Luffy

Ummm...It might be weird to blog about an anime/manga character. One that is completely fictional and geared towards a younger crowd. Though, I digress I've been a One Piece fan from the beginning and I don't mind sounding a bit immature as I reflect upon the character.

Monkey D. Luffy is a pirate captain of his own crew, it's a small crew. After a publication cycle of 12+ years he's only acquired a crew of eight others to join him. It's a small group and you're able to invest a lot of your interest into each. As a captain he's not the brightest person, and because of his ability he is unable to function if he comes into direct contact with sea water, however he's a humble young captain. He never disappoints when it comes down to friends despite his carefree nature he values every member of his crew despite however great the peril; he'll be there. It's that characteristic that makes me feel like a kid inside, makes me want to root for the underdog. I know the nature of a person to be like that is quite naive, but throw logic out the window and you have a great friend.

I remember bits and parts of different arcs that led me to find him to be such a great character. In one of the fights he meets with another captain which he tells Luffy that he should be the strongest person in the crew and a captain should not rely on his men, however Luffy's ideal differ it's because of his inability to do certain things he relies on them and because of his ability they can rely on him. Not exactly verbatim, but that's the gist of it. I found that part to be really dear...it's because one has faults that they entrust others to better themselves and help guide them. I don't believe a lot of people are willing to do that and that's what I found to be must interesting, modesty.

Later on in the story a crew member leaves without a word, not telling the crew anything only because she felt that she would burden the rest of them and cause harm to those that she's finally found dear. Despite her motives being completely secret even to the readers, Luffy still pursues her, in order to get an answer and despite what she told them (which was a lie), he loses faith. However, when all is reveal he goes darting for her, makes the world his enemy and goes about the manner of tackling whatever obstacle that comes his way. I'm a bad summarizer, but that arc was also one of my favorites.

I've been thinking about this character quite a lot mainly due to the point in the current story, but also how I am as a friend. I know this type of friend is a bit naive to contrive, but I really wish I was a bit more like Luffy. The fact that he's present despite him being unknowing of how others think how complex things are, he brings it back to a simple point, "We're friends" that's all there is to it. Despite how rough thing get, how complicated things are going to be...the solid point to drive home is "We're friends" and no matter what I'm going to be there and I'll fight for you. Despite the interpretation of what fight means that's what a friend does. I wish I can be a little bit more like that.

-David M.