One Piece fandom left wondering if Oda planned the hilarious coincidence surrounding Luffy’s birthday

On May 5, the birthday of Monkey D. Luffy, the beloved protagonist of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, coincides with World Laughter Day in 2024, which happens to fall on a Sunday. This has sparked curiosity among fans on social media, who are questioning whether this was a deliberate decision by the brilliant mangaka or merely a coincidence.

It is a well-known fact that Oda is a meticulous planner, often adding new details to the story while still maintaining his overall plan. Therefore, it is not surprising to consider that he may have already planned for a situation like this, as he has openly stated that he has meticulously mapped out the ending of the story.

Despite this, there is still a question as to why he would create this connection, especially considering that the day of the week for May 5 varies annually. As a result, there has been a discussion among fans of One Piece on X.

Why the Protagonist of One Piece, Luffy, Has a Significant Birthday This Year

In 2024, Luffy’s birthday, celebrated on May 5, happened to fall on the first Sunday of May, which is recognized as World Laughter Day. This coincidence has left many One Piece fans wondering if there is a deeper meaning behind it.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Luffy’s uncontrollable laughter in his Gear 5 form has solidified his reputation as the embodiment of joy and merriment. This can be attributed to his Devil Fruit, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, which was recently revealed to be a mythical Zoan type. This connection between Luffy, the Sun God Nika, and Joyboy is further reinforced by the fact that “Nika”is an onomatopoeic word in Japanese that conveys a smile or grin.

It is believed that the person who activates Luffy’s Devil Fruit will become the Warrior of Liberation, a significant figure destined to spread happiness throughout the world of One Piece and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. As such, World Laughter Day, a day dedicated to promoting the therapeutic effects of laughter, seems like the ideal date for a character like Luffy to be born. Additionally, the connection to the sun and, consequently, Sunday is also evident in this context.

It is widely known that May 5 is celebrated as Children’s Day in Japan, a date that seems to perfectly suit the One Piece protagonist’s playful and childlike demeanor, especially when he transforms into his Gear 5 form. This deliberate choice of birth date seems to hold a deeper significance, although it should be noted that the date for World Laughter Day varies every year.

How Fans Have Reacted to Luffy’s Birthday This Year

Luffy still maintaining a smile while in a fight as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite ongoing debates among One Piece fans, there is no denying that Oda has put a great deal of thought and effort into crafting this epic journey that has spanned over 25 years. The story is filled with countless hints, foreshadowings, and other subtle details, leading many to believe that it was meticulously planned ahead of time.

Despite the revelation of Luffy’s birthday in SBS One Piece Manga – Vol. 15, published on September 4, 2000, some fans remain doubtful of Oda’s supposed pre-planning for it to fall on a Sunday after the introduction of his Gear 5 form and its connection to Nika.

“I mean didnt the fans pick the birthdays. I remember all the early SBSs just fans going “hey, i think X’s birthday should be y”and Oda just writes “yeah… okay thats cool. cannon”,” one X user commented.

“That’s got be a coincidence,”echoed another user.

Even so, there exists a separate faction of admirers who hold steadfast to Oda’s perfectionist tendencies and meticulousness, and they are astounded by the intricacy of his foresight.

“Oda cooked this far back,” one fan wrote.

“First SUN DAY, naaaah Goda,” another fan exclaimed, referring to Oda by the nickname by fans.

“Coincidencia? The goat planned it all along,” commented another.

It is evident that these reactions showcase the immense admiration and reverence that numerous fans hold for Oda, and the meticulous planning he has put into his work from the very beginning. Nevertheless, in this particular instance, it seems improbable to attribute it to anything other than a coincidence. This is due to Oda’s initial plan to end the manga several years earlier, and this specific day may not have fallen within the manga’s original timeline.