Several categories
All the strawhats seems to have what I call "a symbolic reach" that can be broken down into several categories:
- A negative reputation which anchors the character in a marginal position while creating a contrast with his personnality and his actions
- A thematic incarnation that adds weight to the character's desires and is a reminder serving the main character: Luffy. This incarnation is highlighted thanks to the actions and the character's personnality traits
- An animal alter-Ego which allows to better characterize the character. They are most often shown in the color pages. They can also vary from time to time.
- A cultural inspiration that makes the character resonate beyond his narrative barriers and gives the story a legendary echo. This was probably done by Oda in order to twist the expectation concerning the characters or to make their respective arc even more impactfull.
Luffy
- Negative reputation: Luffy is a pirate and the son of Dragon the revolutionnary.
- Thematic incarnation: Luffy incarnates the importance of Freedom
- Animal alter-Ego: Luffy is most of the time represented by a monkey
- Cultural inspiration: Luffy seems to be inspired by two character: Goku from "Dragon Ball" and Sun Wukong, the monkey King.
Zoro
- Negative reputation: Zoro is a pirate hunter demon
- Thematic incarnation: Zoro incarnates the importance of honor and loyalty
- Animal alter-Ego: Zoro is often represented by a Tiger
- Cultural inspiration: Zoro and his attacks are inspired by "Ashura" from the Hinduism mythology.
Nami
- Negative reputation: Nami is the Cat burgler, the thief
- Thematic incarnation: Nami embodies the importance of cleverness and intellect
- Animal alter-Ego: Nami is reresented by Cats
- Cultural inspiration: Nami seems to be inspired by witches, creatures with magical powers. Her weapons and reputation are directly referencing that mythos.
Usopp
- Negative reputation: Usopp is the lyer
- Thematic incarnation: Usopp embodies the importance of courage
- Animal alter-Ego: Usopp is often represeented by snake or chameleon
- Cultural inspiration: Usopp seems to be inspired by pinocchio and the "tengu", legendary Japanese creature. The tengu are disruptive demons and heralds of wars.
Sanji
- Negative reputation: Sanji is a son of the Vinsmock family. He is stealth black.
- Thematic incarnation: Sanji embodies the importance of benevolence
- Animal alter-Ego: Sanji is represented by goats.
- Cultural inspiration: Sanji seems to be inspired by Lucifer or the devil. A fallen angel casted out by his father from paradise
Chopper
- Negative reputation: Chopper is a snow monster
- Thematic incarnation: Chopper embodies the importance of healthyness and self trust
- Animal alter-Ego: Chopper is often represented by a Tanuki
- Cultural inspiration: Chopper seems to be inspired by the "wendigo" or Big foot
Robin
- Negative reputation: Robin is the demon child
- Thematic incarnation: Robin incarnates the importance of discoveries and curiosity
- Animal alter-Ego: Robin is represented by a falcon or a rooster
- Cultural inspiration: Robin seems to be inspired by Hipatia, an ancient greek philosopher killed by christianity for blasphemy. Lately she has been also represented as a real demon.
Franky
- Negative reputation: Franky is the hooligan leader
- Thematic incarnation: Franky represents the importance of Pride
- Animal alter-Ego: Franky is represented by a Rinoceroce
- Cultural inspiration: Franky is inspired by the monster of Frankenstein but he might also be inspired by the iconic character Ace Ventura by Jim Carrey
Brook
- Negative reputation: Brook is the ghost yohohoho
- Thematic incarnation: Brook embodies the importance of joy
- Animal alter-Ego: Brook is represented by a Giraff or a Horse
- Cultural inspiration: Brook might be inspired by the Gashadokuro, mystical japanese creatures who took the form of hungered giant skeletton
Jinbe
- Negative reputation: Jinbe is a pirate boss
- Thematic incarnation: Jinbe represents the importance of abnegation
- Animal alter-Ego: Jinbe might be represented by a sea whale or a boar
- Cultural inspiration: Jinbe might be inspired either by Kanaloa an Hawaian mythological figure, Aladdin's genies.. or the Jin, mystical creature in Oriental mythology