The Surprising Philosophy of ONE PIECE

ONE PIECE is fantastic, and it is surprisingly philosophical.
Article on Existentialism: plato.stanford.edu/entries/ex...
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Playlist about One Piece and Philosophy: • ONE PIECE and Philosophy
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0:00 Introduction
0:45 Existentialism
2:28 Freedom & Authenticity
5:55 Authoritarianism
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[@_jared]

I’m blown away by the feedback from the One Piece community. You folks are the best. There is one error in the video I want to note. I miscounted the volumes that I’ve read of the manga, so I’m actually not quite to volume 23. I miscounted because I’m reading the chapters on the Shonen Jump app. I think a lot of what I said is going to get more complicated based on things to come in the series. I can’t wait to continue reading.

[@joeysantoro4835]

This story is going to blow your mind if you are already thinking about it this deep. Enjoy, and great video. Philosophy is everywhere in One Piece.

[@umbraemilitos]

Luffy says that the King of the Pirates is the person with the most freedom, and he is constantly freeing others from authoritarian rule.

[@cleverdusty]

Existentialism, Nihilism, and Absurdism. Absurdism is freedom from Nihilism which extends from Existentialism. Absurdism is SO SO important to understanding Luffy.

[@cleverdusty]

There are Existential and Nihilist characters all over One Piece. Luffy is the Absurd solution.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Bookmarking this episode for when I dive into the show! I was almost thinking or asking myself, is this kinda maybe sorta like in its own way Bleach meets Adventure Time? I also like your audio-visual presentation from the get-go! 🎉 📚 📖 🎨 🌌⚓️

[@MissAstoria19]

Enjoy the politics of One Piece. It's one of my fave aspects of the show and my fave line is "Kids who have never seen peace and kids who have never seen war will have different values. Those who stand at the top determine what's wrong and what's right."

[@j.h3442]

That's so deep 👏👏

[@joselarios6848]

“Justice will prevail? Of course it will, the Winner of this War will become Justice!”

[@JunPun616]

Doflamingo is a great antagonist

[@Enyoiyourself]

Among my top 3 quotes of One Piece along with "you will leave your hatred behind when you die? What do You know about Death? You've never died before!". This series has such bangers.

[@LinhTran_323]

One of mine is: the solders who keep fighting in this war are no other but fools, or somewhere between the line. It indicates the true and ugly aspect of wars so well that most media, especially action and battle media tend to romantise wars. To me, everyone is a loser in war.

[@iinarrab19]

The funny thing is that One Piece Live Action hasn't reached a lot of chapters yet and this philosophical aspect of One Piece will just deepen as you go along. There's gonna be "Dream vs Fate", Nihilism, the concept of conceived sin, Malcolm X vs Martin Luther King, the concept of revolutionaries, different kinds of justices, etc. It's a Shonen manga. But One Piece is one of those rare stories that you can watch and enjoy it as shallow as you want or literally write a research topic or a book about its themes, philosophy, and world building.

[@Matty80822]

i was just seeing that malcolm x vs mlk arc and i dont know much about the history of mx but it did very much seem like it was intentional

[@iinarrab19]

@@Matty80822 its intentional

[@francoquixote4384]

😊

[@faceless_man566]

​@@Matty80822which arc was that?

[@Squeeble00]

​@@faceless_man566fishman island i would assume

[@dwiidahlan]

Luffy is the representation of Nietzsche's last metaphormosis, The Child. According to N. The Child creates his path and destiny. Also Luffy born in 5th May, also known as The Children's Day. Luffy also Carl Jung's Archetype of Divine Child

[@snoo_96]

Oml that's a perfect way to put it.

[@berndbernd3464]

Hes joy boy :)

[@D.Enniss]

@@berndbernd3464 **Spoiiillleers!!!!!!**

[@Andreeavirginia1]

​@@D.Ennisshow is that spoiler? Luffy is a boy full of joy! Although is strange how they wrote it, but some of us don't speak english very well, ok? ;-; . . . . . (Shhhh nobody's gonna know 🤫🤫)

[@spl420]

​@@restfulori212 Well, joyboy was first mention around 500th episode, and Luffy Joyboy is in late thousands, so for the people in this interval - this is massive spoiler.

[@Merione]

Are you sure you've only read up to volume 23 of the manga? Your analysis is so on point on so many different levels (that I won't go into because of spoilers) that you might just as well be caught up! Keep up the good work!

[@_jared]

That's a great thing to hear. I can't wait to read more.

[@TIAdor-um8gc]

​@@_jaredThis wont be a spoiler so i will say it. The thing u mention about Luffy defining what a king is, Luffy has said what his definition of King is but we as a audience did not hear it, although the ppl who heard it in the story were very surprised by it though.

[@ehellstrom7127]

​@@TIAdor-um8gc Luffy did define his interpretation of what is the king of the pirates. Without spoilers I will only say that he mentioned it in a bar after traveling halfway around the world.

[@Lothiril]

@@TIAdor-um8gc I think you mixed that up with him telling the crew about his dream. That wasn't about what being a king means to him - he had explained that one already.

[@niello5944]

@@TIAdor-um8gc Eh, that's not what happened. He did define what being king of the pirate is, but that's separate from the other thing he said that we didn't get to hear. That's something else.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I was really struggling at work the other day and then I just stopped and thought to myself...someday, I'm going to be king of the Pirates. My day got better.

[@xenoblad]

In the anime he defines the king of the pirates as being the most free person alive. This was his response after he clarifies that his dream isn’t to rule other people. What does finding a secret island with legendary treasure have to do with being the most free person? I have no idea, but it’s implied that Luffy just wants to have the most fun adventure possible unrestrained by fear and doubt. Maybe the journey is a means to maximize Luffy’s freedom from his own weaknesses.

[@ReiseLukas]

Even though he doesn't want to rule anyone there are countless people and even entire nations that are willing to follow him.

[@TheOne11111]

@@ReiseLukas Luffy will eventually become the light of that world for people to have the dream, freedom, hope, meaning of life and joyfulness. One Piece world is really dark. There are a lot slavery countries like Dressrosa and Wano which ruled by the evil pirates and also granted the permission by World Government. Even World Government can destroy the whole island and do genocide in Ohara if they wanted to. Celestial Dragons are also disgusting.

[@JC_2311]

@@TheOne11111 Also everybody will get to eat whenever they're hungry ;p

[@jakesjacket]

basically luffy views being a pirate as being free i guess because they don’t obey anyone or something like that, so being the king of the pirates = being the freest man in the world.

[@ansalem12]

Finding the One Piece is essentially the way you prove that you can overcome literally any challenge because that's what's required, therefore making you the most untouchable person, therefore making you the most free person. At least, that's how I see it anyway. I mean, in order to actually find it you not only have to piece together its location and manage to actually get there through the most insane ocean imaginable, but the entire world either wants it for themselves or wants to put an end to anyone searching for it. Basically, if you can find it, that means nobody on the planet (nor the planet itself) can hold you back, because they've all already tried and failed.

[@YohXoX]

Without spoiling it, Luffy at one point is actually confronted about contradiction between his desire to be King of the Pirates and freedom. His response is amazing! Edit: someone ofc spoiled it in comments 😂

[@ve_maiku]

This manga is an ode to freedom, I love it, it's fun and deep at the same time, its messages are for everyone and eternal, and that is what makes it truly a work of Art. I can't stop being greatful knowing that its target are growing-up boys and girls who can learn these powerful messages. Love this kind of content, I study Philosophy at my university and between my passions I love reading manga and comics, so this videos really are my cup of tea. Thank you, keep up with all your content, it's great!

[@jayko2853]

Exactly !

[@ceciliabarrionuevo8782]

I've been a One Piece fan since 2009 and you described the philosophy very well. I don't know if you started reading the manga because of the live action, but if so, I'm glad the series is attracting new fans like you. Keep reading the manga, it has more depth and heart ❤

[@_jared]

I actually started reading the manga years ago when it appeared in Shonen Jump but I didn’t keep reading for very long. I picked up the manga again awhile ago before the show happened. I can’t wait to catch up.

[@Itoyokofan]

3:30 It's actually worth mentioning that, since Coby has his dream of becoming Marine, Luffy doesn't want him in his crew, but still sees him as a friend and encourages. Had Coby had similar dream to the rest of the crew, he would've ended up on Merry Go. 7:30 This is how it is said in OPLA, but in manga Luffy doesn't divide pirates into the right kind and the wrong kind. Which is a notable difference, because it represents the difference in Asian and Western culture. E.g. Luffy doesn't despite Kuro for being bad. He hates him for giving up on his dream of being pirate, and for all what he did to Kaya. I think Season 2 will help to elaborate more on this, but I think the LA crew has written themselves into a corner here by saying that there're different kind of Pirates in Luffy's mind. This way his actions won't be as clear as they were in manga. 8:40 He's not "reinterpreted" it, rather he's following what Shanks and his crew represents. Maybe Oda have reinterpreted it for the reader, but Luffy didn't invented the new form of piracy.

[@chriszorander9333]

In the first version of Romance Dawn it is explained that there are different kinds of pirates in the world: the ones that go around indiscriminately plundering are called "Morganeers," while those who go on lots of adventures are called "Peace Mains". It didn't make it into the real chapter 1, but it's definitely a concept from One Piece manga and not invented by the live action.

[@Itoyokofan]

@@chriszorander9333 This both explains a bit, and on the other hand raises the question why did Oda omitted that concept. While there're clearly 2 types of pirates, Oda deliberately avoids to differentiate them in this version of Romance Dawn.

[@chriszorander9333]

@@Itoyokofan Yes. There's a lot of shades of grey in One Piece, my guess is Oda felt making such direct categories would be limiting and complicate the politics of the world too much. But if you consider the crews in the series the idea behind it definitely lives on.

[@abhishekkumar-js7kr]

​@@ItoyokofanDo you think the World Government will be quiet about it? They demonize Gol D Roger and his Legacy that even his son hates him. The World Government ultimately controls the news.

[@PrestonDLuffy]

My pitch to everyone reading the comments here for why you should get into One Piece now, more than ever (specifically reading the manga) The series is at a cultural crossroads where it’s receiving mainstream attention with its live action adaptation and season 2 renewal, and you have an opportunity to jump in before it reaches critical mass and see for yourself exactly why such a long running manga has had the longevity and hold on its reader base as it has without losing steam. This is also a slight spoiler, but not for anything that actually happens but more what hasn’t happened yet, but you get to jump in before anyone knows what the One Piece is exactly, since that hasn’t been revealed yet. Imagine getting to follow along and discover this big secret along with the rest of the world as the series is wrapping up?

[@gtkingly8127]

100% this is what I tell anyone I talk to that hasn't seen it yet its the longest running adventure of our current lives wouldnt you want to be there to see them find what they have been looking for longer than alot of us have been alive

[@GnatGames]

@@gtkingly8127 it will be a missed opportunity. If when the one piece is revealed, and we find out why Roger laughed it will be a missed opportunity if someone doesn’t figure out a way to create an image that said, the fandom laughed

[@leonartha03]

true, this is the perfect time to jump to read the manga

[@IsThisThePrizeIveWaitedFor]

I just watched the live action and loved it so much that I thought about watching the anime. But the 1000+ episodes thing is intimidating. I’m also not sure I can get into the art style. So instead I decided to get the manga OP East Blue 1-2-3. Not sure how many books there are but I assume this will be a long journey 😅

[@PrestonDLuffy]

@@IsThisThePrizeIveWaitedFor this is the best way to approach it, imo! You'll be able to go at your own pace and really let the style sink in and either grow on you, or help you decide if it's ultimately not for you. Honestly, by the end of Arlong Park you should have a good idea whether you're hooked or not

[@seba9705]

That was spot on, for luffy being a pirate is being free so to be king of the pirates is not to rule over anyone but to be the person with the most freedom

[@BomberTM]

You are going to find so many answers as you read on. Oda is a masterful author and he has answers to so many of your queries. Enjoy the ride, friend. Welcome to the world of One Piece.

[@yanmezinskiy8817]

This is the best way to explain what existentialism is. The TV series example seems a little funny, but it is able to explain the basic concepts of existentialism. Thank you !

[@rickm8728]

I did not expect this upload at all from you. I absolutely love your take on this. Eye opener!

[@emodate]

8:25 According to the manga/anime Luffy's thought's on what it means to be King of the Pirates is that it's to be the most free pirate in the world! I can't recall if he's mentioned it in the netflix adaptation but in his eyes the person with the most freedom is the one worthy of being the King of the Pirates, which is why he lives life the way he does (at least that's what I think). Great analysis!

[@PhilBrillant]

Oh boy , are you in for a real treat as you continue your One Piece journey. THE ONE PIECE IS REEEAL!!!! YAWHOOOOOO

[@prastarkeepers]

I especially think this is hammered home in the final scene between Luffy and Koby, where they tell each other to go and be a good pirate and marine respectively, both taking it upon themselves to define what that means.

[@CalumRaasay]

I loved this, despite never having seen the show or read the books! Super interesting.

[@_jared]

Thank you, Calum!

[@amvibes9633]

8:10... My brother, you need to reach the Sabaody arc and revisit this video :) and maybe even again once you're caught up lol It's amazing to me that by simply being so philosophically aware, you were able to decipher something that barely anyone in the community would have predicted up until the moment I'm thinking of. Incredible. When you reach that moment you will have the biggest smile on your face, I just know it

[@indigor5665]

I’ve watched a lot of videos on One Piece (manga chapter discussions, fan theories etc). This video has quickly become one of my favourites. It would be wonderful to see more videos on existentialism and One Piece as you progress through the story. Thank you so much for posting this!

[@Jpat0]

Videos like yours is one of the reasons I am a huge fan of the live action. As a fan of 20+ years and a philosophy nerd, this video is so precious! Thank you for your insight.

[@osonhodeleon]

I love freedom vibes that Luffy give to us. Great video, happy that you are reading One Piece.

[@IAM-mb5gq]

Love it. I can't come to think anything else to comment here except that I love it. I love how you captured the spirit of the whole One Piece series and I love how you portrayed it in such a beautiful, clear and real way within less than 9 minutes. It's amazing and I love it. Thank you, Jared ❤‍🩹

[@julianschmidbauer3508]

The last thing you mentioned is so true because later on he declares that he only wants to become king of the pirates because in his eyes that's the position where you have the most freedom. :)

[@Mugiwaranogoofy]

This video made me so happy man. Liked it as soon as I heard the intro. Thank you so much for making something like this. As someone who enjoys philosophy almost as much as One Piece I hope this video reaches the entire world

[@fumomofumosarum5893]

hey even you're here! ^^ love your channel, too!

[@nathanielholzgrafe5274]

Haven't watched yet but this is a very surprising topic from you. Curious to see how you're wielding the algorithm's current favorite TV show.

[@_jared]

I'd ask you to give it a shot - I wanted to use the show as an opportunity to talk about philosophy. (And I think I succeeded in that.)

[@nathanielholzgrafe5274]

@@_jared I am absolutely going to watch it. In younger days I was a One Piece fan and I have some guesses already about where you're going to take it! I am *on board* for this kind of content. Also, currently enjoying Blood Meridian for the first time thanks to your recommendation. Thanks for your work.

[@battybibliophile-Clare]

The UK has an authoritarian government, and they have wrecked the economy. If there was ever a time in the period since WWII for existentialism, it is now.

[@ReiseLukas]

​@@nathanielholzgrafe5274 in my younger days I didn't even know it existed. I've been watching/reading One Piece for over 8 years and it's been an incredible journey. I never thought I'd be captivated by a cartoon rubber boy and his crew of weirdos. One Piece has so much storytelling magic that is abscent from Western Entertainment for years

[@_jared]

Sorry about the reupload, everyone. There was an error I didn't catch in the export process. I hope you like the video.

[@alejandrotapia5800]

Dude... DONT STOP READING THE MANGA.. beyond the "goofiness" you will find heavy themes about philosophy, politics, race issues, life, god, YOU WILL BE REWARDED

[@alejandrotapia5800]

and the most important thing... ITS A DAMN INCREDIBLE, FUN, EXCITING ADVENTURE...when you decided to go all in the story... it feels you are part of the straw hats.. anyway ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURE!!!!!!!!!!

[@_jared]

@@alejandrotapia5800 I will definitely keep reading.

[@PrestonDLuffy]

It’s so canny of you to pick up on these deeper themes set up in One Piece so early on reading through the manga and just watching the Netflix series. Would love, love to keep seeing your takes on the series as you get deeper into the manga, because oh boy do those themes escalate

[@CHiZZoPs27]

And we'd love to hear your further thoughts as you read!

[@danielsancho3624]

I started reading One Piece just a couple of years after it started serialization, you are correct in your last statement, love this analysis, I’ve cryed, laughed, and felt rewarded with this story more than any other by a long margin…

[@gauthamvadlamudi3500]

I've been waiting for something like this for a long long time from someone who has good understanding in philosophy, as one piece is very very deep in how it tackles different themes in a multifaceted nuanced way... And there's lot to dig deep. The season 1 of Netflix one piece (east blue saga) gives a glimpse into the philosophy of one piece and i really appreciate this video. But I also hope that you cover the future arcs and sagas of one piece, as it gets more intricate, nuanced and deeper in its commentary and discussion about different real life aspects... Anyway great video.

[@caesarbraganza]

The point mentioned about Luffy being King the Pirates is so on point with what has been later been revealed about own conceptions of the idea. This video has earned you a subscriber from me!

[@marcusisntreal5486]

This is awesome! Praying to Goda you can stay mostly spoiler free and keep talking about the series as you read more 🙏🏽

[@austinstafford3981]

Your use of music in this medium is excellent! It really separates consuming your videos compared to others.

[@jallah2727]

Dude it took me very long for One Piece to click with me in an almost philosophical level, but you are already there when you have just recently become a new reader and nakama, Respect,. I've watched a lot of your videos but this one just recently appeared on my feed.

[@Nowtheycallmejp]

I discovered your channel today as I was seeking guidance on how to read Philosophy. After a quick browse, I came across this video, and I have to say that I genuinely enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@faewerekaradal7231]

Thank you for thus really great analysis. It puts in words what i adore so much about this epos for years

[@flyingcaro]

Holy shit that was awesome! From the script to editing! You're awesome!

[@michellepamela4445]

Always delighted to welcome more people to the crew! I'm excited for you to read more of the manga!

[@RiosIRL]

This was an amazing video and you got so much from so little of the story. One Piece was very suprisingly deep and has moved me more than anything else in my life. I hope you enjoy the rest of the manga.

[@cwinchcarwash2629]

this is a fanatstic video! thank you for this

[@blackcatpirates8134]

Good video,i hope this gets more views. I hope you make more videos on one piece, it's a pretty complex series at times

[@matriquess]

amazing perspective man, you deserved to go through the journey of one piece as it was happening cause you'd love it from years ago, if you're just starting the manga, when Garp is revealed as Luffy's grandpa you'll understand why many of us fans were worried about him being introduced so early in the live action

[@dianeking2223]

I really enjoyed this video thank you for making it.

[@MalcolmTorres1]

Thanks for this. Saw it on Netflix and saved to the “my stuff” list but I had no idea it had an existential slant! Now I’m excited about it. Now I’m going to save this video, then I’m going to read a few issues of the original manga comic, then binge the series on Netflix… then I’ll come back here, watch this video and make a comment.

[@supagooseproductions]

Really excited to see how your thoughts and points expand as you consume more if the show/manga

[@Johnny_Rebell1]

God I love that you made a video about that . Keep going

[@lovelol199012]

Omg I got shivers when you said the last part about Luffy defining what it means to be King of the Pirates. Very good video ❤

[@munanyo6013]

Vol. 23 and already getting these sort of insights. You are going to get a real kick from all the nuances and underlying themes in one piece.

[@natileroxs5226]

I'm currently taking a university course on existentialism so your video popping up in my feed is a surprising coincidence. And you somehow managed to help me understand what existentialism kinda is more than my lecturer (no shade to him but philosophers certainly know how to draw out a point)

[@stetsoncrobison]

I'd love to see more videos of you analyzing media. I think you doing a video on the movie, The Empty Man, would be really interesting!

[@tabsi2436]

Yes, thank you! I am so glad the live Action brings us people like you in the fanbase! You really describe a fundamental important aspect of one piece. And i am intrested in what you think about the upcoming arcs! Will watch your videos now. Good day and much fun!

[@chriszorander9333]

You are in for a very fun ride =) I'm looking forward to more philosophical analysis of One Piece. You will get plenty more material.

[@mugi_c4420]

Great video really good analysis

[@EdgardoJCruz-dk5kv]

You got hot a winner of story to tackle with looking for philosophy topics to explore. As you go further on in the series this becomes more apparent. Not just with the heroes, but the side characters, antagonists, and villains.

[@marimoyaroo]

Okay, first video of yours that I'm watching and as someone who's been a fan of the show for YEARS and someone who likes to delve into the story deeper, I LOVED this video and I already subbed because I genuinely wanna follow the rest of your journey through One piece and hear your thoughts in videos like this.I'm currently caught up to the manga and there are so many things that I'd love to hear your interpretation and thoughts on... Keep up the good work man you've got us One piece enjoyers attention

[@The_dandy_zombie]

I cant wait for you to read more! You hit the nail on the head with only so few volumes read!

[@jayko473]

I'm blowned away by the quality of your analysis and the fact that you're volume 21 shows that you absolutely understand one piece since the debut and that's beautiful !!

[@MetaVision13]

This was spectacular! Instant subscribe.

[@HollowKonpaku]

You are so on point even though you are only in the early chapters. Wow. Nice breakdown.

[@oscartafurvasquez2611]

Occasionally KZbin recommend the most random videos. This might be my favorite recommended video so far

[@Bungadood]

Cowabunga dooooood! Great job, this is the level of analysis that One Piece deserves!

[@Monetxxy]

Literally on Point! As a Hard core One Piece Fan Thank You !wholeheartedly ❤ Your Clarification of Luffy’s Character and the perspective of Luffy’s FREEDOM and the world of One Piece! Just Spot on!

[@fluffcake]

Oh this is going to grow to be something amazing

[@Shiftarus]

Looking back I only find more examples of spiritual, philosophical and historical themes/references in OP. There are so many allusions and nods ... and while they seem shallow and "just for fun" they service a deep and grand story. Your analysis is great, and the more you explore Odas world the more treasure you will find.

[@ricksimon1180]

Great video! I would very much like an update video after you caught up to the manga

[@weslindsey5909]

I keep coming baxk to this show/manga/anime because it reminds me of the romantism of life and chasing your dreams. Not romance between married couple but your own journey and experience with the world and everyone in it. Romance dawn is such a good name for the first arc.

[@StoicClairvoyance]

👏👏 & You’re only on volume 23. You’re on point with everything. Impressive.

[@felice2441]

Great video! Subscribed!

[@elenak.4281]

I'm in love with your interpretation of what happens in story! An in-depth analysis of One Piece's philosophy doesn't come around often, but it gets me excited every time. Freedom and anarchy, power and control, silence of the oppressed or “all against all.” Pirates or navy. There is so much to discuss in this story. There is an interesting topic for everyone. Who is stronger and cooler, what is “freedom”, what will the new island be like or how lack of resources becomes a reason for war etc. I am very glad that you appeared in this discourse. And I can’t wait for your further thoughts and conclusions, because, believe me, there won’t be any less reasons. It’s very difficult for me, and I think for many of us, to hold back from spoilers right now. I would like to comment on almost every word you say. It's really hard not to scream excitedly and get into a heated discussion with you right now! Related topics and a huge number of examples rush through my head like bullets. You have already noticed so much, but you have yet to see even more... I hope you will continue to make similar One Piece videos in the future, but for now... Welcome! I wish you a wonderful journey and see you soon somewhere in the Grand Line 💖💖💖

[@gfauihn]

Finally seeing more deep analysis being created about the show . This is just too awesome

[@tbhgodrick6120]

I’ve been watching and reading One Piece for a few years now, and I’ve never considered the story an existentialist story by category, so it’s cool to reexamine the series through the existentialist lens. I love that you really understand what Luffy is about and how he views the world.

[@pica2754]

As a weekly OP manga reader I'm super happy you're reading the manga! Your analysis of Luffy and OP is spot on.

[@roxy9837]

The funny thing is that he was not like that when he was a kid. He got his moral values from Shanks, which is to be both strong and good. That is why he is looking for crew mates that are both strong and good.

[@PLAYEATTRAVEL]

You had me at One Piece! Well done

[@nayfenlee]

“I‘m not going to conquer anything. The one is the most free is the Pirate King!!!” - Monkey D. Luffy Great analysis

[@Armand-tf5nc]

Its hard to comment without give any spoiler, but im amazed with your view even still at chapter 25. Wish you made many videos talk about one piece for next

[@jacobreynolds9372]

Wonderful video.

[@overwhelmingtactician3011]

It has been said since fairly early on that being king of the pirates means you’re the freest man alive

[@NotSomeJustinWithoutAMoustache]

I'm so glad the netflix show introduced so many more people into One Piece. I genuinely thought it was already mainstream before the adaptation, what with the more than 500 million copies of the physical manga sold and all, but there's been so much new attention from channels I've never even heard of before ever since the live action aired. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series Jared!

[@NotSomeJustinWithoutAMoustache]

Gosh can I just say? That BGM really suits the themes of existentialism and stuff? Especially on top of the background at 5:02 which just feels so.. liminal. Did you compose the BGM at that timestamp yourself or is it accessible somewhere? I'd really love to listen to it in full.

[@_jared]

I don’t remember the exact track, unfortunately, but that music is from Epidemic Sounds.

[@swavyvlogs]

Love this video

[@christscrackers647]

This is what One Piece is all about, carving your own path to your destiny while fighting against the oppressive forces that try to stop you from living how you want. Excellent Analysis!

[@_jared]

Thank you!

[@ChibiChidorii]

I love these kind of videos because they show how a world as fantastical as One Piece is grounded in reality and that makes it very easy for us to feel identified or comunicate with the story. As a historian I have to say, One Piece talks a lot about how this authority is the one that writes history and decides who is good and bad and piracy is one of the best ways to describe this in history. That's why Luffy isn't just making "his own way" to pirate, but he's doing one of the ways to pirate. The reason we know pirates as criminals irl is because they didn't fit in the historical power and societal system. They were outcasts in the biggest sense of the word, they had no land so they went to the sea, they had no money so they either stole, controlled territories or worked for others to survive, they had no "purpose" in the established world so they seeked adventure. But piracy was also the place anyone who didn't have a place could go to and be free. Former criminals, homeless people, slaves and escapees but also orphans, ex-soldiers and ex-nobles striped from their titles, merchants, professionals, intellectuals and scientists who defied authority all had a place in piracy were they got to define their own life. I realized how underground and subversive being a pirate was when the course that studied it the most in my degree wasn't modern history, but gender studies. There's so many texts about how piracy was one of the places were queer people could exist and travestism was normalized (not in the sense that everyone did it, but in the sense that when they encountered it they didn't question it). Piracy was also a way to escape from an abusive family, an unwanted marriage, being forced to become a nun, or to run away with a secret lover. Pirates were the people that didnt fit in society, they didn't make sense, so to formal society they only made sense as criminals and the reason history for so long has followed that narrative is because the only formal sources we had were the descriptions made in court when they caught one committing a crime or the descriptions of sailors when they encountered them. The new sources are descriptions and stories written by educated pirates themselves, which didn't use to be considered "official" sources so were never checked in the past. the fact that pirates wrote diaries and logs and letters shows that some of them received education and we're not the savages that traditionally we were made to believe.

[@vanessaroper3028]

Wow fascinating!

[@andreasrumpf9012]

🤡🤡🤡Gender studies says pirates were queer. Good thing they never make up their "facts" and that "gender" was not introduced by pedos. Oh wait...

[@dylanpoe52]

I’m a huge one piece fan and I love that you’re reading the manga but after you read chapter 210 in volume 23 I would recommend watching episode 126 of the anime if you can. The way the anime team elevates the source material with the music and visuals is as grand and cinematic of any tv episode I’ve seen and truly sweeps me away awe and wonder every time! Keep up the great videos and hope you keep enjoying the series. There’s truly not a single story like one piece and I’m glad so many people are experiencing it for the first time

[@jksupergamer]

The only problem with the anime is that since its tv, they have to extend the episodes alooooot.

[@Timeismana]

This was lovely. And as stated before in other comments, you got the gist of it just from what you've seen and read so far. Read on, it's a fantastic journey.

[@reginebee2054]

This would an eye-opener for discussions like the parallels between Luffy and Koby 😊

[@lurica5566]

Bro, talking about the meaning of One Piece, Piece by piece and I'm here for it. Job well done, great insights. 👍

[@SingTingz31]

Bro, I came in expecting this was a meme, but you've opened my mind.

[@IslemLHASSANE]

That's Crazy ! Thank you I love phylosophy and I love One Piece !

[@shyguypro9876]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the next big story after the one Vol 23 is in. It's one of the most thematically dense arcs of the story and really captures absolutely everything One Piece is about.

[@beanclam]

Around chapter 500 a character asks Luffy if he can really rule as the Pirate King, and Luffy responds with, "I'm not gonna rule anything. It's the freest person in this sea who's the King of the Pirates!"

[@RottenBen]

Love that you got into the manga after seeing the live action. Seems like a successful adaptation to me.

[@jamessizemore7103]

It’s awesome that the live action is bringing so many people to one piece

[@Saprana]

Never in my life i would i thought that someone like this will make a video on one piece🎉 love it❤❤❤

[@kapasitorcpt9249]

Your mnd willbe blow by the time you have caught up on all the manga chapters which has way more detail and philosophies

[@bit1856]

yes yes yes! love to see this analysis for one piece, no spoilers here but the story progresses in such thematically rich ways that would be fun to look at through the lens of some frankfurt school theorists :)

[@DPedroBoh]

Keeping the old japanese tradition of "not taking sides", "grey" "balance" or whatever, one piece is mostly about the qualities of freedom and of course, its trappings. I love it.

[@ansalem12]

Great video. Without spoilers, Luffy's view of what being king of the pirates means is absolutely compatible with the themes you've outlined. If I had a king I would hope they were someone like Luffy. Well, maybe a little less chaotic lol.

[@lionpawsl1357]

The show constantly emphasizes that there is more than one way to die. The death of your ideals and dreams can be viewed as the greater evil compared to physical death. Not only are we still there to experience life as half the person we used to be - it also erases the essence of how we are remembered when we are gone. Oda comming from japan, a country with countless opressive social norms and customs certainly does have reasons to create a piece about rebellion. I wasn't aware that this sums up to existentialism ~ interesting video :)

[@Metaramon]

Good Review! If you are Gonna be reading one piece i hope you do reviews from Time to Time for The arcs, either way you just gained a sub 😁