Welcome, One Piece fans and fellow theorists of the Grand Line! Today, we delve deep into the complex, thought-provoking world of One Piece to explore a fundamental concept: Absolute Justice. Eiichiro Oda, has brewed a unique concoction of excitement and moral quandary in his world of pirates and special powers, intricately weaving characters and plotlines that have us all hooked. In this blog post, we’re sailing through the multifaceted layers of justice portrayed in this manga and anime series and spotlighting the ideal of Absolute Justice.
Justice in One Piece
For many pirates, marines, and laughingly normal citizens, justice in One Piece is as multifarious as the paradisiacal islands dotting the Grand Line. Some see it as a moral compass guiding their actions, while others view it as a set of balanced scales, weighing the good against the evil. The core characters of One Piece have their personal philosophies and connotations of justice, each unique yet intertwined with the overarching narrative.
Let’s explore these perspectives:
- Monkey D. Luffy, our beloved straw-hatted pirate, exhibits an instinctual sense of justice, often siding with the underdog while maintaining a ‘live and let live’ attitude.
- In contrast, marines like Admiral Akainu orchestrate their actions on the belief that anything done in the name of justice is justifiable, thus presenting a more authoritarian perception.
Absolute Justice in One Piece
Absolute Justice, in the One Piece cosmos, is less a concept and more a life motto for the World Government’s Marines. The doctrine is simple: in the pursuit of a peaceful world, threats must be eradicated iron-handedly, no matter the cost. Pirates, regardless of their intentions or actions, are seen as pests to be disposed of. Those at the World Government’s helm who endorse and embody this principle include Admiral Akainu and Admiral Kizaru.
An in-depth perusal of Absolute Justice follows:
An In-depth Analysis of Absolute Justice
As we navigate through the arcs of One Piece, Absolute Justice is ceaselessly at the forefront, forming the underlying theme for numerous storylines and character developments. Absolutism, in its very essence, leaves no room for mercy or compromise. This absolute approach has led to tragic events such as the Ohara Incident and the execution of Ace, reiterating the consequential repercussions of this doctrine.
The democratically minded Revolutionaries or the free-spirited pirates often stand in the way of Absolute Justice, bringing forth their version of justice, leading to intense conflict and essential plot progression.
Absolute vs. Moral Justice
Another significant kind of justice in One Piece is Moral Justice. It signifies acting based on a moral compass rather than pure law enforcement. This form of justice is usually associated with characters like Admiral Fujitora and Smoker. They are marines, but they choose to understand the situation and bend the rules in favor of what they believe is morally right, further setting the stage for a battle of philosophies.
Opposing the ‘black and white’ view of Absolute Justice, Moral Justice incorporates shades of grey, compelling us to question the very nature of good and evil. It lays bare the complexities and dilemmas involved in the execution of justice, pushing characters and readers alike into a sphere of introspection and judgment.
Notable Examples of Absolute Justice
Several story arcs highlight the role of Absolute Justice. Recall the Buster Call on Ohara, endorsed on the grounds of Absolute Justice. Akainu’s dogged pursuit of Luffy, even in the midst of a war with Blackbeard, further emblematizes the lengths to which believers of Absolute Justice would go.
These examples underline the impacts of Absolute Justice on the One Piece narratives, its characters, and the unfolding drama, subtly critiquing the perils of extremism, while also underlining the compassionate and realist alternatives.
The Reception by Fans
The Absolute Justice concept has spurred plenty of debate within the One Piece fandom. While some appreciate its role in creating conflicts and grey areas, others criticize it for its unyielding harshness. Online forums and communities are flooded with speculative threads and discussions, with fans dissecting characters, examining plot cues, and even pitching their theoretical what-ifs.
The Colors of Justice: Unraveled
When we study the marines’ appearance and personalities closely, an interesting pattern begins to emerge. Each marine not only represents a type of justice but also dons colors that symbolize that very essence:
- Lazy/Cool Justice (Kuzan)
- Color: Blue
- Traits: Relaxed, merciful, may overlook minor offenses.
- Absolute Justice (Akainu)
- Color: Red
- Traits: Strict, unforgiving, highly disciplined.
- Blind Justice (Fujitora)
- Color: Purple
- Traits: Non-discriminatory, honorable, challenges warlord systems, aligns with righteous pirates.
- Honorable Justice (Smoker)
- Color: Green
- Traits: Fights with honor, disagrees with superiors, high pride, refrains from unearned rewards.
- Dark Justice (Cp9)
- Colors: Black & White
- Traits: Covert, aligns with Celestial Dragons, tactically brilliant, deals with pirates.
- Reckless Justice (Kizaru)
- Color: Yellow
- Traits: Impulsive, causes collateral damage, confronts tough challenges.
A fascinating addition to this theory is the fact that a marine can primarily be associated with one color but may have subtle hints of another, for example, a tie representing another form of justice.
Interactions & Alliances
These colors don’t just stand alone; they reflect dynamics and potential alliances. Some colors inherently clash:
- Red vs Blue
- Yellow vs Purple
- Black and White vs Green
Yet, others synchronize well, like Black and White pairing seamlessly with Yellow, or how Blue works harmoniously with Purple.
Deeper Dive into Marine Tales
Kizaru’s journey from a calculated Dark Justice marine to the recklessness of Yellow justice, Garp’s evolution from Absolute to Cool justice, and Z’s transition from Blind to Dark justice are just a few examples that validate this theory.
Furthermore, institutions like Impel Down showcase a dominant presence of Dark Justice, peppered with shades of Red and Yellow, leaving little room for the gentler justices.
Admirals Fujitora and Greenbull
The Paramount War caused a significant shake-up in the power dynamics of the One Piece world. The invasion of Marineford by the Whitebeard Pirates and 43 allied ships sought to rescue Portgas D. Ace. However, it ended with the tragic deaths of Ace and Whitebeard, leading to a restructuring of power within the Navy. After the departure of Admiral Kuzan and the ascension of Sakazuki (formerly Admiral Akainu) to the position of Fleet Admiral, there were two Admiral vacancies. These were filled by Admirals Fujitora and Green Bull, who were introduced after a World Military Draft.
Admiral Fujitora made his debut in the Dressrosa arc. Despite being blind, he possesses the powerful Zushi Zushi no Mi Devil Fruit that grants him gravity manipulation abilities. Fujitora’s ideology, as shared by Oda in SBS volume 106, is termed Honorable Justice. This sense of justice prioritizes honor above all else, driving him to act in ways that might seem unconventional for a Navy Admiral, such as siding with Luffy and apologizing to the citizens of Dressrosa. His principles even lead him into confrontations with other Navy personnel who follow different forms of justice.
Admiral Green Bull was introduced later in the series, revealing his Devil Fruit abilities during the Wano arc. Possessing the Logia-type Mori Mori no mi, Green Bull can control forests. Personality-wise, Green Bull displays a disdain for the underprivileged and a strong prejudice in favor of the Celestial Dragons. Oda, in the same SBS volume, labeled his form of justice as Deadly Justice. This philosophy sees him willing to take extreme actions to maintain the status quo and the supremacy of the Celestial Dragons. His beliefs starkly contrast with Fujitora’s, leading to confrontations between the two Admirals.
In essence, post the Paramount War, two new Admirals, Fujitora and Green Bull, have been introduced, each bringing their unique sense of justice to the table, leading to intriguing dynamics within the world of One Piece.
Predictions & Projections
Given this color-coded justice system, potential future confrontations within the marines can be anticipated. We might witness showdowns between teams like Yellow, Red, Black & White against Blue, Green, and Purple. These alliances are not mere speculation but are rooted in the established dynamics and interactions we’ve observed so far.
Moreover, Green Bull’s introduction piques interest. With a name suggesting Green justice and traits hinting at stubbornness, is he the new Smoker in town? Or does the bull in his title indicate a trait more in line with Absolute Justice, akin to Red Dog?
A Nudge towards Theories
What if Dragon, known for his green wind devil fruit ability, was a previous Green Admiral? Could it be that Garp, Kong, Z, and Sengoku were predecessors representing Red, Yellow, Purple, and Blue, respectively? And what about X Drake? His blue hue may hint at him being an undercover operative for the revolution, mirroring Aokiji’s trajectory.
Conclusion
As we dock at the end of our discussion on Absolute Justice, it’s clear that this concept isn’t merely another cog in the plot mechanism of One Piece. It’s a catalyst for debate, an invitation to reflect on our notions of justice, and an echo of similar struggles in our reality. While Absolute Justice may be grim, it gives us pause, forces us to question, and underlines why One Piece, in its core, is more than just a collection of adventures.
Invitation for Discussion
Now, I pass on the compass to you, fellow fans. What are your thoughts on Absolute Justice in One Piece? Do you view it as an unforgivingly harsh principle or as an intriguing part of the broader narrative? Comment below and let’s continue the discussion.