By [ad_1]
Monkey D. Luffy, the goofy and bendy pirate captain main character of the anime One Piece, aspires to be King of the Pirates by hunting down the titular One Piece with his loyal and wacky crew. With his signature rubbery way of fighting and moving thanks to a Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, Luffy is also known for his comical and oblivious personality, his appetite, his lighthearted sense of humor, and his optimistic loyalty to his friends.
These traits of Luffy’s everyday character make it startling when he behaves contrarily, often caused by a serious situation and/or something or someone he cares deeply about.
10 When He Rages Over The Straw Hat
Early in the series, viewers bear witness to Luffy’s unexpected rage when comical nemesis Captain Buggy damages his iconic straw hat. The hat was a gift from Shanks, Luffy’s pirate mentor and father figure. When Luffy explodes at Buggy’s audacity and shouts what the hat means to him, the villain tauntingly responds, “If so, then protect it better!”
Even Nami comments in surprise at seeing something enrage happy-go-lucky Luffy to this level. Now knowing what the hat means to him, Nami offers to fix the keepsake for Luffy after they escape.
9 When He Becomes Philosophical for Usopp
A moment in the Kuro Arc shows Luffy behaving in an abnormally deep fashion. Confronted by Pirate Captain Kuro, who masqueraded as Klahadore the loyal butler to wealthy but sickly Kaya for three years to murder her and inherit her fortune, Luffy quietly listens as Kuro states his intention to murder his loyal crew after the fact to remove witnesses.
Luffy’s silence after Kuro’s announcement is so unnerving that Kuro even notices. Finally, Luffy makes the insightful comment that no matter how many men follow Kuro as their captain, he will never be better than Usopp, who possesses character in comparison.
8 When He Destroys Nami’s Prison
During the final fight of the Arlong Arc, the titular Fishman tells Luffy his intentions to forever keep Nami on his crew. Arlong had kept Nami as an indentured servant for ten years and had the Marines confiscate her money to prevent her buying freedom for Cocoyashi Village and herself.
Arlong then refers to Nami as his “friend” while making it clear that he only sees her as a useful pet. Gripping Nami’s blood-covered pen in his hands as a sign of her long-suffering, Luffy drops any humor and vengefully beats Arlong to end the fight, while also purposefully trashing Nami’s room, the symbol of her oppression.
7 When He Attacks Zoro
During the Whiskey Peak Arc, Luffy falls prey to the food and drink given to the Straw Hats by the seemingly welcoming townspeople of Whiskey Peak after entering the Grand Line. As a result, he falls asleep and misses the discovery that the village is full of bounty hunters who rob and murder pirates passing through.
Zoro fights to defend his friends and Luffy only wakes up later to discover the resulting bodies. Luffy is someone who places high trust in his friends, yet he attacks Zoro with intent to kill, instead of giving a chance to explain or assuming Zoro had a reason.
6 When He Fights Usopp & Leaves Him Behind
Luffy is usually good-natured when he battles. But in the Water 7 Arc, the reaction to fighting Usopp over the Going Merry ship reveals Luffy’s feelings over a friend’s betrayal. Ussop takes offense over the abandonment of their first ship and announces his departure from the crew. Before he leaves, he insults Luffy’s captaincy and challenges him over ownership of Going Merry.
Although Luffy wins their battle, he announces Usopp can have the Going Merry. While his normal behavior after winning a fight is to smile, Luffy can only cry and denies Chopper’s request to give treatment to someone he once called a friend.
5 When He Was Afraid Of His Grandpa
At the beginning of the Return to Water 7 Arc, the Straw Hat pirates rest in Water 7 after the events at Enies Lobby while they wait for their new ship to be built. Unexpectedly, Marine Vice-Admiral Garp arrives and goes straight for a sleeping Luffy.
Even more shockingly, Garp begins chastising Luffy for becoming a pirate rather than a Marine, despite all the training he gave him and a panicking Luffy refers to Garp as “Grandpa.” Surprisingly, Luffy, fearless as he is, is terrified of Garp, lacking his usual bravado and informing the Straw Hats not to underestimate him.
4 When He Orders A Retreat
At the end of the Sabaobody Archipelago Arc, the Straw Hats face a futile battle with Kuma, who succeeds in separating the members of the crew. Seeing their impending defeat, Luffy orders the Straw Hats to fall back, an unexpected move from the pirate who never backs down in battle.
When all of his crewmates have been taken from him, Luffy finally devolves into sadness and despair at failing the Straw Hats, once again showing a different reaction than the usual boldness and willingness to take anything in stride.
3 When He Grieves His Brother
While he is initially successful at rescuing Ace during the Marineford Arc, Luffy is forced to watch his brother die by burning at the hands of Akainu when the latter threatens Luffy. Ace’s death sends Luffy, a character of endless idealism and cheer, into a complete breakdown followed by two weeks in a coma caused by trauma and exhaustion.
The loss is so heartbreaking that Luffy even fails to notice the loss of his precious straw hat, and he requires the care of Jimbei and Law before he can return to consciousness.
2 When He Doubts His Dream
Haunted by the loss of Ace’s death in the Post-War Arc, Luffy voices momentary doubt to Jinbe over his weakness in being unable to protect his friends and being undeserving of the title King of the Pirates, his series-long dream. He continues to blame himself, a far cry from Luffy’s confidence in his skills.
While he eventually moves past his self-doubt and continues to pursue his dream of being Pirate King, Luffy’s questioning of his abilities and worthiness of his own dream is a vast departure from his positive and determined outlook on his journey.
1 When He Willingly Fasts
Well-known for his huge appetite, Luffy makes a choice during the Whole Cake Island Arc that shows his devotion to his friends when he attempts to convince his former crew cook Sanji to leave the Germa Kingdom and rejoin the Straw Hats.
When Sanji, who is being forced into a wedding against his will, claims that he has renounced the Straw Hat pirates and embraced his status as Prince, Luffy withstands Sanji’s physical kicks and insists that he knows Sanji is putting on an act. As Sanji leaves, Luffy claims he will wait in the same spot and will not eat food from anyone else until Sanji returns.
About The Author
[ad_2]
