10 Essential One Piece Characters You Need to Know

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A recent trend on social media has caught public attention, showing flags from the Japanese anime One Piece displayed on houses and vehicles ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day. Many interpret this trend as a form of public dissatisfaction with the government.

One Piece is a popular anime about the journey of Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate determined to become the Pirate King. The series was created by Eiichiro Oda, a mangaka or manga artist. Below are some of the main characters from the One Piece series:

1. Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy is the main protagonist and captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. He is the son of Revolutionary Army leader Monkey D. Dragon and grandson of Marine hero Monkey D. Garp. At age 7, Luffy accidentally ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi Devil Fruit, which gave his body rubber-like properties.

2. Roronoa Zoro

Zoro, known as Pirate Hunter, is the Straw Hat Pirates' swordsman and the first person Luffy invited to join his crew. He is known for his many scars and his unique fighting style using three swords, which he keeps at his right hip.

3. Nami

Nicknamed the Cat Burglar, Nami is the crew’s navigator. She hails from Cocoyashi Village in East Blue and became the third member after Arlong’s defeat. Nami is portrayed as a stylish and clever young woman with distinctive fashion choices.

4. Brook

Brook is the musician of the Straw Hat Pirates and joined as the ninth member. He appears as a living skeleton due to the power of the Yomi Yomi no Mi Devil Fruit. Along with Zoro, Brook is one of the crew’s swordsmen.

5. Usopp

Usopp is the Straw Hat crew’s sniper and a former captain of the Usopp Pirates. He comes from Syrup Village and dreams of becoming a brave warrior of the sea. His long nose and expressive personality are among his most recognizable traits.

6. Sanji

Also known as Black Leg Sanji, he serves as the crew’s cook. Sanji comes from the North Blue and is known for his strong sense of chivalry, refusing to fight women under any circumstance. He is often seen in a suit with his signature blonde hair covering one eye.

7. Tony Tony Chopper

Chopper is a reindeer who turned into a human after eating the Hito Hito no Mi Devil Fruit. He serves as the crew’s doctor and is highly knowledgeable in medicine. In his usual form, Chopper resembles a small, cartoonish creature and is often mistaken for a raccoon.

8. Nico Robin

Robin is a former member of Baroque Works and the seventh to join Luffy’s crew. She is from Ohara Island and was labeled a fugitive at age eight due to her ability to read poneglyphs, ancient stones that reveal the world’s lost history.

9. Franky (Cyborg Franky)

Franky is the shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates and is responsible for building the Thousand Sunny. Born as Cutty Flam, he initially opposed Luffy’s crew before eventually joining. He is known for his eccentric behavior and rebellious attitude.

10. Shanks

Shanks was once a crew member of the legendary pirate Gol D. Roger. He later formed his own crew and became one of the most powerful pirates. He inspired Luffy to become a pirate and gave him the iconic straw hat.

While the rise of One Piece flags ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day may seem unusual, it highlights how pop culture can serve as a medium for public sentiment.

Whether as a form of protest or a celebration of the anime’s values, such as freedom, loyalty, and defiance against oppression, this trend reflects how deeply stories like One Piece resonate with audiences, even far beyond Japan.

Andika Dwi, Khumar Mahendra, and Muhammad Nafis Wirasaputra contributed to this article.

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