One Piece’s Inspiration for Laugh Tale: Luffy’s Potential Encounter with the Original Joy Boy at the End of the Series

Over the years, there have been many theories about the location of Laugh Tale in One Piece. Some suggest that it may be a place the Straw Hat pirates have already been to, while others propose that it could be a completely new and unknown location for both the Straw Hats and the audience.

The theory that delves into an Irish legend and explores the potential connections between Eiichiro Oda’s work and time and space has gained attention recently. This theory is backed up by statements made by Gol D. Roger and Kozuki Oden in the Wano Country arc.

The Possible Location of Laugh Tale in One Piece

One of the four Road Poneglyphs as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

According to the theory, the whereabouts of Laugh Tale offer a novel viewpoint that has not received much attention. The notion revolves around the necessity of possessing four Road Poneglyphs in order to uncover the island’s whereabouts. While three Road Poneglyphs are sufficient to determine a location on a surface, the fourth one may be crucial in establishing its position in space-time.

The Importance of Time in the One Piece Series

Toki came from the Void Century using her Devil Fruit powers (Image via Toei Animation)

The concept of time has played a significant role in One Piece, particularly during the Wano arc. The abilities of Toki and the remarks made by Oden, Roger, and Kaido about the timing of opening Wano emphasize its significance. This has sparked speculation that Laugh Tale may only be accessible during certain points within a cyclical timeframe.

The legend of the Island of Brasil, which originates from an Irish myth dating back to the Middle Ages, is said to have been inspired by real life events, telling the tale of an island that emerges every seven years.

Based on a poem written by an Irish poet during the 1800s, the island is governed by a never-ending ruler who hosts a grand feast every seven years, exclusively inviting select individuals. This island is portrayed as a land free from death, aging, sorrow, and cold, where all inhabitants are joyous and indulge heartily in an abundance of food and beverages.

The concept of Laugh Tale bears resemblance to various elements of this legend. The very name Laugh Tale reflects the festive atmosphere of the Island of Brasil. Moreover, the recent disclosure of Clover’s true identity as Claiomh D. Clover further solidifies the Irish association. Additionally, there could be a subtle implication behind Oda’s statement that Luffy would be Brazilian.

One Piece: Eternity and the Voice of All Things

Roger, along with his crew, are shown laughing when they reach Laugh Tale (Image via Toei Animation)

The theory is reinforced by the concept of eternity and the Voice of All Things. In Chapter 967 of One Piece, Roger and his crew are depicted laughing, indicating that they may have either heard the Voice of All Things or that Oden, who could hear the Voice, read a Poneglyph and translated it for the entire crew. This scene implies a shared experience rather than a solitary one of reading a slab or hearing voices.

According to the theory, Joy Boy could have been at Laugh Tale, celebrating with Roger’s crew, which is supported by Vegapunk’s statement in chapter 1120.

“They must have heard the voices of the past from the purest source possible.”

This suggests that Laugh Tale can only be accessed at a specific point in time, allowing all visitors to the island to share the experience at the same time.

Roger states how they were too early when they reached Laugh Tale (Image via Toei Animation)

Similar to how Brazil opens every seven years within a complete cycle of 700 years, it can be assumed that Laugh Tale also follows a similar pattern. This would mean that during the 101st appearance of the island, visitors from different points in time would gather together at the same time. This cyclical time structure can provide an explanation as to why Oden and Roger felt that they had arrived at Laugh Tale too early, despite discovering the truth.

It is implied that they arrived at an inopportune moment in the cycle. The Ancient Kingdom may have been acquainted with this notion, which could clarify their exceptional understanding gained from interactions with the future.

Final Thoughts

Luffy in his Gear 5 form (Image via Toei Animation)

Ultimately, it can be inferred that the discovery of the fourth Road Poneglyph by the Straw Hats would reveal the potential reappearance of Laugh Tale. This, in turn, would bring together all past adventurers to the island, providing Luffy the opportunity to meet the original Joy Boy.

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