During a special interview with Wired, Luffy actor Iñaki Godoy talked about the pirate he believed to be stronger than Gol D. Roger, and evidently, he was right. Two years ago, before the story even delved into Rocks D. Xebec’s past, Godoy already believed he was the strongest pirate of the old era, showcasing his deep knowledge of One Piece lore.
The recent developments have not only highlighted his origins but also focused on the elements that made Xebec the strongest pirate within the One Piece world. Thus, he deserves the recognition that slowly faded away, only because Roger was able to find the One Piece treasure and earn the status of Pirate King within the storyline.
Iñaki Godoy Knows the True Power Structure of the Old Pirate Era
The One Piece story might have one of the most complex power structures solely because of the multiple characters that Eiichiro Oda introduced. It is not easy to determine who is more powerful until they actually clash, and this was the case with Xebec, too. Many fans believed his reputation in the old pirate era was merely a hoax, assuming that, like Buggy, he rose to power through sheer coincidence rather than true strength.
However, the recent developments in the One Piece manga, currently exploring Xebec’s flashback, reveal that he was not only the strongest pirate of his era but also bold enough to challenge Imu, the supreme ruler of the World Government. Although there is no way Iñaki Godoy would have known this, the fact that he still recognized Xebec as the only pirate stronger than Roger proves that he has decent knowledge about the One Piece storyline.
This shows his dedication towards his role as Monkey D. Luffy and highlights how deeply he has immersed himself in the narrative. He has worked to understand One Piece’s history, characters, and power dynamics to portray Luffy with authenticity and passion, which is clear in his Season 1 performance and will hopefully shine in the upcoming season as well.
How Roger’s Rise Overshadowed the Fearsome Legacy of Rocks D. Xebec
There were two elements that disrupted Xebec’s legacy as the greatest pirate from the old era. The first one was the God Valley Incident, which, according to recent developments, was most likely a trap to take him down. The second was the rise of Roger as the King of the Pirates and his declaration of the One Piece treasure, which gave rise to a new pirate era.
If Xebec hadn’t been defeated during God Valley, he would have certainly achieved his goal of becoming the King of the One Piece world. However, his need to save his family, who were being hunted by the Celestial Dragons, was justifiably bigger than his dream, and this gave Roger a chance to prove his strength and follow his own dream in One Piece.
Undoubtedly, Roger was a powerful pirate who likely would have achieved his dream of becoming Pirate King regardless. However, when it comes to legacies, Xebec’s could have been far greater, as his ambition was not to uncover the world’s history like Roger but to rule it entirely. Do you think Xebec might have fulfilled his dream of becoming the King of the World if he had not been defeated at God Valley? Let us know below!
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