Every One Piece fan knows that the straw hat holds much significance in this grand story of seeking freedom. Long ago, this hat was a treasured item worn by the first man to become the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. At the tail end of his journey, Roger would hand this straw hat down to his apprentice, Shanks, who would later become an Emperor of the Sea. Before reaching such acclaim, Shanks and Luffy would develop a special bond during Luffy’s childhood. Their last interaction would see Shanks lending the straw hat to Luffy, making a promise for Luffy to return the hat when the aspiring pirate becomes a great pirate.

This straw hat quickly became Luffy’s treasure, the thing he holds dearest to him, representing his promise to become a great pirate and eventually much more. 1,000 episodes later, that very same straw hat would strike fear across the four seas, but for those who’ve seen Luffy’s intentions up close, it would become a symbol that represents freedom and hope. Throughout this journey to the One Piece, this straw hat would see its fair share of hardships. Luffy’s treasure would be ripped, stolen, and lost, but Luffy always had someone close to him to protect it.

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The Straw Hat in Danger Shows Its Meaning to Luffy

The Straw Hat Is Luffy’s Most Treasured Possession

Many anime watchers could never understand the straw hat’s importance when only looking from the outside into the world of One Piece. Most chalk it up to a weird accessory that the main character from that one goofy pirate anime wears. But much like Luffy’s Jolly Roger, this straw hat signifies his dream of freedom. In the first chapter of the manga, it becomes abundantly clear why Luffy cherishes this treasure, and throughout the East Blue saga, fans see what he is willing to do to protect it.

The first instance of this level of care is during Orange Town, when Luffy is going head-to-head against one of the most important characters in One Piece — Buggy. This is the first time fans see the straw hat not only get taken away from Luffy but also damaged. Buggy would use his Bara Bara no Mi ability to send knives through the straw hat, ripping three slashes into it. Buggy wasn’t just being a jerk because Luffy was his enemy — he also had a history with the previous wearer of the hat and wanted to take out his resentment on Luffy.

Those Close to Luffy Step in to Protect His Treasure

The First Time Luffy Entrusted His Treasure to Someone Else

During the East Blue saga, Nami would see how much Luffy cherishes his straw hat, and after Buggy destroyed his treasure, she would fix it for him. Even while still trying to keep her distance from the reckless pirate, Nami couldn’t help but care. This is just one of the many times those close to Luffy made sure to protect Luffy’s treasure when he couldn’t.​​​​​

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There is even the time when Luffy entrusted his treasure to someone else for the first time during Arlong Park. After Nami broke down and finally asked for help, Luffy would place the straw hat on her head, showing his absolute trust in his new navigator. It was a powerful moment that showed Nami that he had everything from here on out while cementing her place in the Straw Hat crew. This action caused her and certainly the fans watching at home to tear up, hooking the audience into a 1,000+ episode journey.

What’s so special about moments like these is that everyone recognizes the importance of the straw hat, and those close to Luffy are not only protecting his treasure but also protecting what Luffy stands for. This straw hat is more than merely an object, and One Piece has a remarkable way of making the audience emotional about objects — just like for the Going Merry. Shanks would be another key figure who sought to protect Luffy’s treasure.

Luffy Lost His Straw Hat While Losing Himself at Marineford

Luffy’s Straw Hat Reflected His Inner Turmoil During the Paramount War

During the tragic Marineford arc, Luffy would actually lose his straw hat. It wasn’t taken with his knowledge or given away to someone to hold onto; it was lost. The hat would fall off when Jinbe saved Luffy from an attack from Akainu. After Ace and Whitebeard’s death, Shanks would arrive, ending the war while holding onto the straw hat that had been lost in the chaos of war. He would ensure the straw hat gets back to Luffy, entrusting the hat to Law, which Rayleigh ultimately retrieves and returns to Luffy.

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​​​​​What is so interesting about this entire sequence is that Luffy loses his straw hat when he starts to lose himself. Usually, whenever Luffy doesn’t have his straw hat with him, he does everything in his power to get it back. But this time, he was too broken to even realize it was gone. It’s like he lost a piece of himself when Ace died, and temporarily, his desire to reach his dream. Luffy wouldn’t even realize his treasure was gone until Jinbe had to knock some sense into him and make him realize he still has his crew. The straw hat being lost almost mirrors his emotional turmoil, but as per usual, those close to him ensure Luffy’s treasure is returned to him.

The Straw Hat Gets Taken From Luffy Even in the One Piece Films

Zephyr & Uta Both Saw the Straw Hat as a Symbol to Destroy

Even in the One Piece movies, the straw hat is held to a high significance. In Film Z, Zephyr realizes its importance and takes it away from Luffy. He does this to show that he rejects what Luffy represents. He plans to bury it to cement that the age of pirates is finished, but Luffy would have a say in that decision.

Film Red would also make the straw hat a central symbol, and no one would know the importance of Luffy’s treasure better than someone tied to Shanks, like Uta. She would take the straw hat from Luffy, rip it, then turn it into a music note. Ultimately, she gives Luffy his treasure back after realizing she was doing a bit too much harm in her pursuit of an ideal world.

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​​​​​​These movies may not be canon, but they reinforce the idea that even the antagonists know what this straw hat symbolizes. This symbol doesn’t always align with others’ views of what the world should become. But no matter what challenges come his way, Luffy will always remain headstrong on his journey to becoming the freest in the world.

The Road to Shanks & the Mystery of the Straw Hat

What Luffy & Shanks’ Reunion Could Mean for the Future of One Piece

This straw hat has been through so much over the years and holds a special significance. But there is still much mystery to uncover, like with the giant straw hat Imu was seen with during the Reverie arc. This straw hat, even with as much history as fans know, could be even more important than fans may have realized. Maybe all of its secrets will finally come to light when Shanks and Luffy cross paths once more.

Now, Shanks has finally declared his intention to go after the One Piece, and it may have something to do with Luffy finally becoming the great pirate he promised to become. But what does that mean for the inevitable reunion between the two Emperors of the Sea? Will they meet as allies, or will their paths collide in a battle for the world’s most legendary treasure? And what will become of the Straw Hats when the straw hat ends up back in Shanks’ possession? So many questions remain unanswered, and One Piece fans everywhere are waiting on the edges of their seats for the day Luffy and Shanks’ promise is finally fulfilled.

One Piece

Release Date

October 20, 1999

Network

Fuji TV

Directors

Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou

• Mayumi Tanaka

  Monkey D. Luffy (voice)

• 

  Kazuya Nakai

  Roronoa Zoro (voice)