One Piece's Mariejois straw hat can still be Joy Boy's, and may tease him as a Buccaneer

The straw hat in Mariejois has One Piece fans all abuzz, speculating about its connection to Joy Boy. Now that fans know Joy Boy was human, the theory that he was a Buccaneer is still pretty strong. This theory gets even stronger with the oversized straw hat, which is too big for a human but too small for a Giant.

The clues point to Joy Boy originally being a Buccaneer and his Buccaneer lineage being altered by eating the Hito Hito no Mi. And with the deep connections between Sun God Nika, Bartholomew Kuma, and Joy Boy, it’s possible Joy Boy was a Bartholomew Buccaneer, which is still shaping the story around Joy Boy and the Void Century.

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One Piece theory suggests Joy Boy may have been born a Buccaneer but later became a human

Joy Boy speaks to Emeth (Image via Shueisha)

Chapter 1122 of One Piece has fueled discussions about Joy Boy's true identity, particularly challenging previous theories that he might have been a Giant or a Buccaneer.

While recent developments reveal that Joy Boy was indeed a human, the theory suggesting his connection to the Buccaneer lineage persists. This speculation gains traction from the mysterious Straw Hat shown in Mariejois, which was too large for a human yet too small for a Giant, hinting that Joy Boy might have originally been a Buccaneer.

The Hito Hito no Mi model: Nika (Image via Sportskeeda)

The theory posits that Joy Boy, upon consuming the Hito Hito no Mi, could have transformed from his Buccaneer size to that of a regular human, a possibility that aligns with the fruit’s properties. The notion of Joy Boy being a Buccaneer is further strengthened by numerous connections within the lore.

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One Piece: Other theories that suggest Joy Boy was a Buccaneer

Sun God Nika (Image via Toei Animation)

One of the most compelling links lies in the legend of the Sun God Nika, a figure revered in Buccaneer folklore for generations. This connection suggests a profound bond between these enigmatic pirates and the powers associated with Joy Boy. Bartholomew Kuma, a former Warlord, also adds weight to this theory through his own remarks.

Kuma expressed a desire to use his power to save as many people as possible, a sentiment that mirrors the legendary Nika's actions. This parallel suggests that Joy Boy and the Buccaneers might have been closely intertwined, sharing similar motivations and ideals. Building on this Buccaneer connection, some theorists have proposed that Joy Boy might have been known as Bartholomew Joy Boy, further solidifying the link between the legendary figure and Kuma.

Bartholomew Kuma (Image via Toei Animation)

This would explain Kuma's deep association with the powers and mythos of Nika, as well as his stated goal of saving as many people as possible, a mission that could have driven Joy Boy's seafaring exploits. The theory posits that Joy Boy, as a Bartholomew Buccaneer, might have been the first to set sail under the banner of a "pirate," a term that, in those early days, likely held a different connotation than it does today.

Moreover, the theory suggests that Joy Boy’s mission to save countless lives from the Great Flood, using the legendary Noah ship, may have led to him being wrongfully branded as a pirate by the ruling powers, much like Bartholomew Kuma’s own tragic fate. This connection between Joy Boy and Kuma underscores a recurring theme in the One Piece narrative, where those who seek to challenge the status quo are often vilified.

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Joy Boy's legacy in the One Piece storyline

Saint Jaygarcia Saturn (Image via Toei Animation)

The theory goes further, speculating that the "taboo secrets of the world" and the "bloodline that should be extinct," as mentioned by Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, are directly tied to Joy Boy's legacy and the Buccaneers. By intertwining these elements—the forbidden knowledge, the mysterious bloodline, and the pirate who awakened the Ancient God (Luffy)—the theory paints a comprehensive picture of Joy Boy's significance within the One Piece world.

In this context, the theory suggests that while the Sun God Nika of Elbaf may have been a Giant, Joy Boy himself was a Bartholomew Buccaneer, and Luffy, the current inheritor of the Nika fruit, represents the unification of these diverse groups. This notion reinforces the idea that the Nika fruit and its associated powers transcend the boundaries of different races, serving as a unifying force that connects the various factions within the One Piece universe.

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Final thoughts

Monkey D. Luffy (image via Toei Animation)

The Straw Hat in Mariejois, with its mysterious size, may still belong to Joy Boy, suggesting his Buccaneer heritage. By connecting Joy Boy to the Bartholomew lineage and Luffy's current role, the hat teases a deeper narrative, uniting various races and histories within the One Piece universe.