What is the Philosophy of One Piece?
**The Thus Spoke Oda Sensei – Or a Philosophical Treatise on One Piece**
This is something I have been stewing on for a looong time.
Forewarning: I’m no Nietzschean scholar or renown OP theory-crafter just someone with specific interests and a bit too much time
**Abstract**
One Piece is directly inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s work; many characters and themes resonate with his philosophy and, for me at least, seems a central focus of the story of One Piece.
For the sake of brevity (okay still seems quite long), I will try to use panels linked to quotes to explain with a very brief(ish) explanation of the theme. I’m hoping the connection will be clear but I am **very** happy to expand on any point if asked
**Roger and Zarathustra - Philosophical Prophets**
First things first, Look at Roger’s moustache and tell me that is not an homage to Nietzsche! That aside
‘Thus spoke Zarathustra’ (TSZ) is considered Nietzsche’s magnum opus.
In it, Zarathustra shares his teachings with humanity: returning from isolation in his *sea of solitude back to shore* to bring man the *treasure* of his wisdom. Though he is told people will only be suspicious and think of him as a *thief.*
Zarathustra’s most important message is the coming of the ‘Übermensch’: which he proposes as mankind’s *singular* goal. He also and lays out several challenges we must grapple with when chasing it:
* The Last Men * Embracing Destiny * Learning Through Suffering * Overcoming the dualities of man
In this same way, the pirate Gol D Roger returns to offer up his greatest treasure setting mankind off in pursuit of a singular goal and the inevitable confrontation with these challenges.
**Celestial Dragons - The Last Men**
The Last Men are the weak-willed dregs of society who no longer have ambitions for greatness only sustaining their comfortable life. They have no meaning or purpose; no real values beyond maintaining their own survival and the status quo.
The Celestial Dragons’ are the epitome of the Last Men. They are a symptom of One Piece’s failing society in the wake of the Death of God. Nietzsche warned mankind’s complacency would make us stagnant; simply following the herd to avoid suffering. Mediocre men would float to top of a weak society with weak values bringing about mankind’s ultimate destruction.
The Last Man is the antithesis of the Übermensch; the fate of a world which fails to create the fertile ground from which they emerge. Nietzsche proposed a shift in the way we understand the world to avoid last men
The eternal return can be seen in two ways:
A heuristic tool: Ask yourself ‘would you do it all over again?
Or, metaphysical: Everything literally recurs eternally
Luffy's outlook and the many prophetic elements in One Piece are emblematic of Nietzsche’s interest the idea of the eternal return and Nietzsche's views on free living, fate, and destiny.
**Amor Fati – 'I Want to Live!' and Facing Death with a Smile**
*Amor fati* means ‘to love of one's fate’. Nietzsche was fatalistic in contrast to believing in complete free will. However, he was against nihilism and felt following ideals was important, even if they aren't 'real'. Actively making choices based on our values while accepting the outcome is the key to embracing life itself: It's the freest our will can be in a fatalistic world.
To affirm life is to be yeasayer to the whole of life, good or bad.
That is not to say Nietzsche found life paramount. Above all else; he emphasised pursuing our dreams, on our own terms, being willing to bear the consequences of our failure:
The might seem tragic but Nietzsche saw tragedy fundamental expression of mankind's duality.
**Greek Tragedy - the Tragic Heros of One Piece**
Nietzsche admired pre-Socratic Greeks tragic theatre which allowed us to see the beauty in suffering. The key to its power was its stylistic contrast: the simple, poetic, drama of the storytelling on the one hand against the chaotic, collective, choral elements on the other. Synthesising the protagonists story with the collective response in the chorus (which the audience participates in) elevated the tragic hero’s suffering stirring an audience’s emotions and opening them to a different worldview in a new shared mythos.
Obviously, Luffy *usually* triumphs in the end, after suffering many attacks. But the backstories he overturns have many tragic events and follow a similar structure:
Storytelling element - tragic narratives through flashbacks and personal stories:
The Choral element - The chaotic battles and background cast cutaways:
Creating a synthesis elevating the suffering of the tragic hero:
which end in the 'audiences' joyous celebration with music and revelry
For Nietzsche, Tragedy represented a duality in man which must be reconciled: Chaotic Unity v Individualism and Order. He frames this duality as the greek Gods Apollo and Dionysus
**Apollo and Dionysus - Navy v Pirates**
