It has been suggested by a prominent theory that Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, may have been influenced by the renowned Japanese anime series Space Pirate Captain Harlock in the development of his iconic work. The similarities between these two stories are notable, suggesting that Blackbeard, the infamous antagonist in One Piece, may have the potential to not only dominate the seas but also the entire galaxy.
Just like the Straw Hat crew, Captain Harlock bravely journeys through dangerous cosmic waters, constantly avoiding formidable enemies. This parallel can be seen in the perils of the Grand Line and the relentless pursuit of pirates by the World Government in One Piece.
Oda’s exceptional ability to tell stories, demonstrated through the intricate creation of worlds and well-developed characters, reflects the depth and complexity present in Harlock’s epic journey through the stars.
One Piece: Exploring the Harlock connection
Captain Harlock, who personifies independence and defiance, shares a remarkable likeness with the idea of Joyboy. Both individuals have adopted the Pirate Jolly Roger as a symbol of their cause, using it to liberate the world from the tyranny of oppressive powers instead of engaging in acts of looting and violence.
Harlock, specifically, employs his enormous spacefaring vessel, the Arcadia, to protect Earth, his home world, against the corrupt World Government and hostile extraterrestrial species such as the Mazone and Illumidas.
The Arcadia, which is based on the Yamato battleship, showcases the brilliance of Harlock’s engineer, Tochirō Ōyama. Interestingly, Tochirō shares many similarities with One Piece’s Dr. Vegapunk, and their abilities are both noteworthy. While Tochirō can transfer his consciousness into the Arcadia, there are also speculations about Vegapunk’s potential to upload his mind into the Iron Giant.
Exploring the depths of the Harlock universe reveals even more ties to the One Piece world. Episodes depicting the aftermath of a catastrophic “great battle”on a planet, as well as the existence of colossal, hostile plants possibly influenced by nuclear radiation, mirror the events of the Ancient Kingdom’s downfall and the enigmatic landscapes of Green Bit and Upper Yard.
Moreover, the unearthing of a vessel and underwater vehicle from a thousand years ago, both under the command of a mechanized being who swears allegiance to the Queen of the Mazone (possibly referencing Laugh Tale/Raftel), adds to the speculation that there may be ties to Pluton and Poseidon.
One Piece: How is Blackbeard connected to the Harlock universe?
One of the most convincing elements of this theory is the possible connection between Blackbeard and the flag of the World Government in the Captain Harlock universe. The flag of Blackbeard, which displays an eight-spoked wheel with three heads (or planets), shares a remarkable similarity to the emblem used by the World Government in Harlock’s world.
The resemblance between Blackbeard and his ancestors brings up fascinating inquiries about his heritage and goals. Blackbeard’s desires could surpass the boundaries of the ocean, as he aims to rule not only the world, but the entire galaxy as well.
The possibility of a link to Pluton, which is said to have the ability to travel through space, may hold the answer to the mystery. Blackbeard’s relentless pursuit of formidable Devil Fruit powers and enigmatic background only adds to the speculation that he may not be of this world.
Final thoughts
One Piece shares numerous similarities with the Captain Harlock series, potentially foreshadowing the direction of the story. Similar to Captain Harlock, One Piece also prominently explores themes of freedom and rebellion. In addition, both stories showcase advanced technology and cosmic connections that extend beyond Earth.
If author Oda was indeed influenced by Leiji Matsumoto’s renowned space pirate story, it is possible that Blackbeard may attempt to dominate the entire galaxy. With his vast resources and power, he could potentially reign over not only the seas, but the entire universe. Fans are thrilled by the idea of an epic showdown between opposing forces of liberty and subjugation, spanning across countless worlds and galaxies.
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