One Piece Unveils Shocking Revelation: Luffy's Deceased Wano Ally Found Alive
Luffy's fallen Wano ally, Drake, emerges alive in One Piece anime, bringing hope to Luffy and SWORD The manga left his fate more uncertain, but the anime confirms his survival
The Wano arc in One Piece witnessed several important character deaths, but the anime has provided an exciting update on one of Luffy's allies who was believed to be dead by manga readers. The epic Raid on Onigashima, which was an underdog story, has finally concluded. Kaido, along with his forces including Big Mom and Luffy's fellow Supernovas Hawkins, Scratchmen Apoo, and (presumably) Drake, has been defeated. Surprisingly, an unlikely ally of the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance is still alive, contrary to what manga readers initially believed.
Similar to previous significant segments of the story, the Wano arc of One Piece concluded with a grand celebration and feast. Episode #1079 showcased a joyous and well-deserved revelry, but it also had its share of intense moments.
With the first rays of the rising sun, the remnants of Onigashima Castle basked in the glow, revealing a badly wounded undercover marine named Drake. Regarded as one of the notorious pirates from the Worst Generation, Drake, along with Luffy, endured significant injuries throughout the Raid. However, the One Piece anime has confirmed his survival, leaving his fate uncertain in the manga.
Drake Is Still Alive To Help Luffy And SWORD
Drake's scene at dawn after the battle can be seen similarly in both the anime and manga, specifically in chapter #1052. The new day in Wano wakes Drake, and as he assesses his injuries, a heavily injured Basil Hawkins enters the damaged castle room. Despite Hawkins nearing death, Drake remains loyal to his cover as a Navy member. Surprisingly, Drake appears to be in better condition than Hawkins, as he is able to speak clearly and is less covered in blood. While Hawkins seemingly dies in episode #1079, the anime successfully portrays Drake's non-fatal condition better than the manga did.
Previously, Drake had worked undercover for the Marine's SWORD unit, earning a notorious reputation as one of the Worst Generation Pirates. However, after joining the Beast Pirates and becoming one of Kaido's feared Tobiroppo, Drake decided to follow his own sense of justice and switched sides to aid Luffy and his allies in overthrowing Kaido's forces. Throughout the raid, Drake faced immense challenges, fighting against giants, fellow Supernova Pirates like Apoo and Zoro, and even the World Government's elite assassins from CP0. Despite the extent of his injuries, episode #1079 revealed that Drake miraculously managed to survive.
Drake's Fate Felt More Ambiguous In One Piece's Manga
With recent chapters of One Piece focusing on SWORD, it makes sense for Drake to rejoin the organization that attracts the uncorrupted Marines who don't blindly follow orders. One Piece has often been criticized for allowing characters to survive dire circumstances, such as Princess Vivi's bodyguards Igaram and Pell, who miraculously survive massive explosions at close range. Even fan-favorite Bon Clay managed to survive his epic battle against Impel Down's Warden Magellan and has risen to become the new ruler of the prison's secret floor. As One Piece's story nears its final chapters, Eiichiro Oda appears to be more willing to introduce character deaths. While Drake has managed to survive thus far and is expected to have a role in the series' conclusion, not every character feels as secure as they once did.
