Joy Boy: A Possible Antagonist in One Piece? Emeth’s Apology Hints at the Truth

Throughout its run, One Piece has been shrouded in many mysteries, one of the most notable being the enigmatic figure of Joy Boy and his ultimate motivation centuries ago. Over the years, numerous theories have emerged, particularly during the Egghead arc, and a certain user on X, @spiritofjoyboy, has proposed the possibility that Joy Boy may have been the series’ main antagonist all along.

Some One Piece fans have speculated that Emeth’s apology, in which he admits to failing “to make him king,”suggests a greater ambition to conquer. However, there are numerous issues and flaws with this theory, particularly considering that author Eiichiro Oda typically avoids morally ambiguous villains in this story. This is something that the user has taken into consideration.

This article includes spoilers for the series.

A New Theory Suggests Joy Boy as the Potential Antagonist in One Piece

The theory that Joy Boy is an antagonist stems from Dr. Vegapunk’s speech in the Egghead arc, where he states that the battle between Imu and the World Government lacked clear moral distinctions. This theory is further supported by the Iron Giant, Emeth, who mentions his failure to make Joy Boy a king, implying a desire for conquest.

Despite potentially being a shocking and impressive plot twist, it is unlikely to occur within author Eiichiro Oda’s writing style. His characters are typically portrayed as clear-cut villains, leaving little room for moral ambiguity. This aspect should be considered in relation to this perspective.

Additionally, there is a substantial amount of evidence supporting the notion that Joy Boy is a benevolent character, as he is associated with the concept of liberation and aiding the less fortunate. Consequently, it appears highly improbable that he will be portrayed as a villain in the narrative.

The Significance of Joy Boy in the Narrative

Joy Boy is a very important character in the series (Image via Shueisha).

Undoubtedly, Joy Boy holds a significant role in One Piece, and this has been reinforced by the latest developments and discoveries in the Egghead arc. His strong link to the protagonist, Luffy, through the Sun God Nika fruit alone is sufficient to highlight his significance, but there is still much more to uncover.

As well as being involved in the War of the Void Century, he has connections with Imu and the royal families who established the World Government. The events of this conflict, including Joy Boy’s intentions and ultimate defeat, are now being questioned and it is up to author Eiichiro Oda to address them in the story.

Final Thoughts

Based on Eiichiro Oda’s tendency to write his villains, it is unlikely that Joy Boy will be portrayed as an antagonist in One Piece. Additionally, evidence in the manga indicates that he was a benevolent character in the story.

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