This article contains spoilers for the Final Saga of One Piece.
Overview
- Death remains infrequent in One Piece, but many fans are anticipating the demise of significant characters within the Final War Arc.
- Notable figures such as Shanks and Blackbeard are considered likely candidates for crucial deaths.
- Speculation abounds regarding the potential loss of a Straw Hat crew member, with Zoro and Usopp frequently mentioned.
The Historical Context of Death in One Piece
The Impact of Ace and Whitebeard’s Deaths
Historically, One Piece has had a complicated relationship with the theme of death. Initially, the narrative was often light-hearted, where virtuous characters typically received happy endings. In fact, many characters who seemingly should have perished were spared, an example being Pell, who miraculously survived a bomb explosion powerful enough to devastate a city.
However, this changed significantly during the Marineford Arc, introducing major character casualties with the deaths of both Ace and Whitebeard. Their departures profoundly impacted the audience and the storyline, making the war a truly desperate scenario. The loss of these characters remains one of the most significant and memorable moments in the series.
Anticipated Character Deaths in the Final Saga
Shanks: A Major Candidate
- Shanks might not survive his reunion with Luffy.
- He could potentially pass the Straw Hat to Luffy permanently.
As the narrative unfolds, there has been an increase in significant character deaths; however, none have matched the emotional weight of Ace’s end during the Marineford battle. Fans speculate that the upcoming Final War Arc may witness more tragic losses, possibly establishing it as one of the darkest chapters in the One Piece saga.
Shanks, a pivotal character in Luffy’s journey, is heavily scrutinized. Their long-awaited reunion may result in Shanks’ demise shortly thereafter, paving the way for Luffy to claim the iconic Straw Hat as a permanent treasure.
Blackbeard’s Possible Fate Post-Battle with Luffy
The Irony of Drowning as a Devil Fruit User
Another character speculated to meet his end is the notorious Blackbeard. Anticipation surrounds his eventual defeat by Luffy, followed by the theory that he could become the first ever Devil Fruit user to perish by drowning— a grim irony, considering his reliance on Devil Fruits.
Additionally, discussions among fans suggest that a member of the Straw Hat crew may be lost before the conclusion of the series, with Zoro and Usopp emerging as prominent candidates. Nonetheless, the uncertainty surrounding character fates means these theories remain speculative. Ultimately, fans eagerly await the unfolding of the Final War Arc in One Piece to witness if any significant character deaths will occur.