Self-Introduction and Article Overview:
Hello, I’m KENTA, a Japanese manga enthusiast! In this article, we will delve into one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece—the Great Kingdom. We’ll explore how this kingdom is connected to the “D. Clan” and “Luffy’s ultimate dream,” uncovering astonishing facts along the way. Join me as we unravel the deep intricacies of the One Piece world! With the series nearing its final chapter, I’m feeling a mix of excitement to see the climax and sadness at its impending conclusion. Now, let’s get started!
What is the Great Kingdom?
First, let’s talk about what we know about the Great Kingdom. The Great Kingdom is a legendary nation that once existed in the world of One Piece. Despite being mentioned several times, its name has yet to be revealed.
First Mention
The existence of the Great Kingdom was first revealed in Chapter 395, when Dr. Clover, who was researching the Void Century, mentioned it. The Void Century refers to the period between 900 and 800 years ago, before the formation of the World Government. Events from that time have been systematically erased by the World Government, and not even the name of the kingdom is widely known.
Dr. Clover’s Research
Dr. Clover’s research posed a significant threat to the World Government. He mentioned that this kingdom once wielded great power and pointed out that almost no information about it is publicly known. He proposed two hypotheses based on the fact that the events of the Void Century are recorded on Poneglyphs.
The first hypothesis is that the kingdom had enemies. The use of indestructible stone to create the Poneglyphs suggests that the kingdom’s ideology and existence were considered dangerous by its enemies. Dr. Clover suggested that if the information had been written on paper or books, it could have easily been destroyed, thereby erasing the kingdom’s ideology.
The second hypothesis is that the kingdom’s enemy was the World Government itself. The World Government, which was formed 800 years ago, directly after the Void Century, could not have been unrelated to the kingdom. Dr. Clover concluded that the World Government was established by the enemies of the kingdom to ensure that the unfavorable history of the kingdom would not be passed down.
Inhabitants of the Great Kingdom
Next, let’s consider who might have lived in the Great Kingdom. The most likely inhabitants are the “D. Clan,” another major mystery in One Piece.
The Mystery of the D. Clan The meaning of the “D” in the names of Monkey D. Luffy, Portgas D. Ace, and Gol D. Roger remains unclear. However, they are known as “God’s Natural Enemy,” indicating their threat to the World Government. Im, the leader of the current World Government, also acknowledges that “D” was the name of those who opposed them. The government fears the widespread recognition of the D. Clan.
The Presence of Saul
Interestingly, the giant Jaguar D. Saul also bore the “D” in his name. This raises the question of how a giant could belong to the D. Clan. It suggests that the D. Clan might have been an inclusive group, transcending species boundaries. Alternatively, anyone with the will of D could become part of the D. Clan.
Joy Boy and the D. Clan
Additionally, Chapter 1119 reveals that Joy Boy, a legendary pirate, hailed from the Great Kingdom. This implies that Joy Boy was part of the D. Clan and that his pirate crew might have included members of the D. Clan, which would explain the presence of giants.
The Existence of Giant Robots
There is also the possibility that the Great Kingdom possessed giant robots. The ancient giant robot introduced in the Egghead Arc is believed to have been created by the Great Kingdom, as it dates back 900 years, coinciding with the kingdom’s existence.
Name of the Great Kingdom
Let’s move on to the name of the Great Kingdom. One compelling theory is that the Great Kingdom was called the “Dawn Kingdom.”
The Meaning of D
The first piece of evidence is the meaning of the “D” in the D. Clan’s name. The “D” stands for “Dawn,” symbolizing the dawn of a new era. Whitebeard’s statement during the Paramount War, “If you are one of those who carry the will of D, show me what lies beyond this era,” supports this interpretation.
Frequent Use of “Dawn”
The second piece of evidence is the frequent use of the word “Dawn” in One Piece. The sound effect “Dawn” is often used in the manga, with 1469 instances recorded by Volume 42. Additionally, pivotal chapters and titles often include “Dawn,” such as “Romance Dawn - The Dawn of Adventure” in Chapter 1, “Romance Dawn for the New World” in Chapter 601, and the pre-serialization one-shot “Romance Dawn.”
Dr. Clover’s Hint
The third piece of evidence is the sound effect “Don” when Dr. Clover was shot as he tried to reveal the kingdom’s name. This might have been an implicit hint.
Location of the Great Kingdom Finally, let’s consider the possible location of the Great Kingdom. It is likely to be Raftel, the final island on the Grand Line. Raftel is a legendary island that only the Pirate King’s crew managed to reach over centuries.
The Mystery of Raftel
Dr. Clover’s description of the Great Kingdom matches the characteristics of Raftel. Additionally, Raftel can only be found by deciphering Poneglyphs, making it an unreachable island under normal circumstances. This suggests that Raftel might have been an artificially created island or a submerged part of the Great Kingdom.
Why They Didn’t Fight
One lingering question is why the Great Kingdom was destroyed. One theory among readers is that the kingdom did not fight back and thus was destroyed. Despite having the means to fight, they chose not to.
Pacifist Ideology
The Great Kingdom might have held an ideology against racial discrimination. The D. Clan could have been an inclusive group, living peacefully with various races, as evidenced by Joy Boy’s bond with the Mermaid Princess on Fish-Man Island.
Choosing Not to Fight
By not fighting, the kingdom may have wanted to emphasize that different races could live together in harmony. Ironically, this contrasts with the actions of the Celestial Dragons, who are far removed from true humanity.
This concludes our exploration of the five mysteries surrounding the Great Kingdom in One Piece. As the story unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these mysteries are revealed. Stay tuned for more!
At MangaZamurai, we share in-depth analyses of Japanese manga with fans worldwide. This article explored the mystery of the Great Kingdom in One Piece, but we have many other intriguing articles as well. Be sure to check them out and dive deeper into the world of manga!
