One Piece: The Warlord Ace Defeated Was Cooler Than Fans Expected

Key Takeaways

Small One Piece characters receive significant development, such as Hanafuda, a former warlord defeated by Ace.
Hanafuda’s design, collecting Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits, and potential ties to Kaido make him intriguing despite minimal appearances.
Hanafuda’s role in the narrative showcases Oda’s attention to detail, impacting characters like Ace and Kuma, adding depth to the world.

As a long-time fan of One Piece, I find the introduction of new, intriguing characters like Hanafuda truly captivating. Despite his brief appearance in the narrative, he manages to leave an indelible mark on the story, much like a lizard’s spiked ball from a kusarigama (if you catch my drift).

In the captivating world of “One Piece”, minor characters may appear briefly but are surprisingly well-developed. The creator, Oda, delves deeply into these seemingly insignificant figures, providing extensive information about them such as their background and personality traits. For instance, a rat that Sanji frequently fed or the fly in Ironbody’s soup on the Baratie are not just random elements but named characters themselves within this expansive universe of “One Piece”.

Regardless of their minor role in the overall narrative, Eiichiro Oda has consistently introduced some of the most stylish characters within the series. One such character, Hanafuda, was merely hinted at as a warlord vanquished by Luffy’s elder brother, Ace. Despite his minimal impact on the storyline, Hanafuda turned out to be much more impressive than anticipated when unveiled by Oda.

Oda Has Revealed One Piece’s Unnamed Former Warlord

Hanafuda, the King of the Lizards

Hanafuda First Mentioned	Chapter 1100
Hanafuda Revealed	SBS Volume 109

Four years ago in the chronicles of One Piece, it seems that Ace vanquished a Sea Lord without a named title. Following his victory, this Sea Lord offered Ace the position, but he promptly declined. Instead, the World Government opted for Bartholemew Kuma as an alternative to fill the vacancy left by the defeated Warlord.

It was a mystery to many One Piece fans who this character might be, similar to “One Piece’s” Flame-Branded Man. However, Oda clarified in an SBS that this character, named Hanafuda, had not been seen in the series up until then. Hanafuda carries a unique kusarigama with a spiked ball instead of a traditional iron weight, and his design is truly striking. His epithet, “the King of Lizards,” and his fascination with Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits have left fans eager to witness Hanafuda’s story in the ongoing tale of One Piece.

Hanafuda May Have Been Related to Kaido

The Ancient Zoan Fruit Connection

As a dedicated One Piece fan, I’ve always found myself pondering the role of the elusive character known as Hanafuda. The fact that he shares a name with a type of Japanese card, which aligns perfectly with Kaido’s crew’s playing card theme, makes me wonder if this wasn’t more than just a coincidence. Moreover, being titled “King of Lizards” and amassing Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits, Hanafuda seems to have played a significant part in Kaido’s crew, possibly as one of the Tobi Roppo, and potentially even bestowing these powerful fruits upon them all.

It’s speculated among fans that before his loss against Ace from “One Piece”, Hanafuda departed and joined the ranks of the Warlords, a move that might have been sanctioned by Kaido or could be merely conjecture. If indeed Hanafuda were to vacate his Tobi Roppo position, it would create a vacancy in Kaido’s crew which could potentially be filled by X Drake. However, these theories haven’t been verified by Oda yet. The pieces of evidence seem to fit rather suspiciously within the universe of “One Piece”.

Hanafuda Shows How Detail-Oriented The One Piece World Is

Even Small Characters Have Their Place

As a dedicated One Piece fan, I can’t help but feel like Hanafuda plays a significant role in the living world of this epic series, even though he hasn’t made an actual appearance. Characters like Hanafuda, while they may not be as prominent as the powerhouses of the story, are just as crucial. They serve to remind us that there are unseen elements constantly moving within the vast One Piece universe. These brief appearances give the world a sense of dynamism and complexity, ensuring it never feels static or predictable.

He has a hobby of collecting Zoan-type Devil Fruits, especially Ancient ones, and it is said that he may have been plotting something, but now we won’t know. – Oda

Furthermore, Hanafuda significantly contributes to both Ace’s and Kuma’s narrative in One Piece, regardless of speculations about his past affiliations with the Beast Pirates. Firstly, he underscores Ace’s pirate prowess, positioning him well above Warlord rank. Concurrently, it also serves as a rationale for why Kuma was compelled to join the Warlords. Despite lacking a distinct design and personality, Hanafuda remains a crucial element in the story of One Piece.

The unique characters such as Hanafuda truly set the story of One Piece apart, sparking much anticipation among fans who eagerly hope for his return in future installments. Even a casual reference to this character can ignite excitement within the One Piece community. Despite the grandeur of the stories, it’s heartening to see that the fervor for minor details and characters never wanes among the community.

2024-12-08 21:06