Kaido: Why He’s One Piece’s Best Villain Without a Backstory

This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf arc.

Summary

  • Kaido’s backstory, fragmented across various parts of Wano, provides insight into his character development.
  • Kaido’s past experiences shaped his ideology that only the strong deserve freedom, fueling his desire for power.
  • Not every One Piece antagonist needs a deep flashback; Kaido’s narrative sufficed to establish him as a compelling villain.

In the world of One Piece, Kaido stands out as an extraordinary character who often played a significant antagonistic role, particularly following the time jump in the narrative. As the chief adversary during the Four Emperors Saga, Kaido posed a formidable obstacle for Luffy to conquer. In his own storyline, set in Wano Country, it’s fair to say that Kaido not only met but exceeded all anticipations.

The breathtaking spectacle of Kaido on Onigashima was undeniably impressive, and his philosophical conflict with Luffy proved to be quite popular among viewers. Yet, some enthusiasts of the One Piece series feel that Kaido falls short due to the absence of a 10-chapter backstory. However, it’s crucial to understand that Kaido is a fully-fleshed character who doesn’t necessarily require extensive backstory for his complexity and depth to shine. Numerous factors contribute to this.

Kaido’s Past and How It Shaped Him

  • Kaido Was Sold To The Government
  • Eventually Joined The Rocks Pirates

In the world of One Piece, Kaido’s backstory stands out as it is presented differently than most other characters. Unlike characters such as Doflamingo who have their pasts unfolded over several chapters, Kaido’s storyline is more intricate and spread across multiple parts of Wano. This unique presentation allows fans to gain a deeper understanding of him, including the factors that shaped him into the character he is today.

59 years ago, Kaido hailed from the perpetually war-torn Vodka Kingdom. This constant state of conflict primarily stemmed from the kingdom’s desire to secure enough resources to maintain its alliance with the World Government. In this power play, Kaido found himself a significant piece on the board. The kingdom employed Kaido as a mercenary, but once they had no further use for him, they sold him off to the World Government. Despite their attempts, the Marines failed to keep Kaido under control due to his extraordinary strength, allowing him to repeatedly elude their grasp.

It may not be the way of the times anymore… but death is what truly completes a person! — Kaido

70 million berries marked Kaido as a formidable adversary from a young age, instilling in him the belief that only the strongest could endure. This conviction led him to Hachinosu, where he encountered Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Captain Rocks. Joining the Rocks Pirates, Kaido spent decades sailing with them. His admiration for Gol D. Roger may have stemmed from their encounter, possibly after Roger defeated him, hinted by the brief glimpse of God Valley seen by fans. However, during the God Valley Incident, the entire crew of the Rocks Pirates disbanded. Subsequently, Kaido consumed the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryuu, and forged his own path.

Four years on, Kaido had amassed an immense power, placing him among the most formidable pirates in the New World, alongside Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Shiki. However, his life was far from tranquil – the Marines relentlessly pursued him, and he often fell into their hands for interrogation and torment. On Punk Hazard, Kaido underwent experiments that left him scarred, but he eventually broke free, which marked the beginning of Alber joining his crew, whom he bestowed the title of King.

Kaido’s Ideology And His Fall In Wano

Kaido Was Beaten By Luffy In Wano

From my early days of being sold off, I’ve come to realize that life without strength holds no meaning for me. The strong are the ones who walk free, and as a person yearning for freedom deeply, I’ve made it my mission to become the strongest. To me, those lacking in strength aren’t deserving of survival, and I firmly believe that the mighty have the divine right to lead or even eradicate others. My perspective on life has been shaped by my experiences as a pawn in someone else’s game. I vowed never to be controlled again, so I set out on a journey to find strength.

I’ve watched the wretched Celestial Dragons rule without any right to do so, and it enrages me. I have made up my mind to bring them down with my own power.

Let’s force these high-born, privileged leaders from their luxurious seats and bring them into the heat of the battle alongside us! That’s real equality and liberty! A realm where battles determine a man’s genuine value! – Kaido

At one point, Kaido considered himself to be the character known as Joy Boy, a notion also shared by King. Enemies for Kaido were primarily those affiliated with the World Government. Similar to Luffy’s belief that being king is about freedom, Kaido thought strength was what made someone a king, which led him to harbor resentment towards the Celestial Dragons. In Kaido’s perspective, true worth could only be determined on the battlefield, and he felt that divine positions should not be granted based solely on birthright.

In the heat of battle, according to Kaido, every combatant held an identical status, each with a legitimate chance to emerge victorious. The ultimate ruler, the one crowned as King, would simply be the one who proved their superiority in the contest.

In various aspects, Kaido, Luffy, and Big Mom all pursued ideals of equality and liberty. Luffy advocates for freedom as an inherent right for every individual simply by their existence. Big Mom envisioned a world where everyone would agree, though she misunderstood Carmel’s words and initiated the process of gigantification instead. In contrast, Kaido viewed genuine freedom as attainable on the battlefield, where all are equal, believing that war was the only fair method to determine someone’s worth. It is understandable why Kaido saw war as the sole means for equality since he originated from a war-ravaged land and, when no longer useful to them, was sold off to the Government. Kaido’s perspective emphasized strength and total war as essential elements for true freedom and achieving equality among people.

This detail reveals the reason behind Kaido’s desire to become Joy Boy at one time. However, as events unfolded, Kaido came to realize that he was not Joy Boy himself. Instead, he decided that it would be Joy Boy who would ultimately face and conquer him.

It’s fascinating to note that Kaido, in his ambition, aimed to overthrow the Celestial Dragons, a goal he was determined to achieve. He conceived the idea of assembling the most powerful pirate crew, recruiting numerous allies, and transforming Onigashima into a central hub for all pirates. This formidable crew, he envisioned, would eventually confront the World Government and dethrone the Celestial Dragons. Interestingly enough, this objective paralleled Joy Boy’s mission in some ways. Kaido believed that by successfully executing his plan, he could instill freedom and equality among all, offering each individual an opportunity to strive for their own liberation and power.

Not Every Antagonist Needs A Flashback

Kaido Most Certainly Didn’t Need One

Although flashbacks can be thrilling, not every character requires them. Some characters’ tales are skillfully woven throughout the story and understanding their whole life isn’t crucial. Oda’s portrayal of Kaido for One Piece fans was more than enough to argue that he’s one of the best villains with an intriguing philosophy. However, fans had anticipated a heart-wrenching backstory or tragic flashback from Kaido, similar to Doflamingo’s, but this type of narrative is quite rare in One Piece. Characters like Crocodile and Enel never received such flashbacks either. Despite this, Kaido is already a compelling character as he is portrayed, though it takes more than casual reading or power scaling to grasp his true depth.

You can access “One Piece” through Viz Media. Fans are able to read this series officially and at no cost on both the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. Mark your calendars for February 9, 2025, as that’s when chapter 1139 of “One Piece” is scheduled to be released.

Read More

2025-02-05 02:57