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“When you’re at sea you fight against Pirates”
Let’s have a look at moral codes and morality in One Piece as well as justice and good v evil.
Some of these are commonly misunderstood and I’ve likely got things wrong/missed things but here’s a thread:
Let’s have a look at moral codes and morality in One Piece as well as justice and good v evil.
Some of these are commonly misunderstood and I’ve likely got things wrong/missed things but here’s a thread:
As a jumping off point we’ll talk about Pirates and justice.
In the age of Pirates it is safe to say that the world of One Piece is dictated by the morals of just that...Pirates.
This rule isn’t absolute for the most part there isn’t a true good or evil within One Piece.
In the age of Pirates it is safe to say that the world of One Piece is dictated by the morals of just that...Pirates.
This rule isn’t absolute for the most part there isn’t a true good or evil within One Piece.
This is commonly misconceived in particular when looking at Luffy. I won’t go too deep with him but as our focal point for the story it is easy to misinterpret him as a good guy.
However, Luffy is entirely self motivated and extremely selfish.
However, Luffy is entirely self motivated and extremely selfish.
Luffy’s ideals and morals more often than not tend to fall on the right side of things due to his nature but more often than not his entire vendetta against an “evil” force is driven by one person being nice to him.
The pinnacle of Luffy’s moral grey area is Impel Down. He becomes so single purpose in his saving of Ace that he doesn’t stop to consider consequences of his actions in facilitating the escape of a significant number of serial killers into the world.
But in the end Luffy ends up on the right side of things more often than not.
We can assume Luffy to be a good guy but it’s worth noting that should it come down to it he’s willing to do just about anything to protect family and friends.
We can assume Luffy to be a good guy but it’s worth noting that should it come down to it he’s willing to do just about anything to protect family and friends.
To further understand morality in One Piece it’s worthwhile to note some significant points in the Pirate Code:
Betrayal is normalised, being a traitor is not a crime, however you need to be prepared for the consequences of betrayal.
Betrayal is normalised, being a traitor is not a crime, however you need to be prepared for the consequences of betrayal.
However, mutiny and the killing of crew mates is the ultimate sin for a pirate.
Blackbeard is the defining example for this, with all of his parallels to Luffy this is the one thing that truly sets them apart in chasing their dreams.
Blackbeard is the defining example for this, with all of his parallels to Luffy this is the one thing that truly sets them apart in chasing their dreams.
Blackbeard raids Impel Down and recruits those released from the chaos Luffy causes, Blackbeard chases the same dreams but does so without the honour associated with sailing the seas.
That is what defines him as the villain in this story above anything else.
That is what defines him as the villain in this story above anything else.
This ties into my next rule of piracy: treatment of civilians.
We have relatively few Pirates within the story who are known to harm civilians. Kid, Blackbeard, Kaido and Bartolomeo being the core examples.
We have relatively few Pirates within the story who are known to harm civilians. Kid, Blackbeard, Kaido and Bartolomeo being the core examples.
We’ve seen recently through the scope of Big Mom’s morality that harming civilians is fairly frowned upon amongst Pirates.
The Beast Pirates have significantly higher bounties than the Big Mom Pirates and this is likely due to how they treat civilians
The Beast Pirates have significantly higher bounties than the Big Mom Pirates and this is likely due to how they treat civilians
Due to Big Mom’s mental state it can be difficult to gauge her morality. We have confirmed evidence of her killing people but as a whole all of Big Mom’s actions are self governed within her moral code.
The citizens of Tottoland pay their taxes and know the rules.
The citizens of Tottoland pay their taxes and know the rules.
Using standard human morality to apply to a magic soul lady doesn’t really work so we can assume that Big Mom’s moral code is acceptable within the One Piece world due to the relatively peaceful nature of Tottoland
Almost every Pirate we see within the series acts within these rules and any exceptions such as Big Mom and her crew have an alternatively established moral code which they follow.
Big Mom is evil when considered by our standards but within the frame of the story, she’s grey.
Big Mom is evil when considered by our standards but within the frame of the story, she’s grey.
This is further exemplified by Katakuri, the strongest of the Big Mom Pirates and a man who’s moral code is so strong that when his fight with Luffy is interfered with he goes so far as to impale himself.
That brings us to the next rule of piracy.
That brings us to the next rule of piracy.
Fighting fair.
This is a strange one within the series but strength is a dominating factor within the series. You don’t betray someone unless you can protect yourself.
The morals of Pirates dictate fights should be fair within the abilities of both combatants.
This is a strange one within the series but strength is a dominating factor within the series. You don’t betray someone unless you can protect yourself.
The morals of Pirates dictate fights should be fair within the abilities of both combatants.
Sanji fights his non pirate father and is surprised at how readily he uses underhanded tactics to win the fight.
Judge isn’t a pirate but Sanji assumes the rules of combat to be an even fight as this is accepted within the way he sees the seas.
Judge isn’t a pirate but Sanji assumes the rules of combat to be an even fight as this is accepted within the way he sees the seas.
Even within the Beast Pirates we see them take on tasks to earn the right to fight for positions on fair terms.
Though they aren’t particularly honourable, the crew understands they need to earn an even match between Pirates to rise up.
Though they aren’t particularly honourable, the crew understands they need to earn an even match between Pirates to rise up.
Judge and the Calamities bring us around to science.
Science is where we see the true morality of One Piece. When we stop considering Pirates we see the true villains of the series.
Caesar, Queen and Judge arguably stand as the harshest judged character within the series.
Science is where we see the true morality of One Piece. When we stop considering Pirates we see the true villains of the series.
Caesar, Queen and Judge arguably stand as the harshest judged character within the series.
Queen, Judge and Caesar as the scientists of the series regularly throw out any respect for human life in exchange for their experiments.
Queen kills subordinates.
Judge removed emotions.
Caesar experiments on children.
Queen kills subordinates.
Judge removed emotions.
Caesar experiments on children.
This places Queen squarely in violation of the Pirate code in killing crewmates and this may have an interesting consequence moving forward.
Caesar even goes so far as to state Vegapunk wouldn’t experiment on kids and this is potentially why Caesar was cut off.
Caesar even goes so far as to state Vegapunk wouldn’t experiment on kids and this is potentially why Caesar was cut off.
This brings us to the World Government and the morality of justice.
Doflamingo sums most of this point up but much of the framing of Pirates are evil we see within the world is due to the Government control.
Arguably those in charge are the most morally corrupt.
Doflamingo sums most of this point up but much of the framing of Pirates are evil we see within the world is due to the Government control.
Arguably those in charge are the most morally corrupt.
Akainu takes it upon himself during Marineford to corrupt Squard against Whitebeard in order to gain a cheap shot from inside.
Not only does this break the Pirate code in underhanded tactics but it also forces another to break the code and try to kill his captain.
Not only does this break the Pirate code in underhanded tactics but it also forces another to break the code and try to kill his captain.
Akainu’s morality and justice both reside in that he doesn’t believe in the Pirate code, they are evil and must be eradicated at any cost.
This lack of code potentially makes Akainu the most evil man in the series. The one who doesn’t obey the code.
This lack of code potentially makes Akainu the most evil man in the series. The one who doesn’t obey the code.
With, of course, the exception of Doflamingo. The embodiment of evil within One Piece who through Dressrosa breaks every single rule of piracy.
Doflamingo:
Kills his crewmate/brother
Targets civilians
Uses the birdcage as an underhanded means of putting pressure on a fight by targeting civilians
Uses lead bullets on Law as psychological warfare.
This man is the only one in the series with no redeeming qualities.
Kills his crewmate/brother
Targets civilians
Uses the birdcage as an underhanded means of putting pressure on a fight by targeting civilians
Uses lead bullets on Law as psychological warfare.
This man is the only one in the series with no redeeming qualities.
I’ll wrap this up I swear.
Akainu doesn’t obey the code for his justice and is evil in that context.
The scientists hold no regard for human life and are evil in that context.
Doflamingo is just crazy.
These are the only people in One Piece I believe to be truly evil.
Akainu doesn’t obey the code for his justice and is evil in that context.
The scientists hold no regard for human life and are evil in that context.
Doflamingo is just crazy.
These are the only people in One Piece I believe to be truly evil.
I’m so sorry about how long this turned out. I ended up just rambling and honestly have a million more points I could make on morals and justice and what it means to be a pirate.
Luffy isn’t good, Big Mom isn’t bad. Let’s call it at that.
Luffy isn’t good, Big Mom isn’t bad. Let’s call it at that.
