One piece is undoubtedly one of the most popular manga series ever created, and while much of its appeal stems from the anticipation of discovering the mystery of the ultimate treasure, the series' protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, plays a major role in its success. Eiichiro Oda, the series' author, designed Luffy to be one of the most unique protagonists in the Shōnen genre. From the very beginning, the series shows that Luffy lacks a trait commonly found in Shōnen protagonists.
Luffy lacks the “chosen one” element, a common narrative element in most other Shōnen protagonists. This element often provides a compelling foundation, positioning the protagonist for a journey filled with obstacles they must overcome to achieve their dreams. An epitome of this story is found in One Piece’s strong rival, Naruto, in which the protagonist has an inner demon, making his journey to pursue his dream all the more compelling and profound.
Pre-Timeskip Luffy Is A Prototype Of Why He's The Most Unique Shonen Protagonist
Before the timeskip, Luffy did not exhibit any of the typical “Chosen One” traits of a Shonen protagonist.
However, Luffy lacked this fundamental trait from the start. His desire to become Pirate King was not born out of fate, but instead was inspired by his admiration for Red-Haired Shanks. However, Luffy's unique journey as an unconventional protagonist began to change, especially after the timeskip. Oda gradually introduced elements that fit Luffy with the typical Chosen One traits, changing his personality in ways that lessened his uniqueness.
At the beginning of the series, Luffy's desire to become a great pirate, by extension, the Pirate King, stems from his deep admiration for Shanks. While the reasons behind Luffy's goal have evolved as the series progresses, his initial motivation clearly stems from his admiration for Shanks. This causes Luffy to begin his journey with a vague plan and no deep, compelling reason, setting him apart from other Shōnen protagonists. This approach introduces a unique perspective on the typical Shōnen protagonist's pursuit of their dreams, highlighting Luffy's spontaneity and unorthodox path.
Luffy had never shown any superhuman abilities before the time-skip, overcoming all obstacles with sheer will and a refusal to give up. Unlike typical Shonen protagonists, Luffy was not born with a powerful ability and thus worked tirelessly to master his unique power, growing stronger by facing dangerous challenges. The development of Gear Second and Gear Third further highlighted Luffy's hard work and his unique way of thinking about how to control his powers.
This is a testament to how Oda created Luffy not as a character destined for greatness but as someone who achieved success through hard work and perseverance. However, the first hint that Luffy was the chosen one came in One Piece Chapter #647 when he heard the “voice of all things”.
Oda transformed Luffy into “Chosen One” form after the Timeskip
After the Timeskip, Luffy's personality has changed for the worse, increasingly showing typical traits of a Shonen protagonist.
Fishman Island was the first arc to introduce Luffy’s mysterious ability to hear mysterious voices, now known as the “voice of all things.” The arc also revealed that the previous Pirate King of One Piece, Gol D. Roger, possessed a similar ability, reinforcing the idea that Luffy was destined to follow in his footsteps. This ability not only sets Luffy apart, but also suggests that it may be an essential trait for anyone destined to become Pirate King. While this unique ability hints at Luffy’s special destiny, his Gear 5 transformation further solidifies his role as the chosen one.
Luffy's Gear 5 transformation stands out because, unlike his previous transformations, it is not the result of hard work. Gear 4, for example, was born from two years of rigorous training, fueled by Luffy's determination to protect his crew and prevent them from suffering the same fate as his brother, Ace. Conversely, as the Wano arc progresses, the story begins to hint that the Devil Fruit Luffy ate is no ordinary fruit. It possesses a “will” of its own, capable of choosing its user, forcing Luffy to be the one destined to use it from the start.
While Luffy's acquisition of immense power already positions him as a predestined being, the mysterious Zunesha's comments during his Gear 5 transformation take this concept even further. In One Piece Chapter #1043, as Luffy begins his Gear 5 transformation, Zunesha exclaims, “Joyboy has returned”, referring to a mysterious figure from the past who, as the series eventually reveals, possesses the same abilities that Luffy currently possesses.
All these points emphasize how One Piece increasingly positions Luffy as the chosen protagonistaligns him more with typical Shonen hero traits. This change is especially notable because before the time skip, One piece has created a solid foundation for Luffy to become the most unique and unusual protagonist in shonen stories.
