some under the tutelage of prominent figures. Two years later, the crew regroups and set out on a journey to the New World, the second half of the Grand Line. They travel first to Fishman Island, where they are drawn into a hostile takeover by a group of fishmen from the former Sunny Pirates.
The fictional world of
One Piece is covered by two vast oceans, which are divided by a massive mountain range called the Red Line
(赤い土の大陸 (レッドライン) Reddo Rain). The Grand Line
(偉大なる航路 (グランドライン) Gurando Rain), a sea that runs perpendicular to the Red Line, further divides them into four seas: North Blue
(北の海 (ノースブルー) Nōsu Burū), East Blue
(東の海 (イーストブルー) Īsuto Burū), West Blue
(西の海 (ウェストブルー) Uesuto Burū) and South Blue
(南の海 (サウスブルー) Sausu Burū). Surrounding the Grand Line are two regions called Calm Belts
(凪の帯 (カームベルト) Kāmu Beruto), which experience almost no wind and ocean currents and are breeding ground for the huge sea creatures called Sea Kings
(海王類 Kai Ō Rui, renamed "Neptunians" in the English manga). Because of this, the Calm Belts are very effective barriers for those trying to enter the Grand Line. While marine ships, using sea-prism stone
(海楼石 Kairōseki) to mask their presence, can simply pass through, most have to use the canal system of Reverse Mountain
(リヴァース・マウンテン Rivāsu Maunten), a mountain at the first intersection of the Grand Line and the Red Line. Sea water from each of the four seas runs up that mountain and merges at the top to flow down a fifth canal and into the first half of the Grand Line. The second half of the Grand Line, beyond the second intersection with the Red Line, is also known as the New World
(新世界 Shin Sekai).
The
One Piece manga anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Eiichiro Oda. The series takes place in a fictional universe where vast numbers of pirates, soldiers, revolutionaries, and other adventurers fight each other, using various superhuman and supernatural abilities. The series' storyline follows the adventures of a group of pirates as they search for the series titular treasure.
The main character of the series is Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who wishes to succeed Gol D. Roger, the deceased King of the Pirates, by finding his treasure, the "One Piece". During the course of series, Luffy gathers himself a crew of misfits, named the Straw Hat Pirates, so far including the three swords wielding Roronoa Zoro, the master thief and expert navigator Nami, the cowardly marksman and inventor Usopp, the gourmet cook and martial-artist Sanji, the anthropomorphic reindeer and doctor Tony Tony Chopper, the archaeologist Nico Robin, the cyborg shipwright Franky, and the living skeleton musician Brook. Together they sail the seas in pursuit of their dreams, encountering other pirates, bounty hunters, criminal organizations, revolutionaries, secret agents and soldiers of the World Government, and various other friends and foes.
Protagonists
Straw Hat Pirates
The protagonists of the
One Piece series are a part of the
Straw Hat Pirates, a nine-member group of pirates who sail from the East Blue to the Grand Line after hearing of the legend of the treasure known as the One Piece. However, while searching for the treasure, the crew cross paths with the World Government, who interfere with their journey and add bounties on their heads. Originally consisting of Monkey D. Luffy, the number eventually increases to nine members as the series progresses. The name of their first ship is the "Going Merry"
(ゴーイング・メリー号 Gōingu Merī-gō?, renamed "Merry Go" in the Viz Media manga translation and edited anime); when it is eventually damaged beyond repair, the Straw Hat Pirates receive a new ship called the "Thousand Sunny"
(サウザンドサニー号 Sauzando Sanī-gō?). Though the Straw Hats are few in number, the level of skill each member possess in his or her role on the ship can easily surpass that of a veteran sailor. The prowess in combat each member possess can easily allow them to become the captain of an average to somewhat skilled group should they choose to do so. Each member has a bounty from the World Government, which is in the fictional currency of Berries.
Monkey D. Luffy
Monkey D. Luffy (モンキー・D・ルフィ Monkī Dī Rufi?), nicknamed "Straw Hat" Luffy
(麦わらのルフィ Mugiwara no Rufi?), is the 19 year-old captain of The Straw Hat Pirates and the main protagonist of the franchise. At first, Luffy does not appear to be very intelligent; his apparent lack of intelligence is the source of his brave attitude towards life. Luffy can easily be amazed by the simplest things. If Luffy finds something he does not understand, even if someone explained in detail, he calls it a "mystery thing". He is, however, an expert when it comes to fighting. When Luffy's friends' lives are threatened, Luffy goes into an unimaginably dangerous rage. In the beginning of the series, he accidentally eats a paramecia Devil Fruit called the Gum-Gum Fruit
(ゴムゴムの実 Gomu Gomu no Mi?), causing his body to gain the properties of highly stretchable rubber.
ch.1 These properties are a result of Oda's desire for the fighting style to be silly, so that no matter how tense a situation gets, the reader can relax without becoming stressed out.
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Roronoa Zoro
Roronoa Zoro (ロロノア・ゾロ?, spelled as "Roronoa Zolo" in some English adaptations), named after François l'Olonnais,
nicknamed "Pirate Hunter" Zoro
(海賊狩りのゾロ Kaizoku-Gari no Zoro?, spelled as "Pirate Hunter" Zolo in some English adaptations), is a 21 year old, skilled swordsman who uses up to three swords at once, clutching the third in his mouth.
To fulfill a promise he made to his childhood friend and rival, "Kuina",he wants to become the world's greatest swordsman by defeating Dracule Mihawk. Before joining Luffy, he made a living by bounty hunting.
He joins Luffy's crew in exchange for his aid in escaping execution. He makes it clear that he would turn on his captain if he ever stepped between him and his dream, although during the "
Thriller Bark arc" he says that he can't fulfill his dream if he did not help his captain fulfill his. His enormous physical strength is enough to lift a building, as well as inhumanly heavy weights on a regular basis. During a fight with Baroque Works Officer Agent Mr. 1 , he learns how to cut through solid steel. He can employ an "Asura" technique which gives him three faces and six arms, thus totaling nine swords. In addition, Zoro can expand the muscle mass of his arms, and emulate some of his sword attacks using his bare hands. He is extremely poor at understanding geographical directions and gets lost very easily. He also sleeps a great deal and loves to drink. Zoro's bounty is originally 60,000,000 Berries, but this eventually increases to 160,000,000 Berries.
Nami
Nami (ナミ?), nicknamed "Cat Burglar" Nami
(泥棒猫のナミ Dorobō Neko no Nami, renamed Nami the "Navigator" in the 4Kids anime), is the crew's 20 year old navigator and thief. She has the ability to recognize and analyze even the slightest changes in the weather. She is also an excellent pickpocket. Her dream is to draw a complete map of the world. Throughout the series, Nami fights using a three-sectioned bo staff. Usopp later provides her with a version of this weapon capable of controlling weather, called the Clima-Takt
(天候棒 Kurima Takuto, renamed "Climate Baton" in the English manga, and "Weather Forcer" in the 4Kids anime). Even later, Usopp augments the Clima-Takt with dials, making it more powerful. Nami's current bounty is 16,000,000 Berries.
Usopp
Usopp (ウソップ Usoppu), nicknamed "King of Snipers Sogeking"
(狙撃の王様 Sogeki no Ō-sama, renamed "Sniper King" in the Viz Media manga translation), is the crew's 19 year old marksman. His name comes from
Uso, which means
liar in Japanese, and Aesop, the author of
The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
He is a liar, talented inventor, as well as a skilled painter and sculptor. His primary weapon is a slingshot, which he uses to fire various kinds of ammunition, ranging from rotten eggs and shuriken to hot sauce, and both flaming and exploding projectiles. Later, he creates himself a large, dial-powered slingshot he calls Kabuto
(カブト), with which he is able to outrange even guns. Usopp's father, Yasopp, left his family to become a pirate with Shanks' crew when Usopp was still very young. Some time after this, Usopp's mother, Banchina
(バンキーナ Bankīna?), fell ill. Usopp started telling lies, stating that his father had returned and would be taking them with him. His mother eventually died, but Usopp, in his sadness, continued to tell lies. Despite all this, he does not blame his father for leaving him, but takes pride in his heritage. He is inspired by Luffy, Zoro and Nami and decides to go out to sea, following his dream of becoming a "brave warrior of the sea". His weakness as a fighter weighs heavily upon him and when after the crew is defeated and almost destroyed by Admiral Aokiji of the Marines, Luffy decides to replace the severely damaged
Going Merry, the Straw Hats' first ship, which is given to them by Usopp's friend "Kaya", a girl from his village that he used to cheer up with his lies, Usopp goes so far as to temporarily leave the crew. Usopp's current bounty is 30,000,000 Berries.
Sanji
Sanji (サンジ), nicknamed "Black Leg" Sanji
(黒脚のサンジ Kuro Ashi no Sanji), is the crew's 21-year-old chef. He knows how it feels to starve from first hand experience, so he will never refuse someone a meal. He has a strong sense of chivalry, because of which, he will never harm a woman, even if he dies. Sanji also seems to keep this code regardless of a woman's appearance. His dream is to find the "All Blue"
(オールブルー Ōru Burū, renamed "Great Blue" in the 4Kids anime), a legendary sea, containing every kind of fish in the world. Sanji is also a very skilled fighter who uses only kicks. He said that this is because a chef's hands are his most prized possessions and should not be risked in battle.His fighting style resembles the capoeira. Sanji also has the ability to employ a fire based kick, called "Diable Jamble"
(ディアブルジャンブ Diaburu Janbu, spelled as "Diable Jambe" in the Viz Media manga translation) in which he sets his leg on fire by spinning around rapidly, this causes his attacks to be much more powerful, Sanji first used this technique at
Enies Lobby. Sanji's current bounty is 77,000,000 Berries.
Tony Tony Chopper
Tony Tony Chopper (トニートニー・チョッパー Tonī Tonī Choppā), nicknamed "Cotton Candy Lover" Chopper
(わたあめ大好きのチョッパー Wata-ame Daisuki no Choppā), is the crew's 17-year-old doctor. He is a blue-nosed reindeer who gained human properties by eating a zoan Devil Fruit called the Human-Human Fruit
(ヒトヒトの実 Hito Hito no Mi). The fruit-granted ability allows him to change between three forms. His first and original form is that of a reindeer. In his second form, he has the proportions of a human child, while retaining his antlers, hooves, and fur. In his third form, he looks like a brawny man with fur or a gorilla. In addition to his normal transformations, Chopper developed a drug he calls Rumble Ball
(ランブル・ボール Ranburu Bōru), which allows him to assume four additional forms for the duration of three minutes. These forms focus on certain aspects of his body to improve his physical abilities. These are broken down into "points" in the original version (renamed "boost" in the English manga and the 4Kids dub) called: guard, horn, jumping, and arm point with the original three becoming walk, brain, and heavy point. If Chopper uses a second Rumble Ball within six hours, he cannot control his transformations. If he uses a third Rumble Ball within six hours of the first, he transforms into a monstrous version of himself and loses all self-control called "Monster Point". He also has the ability to understand other animals' speech, because he is an animal himself. What he is not capable of, however, is hiding his feelings. Chopper's current bounty is 50 Berries.
Nico Robin
Nico Robin (ニコ・ロビン Niko Robin), nicknamed "Devil Child"
(悪魔の子 Akuma no Ko) by the World Government is the crew's 30-year-old archaeologist. Growing up alone on the island Ohara
(オハラ), home of the world's largest and oldest library, she became an archaeologist at the age of eight and learned how to decipher the writings on the ancient stones called Poneglyph
(歴史の本文 Pōnegurifu), which are scattered around the world. After the World Government destroyed Ohara for housing archaeologists along with her returning mother, Nico Olvia
(ニコ･オルビア Niko Orubia), researching these stones, Robin spent twenty years on the run, cooperating with various pirates and other outlaws and became a member of Baroque Works as the vice president, nicknamed as "Ms. All-Sunday"
(ミス・オールサンデー Misu Ōrusandē, renamed "Ms. Sunday" in the 4Kids anime) at the time, being briefly an antagonist to the Straw Hat Pirates before joining them. Like the scholars of Ohara before her, it is her dream to find and decipher the Rio Poneglyph
(真の歴史の本文 Rio Pōnegurifu), which is said to tell the world's lost history. Her devotion to history and its preservation goes so far that she will even risk her life to protect ancient artifacts and buildings. Robin ate a paramecia Devil Fruit known as the Flower-Flower Fruit
(ハナハナの実 Hana Hana no Mi, renamed "Hana-Hana Fruit" in the 4Kids anime), allowing her to create copies of any of her body parts on any surface that she can see. However, if her replicated parts are hurt, she feels the pain on her actual body. Robin's current bounty is 80,000,000 Berries.
Franky
Franky (フランキー Furankī?), nicknamed "Cyborg" Franky
(サイボーグ フランキー Saibōgu Furankī), is the crew's 36 year old shipwright. After his pirate parents abandoned him at age ten, he became an apprentice of the master shipwright Tom along with Iceburg, who later becomes the mayor of Water 7. When Tom was taken away as a criminal by the government for building
Gol D. Roger's ship, the "Oro Jackson", Franky tried to stop them. In the attempt, he was severely injured and, in order to survive, had to exchange parts of his body with replacements made of scrap metal, turning himself into a cola-powered cyborg. Franky, thus, gained an artificial body which grants him super-human strength. Its front is heavily armored and insensitive to most attacks, while his back, where he could not reach, remains vulnerable. His body is equipped with a wide variety of weapons, including several guns and an extendable right arm. His stomach contains a refrigerator compartment that can hold up to three bottles of cola to fuel him and his attacks. His personality is also affected by the type of beverage that is stored in his refrigerator compartment. He can use up large amounts of cola in an instant to launch powerful bursts of air from his arms; one such move is called the Coup de Vent. After word of his death had spread, he cast off his original name, Cutty Flam
(カティ・フラム Kati Furamu), and became the underground boss Franky. His dream is to build a ship, to become its shipwright, and sail it to the end of the world. To that end, he builds the Straw Hats Pirates' second ship, the brigantine-rigged sloop-of-war
Thousand Sunny, and joins the crew. Franky tends to act tough most of the time like saying his catch phrase "SUPER!!" However, Franky can get emotional very easy and start to cry, but then denies it. Franky's current bounty is 44,000,000 Berries.
Brook
Brook (ブルック Burukku), nicknamed "Dead Bones" Brook
(デッドボーンズブルック Deddo Bōnzu Burukku) (formerly "Humming" Brook
(鼻唄のブルック Hanauta no Burukku)), is the crew's 90-year old musician. He is a living skeleton, resurrected by the Revive-Revive Fruit
(ヨミヨミの実 Yomi Yomi no Mi), a paramecia Devil Fruit, which grants its eater a second life. He is an excellent musician, who claims being able to play any instrument, and a skilled fencer, who uses a shikomizue, a Japanese cane sword, in battle. Certain music Brooke plays can control his opponents for example he can make an opponent fall asleep immediately. His lightweight skeleton body allows him to jump extraordinarily high and to run across water. His gentlemanly impression stands in stark contrast to his incredibly bad manners: He bluntly requests to see women's panties, helps himself to people's food, and belches out loud on the dinner table. He has a very childish and energetic personality. When Brook's former crew, the "Rumbar Pirates", entered the
Grand Line, they left their pet whale "Laboon" behind at Reverse Mountain, promising to return after sailing around the world. Fifty years later, Brook, being the only survivor, considers it his duty to fulfill his former crew's promise. Brook's current bounty is 33,000,000 Berries.
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