Stretching over a thousand episodes,One Piece, a sprawling epic by the legendaryEiichiro Oda,is packed with hundreds of characters with incredibly dense backgrounds. Family lines, friendships, and even romantic links shape a hero’s journey, and understanding the origins of their dreams is vital for anyanime.Monkey D. Luffy(Mayumi Tanaka)is no exception, as his lineage connects him to some of the most powerful figures in the world.
Captain of theStraw Hat Pirates, Luffy’s small yet significant family tree has a big influence on his path to becoming the King of the Pirates. From the Marines to the Revolutionary Army to Gold D. Roger himself, his bloodline is rooted inthe mysterious “Will of D."— an inherited initial that ties individuals to a hidden fate intertwined within the Great Pirate Era. However, Monkey D. Luffy’s big heart and fearless nature have led him to believe that family isn’t just about blood but about the people you choose to love.
Monkey D. Dragon: The World’s Most Wanted Criminal
Everyone has parents, but unfortunately for Luffy, his father just happens to be the “World’s Most Wanted Criminal.” Monkey D. Dragon (Hidekatsu Shibata), Luffy’s father and son of Marine Vice Admiral Garp, is one of the most elusive figures inOne Piece. As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, he stands in direct opposition to the World Government, seeking to overthrow its corrupt rule. He was first introduced in the anime during Loguetown Arc, but much about his past and motivations remains a mystery.
Unlike Garp, who played an active role in Luffy’s upbringing, Dragon has been almost completelyabsent from his son’s life. Luffy was unaware of his father’s existence until Garp casually mentioned it at Water 7, showcasing how little Dragon has been involved in Luffy’s journey. The only known encounter between them happened when Dragon saved Luffy from Captain Smoker and summoned a powerful gust of wind to help his son escape. Though Dragon has never directly interacted with Luffy, his actions suggest that he keeps an eye on him from afar.
Many theories speculate about Dragon’s abilities, especially considering the strange weather phenomena that occur when he appears. Some believe he has aDevil Fruit powerrelated to wind or storms, while others suggest his presence alone alters nature. Despite his limited screen time, Dragon remains a key figure inOne Piece, as his Revolutionary Army is the only major force actively challenging the World Government.
Monkey D. Garp aka “Garp the Fist”
Luffy’s grandfather, Monkey D. Garp (Hiroshi Naka), is a legendary MarineVice Admiraland a deeply important person in the World. Garp is one of the few characters to have existed around the time Gol D. Roger was around and even battled the Pirate King on multiple occasions and survived! He is instrumental in major world events, including the battle against the Rocks Pirates and the pursuit of Roger’s crew before the Pirate King’s execution.Garp is not among those with Devil Fruit powers, but his immense physical strength makes him one of the strongest in the Marines.
Despite his stubbornness and hard-headed personality, Garp raised Luffy like his own child. He also willingly agreed to help raise Gol D. Roger’s only son, Portgas D. Ace. Because of his tough-love parenting style, Luffy and his grandfather often didn’t get along. Garp wished for Luffy and Ace to grow up to beMarines; however, Luffy and his brother went against Garp’s wishes and became fearless pirates instead.
Portgas D. Ace aka “Fire Fist Ace”: The Son of the Pirate King
One of the most beloved characters inOne Piece, Portgas D. Ace (Toshio Furukawa), is the sworn brother of Luffy and the only child of Gold D. Roger.Though not biologically related, Ace is one of Luffy’s closest family members, bound by an unbreakable bond of brotherhood. Ace was the son of the Pirate King, who was executed before he could see him. To keep Ace hidden from the World Government, Portgas D. Rouge (Yuko Minaguchi) carried him in her womb for over 20 months, a sacrifice that cost her life. After his birth, Garp raised Ace, who was born as Gol D. Ace, alongside Luffy.
Much like Luffy, Ace became a pirate and ate the Mera Mera no Mi Devil Fruit, which gave him the power to manipulate fire. He quickly became a revered pirate across the seas and eventually joined the Whitebeard Pirates, earning the rank of Second Division Commander. Luffy and Ace swore to always have each other’s backs, and their bond was as strong as real blood brothers.
Tragically, Ace was captured by the Marines and sentenced to execution. His life was cut short during theMarineford Arc, where he sacrificed himself to save his younger brother from Admiral Akainu’s deadly attack.Ace’s death left a deep scar on Luffy and the entireOne Piecefandom, marking one of the most emotionally devastating episodes in anime history.
Sabo aka “Flame Emperor”: Luffy’s Second Sworn Brother
The third brother in Luffy’s sworn family, Sabo (Tōru Furuya), was presumed dead for years but later resurfaced as the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. Born into a noble family in the Goa Kingdom, Sabo rejected his privileged status and ran away, dreaming of freedom on the high seas. Sabo, Luffy, and Ace spent their childhood training together, planning to become pirates. However, before they could set sail, Sabo’s noble heritage caught up with him.
While attempting to escape, Sabo’s boat was attacked and destroyed by a World Noble, seemingly killing him.Unknown to Luffy and Ace, Sabo was actually rescued by Monkey D. Dragon and taken in by the Revolutionary Army. He suffered from amnesia for years, only regaining his memories after learning about Ace’s death. Devastated by the loss of his brother, Sabo took up Ace’s will by consuming the Mera Mera no Mi, the Flame-Flame Fruit, securing that at least one of them carried on Ace’s legacy. Sabo has since become one of the Revolutionary Army’sstrongest fighters, aiding in their mission against the World Government while keeping a close eye on Luffy.
Every Saga in ‘One Piece,’ Ranked
Just one more saga to go in One Piece!
“Red-Haired” Shanks: The Straw Hat’s Second Owner
Last but not least, “Red-Haired” Shanks is the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates and one of the Four Emperors that rule over the New World.Shanks holds a profoundly special place in Luffy’s heart, as his childhood hero who deeply inspired Luffy’s path to becoming a pirate. While Shanks doesn’t possess Devil Fruit powers, he isa master of Observation Hakiand is regarded asone of the strongest pirates in the World— worth 4,048,900,000 Berries. During his time in Foosha Village, Shanks and his crew formed a close-knit bond with the young Luffy. Shanks’ playful and kind demeanor affected Luffy’s determination to follow in his footsteps.
Shanks is also responsible for accidentally exposing Luffy to the Gomu Gomu no Mi Devil Fruit, giving the young boy his signature rubber powers! Before departing the village for good, their bond took a deeper turn when Shanks sacrificed his left arm to save Luffy from a Sea King.Shanks entrusted Luffy with his cherished straw hat,symbolizing his faith in Luffy’s potential and their unbreakable friendship. This iconic moment is a fan favorite inOne Pieceas it sets the stage for Luffy’s story to be the next King of the Pirates.
By giving Luffy his straw hat, Shanks not only passed on a treasured possession but also a legacy, challenging Luffy to surpass him one day. This act instilled in Luffy a deep sense of purpose to reunite with Shanks as an equal. Throughout his journey, Luffy often reflects on Shanks’ influence, using it as a guiding light in his quest to explore the Grand Line and achieve his dream. WhiletheOne Piecefranchisestill has room to add more members to Luffy’s family tree, he also considers his crewmates, the Straw Hat Pirates, a part of his forever family. The crew’s unwavering bond is what drives the heart of the anime throughout the story’s thousand episodes.
