One Piece: Oda Reveals Why He Had To Kill Off The Going Merry

This list contains spoilers for One Piece

No devoted fan of “One Piece” will likely forget the tear-jerking instance when Luffy and his Straw Hat companions were compelled to bid farewell to their initial vessel, the Going Merry. Although it was clear that the Straw Hats needed a more robust and powerful ship to sustain them throughout their perilous journey ahead, many fans can’t help but yearn for the Going Merry’s survival in the struggle, so it could accompany them on their quest for the One Piece treasure alongside its faithful crewmates.

In-world, there’s a clear reason why the Straw Hats made the decision to part ways with Merry. Interestingly, Oda, the creator of One Piece, has also shared some intriguing insights into his personal reasons for ending the relationship between the crew and their beloved ship permanently. His comments underscore yet another instance where an author must adapt a story around their characters, and while letting go of such a cherished pairing was undoubtedly risky, it certainly paid off in terms of the emotional reaction it evoked from One Piece fans. That being said, here’s what Oda himself has revealed about the motivation behind Merry’s destruction after Enies Lobby.

Oda Didn’t Want To Kill Off The Going Merry

But It Wouldn’t Have Stood A Chance Against Enemy Ships

Oda believed the Merry would have struggled to keep up.
Other pirates were already beginning to upgrade their ships.

It wasn’t an easy choice for the Straw Hats to part ways with their beloved ship, the Merry. Even Oda, the author, seemed to struggle with the decision. Initially, he didn’t intend to remove the Merry from the narrative, probably envisioning it sailing alongside the crew through their epic journey to Laugh Tale. However, as the story progressed, the increasing strength of many enemy ships made it challenging for Oda to keep the Merry in the story without making it seem outmatched and weak.

At first, I didn’t plan for the Straw Hat crew to leave Going Merry. However, as the enemy ships grew stronger, I found it necessary for us to make that difficult decision.

It’s quite reasonable that Oda chose to eliminate the Merry due to the comments received. In previous interviews, the author has mentioned that his characters often appear to have minds of their own, making it challenging for him to manage their actions accordingly. With several powerful pirates, some of whom were hidden, expected to improve and upgrade their ships while nearing the One Piece treasure, Oda felt the need to boost the Straw Hats’ transport to maintain a balance, hence deciding to eliminate the Merry.

It’s surprising that Oda didn’t anticipate the deep emotional response the destruction of the Going Merry would provoke among fans, given that it’s now recognized as one of the most poignant moments in the series. However, Oda’s remarks lead us to ponder how the Merry might have held up against the ships introduced later in the story, and the reality is, it likely wouldn’t have stood up for long.

Would The Merry Have Survived Against Enemy Ships?

It’s Highly Unlikely, And There Are A Few Reasons Why

Prior to assembling a crew for their sea voyages, a pirate captain requires a vessel to sail on the open waters initially. Initially, many pirates make do with a modest wooden boat for traveling from one place to another, but they often upgrade to something larger and more intimidating; however, the Going Merry may not fit this description.

There are numerous vessels encountered post Enies Lobby that could easily destroy the Merry if its crew were to become adversaries of the Straw Hats. For instance, the Moby Dick, captained by Whitebeard, is so colossal that merely grazing it would likely annihilate the Merry. Similarly, the Queen Mama Chanter, occasionally utilized by the Yonko Big Mom, is too powerful for the Merry to escape due to its average speed and durability. Additionally, Marine ships, known for their powerful cannons and well-equipped troops, pose a significant threat, especially towards those deemed enemies.

Witnessing the once sturdy Merry being reduced to ashes within Enies Lobby, it feels plausible to assume that its remaining voyage through the treacherous Grand Line would have been an arduous and perhaps impossible journey towards One Piece. Although creator Oda might possess unique motives for handling the Merry’s storyline, it becomes clear within the narrative itself why Luffy and his crew were compelled to abandon their reliance on it further.

The Merry Held On For As Long As It Could, But The Damage Was Too Severe

It’s Understandable Why The Merry Had To Be Put Out Of Its Misery

The journey to Skypiea took a heavy toll on the Merry
Antagonists like Bellamy and Wapol dealt significant damage to the ship

In the narrative, Oda skillfully justified the removal of the Going Merry by subtly hinting at its eventual demise throughout the story. For instance, during the Jaya arc, the reckless pirate Bellamy nearly destroyed the ship when he attempted to demonstrate his power using his Devil Fruit ability. Similarly, Wapol on Drum Island intentionally damaged the ship out of hunger. These events made the final destruction of the Going Merry a believable and anticipated outcome within the storyline.

During their journey up the Knockup Stream en route to Skypiea, the Merry endured a significant amount of damage. Despite the excitement of Luffy and his crew finally discovering a means to reach the mystical Sky Islands, the ship suffered severe damage during the voyage, leaving it barely functional upon arrival at Water 7. Moreover, the impact upon departing Skypiea and entering the water couldn’t have been beneficial for the ship’s condition either.

“Thank you for taking good care of me until now. I was…really happy” – Going Merry

Instead of rushing into a single chaotic battle to remove Merry from service, Oda chose to develop an entire storyline around why the ship had to be decommissioned. Imagining how the narrative might have evolved if Merry hadn’t lost its shine is intriguing, but given the multitude of dangerous pirates and Marines populating the seas in the world of One Piece, taking such a risk could have been detrimental to the storyline.

2025-08-20 16:36