After the tragic loss of the Going Merry, The Straw Hat Pirates required a new ship. This is the legendary Thousand Sunny.
Where the seas are treacherous and dreams are as vast as the blues themselves, stands a ship that embodies the very spirit what one Piece is all about – the Thousand Sunny. While Water 7 is significant for the crew in terms of emotional attachment to the Going Merry and their decision to let it go, the Thousand Sunny itself is not introduced until later in the series. The ship becomes the new vessel for the Straw Hat Pirates and serves as their primary mode of transportation and battle throughout their adventures in the New World. So, what is the Thousand Sunny really? Is it any better than its legendary predecessor? We’ll break this down as well as we can.
Franky Makes The Thousand Sunny
Crafted by the master shipwright Franky, the Thousand Sunny is an amazing vessel. It truly encapsulates the eccentric svant’s vision of a ship that not only navigates treacherous Grand Line waters. Also, like the Grand Merry, it serves as the ultimate expression of the Straw Hat Pirates’ indomitable spirit. With an array of hidden capabilities, the Thousand Sunny proves to be a marvel of engineering. We mentioned something similar with the Going Merry, so here are some key traits.
Basically a Luxury Cruise
The Thousand Sunny serves as a brigantine, a remarkably adaptable vessel design. Adorning the ship’s deck is a grassy lawn. The platform includes a swing and a slide, accompanied by an observation tower for a crow’s nest. With its expansive masts, the ship attains exceptional maneuvering capabilities. Similar to the Going Merry, the ship’s prow features the head of a biblical animal, specifically the head of a lion. The Going Merry’s spirit was really transferred into the Thousand Sunny thanks to the expertise of the ship’s designers and builders.
Bells and Whistles: What Makes The Thousand Sunny So Powerful?
One of the most impressive facets of the Thousand Sunny is its defense capabilities. The ship is powered by a revolutionary energy source known as “Cola”. They use this compound for a variety of things, but we’ll just mention the cool parts.
The Ship Takes Flight
For those caught up in the series, it’s a concoction that is used creatively to help the Straw Hats escape sticky situations. Among its numerous remarkable features is the “Gaon Cannon”. This is a powerful and versatile weapon system that performs with ease for both offensive and defensive purposes. It’s placed comically on the ship, so that’s pretty fun. Plus, the ship was built using “Adam Wood”. The organic substance is considered to be the strongest shipbuilding material in the world. As stated, this is yet another trait that further cements the Thousand Sunny’s status. It’s now a vessel equipped to confront the myriad challenges posed by the Grand Line and the New World.
The Beasts Pirates Try To Sink Sunny
When the crew is split up and making plans, the Thousand Sunny is struck with a massive bomb. The explosion is large enought the catch the attention of the rest of the crew. Fans quickly discover how resilient Adma Wood can be when it is revealed that the ship is unscathed. Franky chuckles and explains the futility of the attackers efforts to sink Sunny. Even though the explosion was large enough to bring everyone back, it only manages to burn the sails. And even then, Usopp manages to repair them.
Beautiful Inside and Out
Yet, it is the ship’s interior that truly reflects the heart and soul of the Straw Hat Pirates. The Thousand Sunny becomes a sanctuary where the bonds between the crew are nurtured. The ship features rooms for crew members, designed to suit their personalities and preferences. From the simple elegance of the girls’ room to the fun warrior layout for the guys, each space is a testament to the crew’s unique identities and their collective unity.
The Thousand Sunny Has Awesome Amenities
The crowning jewel of the Thousand Sunny is the sprawling kitchen. This culinary haven not only serves as a place to prepare meals. It also helps to bring the crew together in an almost maternal way. It is here that the Straw Hat Pirates gather to share stories, laughter, and of course, delicious food, reminding each member of the irreplaceable bonds they share. The crew can also make their way to the aquarium bar if they desire a drink for the compartment in the ship’s mast.
However, the Thousand Sunny isn’t just about comfort and camaraderie—it’s a powerful weapon against adversity. The ship’s “Soldier Dock System” is a testament to its overall adaptability.
The Soldier Dock System
Comprising several detachable components, this system allows the Thousand Sunny to produce an impressive tank, a shark submersible, or even a paddlewheel-driven steamboat lovingly called “The Mini Merry Two”. This multifunctional feature referred to as the Soldier Dock System’s “channels” has saved the crew in numerous tight spots, showcasing the ship’s versatility and enhancing their ability to tackle challenges head-on.
Did The Going Merry Die? … Or Did It Live On?
The Thousand Sunny’s legacy is intertwined with the heart-wrenching tale of the Going Merry. When the latter became too damaged to sail, the crew bid it a tearful farewell. We mentioned this at length in another segment.
Yet, in a testament to the world of fantasy and wonder that Eiichiro Oda has created, the Going Merry’s spirit lived on within the Thousand Sunny. This poignant connection between the two ships is a reminder that even in a world of fantastical creatures and seemingly insurmountable odds, the power of friendship and memories endures. It wouldn’t be a stretch to see Thousand Sunny as a direct reincarnation of Going Merry; a 2x replica of the ship that brings back countless memories.
New Legends Are Born
In the world of One Piece, the Thousand Sunny is more than just a ship; it’s a symbol of aspiration, unity, and perseverance. It stands as a testament to the Straw Hat Pirates’ unbreakable bond and their unwavering determination to conquer the Grand Line, discover the One Piece, and fulfill their individual dreams. With this cool new technology, multifunctional capabilities, and the memories of adventures past, the Thousand Sunny sails proudly into the uncharted waters of the New World. It’s a vessel that embodies the very essence of what it means to be a pirate in pursuit of freedom and dreams. One must give everything they have to survive in the brutal world of One Piece. Thousand Sunny just might be the ticket our protagonists needed.
