The journey of the Straw Hat Pirates has lasted for more than 25 years, from the time when the boy Luffy stood up to declare his dream of becoming the Pirate King until the final steps on the road to conquer the world. As every fan knows, “One Piece” is not only a treasure, but also a story about friendship, perseverance and the desire for freedom. However, there is a question that many people are still trying to find the answer to: “ Who will be the last member of the Straw Hat Pirates ? ” Let’s explore the potential candidates, interesting clues from Oda and the true role of this last member in Luffy’s journey.
The Straw Hat Pirates' Journey to Recruit Crewmates
Luffy began his journey from Foosha Village with only a straw hat and a big dream. At that time, he was just an innocent boy, but in the eyes of his future companions, Luffy was an inspiration and a symbol of freedom. Each member of the Straw Hat crew had their own ideals, but they all had one thing in common: absolute faith in Luffy. From Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, to Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook and Jinbe, each played an important part in his great journey.
However, Oda's words in an interview long ago still make fans wonder: "The Straw Hat Pirates will have more than 10 people." This makes the hypothesis about the appearance of a final member still a topic of endless debate in the fan community.
Clues from Oda and recent arcs
Oda has said that the last person to join the crew will play an important role in “fulfilling Luffy’s dream.” This has made fans pay more attention to the details in recent arcs. We cannot help but mention names like Vivi, Carrot, or Yamato, who are potential candidates that have appeared in recent chapters.
Along with that, details like the Thousand Sunny still having an empty space, or the 11-square formation map in the official One Piece artbook have fueled the curiosity in the hearts of fans (even if it is just a prediction). These signs make many people believe that the role of "the last inspiration" has not been filled yet, and Luffy is still looking for his final companion.
Who will be the final piece of the Straw Hat crew?
Vivi
Vivi is one of the earliest characters to appear in One Piece. Vivi is well-liked not only for her genuine friendship with Luffy and the crew, but also for her loyalty and sacrifice for the people of Alabasta. Although Vivi left the ship after the Alabasta incident, the crew truly considered her a member at that time. Her open ending in the manga has led many fans to believe that Vivi will return to continue her journey with Luffy. If Vivi is the last to join the crew, it will be a symbol of the reunion and global solidarity that One Piece is always aiming for.
Yamato
Yamato is one of the prominent candidates for the final member position. Carrying the power and ideals of Oden, Yamato is a strong warrior, but also a person who always yearns for freedom. During the Wano arc, Yamato repeatedly declared that she wanted to sail with Luffy, and this made many fans expect her to join the Straw Hats. However, the story in Wano ended with Yamato deciding to stay behind to protect Wano, which made many fans believe that Oda was intentionally "misleading" the audience.
Loki
The theory that Loki, the Prince from One Piece: Elbaf Arc , will be the final member of the Straw Hat Pirates is widely debated by the fan community, although it is less likely than Vivi or Yamato. Loki has many connections to the island of Elbaf and it is likely that Loki will play a key role in helping Luffy there, similar to previous major allies. Some fans also believe that Loki's addition will help complete the team with a larger "God-Demon" meaning (as Luffy is God Nika, Zoro is Demon).
However, the possibility of Loki officially joining is very low for two main reasons. First, Loki is a Giant and the Prince of Elbaf, which makes him a barrier due to his political responsibilities and his large size to board the Thousand Sunny. Second, Loki currently has no deep personal interactions with Luffy or the other members, which goes against the standard of absolute trust and cohesion that Oda has built for the Straw Hats.
One Piece has been on for over 1000 episodes and we don't know when the anime will end. Fans are waiting for the 10th member because they have waited too long, they need to meet soon to build more camaraderie like the previous members. When talking about this topic, it is like a reminder that One Piece is not just a material treasure, but also a journey to find worthy companions, people who will build a new world together. And you, what do you think? One Piece: Who will be the last Straw Hat member ? Share your thoughts with Hobiverse!
See more: 4 strongest candidates for the final boss position of One Piece
