Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece locations are a testament to his exceptional world-building skills, drawing inspiration from real-world architectural and geographical features. The manga and anime series transports audiences to fictional islands and kingdoms that bear striking similarities to their real-life counterparts.
This article showcases 13 One Piece locations, ranked from level one (least realistic) to level four (most realistic), showcasing Oda’s sources of inspiration from both historical and contemporary structures. It aims to highlight the fascinating parallels between the fictional and real worlds.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer’s opinion,
Dressrosa, Water 7, and other One Piece locations inspired by real places
Zou Island: Elephant Rock, Iceland
The island of Zou in the One Piece series is based on Elephant Rock, a massive island shaped like an elephant found in Iceland. Despite sharing a name and general idea, the two have only minor similarities. Zou Island is a living, mobile creature that supports a thriving civilization, lush forests, and diverse ecosystems on its back.
On the other hand, Elephant Rock is a permanent feature that has been formed through erosion. However, Eiichiro Oda’s creative world-building, showcased through the Mink tribe and their involvement in the Wano arc, adds a whimsical touch to Zou Island, making it a distinctive and unforgettable destination despite its simple geological origins.
Punk Hazard and Iceland: A Dangerous Combination
Punk Hazard, the experimental island in One Piece, bears some resemblance to Iceland’s diverse landscape. Both possess a striking contrast between fiery and icy terrains, although Punk Hazard takes this contrast to the extreme. The island’s partition into a scorching side and a frozen side mirrors Iceland’s moniker as the “Land of Fire and Ice,”renowned for its volcanic eruptions and frozen glaciers.
Despite its inspiration from Iceland’s geography, Punk Hazard’s landscape is not a natural occurrence. It was created as a result of a climactic battle between two powerful admirals, Akainu and Aokiji, which has made it a dangerous environment with its volcanic activity and snow-covered areas.
11. Amazon Lily – Hanging Temple in China
The Hanging Temple in China served as a source of inspiration for the design of Amazon Lily, the island home of the Kuja tribe in One Piece. Similar to the Hanging Temple, the Kuja Palace is situated on the peak of the island’s central mountain, adding to its sense of precariousness.
Based on the reference, the temples found within the cliffs of Amazon Lily draw inspiration from temples located in China’s Shanxi Province, which were originally constructed in the 6th century. However, Oda takes this idea even further by crafting a whole island nation of fierce women with their own distinct culture and incorporating snake-inspired designs, resulting in a heavily fictionalized version of its architectural source.
10. Drum Island, Drumheller, Canada
Drum Island, the winter kingdom, is just one of the many locations featured in One Piece. It may share its name with Drumheller, a town located in Alberta, Canada, but that is where the similarities end. While Drumheller is known for its dinosaur fossils, Drum Island is known for its unending winter, majestic mountains, and the rare sight of cherry blossoms falling like snow. This island is also renowned for its advanced medical expertise and its dark history under the rule of the tyrant, Wapol.
The reference notes that the Drum Rockies, known for their elongated shape, on Drum Island may have been influenced by the hoodoos in Drumheller. Despite both places having a connection to unique geological features, Oda’s depiction of Drum Island is a magical winter paradise that differs greatly from the dry, fossil-filled valley of Drumheller.
9. Location: Tequila Wolf, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
The construction of Tequila Wolf, the massive bridge project in One Piece, shares similar themes with the notorious Burma Railway in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Both undertakings serve as symbols of immense engineering feats carried out by coerced labor under oppressive rule. This connection is reinforced by a reference stating that the inspiration for Tequila Wolf likely came from the construction of the Burma Railway during World War II, which spanned between Thailand and present-day Myanmar.
The bridge, also referred to as the Death Railway, was constructed by prisoners of war and Southeast Asian civilians who were coerced into labor. Oda expands upon this tragic event, stretching the building of Tequila Wolf over a period of 700 years and using it as a representation of the World Government’s tyranny.
8. Gray Terminal of Dawn Island – Smokey Mountain, Philippines
The Gray Terminal, located on Dawn Island, is a One Piece location that closely resembles the former Smokey Mountain landfill in Manila, Philippines. This reference further solidifies the inspiration, noting that Smokey Mountain is known as the slums of Manila, with a towering heap of trash and discarded items often shrouded in smoke from the burning of wood.
The outskirts of more prosperous areas are home to both locations, which are massive garbage dumps. Oda draws inspiration from this real-world setting to depict a potent symbol of both class struggle and corruption within the One Piece world. Through the storylines of characters such as Sabo and the eventual fiery destruction of the terminal, he adds layers of political commentary.
Rommel Kingdom – London, England
The Rommel Kingdom takes inspiration from London, England, particularly in its architectural style and atmosphere. This is evident in the iconic clock tower which bears a resemblance to Big Ben, further solidifying the connection between the two locations.
Similarly, Oda draws inspiration from London’s notorious Jack the Ripper murders in the 19th century for the mysterious attacker wreaking havoc on the citizens of Rommel Kingdom. This historical and architectural influence serves as the perfect setting for the introduction of fresh characters and plot developments, while still keeping a sense of familiarity for readers.
6. Comparison of Alabasta Kingdom and Egypt
The Alabasta Kingdom, one of the most recognizable real-world parallels in the One Piece series, draws heavy inspiration from ancient Egypt. This is confirmed by the reference, which notes that all the cities and towns in this fictional kingdom are inspired by various landmarks found in Egypt. The similarities between the two include a desert climate, pyramid structures, and a rich history of pharaohs and dynasties.
Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta, draws inspiration from the stepped pyramid designs found in ancient Egyptian cities with its level-based architecture. Oda effectively utilizes this recognizable setting to craft an unforgettable early arc in One Piece, seamlessly blending elements of reality with imaginative concepts such as Dance Powder and the Baroque Works conspiracy.
Flevance and Casale Monferrato, Italy
Flevance, also known as the tragic White City, is a location featured in One Piece that shares a somber connection with Casale Monferrato, Italy. These places have both been deeply impacted by the harmful effects of a substance – Amber Lead in Flevance and asbestos in Casale Monferrato. The histories of these locations revolve around industrial disasters, government concealment, and the lasting health repercussions for their residents.
Similarly, the tale of Flevance is remarkably extreme and compact, as the Amber Lead Syndrome had a profound impact on the kingdom’s demise, resulting in noticeable physical transformations.
4. Mary Geoise – Chateau de Chambord, France
The Chateau de Chambord in France serves as the architectural inspiration for Mary Geoise, the holy land and seat of the World Government in One Piece. This connection is confirmed by the reference, which states that the particular building was influenced by the renowned Chateau de Chambord, a popular and well-visited manor house in France.
Oda’s depiction of Mary Geoise includes ornate designs, numerous towers, and a high elevation reminiscent of the Renaissance architecture seen in Chambord. However, he takes this concept further by transforming the luxurious château into a vast city-sized complex that hovers above the rest of the world. This highlights the stark divide between the ruling class and the common people in the One Piece universe.
3. Dressrosa – Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain
The Kingdom of Dressrosa, associated with Donquixote Doflamingo, is located in Barcelona, Spain, specifically in Park Güell. This is supported by the fact that the real-world equivalent of Dressrosa is found in Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain.
The buildings and attire in Dressrosa are portrayed as having vibrant checkered patterns and bearing a strong resemblance to Gaudí’s signature style. This is achieved through the use of curved lines, mosaics, and wavy forms in the architecture. Overall, the author has created a visually stunning and lifelike setting, making it one of the most memorable and well-crafted locations in the One Piece series.
Cityscape of Venice, Italy
Water 7 is a location in One Piece that is easily recognizable as being inspired by real-world Venice, Italy. Just like Venice, Water 7 also has waterways serving as roads and water-based transportation as the primary means of getting around the city. In terms of size and layout, Water 7 is similar to Venice, with a dense city center and beautiful fountains reminiscent of those found in Italian squares.
In Water 7, the presence of daring shipwrights can be attributed to Venice’s status as a major naval hub. Oda utilizes these qualities to craft unique locations in One Piece, many of which feature the sea train and the Aqua Laguna phenomenon.
1. Loguetown – Florence
Loguetown, one of the notable locations in One Piece, is heavily influenced by Florence, Italy, known as the city of the beginning and the end. This is evident in the architectural similarities between the two cities, as confirmed by references. The arc showcases the iconic landmarks of Florence, such as the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral’s dome and the Palazzo Vecchio bell tower, in the background.
The architectural style of the buildings and streets in Loguetown closely resembles that of Florence, with Italian store signs making notable appearances. Additionally, the open square where Gol D. Roger was executed in Loguetown appears to have been modeled after the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, where the famous execution of Girolamo Savonarola took place in 1498. This historical connection adds further significance to Loguetown and solidifies its place as one of the One Piece locations most closely inspired by the real world on this list.
To Conclude
Eiichiro Oda has effectively utilized common places and made them integral to the story in the main locations of One Piece. Whether it be the loosely based Zou Island or the strikingly similar Loguetown, each location adds depth and richness to the narrative.
The similarities between real-life places and those in One Piece not only increase the relatability of the series, but also act as a link between the real world and the fantastical universe of the narrative.
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