Looking Back At The Forgotten Heroes In One Piece

One Piece has introduced tons of memorable characters throughout its run but these often get overlooked.

Eiichiro Oda's One Piece is a sprawling masterpiece celebrated for its intricate world-building, memorable characters, and the grand adventures of the Straw Hat pirates. While the series prominently features the Straw Hat pirates and others who steer the narrative, One Piece truly shines in the depth and complexity of its supporting cast.

Amidst the names and legends, there exists a treasure trove of forgotten heroes whose contributions, though often eclipsed, enrich the story's tapestry and leave an indelible mark on the hearts of fans. These forgotten heroes are like hidden gems, each with their unique stories, sacrifices, and impacts on the world they inhabit. They may not always take center stage, but their presence resonates, and their deeds ripple through the grand chronicle of the Grand Line.

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Rouge represents the many unsung heroes in the One Piece world. Her story highlights that there are countless individuals whose actions and sacrifices go unnoticed but have a profound impact on the lives of the main characters. While Rouge's character remains one of the most underdeveloped in the series, fans cannot overlook her sacrifice. Her most significant contribution to the series is her sacrifice for her child, Portgas D. Ace.

Rouge concealed her pregnancy for nearly 20 months, an extraordinary feat of endurance and determination. Her actions led to Ace being born outside the World Government's knowledge, sparing him from being hunted down as Gol D. Roger's son. Also, Rouge's actions not only limited Ace but also indirectly influenced Luffy's journey. Ace's existence as Gol D. Roger's son plays a significant role in Ace's decision to become a pirate, eventually leading him to cross paths with Luffy. This, in turn, profoundly impacts Luffy's character development, as Ace's death deeply affects him and motivates him to become stronger.

Tom's arrest and subsequent trial highlight the injustices of the world government. Despite being a kind-hearted and skilled shipwright, he was accused of building Gold Roger's ship and was sentenced to death by the government. This serves as an example of the government's corruption and its willingness to sacrifice innocent lives for its agenda. However, when Tom's execution was about to be averted, he took it upon himself to be executed in place of Franky, whom Spandam framed for a treasonable offense. While Tom's actions and influence are pivotal to the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs, he is a lesser-known character in the One Piece narrative. The vast number of characters in the series and the focus on the Straw Hat Pirates contribute to this, but his self-sacrifice cannot forgotten in the series.

The quirky Dr. Hiriluk was terminally ill and fascinated with cherry blossoms. Hiriluk's dream was to see cherry blossoms bloom on Drum Island, where they couldn't grow naturally due to the harsh climate. He knew his impending death and that he wouldn't live to see his dream come true. However, he remained determined to achieve it in some way. In a tragic turn, Dr. Hiriluk's adopted son, Tony Tony Chopper, mistakenly gave the doctor poison, thinking it would save his life. Hiriluk knew the mushroom was deadly and ate it anyway to protect Chopper from the truth. He hoped that by dying, he could provide an example of a person willingly sacrificing his life for a dream.

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The poor doctor committed suicide as a selfless act to avoid being killed by Chopper's poison. By doing this, Chopper won't blame himself for his death. Hiriluk's death deeply affected Chopper, reinforcing the doctor's teachings about the value of life and the importance of following one's dreams. It also profoundly impacted the Drum Kingdom and played a significant role in the events of the Drum Island Arc in One Piece.

The most immediate impact of Bon Clay's sacrifice was enabling Monkey D. Luffy and his group to escape from Impel Down, the world's most secure and dangerous prison. Without Bon Clay's impersonation of Magellan, it would have been nearly impossible for Luffy to continue his quest to rescue his brother, Portgas D. Ace, whose execution was nigh at the time of the breakout.

Clay's sacrifice aligned with several recurring themes in One Piece, such as the value of friendship, the willingness to defy authority for a just cause, and the idea that individuals can make a difference, even in the face of overwhelming odds. His actions exemplified the determination to protect loved ones and pursue one's ideals. Bon Clay's sacrifice directly contributed to the unfolding one of the significant events in the series, the Marineford War.

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Zeff's sacrifice in One Piece profoundly impacted the story, particularly the character of Sanji. The chef was first introduced in the East Blue at Baratie when the Straw Hats were recruiting Nakamas for the journey through the Grand Line to find the One Piece. Zeff's sacrifice is the primary motivation for Sanji's journey and his dream of finding the All Blue, a legendary sea where fish from all over the world converge. Starvation befell Sanji and Zeff after they became stranded on an uninhabited island.

Zeff gave Sanji all the remaining food, leaving himself with nothing. This selflessness saved Sanji's life and instilled in him the importance of food, cooking, and the desire to become a great chef. Even after his initial appearance in the series, Zeff's influence continues to resonate with Sanji and impact his actions. Sanji's commitment to his ideals, culinary expertise, and willingness to protect his friends are all rooted in the lessons he learned from Zeff. One Piece is not just the story of a pirate seeking a legendary treasure but also a narrative canvas where countless brushstrokes of heroism, nobility, and sacrifice come together to paint a portrait of a world where even the most minor characters can shine brilliantly.

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Fridous used to be a film critic at whatkeptmeup. When she isn't watching anime or writing for gamerant, she is thinking about what the one piece treasure is. She believes One Piece is the greatest anime of all time.