Not the Master of Metal, but the Representative of Rebellion
Eustass Kid's magnetism isn't just about combining metals to make huge mechanical limbs; it's an extension of his whole anti-establishment attitude. Kid's decision to attach metal parts to his own body is not merely a tactical choice but an ideological one: a resistance against the inadequacy of the organic and the rusted structure of the system. In this sense, Kid positions himself as an anarchist who gathers power from society's scraps and redefines it.
Descendant of the Outlaw Kingdoms
Kid hails from “The Scrap Island”, an island in South Blue. Although this region is not often mentioned in the One Piece universe, it is a place where authority has completely collapsed, gangs rule the streets, and power, not democracy, reigns supreme. This environment, where Kid demonstrated leadership skills even as a child and formed his own gang, was the first setting that directly shaped his ruthless character. While other supernovas have educated or intellectual backgrounds, Kid is one of the rare characters who emerged directly from street gang life.
His Obsession with Shanks Is Not Just About the Arm
Kid's anger toward the Red Hair Pirates, who took his arm, is not merely a desire for physical revenge. Shanks is a “balancing” figure in the world order, while Kid wants this order to be completely destroyed. Kid's attack on Shanks was actually a symbolic attack—on balance itself. And so he carries an ideological vendetta beyond the loss of his arm: Kid is at peace with chaos, not balance.
His Alliance with Trafalgar Law Was Actually Enmity
The Luffy-Kid-Law alliance formed after Punk Hazard may have appeared to be a “common goal” on the surface, but for Kid, it was entirely a strategic game of patience. Although he respected Law's intelligence, he never trusted him. This tension set the tone for the subtle conflicts between Law and Kid during the Onigashima battle. Kid's tolerance for Law was nothing more than a temporary truce against common enemies.
The Most Punished Captain Among the Supernovas
According to details not explicitly stated by the World Government but inferred from One Piece films and Vivre Card data, when Eustass Kid’s bounty started at 300 million berries, he was held responsible for the deaths of many civilians. This not only made him a high-damage pirate but also categorized him as a “threat to civilians.” While other supernovas were a threat to the government, Kid was a threat to society—which made him dangerous in a different way.
Kid Pirates Ship – The Meaning of Victoria Punk
The name of Kid's ship, “Victoria Punk,” is not just a nice-sounding pun. ‘Victoria’ is the name of his childhood love, while “Punk” represents his stance against the world. It is known that Victoria was killed during a government raid when she was a child, and this event was a major motivation for Kid becoming a pirate. So his ship isn't a love letter; it's a tombstone.
Red Explosion Power – Damned Punk
Eustass Kid's “Damned Punk” attack is carried out with massive electromagnetic cannons, but its energy doesn't come solely from metal piles—it draws power from Kid's own hatred. Both the anime's presentation and the manga's narrative emphasize the intensity of his anger. The core power of this attack is a concentrated magnetic pressure driven by rage; it's not the weapon's strength, but the intent behind it.
His Defeat Against Shanks – Not Just a Single Blow, but a Message
While manga readers interpreted Shanks' defeat of Kid in a single blow as a “huge power difference,” this scene was actually the tragic silencing of Kid's cry to the world. In that strike, Shanks crushed not just an opponent, but a figure trying to stay outside the system. That moment symbolically marked the end of Eustass Kid's pirate career—it showed how a revolutionary spirit could be silently extinguished by the system.
Acting Like a D Without the D
In the One Piece universe, characters bearing the letter “D” are typically portrayed as system-defying, destiny-altering figures. Kid's name does not carry this symbol, but his actions, motivations, and conflicted relationship with the system position him as a character embodying the “D spirit.” He is a living testament to the idea that revolution can stem not from a name, but from actions.
Character Design: A Tribute to Real Pirates
Eustass Kid's name is inspired by the real-life pirate “Captain William Kidd.” However, Eiichiro Oda took this character beyond classic pirate mythology by giving him a post-apocalyptic punk vibe instead of typical pirate traits. The torn design of his jacket, his glasses, and his cybernetic appearance evoke the Mad Max universe, echoing the theme of post-apocalyptic survival.
Leadership Based on Fear, Not Charisma
Kid's crew is bound to him not by loyalty but by fear. Except for Killer, no member shares his ideals; because Kid's leadership is based not on love but on power and intimidation. This has led the Kid Pirates crew to the brink of disintegration on multiple occasions, but Kid's unwavering strength has kept them together. In his crew, survival instincts prevail over idealism.
The Unbreakable Silence Between Killer and Kid
Although Kid and Killer have been friends since childhood, their friendship is woven with a silent but intense conflict. Killer's thoughtful and strategic demeanor often clashes with Kid's explosive nature. However, they both realize that they complement each other's shortcomings, which keeps their bond unbreakable. This complementary relationship forms one of the quietest yet strongest friendships in the One Piece universe.
The Resistance Against Kaido Was Truly Hopeless
As one of the first to fight Kaido, Kid lost far more than a defeat in this encounter. Mentally broken by Kaido's torture, Kid eventually reached a point where he began to question reality. It took weeks for him to recover from this state before the Onigashima War. This demonstrates that Kid faced serious tests not only in physical but also in mental resilience.
His Position in the New World Was Actually a Misconception
Among the Supernovas, Kid was initially presented as “Luffy's dark reflection.” However, as the story progressed and their paths crossed, the differences between them became more pronounced. While Kid's view of the world was shaped by revenge, Luffy's world was built on freedom. This difference inevitably led Kid to tragedy because his revolution was driven by anger, not hope.
The Most Resource-Intensive Fighting Style
Eustass Kid's fighting style is considered one of the “most expensive” battle mechanics by the animation team. The staging of metal parts requires the combination of 3D and 2D animation, which takes a significant amount of time in animation production. This is why Kid's major attacks are shown less frequently in the anime, purely due to technical challenges.
He Didn't Voluntarily Attach His Own Arm
The metal prosthetic arm Kid wears in place of his lost limb is often depicted as if he made it himself, but it was actually assembled by Killer. When Kid first lost his arm, he viewed it as a “punishment” and refused to wear a new one for a long time, until Killer convinced him otherwise. Thus, Kid's prosthetic arm is not just a weapon but a symbol of confrontation and healing.
Punk Theme – Not Just Visual, But Philosophical
Although Kid's clothes, hairstyle, and fighting style resemble a punk rock album cover, these choices are not merely aesthetic. As Oda stated in an interview, Kid's punk appearance represents the anti-establishment individual's fight against the system. His spiked shoulder pads, chains, and mechanical accessories are more of a manifesto than armor—a statement that says, “I don't belong in this world.”
The Supernova with the Least Fan Service
Among the Supernova characters, Kid is one of the least likely to have a “heartfelt scene.” He doesn't get a dramatic flashback of his past or emotional character development. Oda wrote Kid to be deliberately ‘distant’ because the true power of this character lies in his conflict with the system. As a result, there is a widespread belief among Kid fans that the character is “underdeveloped.”
Eustass Kid's Loss – The Moment That Divided the Fandom
Kid's defeat by Shanks with a single blow was a breaking point not only for the character but for all Kid fans. While some defended this scene as “in-story logic,” many fans found the outcome “too rushed to be acceptable” in terms of character development. Hundreds of discussion threads were started on Reddit, Twitter, and Japanese forums about how Kid's “potential was wasted.”
The Inspiration Behind the Character: Confidence Born from Rebellion
Eiichiro Oda mentioned in an interview that he drew inspiration from modern youth subcultures when creating Kid's character. Specifically, Japanese street gangs, the rock music subculture, and the behavior of marginalized youth were reflected in Kid's personality. Therefore, Kid is not a classic “bad boy”; he represents an individual who is rejected by society and takes pride in it.
One of the Characters with the Most Fan-Edited Scenes
On YouTube and TikTok, Kid's battle scenes are among the most re-edited videos. In particular, AMVs (anime music videos) featuring the “Damned Punk” attack present Kid in fan-made montages as if he had scenes he never actually had. This shows that fans have visually “completed” the character's potential.
Fan Scenarios Based on Alternative Endings
Kid's story has become one of the most written-about characters in fan theories. In some scenarios, Kid survives and joins the Anti-WG coalition, while in others, he kills Shanks and takes his place. In fact, several popular fan theories suggest that Kid will eventually reunite with Luffy and become his ideological rival. All of this speculation stems from the character's sense of “incompleteness.”
The Possibility That He Is Really Dead Is Debatable
In the One Piece universe, the rule is that “if the body is gone, death is not certain.” Kid's destruction by Shanks was visually depicted with a dramatic explosion, but his body was never shown. This brings to mind the classic One Piece trope: Is he still alive? This uncertainty keeps fans hopeful that Kid might reappear.
His Laugh – In the Shadow of Madness
Kid's laugh is written as “Eahahaha!” and this sound contains both confidence and madness. This style of laughter is one of the most distinctive gestures Oda gives his characters. Like Crocodile's cold laugh and Doflamingo's maniacal grin, Kid's laugh is an extension of his personality: a form of resistance that transforms fear and helplessness into laughter.
Red Hair – A Symbolic Reference to Shanks?
Kid's bright red hair is not merely a design element. According to some fan theories, this choice is a visual echo of his hatred for Shanks. In other words, while Kid declares war on Shanks' existence, he also subconsciously identifies with him. This adds a psychological layer of reflection to the character's conflict with his enemy.