Many fans of One Piece are well aware of the extensive influences that have shaped the series, particularly through internet theories that highlight connections to various media. Among these inspirations, Eiichiro Oda appears to draw from both classic and contemporary anime, creating a rich tapestry for his iconic series. A notable example is the potential influence of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure on the powers wielded by the enigmatic Holy Knights.
The powers of the Holy Knights, particularly those of Saint Killingham, Sommers, Shamrock, and Gunko, interestingly bear resemblance to the abilities of certain Stands from Jojo’s universe. For example, it’s hypothesized that Killingham’s ability to manifest nightmares may draw inspiration from the Stand of Mannish Boy.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the manga series and reflects the author’s personal insights.
Examining Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure as a Source of Inspiration for Holy Knights
The emergence of the Holy Knights aligns with the beginning of the Elbaph Arc in One Piece. Their character designs not only reflect authority but also establish an imposing presence, characterized by their formidable devil fruit abilities.
What stands out about these powers is their notable resemblance to characters and abilities seen in other media, particularly within Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. This article delves into the various devil fruit abilities of One Piece’s Holy Knights that may be influenced by Hirohiko Araki’s acclaimed work.
At the core of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is the concept of Stands, unique powers derived from an individual’s spiritual energy. These extraordinary abilities first emerged through the mystical ‘Bow and Arrow,’ an ancient meteorite that, upon activation, bestows supernatural powers on certain people.
Much like Stands, devil fruits in One Piece emerge randomly throughout the world, granting unpredictable powers. The newly revealed Holy Knights exhibit devil fruit abilities that bear striking similarities to specific Stands, suggesting a parallel in their origins.
Taking a closer look, Saint Killingham’s Dragon-Dragon devil fruit empowers him to summon creatures from the depths of a person’s nightmares. This ability likely draws influence from Mannish Boy’s Death 13 Stand, which similarly allows manipulation within the dream realm—most notably, relying on the user’s unconscious state to trigger its powers.
Saint Sommers, equipped with the Thorn-Thorn devil fruit, has the ability to conjure invisible thorns that entrap adversaries, reminiscent of Joseph Joestar’s Hermit Purple Stand, which can ensnare opponents with its vine-like tendrils, operating invisibly as well.
Exploring further, Shamrock’s mythical devil fruit allows him to summon a three-headed Cerberus, harking back to Iggy’s The Fool Stand, which can create a large dog-like form from sand. Finally, Gunko’s Arrow-Arrow ability enables her to shoot bandage-like arrows—a power that echoes Jotaro Kujo’s Star Platinum Stand, renowned for its exceptional accuracy and physical might.
An Analytical Perspective
The ‘Bow and Arrow’ may also explain the abilities held by Imu, a character believed to bestow devil fruit powers upon others—this alignment is clearly reflected in the powers seen in both the Gorosei and, presumably, the Holy Knights. Given Imu’s ability to create arrows, the connections with Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure suggest that these inspirations run deeper than mere coincidences.