.webp "Legendary Marine Garp – Untold Facts About Monkey D. Garp (One Piece)")
The Only Sailor Who Cornered Roger
.webp "Legendary Marine Garp – Untold Facts About Monkey D. Garp (One Piece)")
Monkey D. Garp is a rare sailor who has brought Gol D. Roger, the king of pirates, to the brink of death countless times. He is one of the few rivals whom Roger referred to as his “equal,” which demonstrates not only Garp's physical strength but also his strategic intelligence. In fact, Roger trusted him enough to entrust his son to him before surrendering.
Known for His Hatred of Pirates, But He Raised a Pirate
Despite his hatred for pirates, Garp raised his grandson Monkey D. Luffy and Portgas D. Ace from a young age. This contradiction reveals Garp’s complex sense of justice that defies conventional rules. Despite knowing Ace was Roger’s son, he chose to protect him rather than kill him.
He Deliberately Relinquished His Admiral Rank
Garp had the power to reach the highest rank in the navy, but he refused to become an admiral in order to preserve his “freedom.” Uninterested in the political responsibilities that came with high ranks, Garp chose to remain as “Training Officer” instead. This allowed him to act according to his own principles.
The One Who Trained Kuma
It is known that Bartholomew Kuma was once a revolutionary, but his past with the navy is little known. Kuma was directly trained by Garp and learned his discipline from him. This connection explains the origins of Kuma's conflicting loyalties.
Possessor of One of the Most Iconic Punches
Garp's fist is so powerful that it can shatter massive ships with a single blow. During the Marineford War, when he faced Luffy, the moment he raised his fist, the entire battlefield froze, and Garp's inner conflict became evident. That fist was not only physically but also emotionally devastating.
His Nickname in the Navy: “Hero Garp”
Garp became a legend among the people after the “God Valley Incident.” In this incident, he worked alongside Roger to defeat the Rocks pirates. Although official history hides this collaboration, Garp's fame skyrocketed. The title “Hero” was permanently bestowed upon him after this battle.
The Man Who Stopped Rocks D. Xebec
Stopping Rocks D. Xebec, whom even the World Government tried to erase from history, was a turning point in Garp's career. This incident revealed that Garp fought not for justice but directly for the world order. Moreover, he did this not by government order but on his own initiative.
He Didn't Directly Teach Luffy Haki, but He Opened the Path for Him to Grow
Although Garp didn't directly teach Luffy Haki, he unknowingly laid the foundations for Haki by exposing him to harsh natural conditions and battles that forced him to survive. The strength of Luffy's fighting power stems from the rigorous training Garp subjected him to.
He Chose to Remain Silent as Dragon's Father
As the father of Monkey D. Dragon, one of the world's most dangerous revolutionaries, Garp never made any public statements on the matter. Though he did not approve of his son's choices, his refusal to report him shows that his loyalty to his family came before the system.
A Figure Feared Even Among Sailors
Garp was feared not only by pirates but also by many sailors in the navy. Lower-ranking soldiers avoided his wrath, while even high-ranking officers were cautious when giving him orders. His “merciless training” methods, especially those he applied to those he trained, were legendary.
He Fought Side by Side with Roger in the God Valley Incident
Fighting alongside his enemy Gol D. Roger seemed to contradict Garp's strict sense of justice, but on that day, he acted according to his own principles against Rocks D. Xebec, who threatened the world order. Together, they stopped Rocks and the future legends who were with him, such as Big Mom, Kaido, and Whitebeard. This collaboration is known in history as the “unrecorded victory.”
He Saved the Celestial Dragons, But He Hates Them
Although he was hailed as a hero for protecting the Tenryuubito (Celestial Dragons) during the God Valley Incident, Garp openly expressed his hatred for this privileged class. Saving them was a major achievement for his career, but it became a burden on his conscience. He consistently refused promotions to avoid having to serve this class in the future.
May Have Played a Role in Dragon's Revolutionary Nature
While the exact reasons behind Garp's son becoming a rebel leader against the government remain unexplained in the One Piece universe, Garp's stance of despising hierarchy yet harboring a burning sense of justice may have directly laid the groundwork for Dragon's revolutionary spirit. Though he did not approve of his son's choices, he never accused him of betrayal.
Haki Use Never Shown, But Shakes Everyone
Although Garp's use of Haki is never directly shown, his ability to damage massive ships with bare fists and use his body like a weapon demonstrates his mastery of Haki. In particular, the blows he delivers with his Armor Haki are repeatedly implied to have an effect similar to sea stone.
The Power He Wields with an Ordinary Ship
Garp traveled aboard a modest ship named “Dog.” He did not use luxurious cruisers or special forces. This choice reflects that he is a character who derives his power not from status but directly from his fists. It also reveals that his lack of ostentation is a conscious stance.
His Ambivalent Feelings Toward His Pirate Grandson
He felt both anger and respect toward Luffy's decision to become a pirate. Though he tried to stop him countless times, when he accepted that he couldn't suppress Luffy's will, it was clear that he was secretly proud of him. The moment he faced Luffy at Marineford exposed the clash between grandfather and soldier in its raw form.
His Post-War Retreat into Silence
After the Marineford War, Garp withdrew from the public eye and took on no public duties. This silence was the result of both the internal shame he felt over Ace's death and the contradictions he experienced as part of the system. He then focused solely on training young soldiers.
Guiding Characters Like Smoker and Coby
Coby and Smoker, idealistic officers in the navy, are directly or indirectly influenced by Garp. The opportunities and education he provided to Coby, in particular, demonstrate Garp's desire to keep his ideals alive in the next generation. He turned them into not just soldiers, but “thinking” warriors.
His Laughter Is Legendary
Garp’s loud, tooth-baring laugh is iconic among One Piece fans. His laugh is not just humorous; it also symbolizes his fearlessness and indifference. Choosing to laugh even in serious situations shows his unconventional approach to events.
He Wanted to Make Luffy and Ace Sailors
He exerted serious pressure on both of them to keep them away from becoming pirates. He constantly tried to explain to them the “honor” of being part of the navy, but the two children chose their own destinies. For Garp, this was not a failure but a sign of respect for the struggle for freedom.
Why Is Garp's Past Kept Secret?
In the One Piece world, very few details are known about Garp's youth. Just as historical turning points like the Rocks Incident are shrouded in mystery, Garp's family, childhood, and how he joined the navy are also not clearly explained. These gaps suggest that his ties to the government may be far more complex than imagined.
A Contrasting Yet Friendly Relationship with Sengoku
Garp and Sengoku worked together for years, but they always stood on different ideological grounds. Sengoku follows orders without question, while Garp focuses on the essence of justice. Despite this, Sengoku tolerated Garp for years and even harbored a secret admiration for him. The tension that arose after Ace's execution was the most dramatic test of this relationship.
There Was Respect, Not Enmity, Between Whitebeard and Garp
Although Garp faced Whitebeard many times, there was no personal enmity between them. Garp even silently respected Whitebeard's efforts to protect Luffy. The fact that they never attacked each other directly on the battlefield was a sign of their silent agreement.
A Character Quietly Carrying the “D.” Will
Despite bearing the surname “D.,” Garp never spoke about it. He never explained what it meant, nor did he reveal it to anyone else. However, his actions suggest that this will is not limited to revolution or piracy, but can also manifest as a form of justice. Garp represents that being “D.” is not only about the past, but also about choices.
Claims That He May Still Be Active in the Shadows
Although he appears to have officially retired, there are theories among fans that Garp still holds informal influence within the navy. He is believed to have connections with secret organizations like SWORD. If this is true, Garp may continue to guide events from behind the scenes as an active figure.
Shanks and Garp: Reflections of the Same Era
There is a strong parallel between Shanks' understanding of freedom, which he gained from Roger, and Garp's rebellion within the system. Although they chose different paths, it is no coincidence that both influenced Luffy. Garp gave him strength and willpower; Shanks gave him direction and vision.
Choosing to Protect His Grandson Rather Than Punch Him
His hesitation before punching Luffy at Marineford was not merely a grandfather's weakness but also an outward expression of his inner conflict. Garp once again faced the dilemma of “loyalty to the institution or loyalty to family,” and this scene is remembered as one of the most powerful moments showcasing the depth of his character.
He Entrusted His Future to Coby
Garp entrusted Coby with a journey where conscience, not physical strength, takes center stage for the new generation. He raised him not just as a warrior, but as a thinker and mediator. Coby's idealistic attitude could be Garp's most valuable legacy.
He May Return to the Stage in the Series' Finale
Among fans, there is a strong theory that Garp will return to the battlefield toward the end of One Piece. Perhaps he will strike his fist against injustice one last time, or perhaps he will create a symbolic turning point in Luffy's destiny. He may have retired, but his role in the story is far from over.