One Piece isn’t just an adventurous tale of Monkey D. Luffy; it’s a treasure trove of unresolved mysteries waiting to be unraveled. As Oda delves into the origins of Rocks D. Xebec, he surprisingly brings up the ominous figure of Davy Jones, a legendary pirate whose roots intertwine with real maritime lore.
Davy Jones’s significance is increasing in the climax of One Piece. Whether you’re rediscovering the Davy Jones myth from the Long Ring Long Island arc or eager to learn more about this legendary figure, we’ve compiled fascinating theories surrounding Davy Jones in the One Piece universe.
Spoilers Alert:
This article may contain spoilers about Davy Jones and Joy Boy in One Piece. Ensure you’re caught up with the latest manga chapter to protect your reading experience.
Who Is Davy Jones in One Piece?
In the Long Ring Long Island arc, Nico Robin was the first to unveil the legend of Davy Jones when the Straw Hats explored the origins of the Davy Back Fight tradition. When Chopper curiously inquired about Davy Jones, Robin revealed that he was a notorious pirate cursed by the devil to eternally dwell in the ocean’s depths.
Many believe that Davy Jones still lurks in the ocean’s abyss today, and the sea floor has been referred to as “Davy Jones’ Locker.” According to legend, anything swallowed by the sea—from sunken ships to lost treasures—belongs to him, sitting eternally in this cursed locker.
Recent revelations further paint Davy Jones as a revered figure among pirates, akin to Joy Boy. Rocks D. Xebec, recently introduced in the Elbaf arc, boldly proclaimed himself a “worshipper of Davy Jones.”
Davy Jones Was Inspired by a Real-Life Legend
In SBS volume 38, when one eager reader inquired about Davy Jones and the Davy Back Fight, Oda clarified that his take on Davy Jones draws inspiration from real nautical folklore, though the Davy Back Fight was uniquely devised for the One Piece storyline. Oda even crafted a sketch of Davy Jones in that volume.
Oda explained his rendition of Davy Jones as: “A lying, no-good pirate named Davy Jones, a greedy deck chief famous for hoarding all the crew’s valuables into his locker.”
He was so wicked, even for a pirate, that one day the Devil himself cursed Davy to live at the bottom of the sea forever, swabbing the deck of a sunken ship and placing all the sunken treasure into his locker, where it would never be seen again. So when pirates say “Put ‘im in Davy Jones’ locker!!” it means “sink ‘im to the bottom o’ the sea!!” – Oda
Here, we see Oda’s ingenuity in transforming the Davy Jones lore, and the act of raiding rival pirate crews morphed into the “Davy Back.” The game where pirates compete to reclaim their best crew members is hence named “Davy Back Fight,” honoring the legendary Davy Jones.
Who Could Be Davy Jones in One Piece?
Initially perceived as mere folklore, Oda is now bringing Davy Jones into current relevance; Rocks D. Xebec’s admiration for him signifies potential deeper connections. Oda might later introduce Davy Jones as a new character. However, dedicated fans have been theorizing over the years and believe we may have encountered Davy Jones already. Let’s explore possible identities for Davy Jones in One Piece:
1. Joy Boy
Joy Boy has long been speculated as the prime candidate for Davy Jones. His character aligns perfectly with the legend, particularly after Vegapunk’s recent revelation that Joy Boy is the first pirate in the One Piece universe. During the Void Century, Joy Boy faced defeat at the hands of Imu and the allied kingdoms, leaving his fate unresolved.
If Imu is indeed the sea devil of this world, could he have cursed Joy Boy to an eternal existence beneath the sea? Davy Jones, embodying the ownership of everything lost to the sea, might have amassed treasures left in the One Piece treasure trove.
Moreover, the World Government controls the narrative, suggesting that Joy Boy could have been painted as a notorious pirate. This leads to the theory that Davy Jones and Joy Boy are potentially the same individual, with the ‘Will of D’ symbolizing Davy Jones’s will.
2. Joy Boy’s Rival
In One Piece’s expansive world, we observe recurring rivalries, such as Gol D. Roger against Rocks D. Xebec and presently, Luffy pitted against Marshall D. Teach. Yet, there exists a notable absence of a rival from Joy Boy’s time. This discrepancy fuels speculation that Davy Jones could have been Joy Boy’s nemesis.
There’s a popular belief that Davy Jones may have been Joy Boy’s loyal crewmate, possibly even his first mate. However, after diverging ideals caused their rift, they parted ways, leading to Rocks’s current admiration of Davy Jones.
3. Man Marked by the Flames
Davy Jones’s legend intersects with another mysterious figure—Hinokizu, often referred to as the man marked by the flames. He is rumored to possess the final fourth road poneglyph, making him a compatible contender for the Davy Jones identity.
Hinokizu is said to wield immense powers like creating vortexes that pull ships into the depths. Though his dark ship contradicts Davy Jones’s underwater dwelling, his compelling powers cannot be overlooked.
4. Vander Decken Family
If you’ve witnessed the Pirates of the Caribbean saga, you might recall that their version of Davy Jones sailed the infamous Flying Dutchman. One Piece presents a unique interpretation of this, exemplified by the Vander Decken family. The saga of the first Vander Decken parallels the cursed legend of Davy Jones.
A madman driven by obsession, Vander Decken killed his crewmates and was cursed to sail the seas eternally. Although the eighth-generation descendant, Vander Decken XI, continues to inhabit the sea floor near Fishman Island, it’s unclear how his tale connects with Davy Jones.
What we know about Davy Jones in the One Piece narrative is still unfolding. With figures as significant as Rocks venerating him, it is certain we’ll learn more about Davy Jones shortly. Meanwhile, feel free to share your theories about Davy Jones in the comments below.
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