Highlights
MADS, an illegal research institute led by Dr. Vegapunk, conducted groundbreaking research in fields such as artificial devil fruits and cybernetics.
The research conducted by the group caught the interest of the World Government, resulting in their disbandment and the individuals going their separate paths. Despite their contrasting motivations, MADS achieved notable scientific advancements, including the groundbreaking revelation of the Lineage Factor, which greatly influenced the series.
Dr. Vegapunk, leading an illegal research institute called MADS or the "Laboratory for Peace," was active long before the main storyline of One Piece. The organization's brilliant scientists went on to further their research and make significant contributions to science. These individuals also played a crucial role in the Straw Hats' journey through the New World.
MADS, funded by Du Feld, also known as the Loan Shark King of the Underworld in One Piece, had four main members: Dr. Vegapunk, Vinsmoke Judge, Queen, and Caesar Clown. They conducted important research in areas such as Artificial Devil Fruits, cybernetics, cloning, artificial diseases, and gigantification. However, their work grabbed the attention of the World Government, who deemed the group a threat and forced them to disband. Despite this setback, each member continued on their own path, building upon the work they had done. They made remarkable discoveries that are now sought after by some of the world's most influential forces.
The Planet's Greatest Minds
The MADS research facility was housed on a paddle steamer designed to resemble a peaceful research lab, featuring the prominent word "Pacifist" on its flag. However, the ship's hull proudly displayed the words "MADS" and "Presented by Lu Feld," recognizing the support of an underworld figure in their research. Like many structures in the world of One Piece, the vessel's proportions were exaggerated, with a large hull and a disproportionately small funnel.
Interestingly, although the group advocated for peace, three out of the four scientists involved were actually working on creating weapons of mass destruction. Upon the disbandment of the group, each of them continued their work and aligned themselves with pirates, actively defying the World Government. The exception was Vegapunk, who remained committed to researching peace-oriented instruments and later received employment with the World Government's Special Science Group.
Besides them, the group purportedly consisted of Buckingham Stussy, a former member of the Rocks Pirates and the prospective mother of Edward Weevil. She served as the genetic prototype for the group's initial successful cloning subject, who was also dubbed Stussy. Although her exact contribution to the group's endeavors remains unclear, the other members of MADS regarded her as a "freeloader," and she has yet to receive recognition for any notable discoveries or subsequent research.
Breakthroughs To Change The World
The group, despite their research motives lacking cohesiveness, achieved one of the most significant scientific discoveries in history: the Lineage Factor. This concept is hailed as the blueprint of all life and is crucial for the creation of Artificial Devil Fruits and the cloning process utilized by Germa 66 and the Marines' SSG. Notably, Vegapunk and Judge achieved the greatest success in incorporating this breakthrough into their own work following the dissolution of MADS.
Vegapunk's innovative creations, particularly his breakthrough in growing artificial flowers in gunpowder, gained immense recognition. This caught the attention of the World Government, as it rendered firearms and tanks obsolete. Consequently, the other three members of MADS became envious, sparking intense disputes over who the second-best scientist in the organization was.
As their fame and influence continued to grow, the World Government became even more intrigued by their work. Vegapunk was even granted an audience with the Five Elders. However, their success was short-lived as their research delved into forbidden territory, including the Lineage Factor. This resulted in the dissolution of MADS and Vegapunk's subsequent arrest, as the World Government feared the implications of his studies.
In The Aftermath Of Its Dissolution
This series of events led to Vegapunk's involvement with the World Government, despite his supposedly pacifist beliefs. Even after its dissolution, MADS had a significant impact on the latter half of the series. Caesar Clown was the mastermind behind the creation of SMILEs, Artificial Devil Fruits that were consumed by the Beasts Pirates. Initially, he collaborated with Vegapunk in Punk Hazard to advance their research on Artificial Devil Fruits, resulting in the fruit consumed by Momonosuke, which was based on Kaido's Lineage Factor, as well as the Green Blood used in the Seraphim.
Additionally, Caesar Clown continued developing biological weapons and toxins, and conducted dangerous experiments on children to achieve giganitification. Despite warnings from his superiors to halt his activities, he released a powerful poisonous gas that rendered the island uninhabitable. He was apprehended for this act but managed to escape a year later, returning to Punk Hazard to resume his work under the protection of Doflamingo and Kaido. Ultimately, he was defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates and the Heart Pirates.
Vinsmoke Judge, the reigning monarch of the Germa Kingdom, possesses ultimate authority over Germa 66, the kingdom's military branch. Utilizing his knowledge of the Lineage Factor, Judge developed a clone army for Germa and enhanced his own children to transform them into super soldiers. During the events of the Whole Cake Island Arc, Judge encountered Caesar Clown, both of whom were involved with Big Mom. Following their successful escape from Totto Land, Judge and Caesar established NEO MADS, an enigmatic institution whose true intentions remain undisclosed.
Subsequently, Queen ascended to the rank of one of Kaido's All Stars in the Beast Pirates, enhancing his physical form through cybernetics that complemented his abilities granted by his Devil Fruit. Meanwhile, Buckingham Stussy bore a child named Edward Weevil, who later joined the Seven Warlords, albeit shortly before the dissolution of the organization. Lastly, Stussy, the original clone conceived by MADS, diligently rose through the ranks of the World Government to become a respected CP0 agent, displaying unwavering loyalty towards Vegapunk. However, during the Egghead Island Arc, she ultimately betrayed Cipher Pol to defend her creator.
One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
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One PieceManga - 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. |
