The most famous and epic manga of all time, One Piece, has entered its final story but there are still many mysteries yet to be discovered. One such mystery has existed since the early days of the series: Is there any religion in the world of One Piece?
Inspired by real-world history and culture, Oda-sensei has created a world that leaves room for speculation on the subject.
In this article, we’ll explore clues and hints scattered throughout One Piece’s lore that shed light on the presence—or absence—of religious elements in its world.
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Is there any religion in One Piece?
The most common and important question about religions in the One Piece world is about their existence. Did they exist in the first place?
To answer the question, many suggestions have been noticed by fans around the world and they are enough to answer this expected question.
Looking back over the course of the Skypiea Arc, we are introduced to a villain named Enel. According to mythology, Enel is the god of thunder and lightning, deeply inspired by Zeus, the Greek god in mythology.
Enel is a self-proclaimed god worshiped by the people of Skypiea.
In the world of One Piece, there are characters who claim to be gods and have their own followers. At the same time, the series also deals with religions that exist in the real world.
Explanation of the main characters’ religion: Christianity
The entire Skypiea arc focuses on the existence of self-proclaimed gods and their worshipers.
However, the story goes beyond these self-proclaimed gods and encourages readers to think more broadly about the very concept of religion.
Besides characters claiming to be gods, the world of One Piece also offers subtle hints about the presence of real-world religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
However, it’s important to note that these are unconfirmed theories based on subtle clues from Oda-sensei, so take this information with caution.
Mihawk is one of the most famous villains in One Piece but his full potential has yet to be revealed. If you are not familiar, Mihawk carrying a giant cross-shaped sword and wearing the sign of the cross, symbolizing the sacred sign of Christianity, definitely proves that Christianity exists in One Piece.
For more evidence, Kuma used to carry a bible whenever seen, the holy book of Christianity. Back in Whiskey Peaks, we saw the appearance of some of the first characters dressed as Nuns, and Mother Caramel she herself was dressed as a Nun.
Sanji’s character also adds another class to this discussion. During a conversation with Zoro about religion, it is implied that Sanji is religious. Although the series does not state his faith, clues suggest he may be a Roma or a Christian.
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Explanation of the main characters’ religion: Buddhism
In addition to other religions, Oda-sensei also took some references from Japan’s native religion, Buddhism. There are hints of many characters believing in Buddhism, including the member wearing the straw hat, Zoro.
Although Zoro has mentioned that he does not believe in the existence of gods, all of those offensive phrases originate from historical Buddhist phrases. Zoro’s background most likely revolves around the origins of Buddhism.
Besides Zoro, there is another important character who shows interest in Buddhism. Sengokua former Navy Admiral, is considered the reincarnation of One Piece’s Buddha himself, to the marines.
His Devil Fruit, Gura Gura no Mi is a mythical zoan fruit that helps him transform into a Buddha. This seems to confirm the existence of Buddhism in the One Piece world. Uroge, captain of the Fallen Monk Pirates, is also a believer in Buddhism.
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Explanation of the religion of the main characters: Islam
Last but not least, Oda-sensei took clear inspiration from Islamic history.
Unlike Christianity and Buddhism, Islam’s presence in the One Piece world is somewhat more notable. Pondering the story of Dressrosa, there are subtle clues and unexplained hints that catch our attention.
In Dressrosa, two characters appear to be influenced by Islam. Jeet, a prominent character in the story, wears a turban, dark striped shirt, and a black necklace.
Accompanying Jeet is another character named Abdullah. For those who don’t know, Abdullah is a name commonly found in Muslim culture. In Arabic, Abdullah translates as “Servant of God.”
Both Jeet and Abdullah were observed discussing their “God,” adding to the intrigue.
While nothing has been officially confirmed, these intriguing hints serve as signs that different religions have a place in the diverse and unique world of One Piece. In addition to these well-known beliefs, several characters in the series also follow their own personal belief systems.
In the One Piece universe, many gods are worshiped, each with a dedicated follower with specific rituals.
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Considering the clues we’ve looked at, it seems like Oda-sensei has incorporated elements from real-world religion to enrich the characters and make the story more engaging.
So you have a comprehensive view of religious nuances in One Piece. While these are just educated guesses supported by observations, it would be really interesting if Oda-sensei officially confirmed these factors.