Elbaf Arc in One Piece Possibly Draws Inspiration from Gulliver’s Travels

Recently, *One Piece* has captivated fans with segments of the Straw Hat Pirates finding themselves trapped in a LEGO castle. While many within the fandom attribute the inspiration for this arc to Norse mythology, there may be another source of influence that aligns seamlessly with the initial chapters of this narrative.

This alternate inspiration hails from a classic literary work dating back to the 1700s, detailing the adventures of a pirate named Lemuel Gulliver. Much like Nami’s current predicament, Gulliver encountered similar circumstances throughout his travels. Furthermore, various historical references in Eiichiro Oda’s manga imply that the book might serve as a concealed inspiration.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the *One Piece* manga series and reflects the author’s opinion.

Examining the parallels between One Piece’s Elbaf arc and Gulliver’s Travels

The Straw Hat Pirates stumble across a giant cat (Image via Shueisha) — The Straw Hat Pirates encounter a giant cat (Image via Shueisha)

*Gulliver’s Travels*, penned by Jonathan Swift in the 1700s, narrates the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, a pirate who wanders the globe after being stranded on an island due to a shipwreck. The parallels between Gulliver’s experiences and the Elbaf arc suggest that this literary classic could indeed influence the manga.

The Elbaf arc commences with Nami awakening in a LEGO castle, akin to Gulliver’s experience of being brought to an island via a diminutive castle. During her time within the LEGO castle, Nami contends with a giant cat and several oversized insects, mirroring the daunting challenges faced by Gulliver at the onset of his journey.

Furthermore, Gulliver was rescued from his initial island by Japanese pirates, hinting at the possibility that the Straw Hat Pirates could eventually save their missing crew members from the LEGO castle. After his escape, Gulliver encounters giants, implying that the chaotic events the Straw Hat Pirates are undergoing may be influenced by these giants.

The connection between Gulliver’s Travels and One Piece

Montblanc Noland as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation) — Montblanc Noland appearing in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

While fans may be taken aback by the striking similarities between these two narratives, the connection extends to one of the pivotal arcs of the manga series, the Skypiea arc. Gulliver’s global voyage was marked by the discovery of hidden treasures, yet when he reported his findings to authorities, he was dismissed as a liar.

This situation resonates with the tale of Noland in *One Piece*, who was branded a liar after revealing the treasures found on Skypiea Island. Additionally, the floating island of Laputa serves as a potential parallel to Skypiea, though the two islands differ significantly beyond their aerial nature.

Concluding thoughts

It’s fascinating to observe how elements of a classic narrative echo throughout the beginning of the Elbaf arc. This prompts fans to speculate on the breadth of Oda’s literary influences during his formative years, shaping a manga series imbued with references from various artistic works. However, it’s essential to treat these insights as mere speculation based on non-canonical ideas.

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