Manga “One Piece” and social commentary III – issues of poverty

This marks my third installment of “Manga ‘One Piece’ and social commentary.” This time, I’ve decided to delve into another significant social theme portrayed in the series. Although One Piece captivates audiences with its great story and charming characters, it wouldn’t have been so popular if it didn’t mention the bright and dark sides of society. One such theme is the issue of poverty, a challenge countless countries and their leaders have been struggling with, yet to be fully addressed or resolved.

Two kinds of poverty portrayed by Oda

Oda’s portrayal of poverty in One Piece can be broadly categorized into two aspects. One is the poverty as background that affects the characters’ humanity and way of life, and the other is the structural poverty that implies inequality and injustice, exemplified in locations such as the Goa Kingdom, the home of Luffy, Ace and Sabo and Wano Country.

How does being poor in childhood affect people?

Firstly, some Straw Hat crew members had a poor childhood, and all of them grow to become people who empathize with the pain of others. For instance, Luffy and Nami were raised by foster parents without knowing their real parents. However, the presence of kind and responsible foster parents and siblings greatly contributed to the compassionate nature of Luffy and Nami.

On the contrary, some have been steeped in vice. Hody Jones, the main antagonist of the Fish-man Island Arc, and Baby 5, a member of the Donquixote Family have overwhelming desires and extremely biased thinking. Both grew up in very closed communities such as slums and small villages, which limited their perspectives and relationships. Though Oda shows no specific answer or his thoughts, most readers might think the characters would be different if they grew up in favorable environments.

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Inequality results in deprivation of people’s freedom and happiness

Secondly, Oda depicts structural poverty where the rich exploit the poor to make a living. Both the Goa Kingdom and Wano Country have lawless areas on the outskirts of countries where the destitute live and any waste and unnecessary things end up: the Grey Terminal and the Okobore Town. Although Luffy isn’t the type of person who talks about justice, he unconsciously knows from his childhood and experience that structural poverty hinders his dream, in other words, “freedom.” I think that Luffy despises inequality not just because of poverty, but because it deprives people of freedom and happiness.

Inequality, Luffy’s unconscious enemy

Luffy expressed his anger when he witnessed Otama-chan of One Piece being grateful from the bottom of her heart for just a bowlful of food as he believes “It’s crazy a little girl like her can go hungry.” We should express our anger at the reality where the rich are getting richer while children cannot eat until they are full, cannot wear desirable clothing and give up education due to economic or circumstantial reasons. One Piece reminds us of the fundamental reason why the world is striving to eliminate poverty.