One Piece: Top5 Theories That Turned Out to Be False

Summary

Misconceptions about key characters are debunked through narrative developments.
Certain mythical theories proved to be inaccurate through storyline revelations.
Clarifications on significant plot points were made by the series’ creator.

It’s important to remember that just because a theory about One Piece seems plausible, it doesn’t guarantee its validity. As the story continues to unfold, new insights are revealed, shedding light on the credibility of various theories. Some theories, based on facts within and outside the narrative, may hold more weight than others.

Because this show has been around for a while, some theories might be quite old, dating back from just a few weeks to several decades, before they’re finally proven incorrect. These theories, which I will present now, may appear less plausible as time goes on, yet at one point, they were considered valid by some viewers, until they were eventually disproven.

1. Sanji Is The Son Of St. Shepherd Ju Peter

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Debunked in Chapter 832, other relatives of Sanji’s had appeared prior, but this one debuted the physical appearance of his father, Judge.

In the latest installments of the storyline, it came to light that Sanji is actually a prince, being the long-lost son of Vinsmoke Judge, who rules over the Germa Kingdom. However, prior to this revelation, fans had another possible father candidate: St. Shepherd Ju Peter. The Five Elders have been significant characters throughout the series, often portrayed as adversaries due to their allegiance to Imu, a powerful figure expected to play a pivotal antagonistic role in future events, and the one who is believed to truly rule the World Government.

Despite limited information about these men currently, ongoing theories continue to evolve. Prior to the Final Saga, their identities were unknown, with their names only revealed after a span of two decades from their initial appearance. Among them, Ju Peter stood out as the youngest-looking of the Five Elders and bore a physical resemblance to Sanji. However, additional details about this elder weren’t necessary to disprove the theory. It’s worth mentioning that a physical resemblance to Sanji doesn’t automatically imply a familial connection, as Duval, who closely resembled an artist’s depiction of Sanji, encountered attacks and has no confirmed blood relation to the pirate.

Instead, it was discovered that his true biological father was Vinsmoke Judge, a man whose appearance differs from Sanji but still possesses some similar features that could reasonably be expected in a genetic father and son. Interestingly, despite being the most distant of his siblings, his brothers and sister look even less like Judge due to their distinct hair color. All five of them, however, seem to resemble their mother, Sora more closely. By sheer chance, Peter is the only one among the previous iteration of the Five Elders who has any known relatives at present. Saint Shepherd Sommers, a member of God’s Knights, shares Peter’s surname, suggesting a currently unclear degree of relation between them.

2. Shanks Snitched On Luffy

A Certain Meeting Implied He Gave Info To The Five Elders

Debunked in Chapter 1137, appropriately titled Introducing Shamrock. Although he debuted exactly 230 chapters prior, Shamrock’s existence as a separate entity from Shanks was fully confirmed in this chapter.

In his younger days, Luffy looked up to Shanks as a mentor, who ignited his ambition to be a pirate. Over time, both have ascended to the lofty position of Yonko, a title reserved for pirates seen as extremely dangerous by the government. Given Luffy’s aspiration to rule as King of Pirates, he has clashed with other Yonko in the past, and this pattern seems set to persist. With Kaido, Big Mom, and Blackbeard already defeated or on the rise, there is a possibility that Shanks may eventually emerge as a formidable adversary for Luffy too.

A clue suggesting this fact might be found in the final scene of Chapter 907. Here, a man cloaked and looking like Shanks was granted access to meet the Five Elders, mentioning a specific pirate he wished to discuss with them. Many people, including Luffy who has a personal tie with Shanks, have been suggested as possibilities, although Blackbeard, whom Shanks has a more complex past with, is also often mentioned in discussions related to this dialogue.

Despite some inconsistencies, it was pointed out that Figarland Shamrock, despite his disguise, didn’t seem to match Shanks’ distinctive features like his facial scars. Some attributed these discrepancies to artistic licensing in the illustration of the chapter. However, it’s worth noting that Shamrock’s voice actor in his anime debut was the same as Shanks’, which is significant for episode 887 and is solely credited to Shanks. The absence of a scar led some fans to speculate about the existence of Shanks’ evil twin. This theory later proved to be valid when Chapter 907 marked Shamrock’s debut, and the shared credit could have been intentionally used to prevent his premature revelation before his official unveiling. There are hints suggesting that Shamrock might be connected to the “certain pirate” Shanks was mentioned as wanting to discuss.

In the narrative, it becomes clear why Shamrock can meet with the Five Elders; his status as a high-ranking commander in God’s Knights lends him authority even among World Nobles. Although there are potential issues brewing between Shanks and Luffy due to Yasopp sinking the Barto Club, for now, Shamrock’s encounter with the Five Elders appears unrelated to this developing tension.

3. Blackbeard’s Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit

Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Cerberus?

Debunked in Chapter 1137, where Shamrock was seen using the Devil Fruit that Blackbeard was presumed to have via his sword, which presumably “ate” it.

Marshall D. Teach, more famously known as Blackbeard, is a man shrouded in mystery, wielding two powerful Devil Fruits: the Gura Gura no Mi and Yami Yami no Mi. The limits of these abilities are uncertain, and it’s debated how he acquired such multiple powers. His Jolly Roger, featuring three skulls, hints at this duality or perhaps a trio yet to be revealed. It’s speculated that Blackbeard might already possess or may in the future acquire a Zoan Devil Fruit, thus controlling one of each category of Devil Fruit power.

Despite Cerberus, the three-headed dog of the underworld from Greek mythology, being confirmed to exist in this story, it’s not one of Teach’s powers. Instead, the sword named Cerberus, owned by Figarland Shamrock, contains this power. This contradicts theories suggesting that Teach’s first Devil Fruit was the Cerberus power, implying he possesses an extra two abilities (linked to his ship’s Jolly Roger and multiple powers). For now, it seems Teach doesn’t have a way to acquire this power as shown in the story, leaving him with only two powerful Devil Fruits.

4. Kuina Is Not Tashigi’s Twin

She Is Also Not Tashigi

Debunked in American Shonen Jump December 2009 Volume 7, Issue 12, Oda wrote off any idea of Kuina and Tashigi being secretly related.

Zoro’s close friend and distantly related person, Kuina, played a significant role in his ambition to become the world’s greatest swordsman. They had made a promise that fueled his determination. Their sparring matches showed Zoro that women could be powerful, defying her father’s opinions that they were weaker than men. Sadly, Kuina died before she could fully demonstrate her prowess, making her an unconquerable adversary for Zoro.

In her absence, he’s wholeheartedly pursued becoming number one for both of them. However, along his path, he met another woman skilled in swordsmanship who shares a likeness with his deceased friend. Notably, Captain Tashigi is a Navy member often under Smoker, and she prefers the blade as her weapon too. Although she’s not as proficient as Zoro in sword fighting, she’s knowledgeable and skilled with the weapon. Due to their similar appearance, there has been some speculation about their relationship, suggesting that Tashigi might be related to Kuina or could even be her secret survivor.

Oda has discredited ideas linking the two, labeling it as mere coincidence. Moreover, the childish style that Oda adopts for a young Tashigi in SBS is unlike Kuina’s appearance, who is only portrayed as a child because of her untimely death, although this can be partly attributed to the drastic changes in character design over the long run of the series. The resemblance between them physically might be more about Zoro unconsciously linking the two characters rather than any real connection they share.

5. The One Piece Is Not A Physical Object

That Said, What Is The One Piece?

Debunked in a 2014 One Piece Podcast interview featuring Oda and Momoko Sakura, where he confirms it as a physical object.

Title “One Piece” refers to a legendary treasure once possessed by Gol D. Roger and Joy Boy, now coveted by numerous pirates. Characters like Vegapunk and Whitebeard suggest that finding it could change the world irrevocably. It is rumored to be hidden on Laugh Tale, granting its finder the title of Pirate King. Though much remains unknown about its nature, it has been established that it is not just an abstract concept.

A 2014 interview with Eiichiro Oda and Momoko Sakura on the One Piece Podcast revealed that Oda told Sakura about a tangible reward for fans, but the specific nature of it remains mysterious even today. Despite many stories using MacGuffins as symbolic representations of value, such as adventure or friendship, it’s intriguing to learn that there is an actual significant treasure awaiting at the conclusion of this long voyage.

2025-03-29 19:35