Everyone believes that Eiichiro Oda’s favorite character from One Piece is its protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy. But Oda has an unexpected favorite from his broad spectrum of characters. His favorite is a minor character who made a brief but memorable appearance in the early series. The character is Gaimon, the man trapped in a treasure.
Much information came to light during the conversation between Oda and Akira Toriyama. The discussion shed light on Oda’s artistic work and personal preferences. Gaimon’s character refers to Oda’s fondness for unconventional and his distinct perspectives that have made One Piece a success.
The Man Trapped in a Treasure
During a moderate discussion with Akira Toriyama, Eiichiro Oda shared his fondness for Gaimon. This discussion was originally published in the One Piece artbook, Color Walk 1 (via TheGrandline). Oda stated:
Of course, I like Luffy. But, the character that I like the most is Gaimon. It’s hard to think of anyone better than him. Just a man who has been stuck in a treasure box for 20 years. I think that was an amazing setup myself.
Gaimon, introduced in manga chapter 22, was a former pirate who became trapped in a treasure chest while searching for wealth on a remote island. Unable to free himself from the treasure chest, he remained on the island for two decades before encountering the Straw Hat crew.
In explaining his artistic work, Oda said that he often begins with rough sketches and casually writes a line or two for each character. “The first thing the character says usually helps in the long run to build his personality,” Oda noted.
His method seems to have worked marvelously well for Gaimon, who left a lasting impression on both readers and the creator. Oda’s ability to craft memorable characters, even in minor roles, has been a remarkable feat of One Piece.
Eiichiro Oda’s Creative Philosophy For Minor Characters
Oda’s fondness has given importance to minor characters in expanding narratives. In One Piece, even characters with limited screen time can leave a lasting impression on the narrative and the audience. Gaimon’s story, though brief, exemplifies the series’ blend of humor and adventure.
In the same conversation, Oda explained:
Unfortunately, how I perceive things now is different from how [modern] boys perceive things, but when I draw I keep in mind, ‘What I would be happy to see if I read it when I was young?
His approach has definitely contributed to One Piece‘s popularity. It also allowed him to create content that appealed to his target audiences while maintaining his narrative style.
Toriyama was impressed by Oda’s approach and noted: “That is so important. You turn yourself into a young reader again on purpose.”
Fans can appreciate the care and thought Oda puts into every chapter, no matter how small their role. Gaimon’s status as Oda’s favorite shows the mangaka’s creative prowess and his ability to find joy and inspiration in the most unexpected places.
One Piece is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll and read manga on Viz.
