Luffy’s parents have been a huge mystery since episode 1, and 900 episodes later, we still barely know enough about them.
As One Piece keeps on unfolding, it has to run out of content at some point, and according to Oda, that might happen sooner than we imagined.
While we all joked about One Piece continuing for decades on end, as we awaited the new chapter/episode with our kids, most of us actually believed it to some extent.
With barely around 40% of the plot left, soon it will be time to wrap up the series.
In the end, we will probably be seeing a huge war that ends with Monkey D. Luffy becoming the Pirate King.
Before this arc, though, Oda will need to tie up loose ends, and clearing the mystery about Luffy’s parents would be one way to do so.
1. Who Is Luffy’s Father?
Luffy’s father is Monkey D. Dragon, the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army. He is one of the most dangerous characters in the series and has been labeled the “World’s Worst Criminal.”
From the moment Luffy was born, he was raised by his grandfather Garp, and then by Dadan, the mountain bandit.
He grew alongside his sworn brothers Ace and Sabo and considered them his family. His father, Dragon, was never a part of Luffy’s life, and the latter never cared about finding him.
In fact, when Garp told him about his father’s identity two years ago on Water 7, Luffy was shocked that he even had a father.
Furthermore, despite being aware of Dragon now, he barely even cared and did not pay nearly as much mind to his father as he did to Sabo during the revolutionary arc.
On his father’s side, Ivankov often noted that Dragon constantly looked toward the East Blue (where Luffy was from) as if thinking about his family.
While not expressing much desire to meet Luffy as well, Dragon appeared to be supportive of his journey as a pirate and even expressed hope that Luffy would play a role in the world’s shifting.
He commented that they would meet when the time comes, and it seems that his son believes the same.
However, while Luffy was not aware of it at that time, both father and son have met each other once.
In chapter 100, when Dragon saved Luffy from being captured by Smoker in Loguetown was the only instance when he “met” his father.
However, at this time, Luffy was unaware of his identity and couldn’t even see Dragon’s face.
I. Is Luffy Related to the Pirate King?
Luffy is related to the Pirate King, Gold D. Roger, through both familial ties and fate.
During his childhood, he exchanged cups of sake with Roger’s son, Ace, and became his sworn brother.
Furthermore, Luffy and the Pirate King share the middle name ‘D.’
While the exact meaning behind ‘D’ has not been revealed yet, both Luffy and the Pirate King have the same ancestral origin and can be counted as extremely distant relatives.
Their similar antics, unwavering will, and resemblance in their appearance have been proof of that.
On the fate side of the spectrum, it should be noted that there are no coincidences in One Piece, and everything happens for a reason.
The fact that Luffy was held to be executed on the same platform as Gol D. Roger, and even came to possess the Pirate King’s signature straw hat can only be explained through fate.
2. Who Is Luffy’s Mother?
While we at least know about Luffy’s father and have even seen him in action, the identity of Luffy’s mother remains shrouded in mystery. There are a few theories regarding her, which make a lot of sense.
I. Amazon Lily Theory
When Kuma sent the Straw Hat members to different places, many wondered the significance behind Luffy being sent to Amazon Lily.
At first, it seemed like the purpose behind that was to introduce Boa Hancock as a potential ally, or even lover, and perhaps Luffy learning Haki.
However, after watching this video by Youtuber GomuRx, many hidden details are revealed that make a lot of sense.
According to him, Nayan’s comment that “There’s a saying in the east that love is like a hurricane” directly refers to Dragon.
While it seems a bit far-fetched, Nayan’s words are to be taken seriously due to her position as the previous empress.
Additionally, it has been assumed that Dragon is a devil fruit user that gives him weather-related abilities, which was seen during the Loguetown arc.
Furthermore, there’s a blank period between Nayan’s reign as the empress and Boa’s.
It is possible that the one who was the ruler during this time was Luffy’s mother, and after conceiving a male in the form of Luffy, due to the tribe’s rules, she had to send him away.
II. Celestial Dragon Theory
Another popular theory that is going around sounds more like a forbidden love story between Monkey D. Dragon and Luffy’s mother.
It is assumed that the latter was a Celestial Dragon, who fell in love with Dragon.
However, after their relationship came to light, the mother was killed by others for having a child with a commoner, and even worse, a member of the ‘D’ family.
While this happened, Dragon managed to escape with Luffy and, after giving his custody to Garp, formed the Revolutionary Army to combat the Celestial Dragons and exact revenge upon them.
While both of these theories rest too much on assumed facts, it would be chilling if they actually come true.
However, according to Oda’s recent interview, and a confession from Luffy’s voice actor, it seems that the day may never come.
3. Will We Ever Get to See Her?
In an interview, Oda said that he had already drawn Luffy’s parents, and that they would appear in the next volume i.e., 45. However, while we did see Dragon, there was no sight of Luffy’s mother.
Furthermore, in the december 2009 issue of Shonen Jump, Oda commented that Luffy’s mother was still alive, and was a very strict and tough looking woman, sporting a perm.
While this does sound like Dadan, and Oda has himself commented that the relation of a mother does not have to be entirely biological, we can assume that he was talking about Luffy’s birth mother.
The good news is that Luffy’s mother is alive, however, the bad news is that we may never get to see her.
Recently, Luffy’s voice actress, Mayumi Tanaka, revealed that when she asked Oda about Luffy’s mother one day, he said that he wasn’t interested in exploring that side of Luffy’s heritage.
“Luffy’s adventure began after he left his mother’s arms. I want to tell his story, so the mother is not part of it.”
Eiichiro Oda
This sentiment and theme is often reflected in many other characters’ past throughout the series. Most of the Straw Pirates’ mothers have either died or are not shown at all.
While the show does lose some potential thrill in the form of Luffy’s mother, her not turning up might be a refreshing concept to explore.
4. About One Piece
One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997, and has been collected into 95 tankōbon volumes.
The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger.
The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.”
These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!
Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece.
With his diverse crew joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.
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