The Straw Hats are an ambitious batch of pirates following Monkey D. Luffy in his dream of becoming the Future Pirate King, a dream that now seems closer than before. With Jimbei being the very recent addition to the group, the community is always on the lookout for the next Straw Hat. While Yamato was a close guess, I am here to explore the possibility of – “Is Bonney going to be the next Straw Hat’s member?”
She has an ambitious path ahead and almost shares an entire past with Luffy. There are also certain similarities that make her very likely to be the next Straw Hat. Getting curious? Well, wait no further. Here’s why I think Bonny would be the next Straw Hat member.
Jewelry Bonny – A proof of Kuma’s Unending Sacrifice
Kuma made sure to do everything in his power to keep Bonney happy, yet Saturn’s intervention foiled all of his efforts. Not only were they not allowed to meet each other, Saturn also experimented on the young girl. Despite everything that happened, she still mustered up all her courage to escape and sail the seas to find her father. Unrelated by blood, Bonney and Kuma were connected through the love and compassion they had for each other.
She ticks off all the criteria to be a Straw Hat. Trauma? Check. Sad Backstory? Check. Super hot? Ahem, check. Really powerful? Check. The only thing that’s left on her plate is to have an ambition now. Her only motivation to sail the seas was to find her father and get an answer from him, but now that she knows, what will she do moving ahead?
A reflection of King: Follower of Nika
Bonney, similar to Kuma, was raised being told of the legendary stories of Nika. A mystical warrior who fights in ways unfounded and brings salvation to the people and places he visits. He is the warrior of liberation, the Sun God Nika. During her escape, she visualized herself in Nika’s place which enabled her to use her Distorted Future move.
She kept wishing for the dream that Nika bloomed in their hearts deep inside while fighting head-on with the world. Now, when she faces Saturn again, she does so with the Real Sun God Nika, Luffy. This could very well turn into a King moment, how he followed Kaido because he believed Kaido was Nika. In this case, there’s no doubt, Luffy is Nika.
- It is very unlikely that Kuma would continue to live any longer after the events of Egghead. Finding peace with her father, she might wish to follow the steps of Nika, liberating people and bringing them peace.
- This could go two ways. She could join the Revolutionary Army like her father, or she could join the Straw Hats and follow Luffy.
- This would make sense, since from her childhood both Kuma and she dreamed of a day to meet Nika and interact with him. This would not only be a dream come true but would drive in the point that Nika is someone who isn’t all mighty but a person who does what he thinks is right.
Another reason why she should join the Straw Hats is because it balances out the forces within the group. They have an ex-Pirate Hunter, an ex-Warlord of the Sea, an ex-Prince of a cyborg nation, and with her addition, they would also have an ex-Worst Generation in their midst. Yes yes, I know sounds stupid, but aye, Oda does what he thinks best and I believe this might be one of those things.
So, Is Bonney going to be the next Straw Hat’s member?
🏴☠️ One Piece fans, let's talk Jewelry Bonney! 🌟 She's really growing on us, and many think she'd be an awesome fit for the Straw Hat Pirates. 🏴☠️#OnePiece #JewelryBonney #StrawHatPirates #EggheadArc pic.twitter.com/rMRlh9IsXu
— ANIME@ONCE (@BatriNine) December 29, 2023
This might sound like a stretch but I think it sounds perfectly sound. Jewelry Bonney and Kuma’s past is proof of the belief that still exists in Nika. Luffy might not wish for followers, yet, his actions demand so. As the Future Pirate King, leading the Grant Straw Hat Pirate Fleet, it is obvious that more people would follow him in this venture against complete freedom.
This makes her the perfect candidate to not only become Luffy’s ally but also join him in his crew. If you like my understanding of her character, subscribe to Spiel Anime’s Newsletter, where we dissect many more shows to bring the best content to your fingertips.