Cultures Whose Mythologies Are Represented In One Piece

Key Takeaways

One Piece draws from Japanese mythology for characters like Kaido and Onimaru, reflecting yokai and Oni influences.
Chinese mythology influences Devil Fruits like Kitsune from the Blackbeard Pirates and Momonosuke’s dragon SMILE.
Greek mythology appears in One Piece through character names like Zeus, as well as Speed and Doc Q’s steed.

As a scholar who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of mythologies from around the world, I find it truly fascinating to see how One Piece weaves these ancient stories into its own narrative. The way the series seamlessly integrates elements from Greek, Egyptian, and Norse Mythology is nothing short of remarkable.

The world depicted in “One Piece” draws inspiration from numerous sources, one of which is the global history of piracy. Moreover, significant cultural mythologies also play a role in shaping and enriching the series’ setting.

You could examine different elements of the lore, aesthetics, or shared features between the well-known universe of One Piece and the mythologies found in diverse real-life cultures, with varying levels of detail applied.

1 Japanese Mythology

What Better Choice for A Manga?

Cultures Whose Mythologies Are Represented In One Piece

Considering the source, Japanese culture seems an obvious choice for the One Piece series to embrace. This can be seen, largely in some Mythical Zoan fruits, which have a Japanese influence. One example of such is Onimaru, a fox who can transform into an Onyudo by the name of Gyukimaru. Historically, Onyudo are giant yokai who are said to resemble Buddhist monks. There are accounts of them being able to shapeshift into animals, which is likely why one was written to have eaten this Devil Fruit.

An example outside of Devil Fruits is Kaido. His base design clearly takes after depictions of Oni, a yokai resembling an ogre or demon in Japanese folklore. More specifically, Kaido is thought to invoke Shuten-Doji, a well-known Oni with a similarly unquenchable thirst for sake. Shuten-Doji is also the inspiration behind Ashura Doji, who went by the alias of Shutenmaru as a mountain bandit. Shuten-Doji himself was notably a bandit. Ancient Giants are also thought to be inspired by Oni due to shared design elements.

2 Chinese Mythology

An Adjacent Inspiration

In the anime “One Piece”, Chinese mythology often intertwines with other mythologies, due to various characters sharing similarities. For instance, a member of the Blackbeard Pirates named Catarina Devon has a Devil Fruit that enables her to transform into a creature called a Kitsune. The Kitsune is partly based on the fox spirits found in Chinese folklore, which have been popularized across East Asia, including Japan. In traditional Chinese culture, one such fox spirit is known as Da Ji, a character believed to be a fictionalized version of the last queen of the Shang Dynasty. According to legend, she brought about the dynasty’s downfall by killing the real Da Ji and assuming her identity. While it’s uncertain how long Da Ji could maintain her disguise, Devon’s Devil Fruit seems capable of mimicking the deceased.

Kaido’s Devil Fruit and Momonosuke’s SMILE are modeled after Qinglong, the Chinese Dragon God symbolizing the East, and one of the legendary Four Guardians in the Chinese sky. While Kaido’s power aligns with tales of the Azure Dragon, Momonosuke’s version deviates in color, which led to its classification as a misfire. It’s interesting to note that other dragon-themed characters, often reminiscent of Western mythology, have also surfaced throughout the series.

3 Greek Mythology

A Consistent Influence On Works Of Fiction

In many stories, Greek Mythology is often seen as a casual inspiration. However, the popular series “One Piece” intentionally integrates Greek Mythology in several ways, most notably by giving characters names derived from Greek myths. For instance, one of Nami’s companions is named Zeus, a reference to the Greek God of Thunder. Additionally, certain Homies, particularly those created from the souls of the Soru Soru no Mi users, bear names like Hera, Prometheus, and Pandora – all characters from Greek Mythology.

Two unconventional characters are Ikaros Much, who is part giant squid and part human, and his deceased friend Daidalos, simply a giant squid. While Icarus was a boy given wings by his father Daedalus, only to fly too near the sun and drown, Daidalos met a fate opposite yet similar to Icarus – he perished due to swimming too close to the sun and dehydrating. This tragic incident has left such an impact on Ikaros that he experiences emotional breakdowns whenever he encounters fire.

In this example, characters from One Piece, a popular manga/anime, draw inspiration from Greek mythology. Speed, a SMILE user and member of the Beasts Pirates, bears a striking resemblance to Centaurs, mythical creatures with human torsos and horse lower bodies in Greek myths. Similarly, Doc Q’s steed, Stronger, has a Devil Fruit that transforms him into a Pegasus, a winged horse from Greek legends. Since Stronger is already a horse, this transformation appears to grant him only wings.

4 Egyptian Mythology

Notably In Alabasta

Egyptian Mythology might not be as prevalent as Greek Mythology, but it’s certainly well-known enough that its iconic elements can be found in various forms across popular culture.

In my gaming world, Anubis, an iconic figure often mentioned, is a god symbolizing the afterlife, sporting a dog’s head and either a canine or human body, depending on the tale. This intriguing design mirrors Chaka, a royal protector I encounter in the game, who eats a Devil Fruit and turns into a jackal. Some believe his name is derived from a popular Japanese story called “Stardust Crusaders,” set in Egypt. With his hybrid form featuring a canine head, Chaka might even be able to transform completely into a jackal, much like Zoan users do, fully immersing themselves in their animal forms.

A comparable instance is Pell, one of Chaka’s fellow guards, who embodies Horus, an Egyptian Sky God with a falcon head. Just like Chaka, Pell can transform into a falcon thanks to his Devil Fruit. Similarly, the essence of Zoan Devil Fruits enables Pell to manifest in two forms, similar to how his divine counterpart did – as either an animal or a hybrid with humanoid traits.

5 Norse Mythology

Especially In Elbaf

In modern culture, elements of Norse mythology are frequently referenced, often associated with Thor, the thunder deity, who is prominently featured in Marvel Comics. However, it’s important to note that Norse mythology has been incorporated in various other ways as well. For instance, the popular anime series “One Piece” subtly incorporates aspects of Norse mythology, as suggested by the recent introduction of the character Loki.

Loki shares a brotherhood with Hajrudin, who commands the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. It’s rumored that this titan killed their common father, Harald, due to a Devil Fruit that was passed down in their family. This fruit is believed to be a mythical Zoan, capable of enabling its user to transform. Some speculate that it might grant shape-shifting abilities. The strength of this individual was so immense that nearly every giant warrior in Elbaf had to bind him. Interestingly, Loki from the myths is also said to have been involved in the death of a deity named Baldr, and as a result, he too was bound.

In the world of One Piece, Loki appears to yearn for global annihilation, mirroring the prophecy that he would escape during Ragnarok, the impending apocalypse where he would join the battle and perish against Heimdallr. His brother Hajrudin further emphasizes Norse mythology with his potent Gungnir attack, named after Odin’s legendary spear. The “Gods’ Path” within his domain also echoes this tradition, for example, the raven Muginn, named after Odin’s two ravens. As the story unfolds, we can expect more elements of Norse mythology to surface and become prominent.

2024-10-24 08:04