What is the relationship between One Piece and mythology?

"One Piece" is not just a pirate manga. The story is deeply connected to myths and legends from all over the world. The sun god Nika, the 100 years of void, the ancient weapons - all of these are thought to be influenced by myths and legends. Osamu Manga will unravel the connection between this epic pirate story and myths and explore it together with our readers!

1. Luffy = Sun God Nika? Similarities with the legendary god

The existence of "Nika, the God of the Sun" was revealed in the latest development. Luffy's form when he uses "Gear 5" has many elements that are reminiscent of the sun god in mythology.

1-1. Similarities with Helios in Greek mythology

Helios, who appears in Greek mythology, is the being who carries the sun and brings light every day. Luffy's "free-spirited and freedom-loving" personality overlaps greatly with Helios' image of "bringing the sun = shining freedom and hope."

• Helios = God of Light : A being who brightens up the surroundings, he inspires his comrades and is also linked to Luffy's character, who is always positive.

• The spirit of never ending sprinting : Just as Helios races through the sky, Luffy also crosses the seas and pushes forward against any obstacle.

  
  

1-2. Similarities with Ra in Egyptian mythology

In Egyptian mythology, the sun god Ra is said to have created the world and is said to be regenerating it every day. Ra is thought to give new life to the world every time the sun rises, and is a god who truly embodies "beginnings" and "rebirth."

• Luffy's "freedom" and "liberation" : Ra's concept of "rebirth" is similar to Luffy's spirit of standing up again and again when his companions reach their limits.

• The overwhelming energy of the sun god : Just as Ra symbolizes the sun itself, Luffy's freely transformable power of "Gear 5" gives viewers a sense of "free imagination and power."

1-3. Similarities with Huitzilopochtli in Aztec mythology

In Aztec mythology, Huitzilopochtli was highly revered as the god of the sun and war, and is depicted as a sun god engaged in a "battle" every day to defeat the darkness.

• Not afraid to fight : Just as Huitzilopochtli fought the darkness, Luffy will face any strong foe for the sake of his friends and freedom.

• A protector of the people : Huitzilopochtli possesses heroic qualities that bring light and peace to the Aztec people, and Luffy also helps people in distress while pursuing his dream of becoming the "King of Pirates."

2. Nika, the sun goddess: a mythical symbol of "liberation"

In mythology, the sun god is often depicted as "a being who brings light and hope to the world." Like the morning sun that breaks through the darkness of night (despair and stagnation), the sun god symbolizes the power to open up a new era.

• Dawn = the beginning of a new era : The sun god Nika is said to represent "dawn" and "liberation," which also ties in with the keyword "dawn" in "The D Clan."

• Smiles and freedom : Just as Nika is depicted as a smiling, dancing god, Luffy's symbols of "smile" and "bonds with friends" are connected to the power to free people from suffering.

3. The impact Luffy will have on readers as a "Sun God"

When people start to speculate that Luffy may have a deep connection with Nika, the sun god, readers' perspective changes dramatically. Until now, it seemed like a "rubber man" pirate was just adventuring around the world, but in fact, he has the "power of God" hidden inside him - this grand development expands the scale of "One Piece" even further.

• Breaking new ground in battle

  
  

  The depiction of the flexible, comical power of "Gear 5" goes beyond imagination, raising readers' expectations as to just how far the power of the sun god Nika can reach.

• Why World Government Fears

  
  

  The sun god Nika is "the one who liberates the people," and that is why those who control power hide his history and fear his name. This is similar to the situation in mythology where "old forces try to prevent the birth of a new god."

4. The sun god motif represents the essence of One Piece

In mythology, the sun is always a symbol of the battle between "light and darkness." In "One Piece," the "darkness" of slavery, inequality, and the history hidden by the Celestial Dragons and the World Government are depicted many times. The ones who illuminate such darkness are "Nica, the Sun God," "The D Clan," and "Luffy."

• The clash of justice and freedom

  
  

  The "order" advocated by the World Government may seem righteous at first glance, but behind the scenes many people have been persecuted and controlled. Luffy's acquisition of the power of the Sun God, who advocates "liberation," will be a major key in the story of regaining "true freedom."

• Linking myth and history

  
  

  The more mythological elements are promoted, the more interest there is in the truth of history, such as the "100 years of void" and "ancient weapons." Just as myths are based on real-world legends, in the world of "One Piece," "Sun God Nika" may have existed as a real person or legend that was passed down from before the 100 years of void.

Summary: Luffy's symbolism of hope for a "new world"

When we dig deeper into the connection between Luffy and the sun god Nika, we find that the images of "liberation," "rebirth," and "light" that are embodied by the mythological sun god are strongly projected onto the character of Luffy.

• Belief in freedom

  
  

  Just as the sun god in mythology rises every morning and dispels the darkness, Luffy is someone who will stand up with his friends in any hopeless situation and carve out a way to the future.

• The power to get people involved and change the world

  
  

  In his adventures so far, Luffy has liberated many countries and regions. Just as the sun god in mythology gives people light and energy, Luffy has also made a big difference in people's lives, bringing smiles back to their faces.

This motif of the "Sun God Nika" can be said to be a symbol of the grand "intersection of the world and mythology" that Osamu Manga is pursuing. How will Luffy, as a "god," challenge the power of the World Government and the darkness of history in the future? More and more attention will be focused on how this will turn out.

Osamu Manga will continue to explore the connections between One Piece and mythology, so please look forward to it! If you have any similarities with the sun god Nika or any new discoveries, please let us know in the comments section!

Let's continue to adventure together into the sea of One Piece -- no, into the "sea of myth"!