As One Piece finishes one of the greatest fights yet, it’s understandable that some things are a little fuzzy in fans’ memories. One Piece has been running for almost twenty-five years now, and just now entering the final saga. The story is notable for author Eichiro Oda and his meticulous planning, so what hints or plots were evident right from the beginning in One Piece’s Romance Dawn arc?
If there’s any concern about spoilers for an arc over twenty years old, turn back now. Romance Dawn is covered in the first three episodes of the show, and the first seven chapters in the manga. All episodes are available in HD remasters on Crunchyroll.
The World of One Piece
One Piece has an ambitious world, with a lot to set up before audiences either lose interest or get confused. Everything from the Navy to Gold Roger and Devil Fruits are set up in this initial arc. The anime takes a slightly different approach by focusing on the journey of Koby and Luffy before any details of Luffy’s background, but it works for the characters. Luffy’s happy-go-lucky nature is a fine balance to Koby’s precocious nature. Most of all, it evaded Luffy being made of rubber until further into the arc than in the manga, where it happened first thing.
The reveal wasn’t until Luffy’s Gum-Gum Pistol against Alvida, the first hint at the lunacy to come. The explanation of Devil Fruits after was what changed One Piece from a normal pirate story to something much different than any before.
Luffy Sets Sail
It took a while to show Luffy’s backstory, and skipped with his barrel found by the Navy first, instead. When it does get to his backstory with Shanks, there’s an earnestness to it that makes Luffy stand out. Fans already got a view of how the Straw Hat captain lives, but the backstory of Shanks, Luffy’s Devil Fruit, and the Lord of the Coast was a masterclass in worldbuilding by writer Eichiro Oda. There are hints in these episodes that didn’t become obvious until almost five hundred chapters later!
Most notably, Shanks sacrificed his arm to save Luffy. Rendered unable to swim after eating the Devil Fruit, Luffy put up a feeble fight against his captor. The Lord of the Coast had different ideas though, and ate the bandit before eyeing Luffy for a dessert. When Shanks steps in to save him there’s a subtle hint, a look in his eye, that signifies an early use of Conqueror’s Haki. Luffy would do the same much later and subdue terrifying creatures with just a look.
Finding Zolo
Shanks established his power and badass disposition by saving Luffy. Zolo established himself by being a jerk before beating the hell out of a few Navy guys. His intro of the Three Sword Style, totally ridiculous at first, was more than powerful enough to qualify him for the First Mate position. Before proving his power, he proved he was resilient with a soft side.
Enter Zolo, tied up for three weeks to the post outside a Navy base. All for punishment by Ax-Hand Morgan and his stupid son Helmeppo. The infamous Pirate Hunter Zolo didn’t eat or drink for three weeks while tied there in the hot sun. He even denies food made by a local girl. When Helmeppo throws it all on the ground like trash though, Zolo eats it for the sake of Rika. He returns the favor and gives Helmeppo a good, old-fashioned ass-kicking.
Koby the Hero
Whoever thought that little, awkward Koby with pink hair and big glasses would become a hero? He becomes the balance to Luffy. His dream to be a Navy sailor and help people, while Luffy wanted to be a pirate to show people true freedom. Two heroes with the same goals, but two totally different paths. Koby has since made his name as a hero, standing up here to Ax-Hand Morgan much like he would to Akainu at Marineford.
Everything here is just a tease for the story to come. From Zolo’s dreams to become a great swordsman, and Luffy’s realization that he really, really needs a crew. Romance Dawn ends as Luffy and Zolo sail onward, and incidentally meet up with Nami not long after.
One of the shortest One Piece arcs, Romance Dawn is no doubt a necessary piece of the long, epic timeline. The execution of Gold Roger led to a golden age of piracy, and Monkey D Luffy’s first voyage in the East Blue is just the first of an adventure yet to end.
