One Piece’s Drums of Liberation: Solving a Major Plothole in the Egghead Arc

Despite its captivating worldbuilding and compelling storytelling, fans worldwide have been left with lingering questions about the plot of Eiichiro Oda’s manga and anime series, One Piece. Certain events have perplexed readers, sparking discussions and theories.

During the Egghead Arc, a puzzle arises involving the Drums of Liberation and their crucial role in activating the Iron Giant. The reason for the Iron Giant’s awakening through these drums is still a mystery. Fans are captivated by the illogical yet intriguing abilities of these sounds.

This enthralling mystery creates a captivating plot device, challenging even the most dedicated fans to decipher the drums’ meaning and role in the larger storyline.

One Piece Theory: Joy Boy and the Power of Drums

The Drums of Liberation echo the vibrant spirit of Joy Boy, a West Indian dancer who hails from Africa. Joy Boy embodies the human yearning to dance and embodies the essence of the Lord of the Dancers.

Joy Boy is renowned for his bright smile and talent for effortlessly finding the perfect rhythm on his drum. He possesses a special ability to ease the burdens of human suffering. Throughout history, drums have held great cultural importance in ancient tribes, serving as a means of communication during rituals and ceremonies. As Babatunde Olatunji, a legendary African drummer, once famously stated:

“Rhythm is the soul of life. The whole universe revolves around rhythm, and when we get out of rhythm, that’s when we get into trouble.”

Olatunji’s album, “Drums of Passion,”played a crucial role in familiarizing Western audiences with African rhythms and drumming. The song Jin-Go-Lo-Ba from the album, in particular, features a rhythm similar to that found in the Drums of Liberation.

One Piece: The dream of unlimited energy

The Iron Giant becomes active by the Drums of Liberation (Image via Toei Animation)

Stella shares Nikola Tesla’s dream of providing abundant, free energy for all, as seen in the way Joy Boy’s rhythm serves as the life force of the Iron Giant at Egghead Island. Just as Tesla believed, understanding the secrets of the universe involves thinking in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration, with Joy Boy’s rhythm embodying this concept both figuratively and literally.

It is remarkable that sound vibrations can produce electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. This could potentially hold the key to fulfilling the dream, and the Drums of Liberation may be the missing puzzle pieces. In fact, Tesla himself created an electromagnetic engine and device for transmitting electric power based on this principle, which was originally discovered by Michael Faraday.

Unifying the Void Century and Present Timeline in One Piece

The Ancient Kingdom had advanced technology as compared to the current time (Image via Toei Animation)

It is believed that the enigmatic Void Century may have been influenced by a gifted scientist who drew inspiration from Faraday’s research. It is possible that this individual was responsible for the creation of the Iron Giant, utilizing the principles of electromagnetic induction to convert the Drums of Liberation’s sound into electrical power. This unique feature may have been designed to restrict the use of the Iron Giant to only Joy Boy. If, in fact, the Iron Giant is the fabled Ancient Weapon Uranus, this design choice would provide an explanation for its original intended function.

In the current time period, Stella (a nod to Tesla) and Luffy, the protagonist of One Piece, both have a shared desire for a world powered by boundless energy. The connection between Stella and Tesla, both associated with energy, frequency, and vibration, hints at a deeper significance behind the Drums of Liberation. Through utilizing the power of these drums, the characters may uncover a way to achieve their aspirations and ignite a transformation within the One Piece world.

Final thoughts

Gear 5 Luffy awakening (Image via Toei Animation)

The significance of the Drums of Liberation in the Egghead Arc of One Piece lies in their ability to bridge ancient customs with the characters’ modern ideologies. Throughout history, drums have been a symbol of communication, joy, and harmony. Joy Boy, with his exceptional rhythmic abilities, embodies the essence of life within the series.

By examining the connection between Joy Boy, the Iron Giant, and the principles of energy and vibration, we can potentially resolve a major plot hole in the Egghead Arc. The Drums of Liberation hold the ability to bring balance and unity to the world of One Piece, both literally and symbolically. As characters face obstacles and pursue their aspirations, these drums serve as a source of hope and allow for the reshaping of their reality.