Gold Roger was born and executed in Loguetown, the final island before the Grand Line. A central figure of One Piece and Luffy’s hero, the Loguetown arc naturally brings historical background to the world. It’s fitting, as One Piece is about to step into an entirely dangerous new world with plenty of new enemies. So, what happens in Loguetown and what does it mean for the Straw Hats?
As a refresher, the Straw Hats were last seen sailing away from Arlong Park, with Nami now as their official navigator. So far the journey through East Blue has shown vicious pirates, corrupt Navy leadership, and perilous Devil Fruits. Luffy’s defeat of the Fishman Captain Arlong brings his first bounty too, with a thirty million price on his head! So, now that the Straw Hats are in the port of Loguetown, what kind of trouble can Luffy get into?
Straw Hats Split Up
They don’t know it yet in Loguetown, but the Straw Hats split up for the first of many times which leads to chaos. Zoro runs off to find new swords, Sanji goes for food, Usopp for materials, and Nami to just shop. Luffy, being Luffy as ever, goes to the execution site of Gold Roger, King of the Pirates. They’ll all get up to their shenanigans, but Luffy and Zolo are the two on display for most of the arc.
Luffy’s idiocy brings him into contact with plenty of people that want to capture or kill him. For crying out loud, Smoker doesn’t realize who Luffy is and gives him directions! Unfortunately, it’s not until Luffy is well on his way that Smoker realizes, but there are plenty of others roaming the town waiting.
Smoker and Tashigi Introduced
White Chase Smoker and his lieutenant Tashigi make their debut in Loguetown, though not together at first. Until now, One Piece has shown most of the Navy as corrupt, violent assholes. So when a hulking Navy Captain smoking two cigars is run into by a kid who spills her ice cream all over him, things don’t look good. The child’s father begs Smoker not to hurt his daughter, playing into the Navy’s fear.
It was a nice reveal when Smoker apologized to the girl and offered her money to get another ice cream. His kind nature was a nice parallel to the borderline evil jerks the Navy showcased so far. Tashigi would carry that with her intro, fighting against some pirates before Zoro steps in to help her.
Zoro’s Test
Only one sword is kind of pointless for a guy that practices Three Sword Style. After he steps in to help Tashigi, Zoro wanders into the swordsmiths and picks up two very particular swords from a bargain barrel. This man couldn’t find himself with a GPS tracker but somehow comes into possession of two fine-grade swords. One is rumored to be the cursed blade Kitetsu III.
Zoro doesn’t believe in curses though, and decides to test how much the sword likes him by tossing it in the air. As he sticks his arm out, Tashigi and the shopkeeper stare in horror before the blade curves perfectly around his arm, leaving no mark. The shopkeeper gives him both swords for free, noting something very peculiar about Zolo and his energy. Tashigi, meanwhile, has no idea she just had her first meeting with Zoro, the first mate of the Straw Hat pirates!
Buggy Returns!
The unbeatable Buggy returns in Loguetown, this time with the added firepower of another captain. Alvida got a Devil Fruit makeover thanks to the Slip-Slip Fruit, which makes attacks (and everything else) slip right past her. A now re-assembled Buggy and Alvida know Luffy is in town, and they’re determined to give him an execution just like his hero.
Naturally, the scene of Luffy on the execution platform, Buggy and Alvida ready to kill just like Roger was so long ago, is a great parallel. What’s not explored is Buggy’s presence at Roger’s execution, since he served as an apprentice alongside Shanks to the Pirate King. Buggy had great respect for Roger, and (at this point) nothing but loathing for Luffy, but interestingly, he would choose to kill Luffy in the same spot.
New Devil Fruits
Seeing a new Devil Fruit is always a fun experience. It’s either going to be some totally ridiculous, off-the-wall power, or the most terrifyingly violent thing to exist. There are very few in between that range from useful and kind of normal to “Why the hell would they eat that?”. Loguetown arc introduces two new fruits with Alvida’s already mentioned, but with Smoker came the Logia Type Devil Fruit.
Logia types not only allow the user control over whatever element or material they may be but allow them to shift in and out of whatever it is. Smoker, obviously, can become smoke and travel that way, as well as create massive smokescreens. He’s just the intro to Logia, as things will go from awesome powers like the Flame-Flame Fruit to the gross Swamp-Swamp Fruit. The possibilities are endless.
Monkey D Dragon
Speaking of debuts, Monkey D Dragon appears in shadow, un-named at the time. Later audiences would learn that the strange man with the face tattoo is the head of the Revolutionary Army, enemies of the World Government. Even more, he’s Monkey D Luffy’s father! That makes three generations of powerful, headstrong fighters!
Dragon is a mysterious figure, even for up-to-date fans. So far, nearly every other Revolutionary has gotten a backstory of some kind, but Dragon only appears on occasion. When he has, mostly when he speaks to Robin or Sabo, he seems like a kind, humorous man. It hasn’t been confirmed, but Dragon is believed to have powers from the Storm-Storm Fruit or something equivalent to that. Storms seem to follow wherever he appears, always at the most convenient times.
Life and Death of a Pirate King
Loguetown was the birthplace of Gold Roger and his execution site. Flashbacks go a long way in the arc, and show the Pirate King as a kind, jovial man. Gold Roger won’t get development until later in the story, but once he does these make more sense. Roger was a joyful man, and his kindness well known throughout the Grand Line. There are still plenty of characters that were present that day yet to be seen as well.
To the Grand Line!
Luffy and company manage to escape Loguetown Square with a little help from a convenient storm. Smoker and Buggy even notice how lucky he seems to be, able to escape death in the strangest ways. There’s a moment where Luffy is on the scaffold, about to have his throat slashed by Buggy, when his final words to the crew are “sorry” and he smiles. This is such a quintessential Luffy moment as he laughs in the face of death.
Their escape to the sea and promise to each other before Reverse Mountain close out the arc. As the storm rages around them, each Straw Hat puts their foot on a barrel. Then, the make their solemn vow to chase a dream. Now, the Merry Go and her Merry Crew sail the strange current of Reverse Mountain, entrance to the Grand Line!
Important Notes
- Smoker and Tashigi enter the story.
- Alvida’s new look and Slip-Slip Fruit powers debut.
- Zoro obtains Kitetsu III.
- Dragon is briefly appears for the first time.
One Piece, including the Loguetown arc in Episodes 48-53, is entirely on Crunchyroll and Netflix in the United States. Now, on to the Grand Line!
