Anime and manga fans have always compared Luffy, Ichigo, and Naruto, the protagonists of “The Big Three”: One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto. While these comparisons primarily focus on the strengths and abilities of the characters, there are other aspects that fans need to consider while trying to prove which character is the better protagonist.
Although the stories of Ichigo and Naruto have ended in their respective series, Luffy still has a few years left. One Piece has just entered the final saga, and it gives Luffy a chance to prove that he is a better protagonist than Ichigo and Naruto. And there is one aspect of the narrative that could help him gain the title.
This aspect involves Luffy writing his own legacy. Unlike Ichigo and Naruto, Luffy does not follow in the footsteps of his father, and that’s what makes him unique. If he continues to do so till the end, he might be able to prove himself better than the other two main characters.
Both Ichigo and Naruto Have Followed Their Parent’s Legacy
Naruto and Bleach are two completely different stories. While Naruto revolves around the journey of a young ninja who aspires to become the Hokage of his village, Bleach follows the story of a student who suddenly gets the powers of a Soul Reaper and now has to save the Soul Society from impending doom.
As both stories progress, it is revealed that directly or indirectly, both protagonists are just following the legacies of their parents. Naruto’s father was a Hokage himself, and that too was one of the strongest. Ichigo’s father was also the former captain of one of the squads from Gotei 13 but was banished from the Soul Society.
The conclusion of Naruto and Bleach essentially led Naruto and Ichigo to accomplish their goals and dreams, but there is no way they could have done it without the help of their parents. The role of their parents in their lives is bigger than fans realize.
Eiichiro Oda Has a Chance to Make Luffy Better Than Naruto and Ichigo
Luffy’s father, Monkey D. Dragon, is one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece. Not much is known about the character except the fact that he is the chief of the Revolutionary Army and a former Navy official. Even though he is one of the most important characters in the series, Dragon has appeared in less than 100 out of over 1000 episodes and chapters.
One Piece’s creator, Eiichiro Oda, has made it perfectly clear that Luffy has nothing to do with his father, Monkey D. Dragon, as of yet. The series has portrayed multiple times that Luffy never even knew that he had a father or how big of an impact he has in the One Piece world. He has not even directly met him, and the story has already stepped into its finale.
Luffy’s journey and his goals have always been different from his father’s. Dragon wants to end the tyranny of the World Government, whereas Luffy just wants to be free and become King of the Pirates. If Luffy stays away from the influence and legacy of his father, his character growth would be defined by his own actions rather than following in his parents’ footsteps like Ichigo and Naruto did.
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