The Importance of One Piece’s Celestial Dragons in the Storyline Explained

The Celestial Dragons are arguably the most despised characters in One Piece, and for good reason: they are corrupt to the core and demand nothing less than the finest, frequently acquired through illicit means. Their wealth is derived from the people they enslave, and the World Government shields them from the consequences of their actions.

Despite their malevolence, these tyrants play a crucial role in the storyline, as their cruelty motivates characters like Monkey D. Dragon and Monkey D. Luffy to pursue a better world. Furthermore, recent developments, such as the execution of a Celestial Dragon by Garling Figarland, hint at significant events to come, indicating their enduring relevance in the series.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the One Piece manga series, along with the author’s opinions.

One Piece: The Significance of the Celestial Dragons

The Celestial Dragons as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Celestial Dragons, also known as the World Nobles, reside in the Holy Land of Mariejois atop the Red Line. They are direct descendants of the First Twenty, the founders of the World Government, which continues to dominate the Grand Line.

Given their status, they are regarded as royalty and receive protection from the Marine Corps and the elite Cipher Pol unit, CP0. Despite their privileged position, they exhibit ingratitude and arrogance towards those who serve them.

The Celestial Dragons are protected by the Marine and CP0 (Image via Toei Animation)

These nobles treat the inhabitants of the Grand Line as their subordinates and demand the “Heavenly Tribute,”which constitutes a significant portion of their extravagance. With no power or knowledge to offer the protagonists, one might wonder about their relevance to the overarching plot.

The answer lies in the growing resistance against them. For instance, Monkey D. Dragon aims to oppose the World Government, starting by disrupting the food supply of the Celestial Dragons. This illustrates their role in the larger fight for a better world.

Additionally, Monkey D. Luffy’s act of punching a Celestial Dragon stemmed from witnessing their cruelty firsthand. This pivotal moment led to Kuma’s knowledge of the Straw Hat Pirates’ location and ultimately resulted in the time skip. The Celestial Dragons are also integral characters influencing various arcs across the Grand Line.

Garling Figarland as the newly appointed Gorosei (Image via Toei Animation)

Examples include Garling Figarland, who succeeded Saint Saturn following the Egghead Incident, and Donquixote Doflamingo, a former Celestial Dragon who may have plans within Impel Down as part of the future Cross Guild, as speculated by fans.

In conclusion, the existence of the Celestial Dragons could be pivotal to the overarching narrative of One Piece. While the recent execution of Saint Mjosgard may suggest a decline in their importance, deeper meanings regarding their role may still unfold in forthcoming chapters.

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