There are a lot of races in One Piece that are both comical and interesting. Dwarves are among them… obviously.
We have to discuss One Piece’s Dwarves. We just have to. They are an amalgam of fables and modern fiction. It’s as if Gulliver’s Travels rammed into the Smurfs like something out of a peanut butter-chocolate snack commercial. They also have layers and are arguably one of the most overlooked groups in the One Piece Universe. So, let’s discover who One Piece’s Dwarves actually are. From addressing a few key traits to listing off some members, we’re about to shrink down to discover what makes them such a fun part of the anime and manga.
How Strong Are The Dwarves?
This can actually be a hard one to answer, but the easy route will be taken on this one. Dwarves exhibit remarkable speed, capable of vanishing in the blink of an eye, rendering them nearly imperceptible to the average person. Despite their diminutive stature, dwarves wield impressive strength. With even a solitary dwarf having the ability to effortlessly demolish a building. Some dwarves engage in combat using a distinctive technique referred to as Tontatta Combat, harnessing their distinctive attributes and the inherent might of their race to overpower larger adversaries.
Tontatta Combat: A Go-To Fighting Style
The Tontatta tribe is subtly hinted at in the flashback recounting Noland’s history. As he reminisces about his exploits in the Grand Line during one of his storytelling sessions, he makes a reference to having visited a land inhabited by dwarves. The tribe definitely takes the fighting style quite seriously.
This technique employs both the user’s arms and the distinctive tails of the dwarves. They prefer using scaled-down lances as their primary weapons, tailored to their size. That said, they are equally adept at wielding any weapon they come across or engaging in unarmed combat when the need arises. One notable maneuver is the Shippo Hammer, wherein the user positions themselves above the target and utilizes their tail to deliver a powerful strike. The resulting force is formidable enough to embed a full-grown human deep into solid ground.
How Do Dwarves See Humans In One Piece?
Interestingly, there are certain parallels with the Mink race in this aspect. Dwarves commonly address humans as “Big Humans” and casually inquire about their moral alignment, with a tradition in place. From what we know, a good-hearted human can establish their trustworthiness by voluntarily surrendering their weapons. They can also do this by relinquishing all their belongings. Or both. They don’t seem to really care. Curiously, dwarves are also capable of interbreeding with humans, as exemplified by the existence of Charlotte Normande, one of Charlotte Linlin‘s daughters. Let’s address a few of these little guys before moving on.
King Gancho
Gancho made his initial appearance when his fellow dwarves were examining Robin, seeking an explanation for why Leo had released her. While initially cautious about her innocence, he swiftly embraced Leo’s assertion that she was a person of goodwill and proceeded to introduce himself. In common with his fellow dwarves, Gancho is of small stature, and boasts a sizeable fluffy tail, but distinguishes himself from his kin by his absence of a pointed nose. He possesses lengthy hair and sports a substantial crown, complemented by a robe and sunglasses. Additionally, he relies on a walking stick for mobility.
Mansherry
Mansherry possesses a lush head of thick, wavy blonde hair, some of which she fashions into twin buns, gracefully draping over her body and tail. Intriguingly, she is also Gancho’s daughter. However, her character harbors additional layers beyond her station and appearance.
Mansherry has consumed the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that grants her the remarkable ability to instantly mend any injury afflicting a living being. Her power can manifest in diverse forms, with her tears serving as one conduit. The true might of this fruit, however, lies in its capacity to restore life to inanimate objects, a capability coveted by Donquixote Doflamingo, who intended to employ her talents to resurrect the SMILE factory should the need arise. We’ll get into that shortly.
Leo
Leo, often referred to as “Warrior Leo,” also hails from the Tontatta Kingdom and initially led the “Tonta Corps.” Over time, this group transformed into a formidable pirate crew, now renowned as the Tontatta Pirates, with Leo at the helm as their captain. He is a staunch supporter of his kingdom’s laws, exemplified by his demand that Robin surrender either a weapon or her garments in exchange for her liberty.
Some of his abilities are enhanced by his consumption of the Nui Nui no Mi, a Paramecia-class Devil Fruit, affording him the unique capacity to seamlessly mend and undo stitches in various objects. Moreover, Leo boasts proficiency in Tontatta Combat, although the extent of his martial prowess remains a mystery. Notably, Leo harnesses his impressive speed in conjunction with his Devil Fruit abilities.
Trouble In Paradise: What Happens During The Dressrosa Arc?
The Dwarves actually end up playing a key role in the Dressrosa Arc against Donquixote Flamingo. The attempt to exploit Mansherry’s pure abilities is a big factor here, as she is essentially the tribal princess. Leo manages to subdue members of Flamingo’s crew, which is a remarkable feat in and of itself. Because of their continual involvement, this Arc acts as a catalysis; a moment battle that brings the race of Dwarves into the open world. A role that stretches into the Wano Country Arc.
A Fun Addition To One Piece
As a veteran fan, it would be silly to argue with others over the importance of Dwarves. Technically, their station is not paramount to the story. Sure, they could have been replaced with actual fairies or things of that nature. One could argue that they could be removed entirely. Okay. Sure. That said, their gullible nature and comical strength were awesome for most of the fanbase to watch. Maybe they shouldn’t be CGIed into Netflix’s new series though. That would probably be a bit of a mess.
