Much like in real life, wars and crises in anime can start for any number of reasons. They can occur because of decades of tension, the actions of a group, or the death of a key individual. There was a crisis that would engulf Fish-man Island during the Fish-Man Island Arc. The death of Queen Otohime was the spark that lit the fire.
But who was Queen Otothime and why was she so important to the Ryugua Kingdom? What role did she play in the kingdom? And why was her death so impactful to events that would occur eight years later? Here’s what you need to know!
Who Is Queen Otohime?
Queen Otohime was a goldfish mermaid who married King Neptune and bore him three sons. Those sons were Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi, and her only daughter, Shirahoshi. However, she was more than just a Queen at her King’s side. She stood against the discrimination that was occurring between the Fish-Men and the humans. Believing that the two races could co-exist.
One of her greatest skills is compassion for others. She was able to talk a thief into changing his profession. Otohime even talked down the arrogant World Noble Mjosgard into becoming a humble man. She spent the vast majority of her life preaching that humans, merfolk, and Fish-Men all shared the same sun. That meant they deserved to share it together.
Time With The World Government
She saved Mjosgard from the Sun Pirates after his ship crashed on the main entrance to Fish-Man island. Then she decided to return with him when he returned to the World Government. Her words managed to give the man a change of heart, and he became the Neptune family’s political ally against the World Government.
He even stood up for them against the other nobles. Sometimes getting into physical altercations on the family’s behalf, though he was executed for his actions. It took the sacrifice of Mjosgard, but the petitions were getting signed by the people. It seemed that the Queen would have her dream to bring the Fish-Men and the humans together.
Fisher Tiger
A sometime ally of hers was Fisher Tiger, who was a fishman and a former slave. While he held no anger towards humans, (even using non-lethal methods during his time as a pirate), he wanted both Fish-Men and humans to remain separate. His reputation as a hero made it harder for the Queen to gather support for integration. However, despite their opposing viewpoints, the two did understand one another.
The Queen understood all of the pain that he had experienced as a slave. While Fisher Tiger admitted guilt for not supporting the Queen for making peace between the two races. Jinbe would be one of the Fish-Men who would idolize both characters. He would eventually sail out to sea and promote mutual respect between the two races.
Tragedy Strikes
After seven years and over 1,000 signatures, Otohime was holding the box of signatures before it caught fire. During the confusion, a gunshot rang out and Otohime fell. She was able to say farewell to her sons, reminding them to take care of their sister and to continue to hold onto hope.
As Fish-Man Island dealt with panic from her death, Hody Jones managed to convince many that humans were the cause of this suffering. While the revelation created a wave of anti-human sentiment, Otohime’s sons were able to rally the citizens during the funeral and collect more signatures.
Who Is Hody Jones and Why Did He Kill Queen Otohime?
Whenever he captured the royal family following a coup, Hody Jones gloated that he had been the one to kill Otohime. Hody Jones revealed during the coup that he hated the Queen and her desire to cooperate with humans. Instead, he wished for the Fish-Men to reign as the overlords of the humans.
So he personally killed her, burned her signatures, and framed a human for the crime. He also forced the citizens to step on her photograph on pain of death, gloating about the crime. He wanted a world of human slaves ruled over by the Fish-Men, and that almost came to be during the Fish-Men Island arc.
Queen Otohime’s Dream Falters
Eight years after Queen Otohime’s death Kody Jones launched a coup to take over Fish-Man island. The coup would move his dream forward of becoming the ruler of Fish-Man island and starting to create a world of enslaved humans. However, his actions coincided with the arrival of the Straw Hats.
He did succeed in overcoming the royal family and stringing them up for execution. However, the Straw Hats interfered and Luffy defeated him on the deck of Noah. The ship that his ally had tried to crash into the island, destroying everything the Queen stood for.
The Rebirth of Hope
Once the rebellion was defeated, the majority of the Fish-Men found themselves deciding to trust humans. So they began to really work with the Neptune family. Together the entirety of Fish-Man island began to strive towards their late Queen’s dream.
People like Jinbe began to uphold her legacy in their own ways, focusing on forming better relationships with pirates. Even King Neptune began to make plans to attend the Levely. The Queen’s influence has connected the entire island together, even after her death.
One Person Can Change The World
While it might not always seem like it, both in the world of One Piece and real life, one person can change the world. That is what the entire series is all about, isn’t it? Queen Otohime might not have been the strongest fighter. But she proved that sticking to your dream and using words and kindness can bring about great change.
She was able to finally guide Fish-Man Island to her dream of interspecies cooperation between humans and those of the sea. It is likely that the dream will continue to evolve and grow as the story of One Piece continues!
