Enel, a standout character in One Piece, particularly in the early narrative, captivated fans with his exceptional control over lightning and electricity. Introduced during the Skypiea arc, he faced a formidable opponent in Luffy, whose rubber body proved to be a fitting counter, ultimately leading to Enel's defeat.
Following his defeat, Enel embarked on a fascinating journey to the moon, leaving fans pondering his whereabouts. The ensuing side story, Enel's Great Space Operations, unravels the enigmatic tales of his lunar exploits. These unexpected revelations not only offer insight into Enel's adventures but also hint at potential connections to the final arc of One Piece.
Disclaimer- This article contains spoilers for the One Piece series.
One Piece: Enel's dominion on the Moon
Enel, as depicted in the anime (Image via Toei Animation), sets off on a celestial adventure to the moon following his defeat in the Skypiea arc. This leads to the captivating cover story titled "Enel's Great Space Operations," which unveils the activities of the self-proclaimed God in his newly discovered celestial realm after the events of the Skypiea Arc.
Enel sets foot on the moon's surface with his Ark, Maxim, under the impression that he has arrived at the mythical "Fairy Vearth." While exploring, he encounters a remarkable ensemble of diminutive robots called automata. Unexpectedly, a captivating turn of events unfolds when Enel, exhibiting his inherent cruelty, launches an attack on what appears to be a sentient being nestled within a crater, only to realize that it is, in fact, a mechanical life form.
The automaton remains unharmed and is actually rejuvenated by the electricity emitted from his Goro Goro no Mi powers. This event introduces First Lieutenant Spacey, a central character in the story. Things take a darker turn when Enel witnesses a brutal attack on Spacey and his companions by the Space Pirates, with Captain Seamars at the helm.
Unfazed, Enel strikes back and quickly defeats Seamars, setting the stage for a much larger conflict. Driven by greed, the Space Pirates aim to excavate the moon in search of its ancient ruins. A massive explosion escalates the battle, fueling Enel's rage against those who dare harm his cherished "Fairy Vearth."
Amidst the chaos, the cover story explores the origins of the automata, which were crafted by Professor Tsukimi on Karakuri Island and raised as kin. Motivated by a thirst for vengeance following their creator's unintended demise caused by the detonation of the moon, these mechanical beings boldly confronted the Space Pirates, only to be vanquished despite their courageous endeavors.
Enel's intervention, fueled by his disdain for the devastation of the moon's surface, culminates in the Space Pirates' defeat. However, his exploration leads to an unforeseen discovery—a concealed ancient city nestled beneath the moon's crust. Recklessly unleashing his powers upon the city, Enel unwittingly revives its aged automatons to life, as electricity unexpectedly courses through the ancient metropolis.
Enel employing his devil fruit powers (Image via Toei Animation)
Final Thoughts
Enel's discovery about his ancestry adds a poignant twist to the narrative, unveiling the shared origins of the Skypieans, Shandians, and Birkans, with the latter being his own ancestors, all hailing from the lunar city. As the cover story concludes, Enel reluctantly assumes leadership as his automata followers and the sought-after Fairy Vearth pledge their loyalty to him.
Editor's P/S
Enel's journey to the moon and subsequent adventures in the "Enel's Great Space Operations" cover story add depth to his character and provide a glimpse into the vastness of the One Piece universe. His encounter with the automata and his discovery of the ancient city beneath the moon's surface hint at a larger narrative that may come to fruition in the final arc of the series.
The revelation of Enel's ancestry and his role as the leader of the automata also raise intriguing possibilities for future developments. Overall, Enel's post-Skypiea arc journey showcases the creativity and storytelling prowess of Eiichiro Oda, expanding the scope of One Piece and leaving fans eager for more.