The Only Child Character Who Ages Throughout the Series
Momonosuke is one of the rare characters in the One Piece universe who has been physically affected by time travel. When we first met Momo in Punk Hazard, he was just an eight-year-old child, but after the Wano war, he grew into an adult. However, this change did not occur over time, but suddenly, due to the effects of an artificial dragon fruit. What's interesting is that his mental age remains that of a child, which finds its place in both dramatic and comical scenes.
The Fruit Vegapunk Considered a Failure is Actually Perfect
The artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruit that enabled Momonosuke to transform into a dragon was declared a failure by Dr. Vegapunk. However, the only flaw in this fruit was that the dragon's color was pink instead of Kaido's blue tone. Functionally, it possessed all the abilities. This detail is quite striking in showing how meticulous (or obsessive) Vegapunk is.
Kaido Did Not Gain His Power Randomly
Momonosuke's ability to transform into a dragon is directly linked to Kaido's power. This is because he consumed a clone of Kaido's fruit. Therefore, Momo's dragon power is an extension of Kaido's genetically based abilities. This is a strange twist of fate, as Kaido was the one who destroyed his family.
He Is Constantly Reminded That He Is Oden's Son
One of the most important aspects of Momonosuke's story is that he is constantly compared to his father, Oden. Although Momo cannot escape living in his father's shadow, he has begun to forge his own path through his role in Wano. In particular, his final speech against Kaido, where he spoke for the first time using his own name, symbolized this transformation.
The dynamic between Yamato and Momonosuke is special for fans
The relationship between Yamato and Momonosuke appears to be like that of siblings, but it is actually quite complex. Yamato looks up to Oden, so she is both protective and competitive towards Momo. Fans often analyze their dialogues because Yamato's obsession with Oden clashes with Momo's search for identity.
Mental Age – Physical Body Conflict
Momonosuke has taken on an adult body thanks to Shinobu's Juku Juku no Mi power, but mentally he is still a child. This situation leads to comical and absurd moments, especially in scenes with female characters. However, this detail also highlights the internal conflicts he faces as he strives to become a true leader.
Formed a True Brotherly Bond with Luffy
Momonosuke and Luffy's relationship is much deeper than a simple alliance. Luffy often pressures Momo to act like a “real man,” but he genuinely protects him like a younger brother. Luffy's farewell to Momo at the end of Wano is as emotional as Ace's farewell to Luffy.
Kin'emon's Role Was More Than Just Protection
Although Kin'emon appears to be a guardian for Momo, he also serves as a psychological anchor. His constant presence during Momo's decision-making process during the rebellion in Wano allowed Momo to discover his inner leadership abilities. Kin'emon brought out Momo's potential to be a leader rather than just a survivor.
Momonosuke's Ability to Hear Voices Is a Unique Connection
Momonosuke is one of the few characters who can hear Zunesha's voice. This ability reveals his mysterious connection to the ancient powers of the One Piece universe. Sharing this trait with Luffy suggests that their destinies are different but parallel.
His Authority Was Never Questioned When He Took Over Wano
Despite being newly grown into adulthood, Momonosuke was unquestionably accepted by the people of Wano at the end of the war. Though he inherited his authority from his father, the people accepted him based on his own words and decisions. This aligns with the “natural leadership” theme in the One Piece universe but also serves as an exception.
Silent Witness to Joy Boy's Return
When Zunesha directly told Momonosuke, “Joy Boy has returned,” these words affected not only Luffy but also Momo's destiny. At that moment, he stood as a silent figure at a turning point in history, unsure of what to do. This silence was part of his growth process because he was no longer at the center of events but had begun to interpret them.
Possible Connections to the Void Century
Momonosuke's ancestors held an important place within Wano's closed culture, which carried knowledge about the unknown history of the Void Century. As the clan that created the Poneglyph script, the Kozuki clan is the key to the black box of history. Though Momo does not yet fully understand it, he carries the weight of this legacy within him.
Wano's Isolation Weighs on His Shoulders
Wano's decision to isolate itself from the world was actually a conscious choice made by the Kozuki family. This decision was made to prevent information about the Void Century from leaking out. However, Momo was forced to break this chain. Luffy's promise to open Wano's gates before his departure led him to become the first “outward-looking Kozuki” in history.
Oden's Diary Changed Everything
Oden's diary, hidden by Yamato, was not just a document for Momo; it was a way to communicate with the past. The chance to learn his father's thoughts directly gave her not only strength but also direction. However, the irony is that while this diary motivated him, it also became a text that tested her free will.
Her Mother Toki's Legacy of Manipulating Time
Momonosuke's leap through time to the present was not just a physical escape but also caused a mental freeze. Arriving 20 years in the future with Toki's power, Momo actually passed through a generational gap. This gap makes his relationship with everyone in Wano strange because he is a child from their past and simultaneously the leader of their future.
Carrying a Name Is a Destiny
The name Momonosuke was a title reserved for powerful samurai in Wano history. By giving his son this name, Oden bestowed upon him not just an identity but also an expectation. This name made both the people and his enemies take him seriously, but it also brought with it the pressure to prove himself.
Unable to Fly as a True Dragon
Despite being able to transform into a dragon, Momonosuke couldn't fly for a long time. This was a metaphor for both a lack of skill and a lack of self-confidence. Even when he first took to the sky, he found his direction through Luffy's voice. While transforming into a dragon was a power, learning to use it was a different journey.
Silent Resistance Against Orochi
Momo did not engage in direct physical combat against Orochi, but his true resistance lay in refusing to be crushed under his rule. Orochi's insults and public humiliations did not lead to his internal collapse but instead sparked a silent resolve. This silence gradually transformed into strength.
The Coexistence of Fear and Courage
Momonosuke was a cowardly child, but he did not run away. Especially when he faced Kaido, he trembled and cried, but he did not back down. These scenes are the clearest examples of One Piece's classic theme of “not the absence of fear, but moving forward despite fear,” as embodied by Momo.
Staying in Wano Was a Conscious Choice
Luffy did not invite Momonosuke to join his crew because he knew that Momonosuke needed to stay in Wano and lead his people. This was not an act of exclusion but a sign of trust. Momonosuke's decision to stay meant that he had given up his desire for adventure and taken on responsibility.