Bonney: A Unique Member of the Exclusive One Piece Characters Club

The relationships that Monkey D. Luffy has with various characters in One Piece are often quite complex, particularly as he tends to forget their names during first encounters. A notable instance of this is his mishaps with names like Yamato, whom he mistakenly labels as Yamao, and Trafalgar Law, whom he refers to as Torao. This trend extends to numerous other characters, even those he is seemingly close with.

Yet, one character stands out in breaking this pattern—Jewelry Bonney. During the Egghead arc, as Luffy’s crew found themselves separated, they met up with Bonney while making their way to the island. It was during this journey that Luffy stumbled over her name. However, after a frustrated repetition of her correct name by Bonney, Luffy adjusted and consistently pronounced her name right thereafter.

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What Makes Bonney Unique Among One Piece Characters?

Luffy mistakenly calling Bonney 'Bogey' (Image via Toei Animation) — Luffy mistakenly calling Bonney ‘Bogey’ (Image via Toei Animation)

In episode 1091 of One Piece, after the Straw Hat Pirates faced separation due to Bonney needing assistance, Luffy’s group ended up stranded on the shores of Egghead Island alongside her.

Once they changed into dry clothing, Luffy’s team, along with Bonney, set off to explore the island in search of a means to access the city. While wandering, Luffy admired cyborgs after Bonney shared details about her father. Bonney was not pleased with the remark, prompting Luffy to apologize, though he humorously referred to her as ‘Bogey.’

Luffy correcting his mistake after Bonney's outburst (Image via Toei Animation) — Luffy correcting his mistake after Bonney’s outburst (Image via Toei Animation)

Clearly annoyed, Bonney insisted on repeating her name, leading Luffy to promptly apologize and use her correct name thereafter. Post this incident, Luffy has made it a point to address the female pirate correctly, an unusual behavior for him.

Typically, Luffy reserves proper names for his close friends and crew, while he often opts for nicknames for other One Piece characters. Some examples include Torao for Trafalgar Law, Jaggy for Eustass Kidd, Yamao for Yamato, Pigeon Guy for Rob Lucci, and Hammock for Boa Hancock, among countless others. This establishes Bonney as part of an exclusive group.

Insights from the Author

Bonney in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

In the “Shitsumon o Boushuu suru?” section of One Piece volume 107, author Eiichiro Oda was asked whether Luffy’s use of Bonney’s actual name signified anything special. He mentioned that Luffy felt remorse for treating her father’s torment lightly, which prompted him to correct himself immediately and avoid repeating the mistake.

This doesn’t imply that Bonney is extraordinary in a broader sense, but it does suggest that characters Luffy refers to by their real names might hint at potential future crew members. As of now, the Straw Hat Pirates remain alongside Bonney, leaving her future ambiguous.

Concluding Thoughts

Nefertari Vivi is another character Luffy addresses by her actual name. She also has a history of being close to becoming part of the Straw Hat crew but ultimately chose to remain in the Alabasta Kingdom due to her obligations as the next in line to rule.

In contrast, Bonney seems to hold no such duties. Her best chance after the chaos may be to care for her father, should Kuma survive. Thus, the prospect of her joining the Straw Hat Pirates remains uncertain.

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