One Piece's The Elbaf arc has seen the introduction of a rather intriguing character in Gunko. Immediately after the Elbaf arc began, Oda introduced two powerful characters as villains in this particular arc, and they were Shamrock Figaland, who is known to be Shank's brother, and Gunko, a rather mysterious blue-haired woman. Ever since her introduction, Gunko has slowly grown in importance in the Elbaf arc, and right now she serves as one of the biggest mysteries that Oda has established at this particular point in the story.
Slowly but steadily, Oda sheds more light on Gunko's dark and mysterious past and her secret connection to one of the members of the Straw Hat Pirates, Soul King Brook. It's clear that these two have known each other for ages, and Oda has already revealed plenty of intriguing details about their special relationship.
Who is Gunko in one piece?
A celestial dragon belonging to the Manmeyer family
Gunko appeared in the Elbaf Arc of One Piece as a member of the Celestial Dragons. Along with Shamrock Figarland, she was sent to the land to get Loki to join as a member of the Holy Knights and bear Imu's deep sea alliance. At the introduction, a lot of things stood out about Gunko:
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Her design was quite curious as half of her face was covered in bandages for some reason.
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Her blue hair contrasted with the red hair of Shamrock, suggesting that she, like him, was important.
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She had heterochromatic eyes, which is usually a sign of mind control.
Oda also revealed Gunko's Devil Fruit powers as Aro Aro no Miwhich is a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows her to produce arrows and manipulate them. The attacks from her arrows always landed successfully, no matter what.
As the Elbaf arc continued, Oda explored Gunko's rather curious personality more. She revealed that one of her biggest fears was Nika, but at the same time, she was shown to have a childlike personality that suddenly lit up in moments. The biggest shock of all was Gunko knowing Brook. At the same time, Brook also clearly recognized her, although at first he couldn't believe his eyes. As the story continued, it was revealed to fans that Gunko is just a forced personality on this particular woman, and that her real name is Princess Shuri.
Gunko's real identity is Princess Shuri
The father-killing princess of One Piece
One Piece Chapter 1173 confirmed Gunko's true identity to fans as Princess Shuri. This ties into Brook originally revealing his past to Luffy when he was recruited into the Straw Hat Pirates. Before becoming a pirate with Yorkie, Brook actually served as the leader of a battle convoy in a certain kingdom. Oda didn't go on to reveal the kingdom's name, but what fans know is that Brook led the fighting unit of this country and that the king of this country was Brook's benefactor. Just as Shanks set Luffy on his path to becoming the Pirate King and ended up becoming his idol, this individual resembled Brook.
Don't think you're on our level. We are the creators of the world! — Gunko to Loki
Brook owes his own life to the king of this kingdom, and his daughter was none other than Princess Shuri. In a small flashback that Oda drew before the Loki flashback, Brook was clearly shown walking hand in hand with Princess Shuri. Now it has been confirmed that Gunko is the same woman.
One Piece Chapter 1173 also went on to confirm that Princess Shuri, like Gunko, had heterochromatic eyes, blue hair, and ended up killing her father a long time ago. This earned her the title of Father-Killing Princess, and Brook also mentioned that she had something to do with the Holy Knights and Marijoa. In Brook's eyes, Princess Shuri is a villain of sorts because she willingly killed her father, but the truth of these events is much deeper. It is quite clear that Imu was the one responsible for these dark events.
Princess Shuri is brainwashed by Imu
Shuri is Imu's puppet right now
Oda often has a princess in each arc that the Straw Hat Pirates can save. For example, in Arabasta Saga, this role was assumed by none other than Vivi, and it was Princess Shirahoshi in Fish Man Island. Similarly, in the Dressrosa arc, this role was assumed by none other than Rebecca, and in Whole Cake Island it was Pudding. In Wano Country, both Momonosuke and Princess Hiyori were saved by Luffy, and in Egghead, Bonney assumed this role. Now, in Elbaf, this role is assumed by none other than Princess Shuri.
I had hoped that I would never have to think about you again. — Brook to Princess Shuri
What is clear is that Princess Shuri has been brainwashed by Imu. In One Piece chapter 1173, Imu clearly feared Shuri's memories returning to her. The moment her memories briefly returned, Shuri let the Straw Hat Pirates and Brook escape from the powers of Aro Aro no Mi and helped them. Even before Imu arrived in Elbaf, Shuri was only trying to help the Straw Hat Pirates and Brook specifically. Likewise, when Shuri killed her father a long time ago, it's highly likely that Imu was the one responsible for it and she was just brainwashed.
Luffy and Brook will rescue Princess Shuri
The power of music and Nika will set her free
As it stands, Brook just confronts Princess Shuri in Elbaf's solar world, but he really lacks the strength to compete with Imu, who has asserted their control over her body. This is where Luffy jumps in, and as expected of him, he will take on Imu in battle. Luffy vs Imu will be the main event of the entire arc, and with Brook's help, especially his electrifying music, Imu's influence over Shuri's body will likely decrease dramatically.
At the end of the arc, it is expected of Brook and Luffy to rescue Princess Shuriwho will be rid of his Deep Sea Covenant forever, likely due to Nika's powers. Ironically, Shuri once mentioned that she feared Nika's appearance, and it will be Nika who continues to save her from the world's sovereign, who rules from the shadows.
Interestingly enough, Princess Shuri may even become the last member of the Straw Hat Piratesas it looks. She has nowhere to turn, as she left her home almost a century ago. She also can't go back to the Holy Land, and it's highly likely that if she's alone, Imu will pick her up again. As such, Princess Shuri may have to continue with the Straw Hat Pirates and join as the last member of the crew.
One Piece
- Release date
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October 20, 1999
- Network
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Fuji TV
- Directors
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Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Ma Shihi Endo, Toshihiro Ma Shihi Endo, Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
- Author
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Jin Tanaka, Akiko Inoue, Junki Takegami, Shinzo Fujita, Shouji Yonemura, Yoshiyuki Suga, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hirohiko Uesaka, Michiru Shimada, Isao Murayama, Takuya Masumoto, Yoichi Takahashi, Momoka Toyoda
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Mayumi Tanaka
Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
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Kazuya Nakai
Roronoa Zoro (voice)
