East Blue

Lore & Background

The East Blue is one of the four seas that make up the Blue Planet's surface, alongside the North Blue, West Blue, and South Blue. These seas are divided by the Red Line, a massive continental mountain range running along what would be the Prime Meridian on Earth, and the Grand Line, a sea running perpendicular to the Red Line along what would be the equator. The Grand Line is bounded by the Calm Belt, strips of calm ocean infested with huge ship-eating monsters known as Sea Kings. Passage between the four seas and the Grand Line is difficult, but unique features like Reverse Mountain allow transport: at Reverse Mountain, water from the four seas flows uphill before merging into a rapidly flowing canal that enters the Grand Line. The East Blue is the starting point for Monkey D. Luffy's journey, where he gathers his first crew members: Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. The region is home to various pirates and criminals, but the series emphasizes moral ambiguity over the label 'pirate', including individuals who do not submit to the World Government's authoritarian rule.

In Their Own Story

The East Blue is where Monkey D. Luffy, a young man whose body has the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating the Gum-Gum Fruit, sets off on his journey from the East Blue Sea to find the deceased King of the Pirates Gold Roger's ultimate treasure known as the 'One Piece' and take over his prior title. Luffy sets sail as captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, and is joined by Roronoa Zoro, a swordsman and former bounty hunter; Nami, a money-obsessed thief and navigator; Usopp, a sniper and compulsive liar; and Sanji, an amorous but chivalrous cook. They acquire a ship, the Going Merry, and engage in confrontations with notorious pirates. As Luffy and his crew set out on their adventures, they encounter other pirates, bounty hunters, criminal organizations, revolutionaries, secret agents, and soldiers of the World Government, sailing the seas in pursuit of their dreams.

Reader's Guide

The East Blue serves as the introductory setting for the One Piece narrative, where the core members of the Straw Hat Pirates first meet and begin their journey. It is one of the four seas divided by the Red Line and the Grand Line, with passage between them being difficult. The region is characterized by its relative isolation from the Grand Line, accessible only through unique geographical features like Reverse Mountain, where water from the four seas flows uphill into the Grand Line. The East Blue is where Luffy gathers his initial crew: Zoro, a swordsman and former bounty hunter; Nami, a navigator and thief; Usopp, a sniper and compulsive liar; and Sanji, a cook. Their adventures in the East Blue involve confrontations with notorious pirates and other foes, setting the stage for their entry into the Grand Line. The series emphasizes that the label 'pirate' includes both morally bankrupt individuals and those who do not submit to the World Government's authoritarian rule, a theme that begins in the East Blue.

Did You Know?

• The East Blue is one of the four seas of the Blue Planet, divided by the Red Line and the Grand Line.
• Monkey D. Luffy begins his journey from the East Blue Sea to find the One Piece and become the King of the Pirates.
• The East Blue is the home sea of the first five Straw Hat Pirates: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji.
• Passage from the East Blue to the Grand Line is possible via Reverse Mountain, where water flows uphill into a canal entering the Grand Line.
• The East Blue is separated from the other seas by the Red Line, a massive continental mountain range running along what would be the Prime Meridian on Earth.