A Fortune Teller Living with the Risk of Death
One of Basil Hawkins' most striking characteristics is that he calculates his chances of survival by drawing cards before starting a fight. However, this is not just for show; as we see in many scenes in Wano, he actually shapes his decisions based on these odds. So, if the person standing in front of him sees that his chances of winning are 20%, he might choose not to kill you.
Cold-Blooded Enough to Sacrifice Himself
When Hawkins faces an enemy, he first sacrifices his puppets. But what's most striking is that he doesn't hesitate to ruthlessly sacrifice his own body when necessary. When cornered by Trafalgar Law, he didn't resort to his cards or puppets to save his life—he chose to surrender. This shows that his cold-bloodedness sometimes even surpasses his calculations.
The Source of His Voodoo-Style Attacks
Although Hawkins' puppet power appears to be a typical Paramecia ability, the aspect that truly unsettles his enemies is his ability to transfer pain. He redirects his victims' pain onto himself before turning them into puppets. This is an attack style inspired by classic voodoo spells and is the only character in the One Piece universe to utilize this concept.
Forming Alliances Just to Survive
Despite being part of the “Worst Generation” alongside Kid, Hawkins never pledged loyalty to anyone. His submission to Kaido stemmed from his cards showing him no other option but death. So this man's betrayal is not about ideology, but about statistics.
The Most Complex Log Pose User
Hawkins' log pose, which he uses to navigate the seas, is not the standard single-needle type. He carries a special three-needle log pose and frequently uses it alongside his cards to determine which route is less dangerous. As a probabilistic sailor, this dual system has allowed him to survive even in deadly routes like Wano.
The Secret of His Mask and a Silent Indicator
His metal mask, which partially covers his eyes, is not merely aesthetic; it was specifically designed to hide his emotions. His refusal to remove the mask during the surrender scene in Wano was an effort to prevent his psychological breakdown from being visible to others. This detail visually reinforces the character's introverted nature.
The Tarot Cards Actually Change
An unnoticed detail in the anime and manga: Hawkins' tarot cards carry different symbols in each battle. He does not reuse the same cards. This suggests that the cards are either directly shaped by his mind or are actually changing on their own in a demonic manner.
He Experienced One of the Most Silent Tragedies
Before submitting to Kaido, Hawkins implies that most of his crew has been killed or captured. However, these scenes are not shown. Therefore, while Hawkins' surrender is often perceived as weakness, it is actually a strategy to survive a catastrophe. A major personal collapse occurs in that scene, but Hawkins never shows it on his face.
Unlike Kid and Law, He Chose Not to Rebel
Despite being among the Worst Generation members with the potential to fight against Yonkou Kaido, Hawkins chose submission over rebellion. This choice encapsulates the character's core personality: survival, not struggle. Kid and Killer's rebellion despite torture stands in sharp contrast to Hawkins' silent acceptance.
The Devil Fruit is Linked to Legends
The Wara Wara no Mi (Straw Straw Fruit) that Hawkins uses references the “straw warriors” figure that frequently appears in Japanese folk tales. This mythological connection makes Hawkins' use of his figures as death masks and his terrifying silence even more meaningful.
The Fruit Is More About Strategy Than Defense
Like many Paramecia fruits, Wara Wara no Mi does not provide direct physical strength. Instead, it shifts the battle to the psychological realm. Knowing that his enemies can injure his own crew while attacking gives Hawkins a clear advantage in most fights. This makes him appear physically weak, but in reality, he is a mind warrior who controls his opponent's instincts.
He Can Lose 10 People Before Dying
One of his most striking mechanics is the puppets that transfer the damage to his body to his surroundings. It is known that he can fight with a total of 10 puppets. Theoretically, when he binds 10 different people as his “life reserves,” it becomes impossible for Hawkins to die before they are all eliminated. This makes him terrifying in one-on-one duels.
A Captain, But Alone in Reality
Hawkins' crew doesn't get as much screen time as the crews of other Worst Generation members. One reason for this is that Hawkins is someone who lives by fate rather than forming strong bonds with others. Despite appearing like a leader, he is more like a calculating machine pursuing his journey alone.
He Acts Based on Possibilities, Not Dreams
In the One Piece universe, most pirates dream: one wants to be the strongest in the world, another seeks All Blue. Hawkins, however, doesn't dream—he only pursues the most logical possibility. This stance completely distances him from tales of heroism or self-sacrifice. Joining Kaido is a direct result of this approach.
He Experienced a Mental Breakdown When He Joined Kaido
Though only superficially depicted in the anime and manga, the period when Hawkins joined Kaido was the most psychologically devastating time of his life. The cards were stacked against him, his crew was in shambles, and surrender was his only option. Losing his smile at this point shows that the character changed not just in direction but in spirit.
He Did Not Betray Kaido, But He Could Not Stop Him
While many characters switched sides during the Wano War, Hawkins' refusal to openly fight against Kaido made him appear loyal. However, the truth is that he had turned his closest ally, Killer, into his puppet and was forced to sacrifice him, which shattered him from within. This reveals that Hawkins is not a traitor but a helpless pawn.
His Loyalty to Kaido Was a Forced Belief
Though he seemed to act out of belief, Hawkins’ loyalty was actually a resignation born out of helplessness. As the cards kept dealing him bad news, he surrendered to fate instead of trying to change the situation. Thus, he was doomed to be remembered as a tragic character who had surrendered his will to chance.
He May Have Seen His Own Death Coming
In his final scene in Wano, Hawkins uses a very clear statement: “Today, there's a 92% chance someone will die.” After saying this, he exits the scene. Implies that the person in question is himself, showing that he is not someone who questions his fate but someone who accepts it. This highlights the character's melancholic side in the strongest way possible.
Why Was He Excluded from the Other “Worst Generation” Members?
While characters like Zoro, Luffy, Law, and Kid are constantly interacting, Hawkins mostly stays on the sidelines. This is because he is neither a true leader nor a true follower. This in-between nature isolates him narratively. This loneliness does not lead to his being forgotten; instead, it leaves a deeper impact through his sense of being caught in between.
His Final Scene Was a Silent Farewell
In his final moments in Wano, Hawkins sits silently, breaking his cards before disappearing. This scene symbolizes not the death of a character but the abandonment of an idea. A life tied to possibilities ultimately leads him to complete silence. This both concludes his story and renders it eternal.