One Piece may have a completely logical explanation for why Luffy was the first to awaken the Nika fruit in centuries and it’s clear as day.
Of the many mysteries surrounding the Nika devil fruit in One Piece, the reason Luffy was able to awaken its dormant power is likely the first that comes to mind. According to the Five Elders in chapter #1037, Luffy is the first to awaken the true power of the Nika fruit in centuries and the series may have a genius reason for its unprecedented awakening that could explain why the devil fruit selected Luffy as its bearer as well.
The Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika devil fruit relies heavily on its user’s imagination, as Nika is described as a warrior who “fights in whatever way he fancies,” as seen through Luffy’s cartoonish antics during the battle against Kaido. Moreover, the introduction of devil fruits like Bonney’s Age Age Fruit suggests that creativity and imagination may play a larger role in One Piece than anticipated.
If so, Luffy’s inherent creativity, playfulness, and childish demeanor make him the perfect candidate for awakening the Nika fruit, which may have been exactly why the fruit unwittingly – or willingly, if one believes the theory that Zoan fruits have a “will” – found itself in Luffy’s possession.
Luffy’s Creativity Makes Him Perfect for the Nika Fruit
A brief look at Luffy’s unique attacks throughout the years proves just how creative he can be. Luffy’s many “gears” are very much the product of his own imagination, inspired mostly by the techniques of his opponents. Moreover, Luffy also has a knack for drawing inspiration from objects around him, the earliest example being Arlong Park. Inspired by Genzo’s pinwheel hat, Luffy turned his body into a pinwheel, using it to propel a sea king around himself, taking out multiple fishmen with ease. Luffy’s creativity also comes through when he turns his hands into a net, using it to hilariously trap Arlong.
That said, Luffy’s odd illustrations throughout the series are also excellent examples of his rather vivid imagination. Some infamous instances of Luffy’s peculiar artistic vision include his drawing of his dream shipwright during Water Seven and his sketch of what Nami would look like as a mermaid. Clearly, Luffy’s creativity knows no bounds and allows him to live up to Nika’s unbridled freedom when fighting, which may explain why the fruit found its way to him as Zoan-type devil fruits are known to have a will of their own and may even pick their bearers.
In all, as far as anime protagonists go, Luffy certainly helps One Piece stand apart from the crowd thanks to his unconventional fighting style and his unique personality, and it only makes sense for his unique traits to play a more complex narrative role. Whether Luffy finding the Nika fruit was pure coincidence or not, one cannot deny that the power would not have awakened or been even a fraction as powerful in the hands of anyone else but Luffy.
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