Exploring the Morality of Celestial Dragons in One Piece

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga series is renowned for its meticulous worldbuilding, particularly in its depiction of the series’ intricate social hierarchy. Fans are consistently provided with detailed insights into how different societal groups interact and the structure of the in-series world.

A standout example of this is the portrayal of the Celestial Dragons, a class of non-ruling nobles in the One Piece universe. Despite lacking authority in the World Government, these individuals are revered as divine beings and hold a significantly elevated social status compared to the average human.

Homing and Mjosgard of the Donquixote family likely give One Piece fans false hope on the Celestial Dragons overall

Some of the Celestial Dragons in One Piece are depicted as deeply corrupt, tainted by the immense power they hold in society. Nevertheless, a few have demonstrated the ability to rise above their status and position in the social hierarchy, prompting fans to wonder if there are others like them.

Are any of the Celestial Dragons good? Explored

As mentioned earlier, in the One Piece anime and manga series, two Celestial Dragons have been portrayed as overcoming their prejudice towards those of lower social status. Interestingly, both of them are from the Donquixote family, to which the notorious series antagonist Doflamingo belong. One of them is Doflamingo’s father, Homing, while the other is Donquixote Mjosgard.

However, Homing and Mjosgard approached this process differently. Homing chose to completely renounce his title as a World Noble, asserting that he has always been a human despite being born into the Celestial Dragon class. He also relocated his family to the islands below Mariejois and the Red Line after giving up his title, in order to live among ordinary humans. As fans of One Piece are aware, unfortunately, this decision did not turn out as well as he had hoped.

Mjosgard, on the other hand, demonstrated remarkable growth in overcoming his own corruption. In One Piece's Fishman Island arc, Mjosgard, initially a terrified and shipwrecked sailor, was shown kindness by Queen Otohime, which helped him conquer his fear of Fishman and eventually rise above his corruption as a Celestial Dragon. This transformation was evident in his actions during the Reverie arc, where he saved Princess Shirahoshi’s life.

Mjosgard and Homing both faced consequences for their actions, but Mjosgard was able to change for the better. With their story arcs concluded, fans wonder if there are other "good" Celestial Dragons. Unfortunately, it's unlikely as the series has shown the difficulty of overcoming widespread corruption among the Celestial Dragons, who are swiftly dealt with if they go against the status quo.

Furthermore, the mob mentality often leaves individuals who resist the status quo feeling isolated and overwhelmed. This discourages them from breaking free from the norm and dissuades anyone considering change. Considering this, it appears doubtful that any other Celestial Dragons in the series have any redeeming qualities at the time of writing this article.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find the exploration of morality among the Celestial Dragons in One Piece to be a fascinating aspect of the series. The idea that even within a corrupt and oppressive system, there can be individuals who rise above their circumstances and challenge the status quo is inspiring. The characters of Homing and Mjosgard demonstrate that change is possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

However, I also recognize that the story of One Piece ultimately portrays the Celestial Dragons as a symbol of systemic corruption and injustice. The fact that so few of them are able to overcome their upbringing and privilege highlights the difficulty of dismantling oppressive systems. This serves as a reminder of the importance of fighting against injustice and striving for a more equitable society, even when it seems like an impossible task.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.