One Piece: Key Moments That Foreshadowed Davy Jones’ True Identity

This article contains spoilers for the One Piece manga

Any pirate story almost certainly includes Davy Jones, a famous and enigmatic figure from pirate lore. While long considered a legend, the manga *One Piece* recently confirmed that Davy Jones was actually a historical person. For some time, it was debated whether he was a real pirate or simply a myth that grew over the years.

Dedicated fans of *One Piece* may have noticed hints about Davy Jones appearing throughout the series. While the author, Oda, has intentionally kept his identity a secret for a long time, early parts of the story contain clear references to him. Here are the most important moments that offered significant clues about who Davy Jones was and when he lived.

4. Robin Mentions That Davy Was A ‘Cursed’ Pirate

It’s Now Clear Why He Earned Such A Devilish Reputation

Robin speaks about Davy Jones at the beginning of the Davy Back Fight
Being ‘cursed’ could imply that he was painted as a demon by the government

Just before the crew gets involved in the Davy Back Fight arc, Robin shares some history about the pirate Davy Jones. She explains that Jones was cursed long ago and forced to live at the bottom of the sea. Interestingly, Robin’s information turned out to be accurate – we later learn Davy Jones lived around 800 years ago, during the same period as the legendary Joy Boy.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is the possibility of a cure for Davy Jones. While it’s possible he was corrupted by a demon – especially since Rocks revealed the Government’s attempts to portray him negatively – it could also be a deliberate smear campaign. The Davy Clan has been a major enemy of the World Government for centuries, and labeling their leader as a villain who succumbed to darkness would be a convenient way to discredit them and erase their history.

This is the name of a family I believe the World Government has been hiding for a long time. They’re the ancestors of the famous pirate, Davy D. Jones.

This short conversation, happening over just two panels and one scene in the anime, is easy to overlook, especially with all the chaotic events that follow during the competition. However, the true purpose of the Davy Back Fight itself subtly revealed both the identity of the mysterious pirate and their ultimate goal.

3. Davy Keeps Everything That Sinks

He Must Have Been influential To Have A Game Named After Him

The Davy Back Fight is essentially a series of challenges between two pirate crews before they swap members. The name comes from stories about pirates who lived centuries ago, during a mysterious time known as the Void Century. According to Sanji, anything lost at sea belongs to Davy Jones, so taking treasure or crew members from another pirate is called a ‘Davy Back’ – which is how the game got its name.

It’s interesting how famous Davy Jones became, because it shows many people view him as a hero and someone to admire, despite efforts to portray him as a villain. Even though the World Government has tried to damage his reputation, a lot of people still support him – we even see Foxy get excited to join in after watching the Straw Hats.

We recently learned that Rocks deeply admired Davy, likely because he was part of Davy’s group. Historically, whenever the World Government labels someone an enemy, many people around the world end up viewing them as a hero. Therefore, making Rocks’ name well-known globally in this way subtly suggested that Savy Jones, despite being a threat, was actually popular with a lot of people.

2. Oda Revealed An Image Of Davy Jones

Despite Being A Joke, It Reveals A Lot About Who he Truly Is

Oda drew a goofy illustration of Davy Jones in an SBS
Giving him a face and body implied he was more than just a myth
Even back then, he could still be seen carrying around his locker or chest

Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, often hides strange and unexpected details in his SBS question and answer sections. One illustration that fans frequently discuss is of Davy Jones. He’s depicted cheerfully with a peculiar chest, and seems like a silly, spontaneous drawing. However, this image is actually a key clue to Davy Jones’ true identity because it shows him as a living person, rather than just a legend.

For years, fans wondered if Davy Jones was just a legend created within the world of *One Piece*, possibly even invented by the government to scare people into disliking pirates. However, when Davy Jones was shown as a real character in 2005, it confirmed he was a historical figure whose actions likely had a significant impact on the world long ago.

“The man described himself as a worshiper of Davy Jones” – Narrator talking about Rocks

This single image isn’t very revealing at first, as it appears quite simple and silly. However, it does provide confirmation that Davy Jones was actually a real person, a fact that wasn’t officially established until the latest chapters of the manga.

1. Brook’s Theory

The Straw Hat Skeleton Might Be On To Something

In chapter 606, Brooke proposed a theory – not yet proven – about how Davy Jones ended up on the ocean floor. According to Brooke, Jones, in a fit of anger, threw his entire crew overboard, causing them to drown. He then jumped into the sea himself, condemning him to wander the seabed forever.

This situation – being doomed to endlessly roam the ocean floor because of a divine curse – mirrors what Robin described in Long Ring Long Land. Given that the ship involved is the Flying Dutchman, it’s highly likely this has always been Davy Jones’ vessel. This idea is further supported by the popular portrayal of Davy Jones in the *Pirates of the Caribbean* films, where he is also shown captaining the Flying Dutchman.

Currently, Brooke’s theory hasn’t been proven, and it’s unclear if the Vander Decken family, who were aboard that ship, have any connection to Davy Jones. However, it seems unlikely that this mention of the Flying Dutchman was a random detail, suggesting Oda will revisit it soon, particularly as he’s increasingly focusing on Davy Jones and his group.

2025-09-24 18:37