The princess of Alabasta who risked everything to save her country, Nefertari Vivi is one of the few characters to be an honorary Straw Hat Pirate. Her journey from an infiltrator of Baroque Works to ruler of a country is fraught with peril, and she has a central part to play in the final saga. So, who is Nefertari Vivi, and how will she play into the grand battle to come in One Piece?
Fair warning that this article contains spoilers for One Piece through chapter 1090, currently in the Egghead Island arc. The manga is available to read on MangaPlus and Viz online. Catch up, or proceed with caution!
Who is Nefertari Vivi?
Vivi first appears as the mysterious Ms. Wednesday of Baroque Works. Initially she fights against the Straw Hats along with the other Baroque Works members. Still, she’s exposed not long after the Straw Hat Pirates show up at Whiskey Peak. With Vivi’s cover blown, she joins the Straw Hat Pirates, putting her trust in Luffy to get back home. Turns out, she’s the princess of the country of Alabasta, currently in the midst of a violent Civil War.
The princess herself is a woman of courage, dignity, and compassion. She cares about her friends and citizens of her kingdom more than herself. So much that she willingly risks her life several times to save them. Vivi overall cares about making things better for everyone else, and to that end she stays behind as the princess of Alabasta instead of joining the Straw Hats on their journeys.
Why Does Vivi Infiltrate Baroque Works?
When Vivi and Igaram finally crack that Baroque Works is behind all the issues in Alabasta, they make a plan to infiltrate. Their goal is to find out who the mysterious Mr. 0 is, the leader of the shadowy empire. When they go undercover both make it quickly into the upper ranks of Baroque Works and work for weeks at their goal. Finally, their hard work pays off when they discover that Mr. 0 is actually Crocodile, the infamous Warlord of the Sea!
Alabasta Saga
Vivi becomes an honorary member of the Straw Hat Pirates when she joins them at Whiskey Peak. She goes through some of the most formative moments of the Grand Line with them. Everything from Little Garden to Chopper joining, and Luffy’s assumed death. Though she’s broken down and feels defeated, Vivi presses on to save her country by helping the Straw Hats.
By the end of everything Vivi is back as the princess of Alabasta, and begins her training as a new ruler. While she’s given an open invitation from the Straw Hat Pirates to join them on their adventures, she still turns them down. Vivi knows that Luffy will change the world in his own way, but she knows that she can do the most good by representing Alabasta at the Reverie coming up later.
Reverie
The Reverie arc is Vivi’s reappearance in the manga after the two-year time skip. She’s turned into a much-loved leader in Alabasta, though her father Nefeltari Cobra is still the ruling king. Still, she’s made her name as a princess who will do anything for her people, and that fame precedes her to other kingdoms as well. She’s just one of many there who have become part of the Luffy fan club, along with Sai, Dalton, and Riku of Dressrosa. Unfortunately, she also has a reunion with Wapol, who she helped the Straw Hats kick from the former Drum Kingdom.
Vivi also gets a firsthand look at the horror of the Celestial Dragons. Not only their slavery, but callousness when they try to kidnap Princess Shirahoshi of Fishman Island. She’s just one of many that condemn the actions of Saint Charlos, but are still powerless. This isn’t the beginning of her issues at the Reverie as Cobra’s death at the hands of the Gorosei follows.
What is Vivi’s Real Name?
When Vivi defends Shirahoshi, it gains the ire of the Gorosei who put her under Cipher Pol 0’s custody. They intend to keep her hostage until the Reverie is over when she’ll be a gift to a Celestial Dragon. It’s dark, but not really surprising considering the scum that lives in Marijoa. Surprisingly, Vivi is saved from that fate by the most unexpected person- Wapol. The Black Drum Kingdom’s ruler witnesses the murder of Nefeltari Cobra. In fear for his life, he eats his way out of the castle to Vivi’s room.
She catches a ride with him as Sabo attempts to rescue Cobra, but he’s too late. Nefeltari Cobra, king of Alabasta, leaves Sabo with a final request. Sabo must tell Vivi and Luffy that the Nefeltari family bear the Will of D. It’s a game-changing revelation that means Vivi has greater part to play in the final saga.
Will Vivi Join the Straw Hats?
It’s incredibly likely at this point that Vivi will join the Straw Hat Pirates. She’s on the run from the World Government, currently hiding out with Wapol in Good News Morgans’ flying office. Morgans isn’t the type for protecting people, but he helps out Wapol and Vivi for the exclusive story. Now, Vivi is still flying with them, unhappy that Morgans portrays Sabo as her father’s assassin. Vivi still doesn’t know what her father entrusts with Sabo. In her position, it’s unknown how long until she meets up with the Revolutionaries.
The greatest question about Vivi getting to the Straw Hats isn’t if she’ll join them, but if someone else will. Namely, is Karoo safe? Vivi’s duck companion is a faithful friend, and a beloved from his time with the crew. He wasn’t at the Reverie with them though, so he can still get out of Alabasta. Especially before something bad happens (like Imu using the Mother Flame again).
One Piece is reaching the end of the Egghead Island arc now, so Vivi should be near. They’ve set their next destination as Elbaph, the current base of operations for Shanks. The question is if they’ll all meet up there or later at Laughtale, plus where Vivi will join them along the way. She still has a big part to play in the mystery of the Void Century and Imu, so expect to see Nefeltari D Vivi much more in One Piece!
