One Piece: The Mystery Behind Buggy the Clown's Inclusion in the Cross Guild

Buggy the Clown, despite his unfortunate encounter with Luffy early on, manages to climb up the ranks in the pirate world in the latter half of One Piece. One significant achievement is his position as the face of the notorious Cross Guild.

Led by Buggy, Crocodile, and Mihawk, the Cross Guild is a pirate organization with a singular objective: to dismantle the Marines by placing bounties on the most renowned members of the organization. However, Buggy stands out among his peers, as Crocodile and Mihawk were former Warlords of the Sea, while Buggy is a comical pirate. Thus, the question arises: How did Buggy become the leader of the Cross Guild in the world of One Piece?

How One Piece’s Buggy the Clown ended up on top of the Cross Guild

The Chief Officers of the Cross Guild don't always see eye to eye with Buggy. (Image via Toei Animation)

Buggy's rise to fame began when he managed to escape from prison during the Impel Down arc of One Piece. With the help of Luffy, he incited riots in the upper levels of the massive underwater prison. Upon their successful escape, he was surprised to discover that the Marines identified him as one of the key escapees from Impel Down, even though there were more dangerous individuals like Crocodile and Emporio Ivankov.

It was later revealed that the Marines had uncovered Buggy's past as a former member of Gol D. Roger's crew and a close associate of Shanks, making him the mastermind behind the escape and a prime target. This notoriety continued during the war, as the prisoners who joined forces with Buggy showcased his presence worldwide on the battlefield. As a result, Buggy's fame reached the same level as those involved in the Battle of Marineford.

Buggy becomes one of the Four Emperors

After managing to escape and briefly reuniting with Shanks, Buggy successfully fled from the battle, accompanied by his newly devoted crew. He then embarked on a journey to rejoin Alvira and his original crew. Little did he know that his worldwide recognition during the critical moment in One Piece had catapulted him to unparalleled levels of fame and power, leaving him unsure of how to handle it all.

The Four Emperors of the Sea, which includes Buggy, are depicted in the image by Eiichiro Oda.

Buggy, following the disappointment of several members not meeting the World Government's expectations, ultimately ascended to the position of one of the Seven Warlords. He utilized this safeguard to establish his own group of mercenaries, with financial support from Crocodile. However, with the dissolution of the warlord system, Buggy's company became vulnerable to the intervention of the Marines, as his protective status was no longer in effect.

By a stroke of luck, Crocodile fortuitously arrived to collect Buggy's outstanding debts, swiftly incapacitating the Marines and rescuing the clown. Recognizing his inability to repay the formidable former warlord, Buggy proposed utilizing his established company as a foundation for Crocodile's nascent venture.

Subsequently, the Cross Guild officially materialized, with Mihawk promptly joining its ranks. Nonetheless, Buggy's eager crew inadvertently caused widespread bewilderment by distributing pamphlets globally that prominently featured Buggy as the face of the Cross Guild.

Buggy's rise to prominence led to him becoming the face of the Cross Guild and being recognized as one of the Four Emperors of the Sea. With his newfound status and feared reputation, he boldly declared that the Cross Guild's new objective was to find the One Piece, placing him directly at odds with the Straw Hats once again.

Ultimately, Buggy achieved success in the world of One Piece through a combination of luck and the unwavering belief of his own men. While Crocodile and Mihawk handled most of the guild's actual work as chief officers, Buggy served as a charismatic figurehead president. Despite his ego infiltrating the guild's culture, Buggy is ultimately nothing more than a fortunate clown.

Poll : Is Buggy lucky, or genuinely skilled?

Buggy's a lucky clown

Buggy's a professional clown

0 votes

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about Buggy the Clown's inclusion in the Cross Guild. On the one hand, I find it amusing and unexpected, adding a touch of humor to the otherwise serious and intense world of One Piece. Buggy's rise to power is a testament to the author's creativity and willingness to subvert expectations.

On the other hand, I can't help but feel that Buggy's inclusion undermines the credibility of the Cross Guild. While he has had his moments of competence and cunning, he is ultimately a comedic character, and it's hard to take him seriously as a major player in the pirate world. I worry that his presence may trivialize the organization and make it less of a threat.

Overall, I think Buggy's inclusion in the Cross Guild is a bold and entertaining move, but it remains to be seen how it will impact the story in the long run. I'm curious to see how the author will develop Buggy's character and whether he will be able to rise to the occasion or if he will ultimately be overshadowed by his more powerful and serious counterparts.