One piece is undoubtedly one of the most popular manga series ever created, and while much of its appeal stems from the anticipation of uncovering the mystery of the ultimate treasure, the series’ protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, plays a crucial role in His success. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the series, designed Luffy to stand out as one of the most unique protagonists in the Shonen genre. From the beginning, the series showed Luffy lacking one trait often seen in the Shōnen protagonists.
Luffy lacked the chosen one trope, a narrative element prevalent in almost every other shonen protagonist. This trope typically provides a compelling foundation, positioning the protagonist for a journey filled with obstacles that they must overcome to achieve their dreams. The epitome of this narrative is found in One pieces strong competitor, Narutowhich showed its titular protagonist with a demon inside him, making his journey of chasing his dream even more compelling and poignant.
Pre-Timeskip Luffy is a testament to why he is the most unique Sean protagonist
Before the Timescape, Luffy showed none of the “Chosen One” traits typical of Sean Protagonists.
However, Luffy lacked this basic troop from the beginning. His desire to become the King of the Pirates was not born of destiny but was inspired by his admiration for red-haired Shanks. However, Luffy’s unique journey as an unconventional protagonist began to shift, especially after the Timeship. Oda gradually introduced elements that aligned Luffy with typical Chosen One traits, changing his character in ways that diminished his distinctiveness.
At the beginning of the series, Luffy’s desire to become a great pirate, by extension, the king of the pirates, stems from his deep admiration for Shanks. Although the reasoning behind Luffy’s goal evolved as the series progressed, the initial motivation was clearly rooted in his admiration for Shanks. This led Luffy to begin his journey with little more than a vague plan and without a deeply compelling reason, setting him apart from other Sean protagonists. This approach introduces a unique perspective to the typical Sean protagonist’s pursuit of their dream, highlighting Luffy’s spontaneity and unorthodox path.
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The pre-time-jump Luffy never displayed any monstrously overpowered abilities, overcoming every obstacle through sheer willpower and not giving up. Unlike typical shonen protagonists, Luffy was not given an inherently powerful ability, and so he worked tirelessly to master his unique power, growing stronger by facing dangerous challenges. His development of Gear 2 and Gear 3 further highlighted Luffy’s hard work and his unique thinking on how to gain control over his powers.
This is a testament to how Oda crafted Luffy not as a character destined for greatness, but as one who earned his success through hard work and perseverance. However, the first hint of Luffy is the chosen one emerges in One piece Chapter #647 When He Hears the “Voice of All Things.”
Oda shifted Luffy to the “Chosen One” trope after the timeskip
After the timeskip, Luffy’s character has changed for the worse, increasingly displaying the typical traits of a shoo-in protagonist.
Fishman Island was the first arc to introduce Luffy’s enigmatic ability to hear mysterious voices, now known as “voices of all things”. This article also revealed that One Piece Former Pirate King, Gold D. Roger, possessing the same ability, reinforced the idea that Luffy was destined to follow in his footsteps. This ability not only sets Luffy apart but suggests that it may be an essential trait for anyone fated to become the Pirate King. Although this unique ability hints at Luffy’s special destiny, his Gear 5 transformation has yet to solidify his role as the Chosen One.
Luffy’s Gear 5 transformation stands out because, unlike his previous transformation, it is not the result of hard work. Gear 4, for example, was born from two years of rigorous training, driven by Luffy’s determination to protect his crew and prevent them from suffering the same fate as his brother, Ace. In contrast, as the Wano arc progressed to its climax, the story began hinting that the Devil Fruit Luffy consumed was no ordinary fruit. It has a “will” of its own, capable of choosing its wilder, to force Luffy from the beginning of the fate.
While Luffy’s acquisition of great powers already positioned him as the destined one, the remarks made by the enigmatic Zunesha during his Gear 5 transformation take this idea even further. in One piece Chapter #1043, as Luffy begins to transform into his Gear 5 appearance, Zunesha exclaims, “Joyboy has returned,” referring to a mysterious figure from the past who, as the series gradually reveals, possesses the same abilities as Luffy Now hold on.
All these points emphasize how One piece is increasingly positioning Luffy as a chosen protagonistAligning him more with typical Shaun hero traits. The shift is especially noticeable because before the timeship, One piece Has established a strong foundation for Luffy as the most unique and unconventional Sean protagonist.