One Piece Casts Doubt on Luffy Being Roger’s Successor

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The storyline of One Piece frequently suggests that its hero, Monkey D. Luffy, is stepping into the shoes once filled by Gol D. Roger, the ex-King of Pirates, as he strives to be the second individual to reclaim that title. Numerous incidents have fallen into place to depict Luffy as Roger’s spiritual successor. Important characters like Silvers Rayleigh, who was Roger’s first mate, and Shanks, among others who were close to Roger, frequently perceive traits of him in Luffy. After the time skip, Luffy even started showing abilities akin to Roger’s, with one of the most significant being the “Voice of All Things.

As a passionate One Piece fan, I’ve always believed Luffy mirrors Roger in many ways, moments solidifying this connection. Yet, in Chapter 1156, a striking detail emerges, setting Luffy and Roger apart significantly. This trait has been a cornerstone of Luffy’s character, leading us to believe that Roger shared it too. However, the latest manga installment paints a different picture of Roger, causing me to question whether Luffy is truly following in his footsteps. Instead, it seems like Luffy is carving out his unique path, distinct from Roger’s. In fact, One Piece has hinted at these subtle differences between them all along, suggesting that Luffy was never intended to be Roger’s successor initially.

One Piece Chapter 1156 Reveals a Key Distinction Between Luffy and Roger

In Chapter 1156 of One Piece, titled “Idols,” we delve deeper into the flashback storyline, offering a glimpse into events preceding the Great Pirate Era. Notable pirate crews such as the Kuja Pirates are highlighted, captivating both pirates and Navy officials even before the era began. Among them, Shakuyaku (also known as Shakky) stands out, having long enchanted many with her beauty. In this chapter, we see the Roger Pirates initiating an assault on the Kuja Pirates, ordered by their captain, Roger, to bring Shakky aboard. This scene hints at a parallel between Roger and Luffy, particularly in how Roger, much like Luffy and Boa Hancock, appears unresponsive to Glorosia’s romantic advances. However, this assumption is swiftly challenged as we witness Roger being captivated by Shakky’s beauty, contrasting starkly with Luffy’s persistent disinterest in romance.

In essence, while Roger and Luffy share some resemblances, they are essentially distinct individuals, particularly in their fighting styles. Unlike Luffy, who uses his Devil Fruit powers along with Haki, Roger exclusively employs swordsmanship and Haki since he doesn’t possess a Devil Fruit. Furthermore, despite Luffy being likened to Joy Boy, an identity linked to the character Nika, there seems to be no direct connection between him and Roger. Instead of mirroring Roger, Luffy is on his own unique journey.

When contemplating potential candidates to succeed Roger, a character emerges as a more prominent choice over Luffy: the beloved Shanks. A compelling indication arises from manga creator Oda in a Q&A session, where he addressed a fan’s query regarding how Shanks mastered the Divine Departure technique, which was previously wielded by Roger. In response, Oda stated that only Shanks could mimic this powerful move, with no other crew members able to do so. This points towards Shanks possessing unique abilities and being destined for greatness. With his direct tutelage under Roger, Shanks appears to embody the role of Roger’s true successor in One Piece more closely than Luffy, who is forging his own distinct path.

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2025-08-04 04:10