Ultimate One Piece Secret: Oda’s Bizarre Favorite March 2026
Who is Eiichiro Oda’s favorite One Piece character? Surprisingly, it’s not Luffy or any of the Straw Hat Pirates, but Gaimon – the bizarre man trapped in a treasure chest who appears early in the East Blue saga.
In my years of following One Piece since the early 2000s, I’ve seen countless fan theories about Oda’s creative preferences. But when I discovered his actual favorite character choice through the Color Walk 1 interview, it completely changed how I view One Piece’s storytelling philosophy. This revelation offers profound insights into what makes Oda’s narrative genius so unique.
| Character Aspect | Significance | Impact on Story |
|---|---|---|
| Gaimon’s Unique Design | Man trapped in treasure chest | Visual metaphor for greed |
| Oda’s Creative Philosophy | Absurd concepts with deep meaning | Foundation of One Piece themes |
| Fan Reception | Memorable despite minimal screen time | Exemplifies Oda’s character craft |
Gaimon: The Unlikely Favorite Who Stole Oda’s Heart
When I first encountered Gaimon in Chapter 22 of One Piece, I thought he was just another quirky character in Oda’s vast world. A man stuck in a treasure chest with an afro sticking out – it seemed like typical One Piece absurdity. But after learning about Oda’s preference through various interviews and especially the Color Walk 1 artbook, I realized this character represents something far more profound than most entries in characters inspired by Luffy’s journey.
Gaimon’s story is deceptively simple yet brilliantly executed. Twenty years before meeting Luffy, he was a pirate who fell while trying to reach treasure chests atop a cliff. Landing inside an empty chest, his body morphed to fit the container, permanently trapping him. What makes this setup “amazing” in Oda’s words isn’t just the visual gag – it’s the perfect encapsulation of how greed can literally trap us.
The character appears on the Island of Rare Animals, where he protects unusual creatures from poachers. This detail adds another layer to his character that I find fascinating. Here’s someone who lost his freedom pursuing treasure, yet found purpose in protecting something genuinely valuable – life itself. It’s a complete character arc accomplished in just one chapter, showcasing Oda’s efficiency in storytelling that even influenced Oda’s revolutionary approach to female characters.
The Color Walk 1 Interview: Oda’s Revealing Conversation
The most definitive proof of Oda’s favoritism comes from his conversation with Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama in the One Piece Color Walk 1 artbook. In this legendary creator dialogue, Oda explicitly states that Gaimon is his favorite character, explaining: “The setup is just so amazing – a man stuck in a treasure chest! It’s hard to think of anyone better than him.”
What struck me most about this interview was Oda’s enthusiasm for the concept itself. He wasn’t just praising Gaimon’s personality or role in the story, but the sheer creative audacity of the character design. Toriyama himself was impressed by Oda’s ability to generate such bizarre yet meaningful concepts, noting how it reflected a unique creative philosophy.
During the same interview, Oda revealed that Gaimon was originally conceived as being stuck in a barrel, but he changed it to a treasure chest for stronger thematic resonance. This design evolution shows how much thought went into what appears to be a throwaway gag character. Every detail was deliberately chosen to reinforce the story’s themes about treasure, freedom, and what truly matters in life.
Why Gaimon Represents Everything One Piece Stands For?
After analyzing comprehensive One Piece character rankings, I’ve come to understand that Gaimon embodies the core philosophy that runs throughout the entire series. His story is essentially One Piece in microcosm – a tale about the futility of material obsession and the true treasures found in friendship and purpose.
The symbolism in Gaimon’s predicament is multilayered. He’s literally become one with the treasure chest he sought to plunder, a perfect visual metaphor for how our obsessions can consume and trap us. Yet instead of becoming bitter, he found new meaning in protecting the island’s unique animals. This transformation from treasure hunter to guardian parallels many character arcs throughout One Piece, including some of the Straw Hats themselves.
What makes Gaimon particularly significant is his appearance so early in the series. Chapter 22 comes right after the initial crew formations, serving as an early mission statement for what One Piece would explore thematically. When I reread these early chapters knowing Oda’s preference, it becomes clear that Gaimon was setting up philosophical questions the series would spend decades exploring.
The Genius of Absurd Character Design
In my experience analyzing deep anime character analysis, few creators match Oda’s ability to blend absurdity with profundity. Gaimon exemplifies this perfectly. At first glance, he’s comedy relief – a visual gag about a man stuck in a box. But the more you examine him, the more layers reveal themselves.
The character design itself tells a complete story. The afro poking out maintains his humanity despite his transformation. His inability to reach the treasure chests on the cliff (which Luffy reveals were empty all along) adds cruel irony to his situation. Even his friendship with Sarfunkel, a woman stuck in a barrel who arrives later, shows how Oda can expand on seemingly one-note concepts.
This design philosophy has influenced countless One Piece characters since. From Brook being a living skeleton to Señor Pink wearing a baby outfit for tragic reasons, Oda consistently creates visually absurd characters with emotionally resonant backstories. Gaimon was the prototype for this approach, proving that readers would accept and even love the most bizarre concepts if they carried genuine emotional weight.
Community Theories and Fan Interpretations
The One Piece community has developed fascinating theories about Gaimon’s significance over the years. On forums like Arlong Park and the One Piece subreddit, I’ve seen discussions connecting Gaimon to everything from the series’ endgame to parallels with classic literature. One popular theory suggests Gaimon represents what could happen to any treasure-obsessed pirate, including potentially Luffy himself if he lost sight of what truly matters.
Some fans draw parallels between Gaimon and Ben Gunn from Treasure Island, both being marooned characters who’ve gone slightly mad from isolation. However, Oda’s version subverts the trope by having Gaimon find contentment and purpose in his situation. This optimistic twist reflects One Piece’s generally hopeful worldview, even when dealing with themes of loss and obsession.
There’s also speculation about whether Gaimon will return in the final saga. Given Oda’s stated fondness for the character and his habit of bringing back early characters for the series’ conclusion, many fans believe we haven’t seen the last of the chest-man. Some theorize his Island of Rare Animals might connect to the series’ larger mysteries about the Void Century or the nature of Devil Fruits.
Gaimon vs The Straw Hats: Understanding Oda’s Preference
It might seem strange that Oda prefers Gaimon over protagonists like Luffy or fan-favorites like Zoro. But understanding this preference has helped me appreciate how creators view their own work differently than audiences. While we see character development in One Piece through dramatic power-ups and emotional moments, Oda seems to value creative innovation and thematic efficiency.
Gaimon represents a perfect creative moment – when an absurd idea crystallizes into something meaningful. While the Straw Hats required hundreds of chapters to fully develop, Gaimon achieved his complete arc in about twenty pages. This efficiency and conceptual purity might appeal to Oda more than the complex, ever-evolving main characters he must constantly manage and develop.
Interestingly, Gaimon almost became the fourth Straw Hat crew member. Oda has mentioned in interviews that he considered having Gaimon join the crew permanently. Imagine how different One Piece would be with a treasure chest-man as a core crew member! While I’m glad we got Usopp instead, this reveals how seriously Oda considered keeping his favorite character in the spotlight.
The Lasting Impact on One Piece’s Narrative Philosophy
Gaimon’s influence extends far beyond his brief appearance. The themes established in his chapter – the emptiness of material pursuit, the value of protecting life, finding purpose in unexpected circumstances – resonate throughout One Piece’s thousand-plus chapters. When I see game-changing One Piece revelations, I often notice echoes of Gaimon’s simple yet profound story.
The empty treasure chests that Luffy discovers on Gaimon’s island prefigure many similar revelations throughout the series. From the Poneglyph in Alabasta that doesn’t contain Pluton’s location to the emphasis on inherited will over material inheritance, One Piece consistently argues that true treasure isn’t what we initially expect. Gaimon was the first character to fully embody this philosophy.
Even the concept of being “trapped” by one’s ambitions appears repeatedly. Characters like Crocodile, Doflamingo, and even Kaido are, in their own ways, trapped by their obsessions just as literally as Gaimon is trapped in his chest. The difference is that Gaimon found peace with his situation, while these villains let their entrapment drive them to villainy, as explored in comprehensive villain analysis guides.
What Gaimon Teaches Us About Oda’s Creative Process
Through my analysis of Oda’s work and interviews, Gaimon reveals crucial insights into how One Piece’s creator approaches storytelling. Oda values conceptual boldness – the willingness to pursue an absurd idea to its logical conclusion. He also prioritizes thematic resonance over conventional character appeal. Gaimon might not sell merchandise or top popularity polls, but he perfectly encapsulates One Piece’s philosophical core.
This preference also shows Oda’s appreciation for constraint-based creativity. Gaimon’s immobility forces creative solutions to basic storytelling problems. How does an immobile character defend himself? How does he eat? How does he form relationships? These limitations sparked innovative narrative solutions that influenced how Oda would handle disabled or restricted characters throughout the series.
The character also demonstrates Oda’s belief in finding humor and hope in tragic situations. Gaimon’s predicament is objectively horrible – he’s been trapped for twenty years! Yet the story finds comedy, warmth, and even inspiration in his situation. This tonal balance between tragedy and comedy, often within the same character, became a One Piece signature that started with Gaimon.
Modern Relevance and Continuing Legacy
As One Piece enters its final saga in 2026, Gaimon’s themes feel more relevant than ever. With latest One Piece developments in Elbaf exploring the nature of freedom and inherited will, the questions Gaimon’s story raised continue to resonate. His simple tale about the danger of treasure obsession gains new meaning as we learn more about the One Piece itself and what the series’ ultimate treasure might represent.
Recent chapters have increasingly emphasized that the journey and bonds formed along the way matter more than any destination or treasure. This philosophy, first articulated through Gaimon’s story, now appears to be building toward the series’ ultimate thesis. When the Straw Hats eventually reach Laugh Tale, I wouldn’t be surprised if the truth they discover echoes Gaimon’s empty treasure chests – that the real treasure was never what they thought.
The character has also experienced renewed interest thanks to viral social media discussions. On platforms like TikTok and Twitter, younger fans discovering Gaimon for the first time are amazed that such a bizarre character is Oda’s favorite. This generational rediscovery proves that Gaimon’s appeal transcends nostalgia – his concept remains striking and meaningful even to modern audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaimon really Oda’s favorite One Piece character?
Yes, Eiichiro Oda explicitly stated in the One Piece Color Walk 1 artbook interview with Akira Toriyama that Gaimon is his favorite character. He praised the “amazing setup” of a man stuck in a treasure chest and said it’s “hard to think of anyone better than him.” This isn’t speculation or fan interpretation – it’s directly from Oda himself.
Will Gaimon return in One Piece’s final saga?
While there’s no official confirmation, many fans speculate Gaimon could return given Oda’s pattern of bringing back early characters for the series’ conclusion. Gaimon has appeared in cover stories since his initial appearance, showing Oda hasn’t forgotten him. His Island of Rare Animals could potentially connect to final saga mysteries.
Why did Oda choose such a bizarre character as his favorite?
Oda values creative innovation and thematic efficiency. Gaimon represents a perfect synthesis of absurd design and profound meaning – embodying One Piece’s core themes about treasure, freedom, and purpose in just one chapter. The character showcases Oda’s unique ability to find deep meaning in seemingly ridiculous concepts.
Was Gaimon inspired by any other fictional characters?
While Oda hasn’t cited specific inspirations, fans note similarities to Ben Gunn from Treasure Island – another marooned character affected by isolation and treasure obsession. However, Oda’s version is distinctly original, literally fusing the character with a treasure chest to create a unique visual metaphor.
How does Gaimon connect to One Piece’s main themes?
Gaimon embodies several core One Piece themes: the danger of material obsession (trapped by treasure-seeking), finding purpose in unexpected places (protecting rare animals), and the idea that true treasure isn’t always what we expect (the empty chests). His story serves as a microcosm of the entire series’ philosophical message.
Conclusion: Why Gaimon Matters More Than Ever
Understanding why Gaimon is Oda’s favorite character has fundamentally changed how I read One Piece. This bizarre chest-man isn’t just a quirky footnote in the East Blue saga – he’s the philosophical cornerstone of the entire series. His story asks questions that One Piece continues to explore over a thousand chapters later: What is true treasure? What price do we pay for our obsessions? Can we find meaning even when trapped by our past choices?
For readers exploring pirate crew dynamics in One Piece or diving into One Piece gaming content, remembering Gaimon provides crucial context. He represents Oda at his most creative and philosophical, turning a visual gag into a profound statement about human nature.
As One Piece approaches its conclusion, I believe Gaimon’s influence will become even more apparent. Whether he physically returns or not, his themes will surely resonate in the series’ final revelations. After all, when the creator’s favorite character is a man who found happiness despite losing everything he sought, it tells us something important about what kind of ending we might expect. In true One Piece fashion, the greatest treasure might just be the journey itself – a lesson a certain chest-man learned long ago on a small island in the East Blue.