One Piece’s vilest antagonists may be inspired by George Orwell’s 1984 novel

Despite the captivating nature of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece adventure, certain antagonists in the series share striking similarities with characters from Orwell’s 1984. Their motives, while intricate, reveal unsettling parallels. Some of these villains represent the authoritarian rule of Orwell’s totalitarian government, while others embody the suppression of personal expression and independent thinking, a key theme in the novel.

The consequences are disconcerting, but they contribute to the story’s examination of power and corruption. Oda skillfully combines fantastical realms with insightful societal critique, prompting readers to contemplate the outcomes of unbridled control.

One Piece Theory: The Connection Between The Gorosei, Imu, and George Orwell’s “1984”Party

Saturn refers to humans as "insects" (Image via Shueisha) — Saturn refers to humans as “insects” (Image via Shueisha)

In the Egghead arc of One Piece, Saturn belittles humans by calling them “insects.”This mirrors the Party’s mentality in Orwell’s 1984, viewing people as insignificant bugs. Furthermore, the peculiar appearance and unsettling eyes of the Gorosei raise suspicions about their true intentions, much like the emotionless and distant Party members in 1984.

This parallel implies that Oda may have taken inspiration from Orwell’s dystopian world to create the sinister and enigmatic Gorosei. The appearance of the Gorosei, with their unsettling features, is reminiscent of the emotionless and uniform Party members depicted in 1984.

Comparing Totalitarian Regimes: 1984 and One Piece

Cover image of the "1984" novel (Image via George Orwell) — Cover image of the “1984” novel (Image via George Orwell)

In order to maintain control over their citizens, authoritarian regimes often resort to extreme measures. Such is the case in 1984, where Big Brother and the Party utilize surveillance, misinformation, and coercion to suppress any form of dissent. This is also reflected in the One Piece universe, where the oppressive World Government, led by the Gorosei and Imu, holds absolute power.

The government in Orwell’s work employs tactics such as Cipher Pol and the Marines to control the population and suppress individual thinking, guaranteeing absolute compliance. Similarly, this regime utilizes various methods to maintain its power and achieve unquestioned dominance over its society. Both systems strive to eradicate personal agency and establish unchallenged rule in their respective realms.

The Influence of Ideology in One Piece

The Gorosei as shown in the One manga Piece series (Image via Shueisha)

In 1984, the Party used slogans such as “War is Peace,””Freedom is Slavery,”and “Ignorance is Strength”to manipulate people’s understanding of reality. Similarly, the World Government in One Piece advocates a similar belief system. The World Government’s power led to the persecution and enslavement of the Buccaneers, a race to which Bartholowmew Kuma belonged.

The belief that “Freedom is Slavery”is demonstrated through the World Government’s domination over people’s lives, using the excuse of preserving order and stability to limit their freedom. Similarly, the notion of “Ignorance is Strength”is evident in the World Government’s manipulation of historical events and dissemination of propaganda.

Concluding Remarks

Saturn spies on the conversation between Dr. Vegapunk and Bartholomew Kuma (Image via Shueisha)

Despite not explicitly mentioning it, Eiichiro Oda’s series displays clear influences from George Orwell’s 1984. Certain plotlines bear striking similarities to Orwell’s depiction of a totalitarian society, with the characters of Gorosei and Imu bearing resemblances to the oppressive regime in the novel.

The themes explored in “1984”such as depriving individuals of their humanity, exerting strict governmental control, manipulating historical records, and using symbols to represent constant surveillance and subjugation all evoke a strong resonance.

Regardless of whether Oda purposely drew influence from Orwell’s writing or not, the inclusion of these elements enhances the storytelling and allows readers and viewers to identify parallels between the two tales and contemplate the consequences of unrestrained power.