Summary:
- Joy Boy was the first pirate in history and a central figure from the Void Century.
- His legacy connects directly to Luffy’s Devil Fruit and the “Drums of Liberation.”
- Here’s everything you should know about Joy Boy and his role in Void Century.
First mentioned in 2011, around 14 years ago, Joy Boy still remains one of the most mysterious figures in One Piece. But now that the series has entered its final saga, starting Egghead Island, Oda has begun to shed light on his true identity and purpose. Let’s break down everything that has been revealed about Joy Boy, his powers, past, and story.
Table of Contents
Who is Joy Boy in One Piece?
Joy Boy is one of the most mysterious and legendary figures in One Piece. He was born over 900 years ago in the Ancient Kingdom at the beginning of the Void Century and is considered to be the first pirate in history. The kingdom had a civilization far more advanced than today’s world.
His existence shaped the course of events in the ancient world. He continues to influence the present through the legacy of the One Piece treasure, the Poneglyphs, and the Sun God Nika’s powers that now reside in Monkey D. Luffy.
He first appeared in the story through the Poneglyph that Nico Robin discovered in the Sea Forest during the Fish-Man Island arc. That Poneglyph contained a letter of apology from Joy Boy himself, a message that had catalyzed for centuries of speculation about his identity and purpose.
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Was Joy Boy a Real Person or a Title?
Joy Boy isn’t just some old historical figure; he’s the very embodiment of freedom. During the Void Century, he became a symbol of liberation, with his will and spirit passed down through generations to those destined to free the world.
This explains why Zunesha said, “Joy Boy has returned,” the moment Luffy’s heartbeat matched the rhythm of the “Drums of Liberation” during his awakening in Wano.
This was also when it was revealed that Luffy’s Devil Fruit, previously thought to be the Gomu Gomu no Mi, was actually the Hito Hito no Mi: Model Nika. A Mythical Zoan fruit that grants freedom and joy associated with the Sun God.
The Devil Fruit originally belonged to Joy Boy, connecting him and Luffy across centuries. Though it isn’t reincarnation, it’s the inherited will that transcends time and connects them both.
What Powers Did Joy Boy Have?
While many of his abilities are yet to be revealed, what we do know is truly extraordinary: Joy Boy was once the wielder of Hito Hito no Mi: Model Nika, turning into a being of limitless imagination and freedom. So, everything Luffy could do now, from stretching his arm to enlaring his body, could be done by him too.
He also possesses the Voice of All Things, which granted him the power to communicate with ancient beings like Zunesha and the Iron Giant Emet. His Supreme King Haki was among the strongest ever seen, powerful enough to surpass even Shanks’ and send chills down Imu’s spine, even after 900 years.
Joy Boy could “tie” his Haki into a knot, preserving it for centuries until it was unleashed to protect the future generation, an ability only seen to be done by him so far in the series.
What Did Joy Boy Look Like?
The full appearance of Joy Boy is yet to be revealed; however, from what has been shown, there is a striking resemblance between him and Monkey D. Luffy. In Emet’s memory, we could see him wearing capri pants, a wide-brimmed hat resembling a straw hat, and a flowing cape.
Another mysterious hint comes from Imu, who was seen with Luffy’s wanted poster next to a gigantic frozen straw hat, possibly one that belonged to the original Joy Boy. Considering its massive size, it’s hard to tell whether it belonged to Joy Boy or not.
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What Role Did Joy Boy Play in Void Century?
Joy Boy was at the center of a great struggle during the Void Century between the Great Kingdom and the alliance of 20 Kingdoms that would later become the World Government. Indeed, his allies were so powerful that the First Twenty Kingdoms had to unite to defeat them.
Joy Boy also forged deep connections with Fish-Man Island, where he made a promise to help raise the ship Noah with Poseidon’s power. However, he failed to keep that promise, and as a result, he left behind an apology letter inscribed on a Poneglyph, which can still be found in the Sea Forest near Fish-Man Island. Centuries later, Luffy would unknowingly complete that promise by saving Fish-Man Island under the same circumstances.
He also left behind the greatest mystery in the world: the One Piece treasure on Laugh Tale. Upon finally reaching that island, Gol D. Roger and his crew learned the true history and laughed, naming it Laugh Tale in honor of the truly enduring spirit of Joy Boy.
Even Roger wished he could have lived in the era of Joy Boy, realizing how central this man was to the ancient tale.
The Legend of Joy Boy’s Return
According to the legends passed down through the royal family of Fish-Man Island, a new Joy Boy would someday arise to fulfill the promise of old. Kozuki Oden also believed Wano must open its borders to welcome this new figure, a preparation for the dawn of a new world. That prophecy came true when Luffy awakened his Devil Fruit during his fight with Kaido.
The first time Luffy transformed into Gear 5 in Wano, it wasn’t just some crazy power-up; it was actually the rebirth of Joy Boy’s will into the new generation. Even Kaido, during his final moments, realized that Luffy was the Joy Boy the world was waiting for.
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Why Joy Boy Still Matters in One Piece
Joy Boy’s tale embodies the core themes of One Piece: inherited will, freedom, and joy. His name isn’t just tied to the past; it may also hold the key to the future of the world itself.
Through Luffy’s awakening and the ongoing Final Saga, the series is gradually revealing how Joy Boy’s battle against oppression never truly ended.
Whether he was a man, a symbol, or both Joy Boy remains the embodiment of liberation, one who laughs in the face of despair and carries the sun’s light to a darkened world.
