One of the biggest themes in One Piece is allowing the past to drive you forward. Many characters get hunted, haunted, or otherwise impacted by things that have happened to them before. They live on in their memories and their pasts are often brought up to haunt them. This can be for good or ill. Just like in real life, if you don’t focus on healing or accepting your past, it can stop you from enjoying the present. Memories in One Piece have had a massive impact on story arcs, characters, and events in the entire story. The theme of having and dealing with memories is an important one. Just like the themes of found family or following your dreams.
Memories In One Piece Connect The Past To The Future
It is no secret that the world of One Piece is very old. The story of the world didn’t start with Gol. D. Roger’s death, nor with Luffy eating the Gomu Gomu No Mi (Gum Gum fruit). The story of older characters is often told in flashbacks. From the perspectives of Garp, the Rocks Pirates, Kaidou, and more we see more about the world.
The memories that these characters have of past events allow the audience to see new perspectives of the past. Rather than hearing the second hand accounts of these events, we get to see them from the people who lived through them! It allows the Straw Hat pirates to get more information about the world. Through them, the audience learns more too.
Memories Drive The Characters Forward
Nearly every single character in One Piece has some type of dream. This dream is what makes them fight and sail and move as hard as they do. However, it also can connect to their memories in some way. For example, Zoro’s dream is to become the greatest swordsman in the world. He reaffirmed this dream after he suffered defeat and got scarred by Dracule Mihawk. He made a vow to never lose again.
Later, he had to turn to Mihawk for help during the time skip. The memory of the defeat was playing in his mind, but he begged for help in order to become stronger. Not just to become stronger for his dream, but to become strong enough to help Luffy become the Pirate King.
Memories Sometimes Need To Be Confronted
When it comes to traumatic memories, Nico Robin takes the cake. She had to suffer the events of a Buster Call first hand, and was later hunted for the abilities she had. She got betrayed by nearly everyone she thought she could call a friend. By Enies Lobby she begged to be locked away in order to save the Straw Hats. However, after seeing how far the Straw Hats were willing to go to save her she reconsidered her death wish. Her proclaiming that she wants to live one of the most emotional scenes in the anime. Because she also confronts her pain.
Finally, with the Straw Hats, she has no fear of betrayal. Instead, she has friends who would willingly take on the entire world for her. After that, she becomes a much better person. She laughs, she talks, and she finally allows that weight to fall from her shoulders.
Memories Prove To Bind People Together
Nowhere were memories more important than during the Ocean’s Dream arc. During the story arc, a young boy makes the entire crew minus Robin lose their memories. Despite a few members of the crew striking out on their own, the majority of them stick together with Robin’s pleas. The Straw Hats still stick together despite knowing very little about one another. Even as, one by one, they get their memories back.
The event manages to bring the Straw Hats closer together. It is because they have such fond memories of one another. Even without them, they are able to stand firm and trust in one another. Plus, the heroism inherent in each of the Straw Hats remains there as well.
Memories Can Be All People Have
One of the most tragic characters with regards to memories is Bartholomew Kuma. Kuma had to become a cyborg and later the template for the pacifistas. All to cure his daughter Jewelry Bonney. This storyline is currently shown off in the Egghead arc, but Kuma has had a lot of impact on the story so far.
He still managed to regain his humanity. Enough to spare the Straw Hats when Zoro took on Luffy’s pain, and enough to send them away at Sabody. Kuma has even been displaying more erratic behavior post-time skip. This suggests that he might still be in there. With Jewelry Bonney looking into the stored memories of her father, there might be a way to bring him back. But for Kuma, the fact that he was able to fight for and hang onto his memories and free will for so long is a testament to his nature.
The One Piece Runs On Memories
Finally, the memory of Gol. D. Roger’s final words is what has kickstarted the Great Pirate era. His plea for those who could find his treasure to do so is what has led countless pirates to the sea. Those who knew Roger are using their memories of the man to keep him and his dream alive. They are valuable sources of information for the Straw Hats.
Whatever the One Piece is, or where the island of Laugh Tale is, only a few people know. They either aren’t talking, or the pirates asking the questions don’t want to hear it. But as the story rockets closer to the final Saga, it will be very interesting to see what happens next. Perhaps the memories will get proven right, or maybe they will simply get the last laugh. But the Straw Hats will need to confront their memories and push forward in order to reach the end of the journey.
