Theory Fate, Luck & Destiny

[Hannibal Psyche]

What is Fate/Luck​

Source: Chapter 234​

As the highlighted area says, fate is a measure of a man's worth at all moments. We can take this to mean that any-one who is destined for greatness, will always have fate deal him/her the best cards irregardless of how dire a situation is; ultimately, those destined for greatness have the greatest plot armour if you will, in terms of survival and good luck. This theme of luck is mentioned and dotted all throughout the Manga, but it's very easy to miss.

It's quite apparent that certain characters are happy to leave fate to deal their cards for them, they're completely outrageous characters, and seem to personify "Fate" as if it were a god. Is this just mere overconfidence & coincidence? As the story has progressed, we've witnessed how fortunate so many characters who rely on fate are, and it seems to result in things playing out in their favour; of course, one could say it is coincidence, but it seems to be a real measure of greatness.

Luck and Fate are used interchangeably​

Source: Chapter 223​

The Blackbeard Pirates are known for speaking of fate ever so often; the very first panel at the top shows a dialogue between the crew, and it's evident that they believe in fate, and that they're destined for greatness; we see luck and fate seemingly used interchangeably which draws one to believe, they're one and the same thing.

Fate's Deal with Zoro​

Source: Chapter 97​

A great example is that of Zoro choosing swords with Tashigi, with absolute confidence and readiness to have his arms lopped off, he throws a cursed sword in the air while everyone tense, and on their toes reluctantly watches to see the result? Of course, he seems to have fate and luck shining upon him, and his response prior to this deadly stunt seems to be key in what fate is, it's an attribute shared by special and great people destined to accomplish great things.

Fate's Deal with Blackbeard's

Source: Chapter 549​

Prior to this, we see that Blackbeard and co. were poisoned by Magellan⁽⁵⁴⁹⁾, and Shiliew just happened to walk by with an antidote, and he takes note of their belief in fate which he seems attracted to. In the next page which is the panel above, we're told he's been waiting for a man such as Blackbeard, a man destined for Greatness in other words.

Fate's Deal with Luffy​

Source: Chapter 99​

This is a moment that captivated many, Bartolomeo in particular. It's at this point that we see just exactly how lucky Luffy is. He's about to be executed, and there's no way for escape, and he somehow makes it out alive against all the odds. To have lightening so accurate strike the blade at the very last moment is nothing short of miraculous; as we're told, this is a sign of how great and special Luffy is.

Mihawk testing Luffy's Luck & Fate​

Source: Chapter 561​

As like many great characters, Mihawk is a believer in fate and uses it to determine just how great Luffy is; Shanks believes that Luffy is destined to be the torch for the next generation, and it seems like he passed the test. Mihawk in this chapter attempts to kill Luffy multiple times, and even when within his range⁽⁵⁶¹⁾ with certain death imminent, he fails or rather, fate denies him; fate & luck deal Luffy superior cards which result in Luffy's survival.

Ultimately, with this, Mihawk determines that Luffy truly is special, and more so with his charisma and natural ability to draw in allies effortlessly. With future arcs coming, we can rest assured that no matter how dire the situation is, Luffy's luck will always pull through for him.

Source: Chapter 581​

 

[keeper1h]

I really like this thread!

In my humble opinion, One Piece is full of characters that are waiting for a change.
They wait, make plans for, they hope, and they even pray looking at this.
They follow saviors, gods, "chosen crews" and such, hoping to ride safely on top of this "great tidal wave that will change everything".
So it seems to me that they try subconsciously to understand what their place will be when this happens... When they act like this, they're taking their seat on the Destiny Train.

 

[Hannibal Psyche]

I really like this thread!

In my humble opinion, One Piece is full of characters that are waiting for a change.
They wait, make plans for, they hope, and they even pray looking at this.
They follow saviors, gods, "chosen crews" and such, hoping to ride safely on top of this "great tidal wave that will change everything".
So it seems to me that they try subconsciously to understand what their place will be when this happens... When they act like this, they're taking their seat on the Destiny Train.

Thanks.

And I think the bold part of your response is absolutely correct asit summarizes the importance of people who seem to have fate somewhat, siding them. Shiliew said to BB, "You're the man I've been waiting for", everyone is putting faith in 1 person or the other, just like WB put his faith in Luffy. I think Oda cleverly guises plot-armour well under fate, makes it more "fate" or "destiny" than plot-armour.

 

[ProGoddess]

While a person's fate seems to be predetermined by unseen forces or power, destiny appears to be the future events that happen to that particular person.

One of the main themes of One Piece is the existence of fate, destiny and luck. It's like when Fujitora who is a gambler, throws his dice to determine Luffy's and the rest of the pirates' destiny. It is also a way to show the luck of all those who are involved and how their "luck" brings forth their fate and finally the destiny of their lives.

The people here can be directly or indirectly involved in a particular arc or saga, as history changes when something is being altered at a particular point and time, and the people executing that change. The effect of the destiny will be different. Say, what if Fujitora's dice showed a different number, what kind of destiny would that be?

Despite all the turbulence of events, everyone holds on tight to their safety belts, coupled with their beliefs of oneself and their trusted-mates, to travel along the journey together. It is more assuring to know that their backs are covered in the event of adverse situations and unexpected circumstances.

All of them have a different mindset and beliefs which at times may cause conflict among themselves and with others. However, the intertwining of variance of opinions help them to adjust their expectation of themselves and of others, which then help them to face their fate and destiny with more comfort and perhaps even less disappointment. Whitebeard though did not succeed in rescuing Ace, but his effort brought forth hope to others. When he put his faith on Luffy, I believe he died in peace. It's like telling us that he has found his successor to continue his "destiny".

There are plentiful of examples in the entire series as the manga really shouts out what the author believes in. It also tells readers that luck, fate and destiny can be altered and are seen, felt and encountered through the lives of the multitude of characters in the story.

This is a well-made post. I can see lots of time and effort put forth into it. Thanks Hannibal Psyche for bringing a good topic up for discussion.

@keeper1h - Good train of thoughts with "destiny train" moving along to stimulate everyone's thinking caps.

 

[Hannibal Psyche]

There are plentiful of examples in the entire series as the manga really shouts out what the author believes in. It also tells readers that luck, fate and destiny can be altered and are seen, felt and encountered through the lives of the multitude of characters in the story.

Thanks, and I agree with this. Oda's way of also encouraging readers to think positively and persevere. I feel Coby is a character we can all relate to, he doubted himself, but once his thinking took a 180, he's positive and is on his way to one day, becoming an Admiral. Another underlying message would to live life to the fullest even if fate doesn't have much for you, that's why the likes of Blackbeard and Luffy live in the moment which not many are brave enough to do.

 

[M3J]

While I'm not a fan of the whole destiny thing, I do like some characters leaving things to fate. In Zoro's case, it seems like a way of him saying "come at me, fate, let's see what you can do!" while Luffy either fights fate (for himself or for others like Robin and Ace) when he can, or he accepts it when he can (when he was about to be executed by Buggy). Luffy seems to have luck on his side, but I don't think it's luck as much as it is his charisma, but I'm assuming it was Dragon who managed to change the weather and save Luffy from the execution.

But at Impel Down, Luffy kept fighting fate no matter what, he refused to die until he saved Ace. He survived not because he was lucky, but as said, it was due to the people that became his friends, from Bon Clay to Ivy to the okama.

Destiny comes into play here because it wasn't in Luffy's destiny to die, just as it wasn't in Zoro's destiny to die against Mihawk or when Kuma transferred Luffy's pain and fatigue to him. Thanks to destiny, Luffy likely won't die until he becomes the pirate king, but destiny can also have him die afterwards to usher in the era of change that was foretold. Ace's destiny was to die, likely so Luffy would remember he had his crew and to live for them instead of for Ace, as well as to fan the flames of Luffy's will to achieve his destiny.

I think destiny explains why the characters are alive, or dead, and what purpose it'd serve. Luffy surviving means his destiny is to change the world, not just become the pirate king while Roger's death was to usher in the new era of piracy as result of his success. Luck would be a way to explain how they survived this or that without explanation that we know of so far, thanks to destiny. Fate would probably be what's happening at the moment, like Luffy being executed or Zoro seeing if his fate is good when he threw the sword to test its curse.

I don't think this is a coherent post, at least when it comes to explaining what I think fate is in this manga..

 

[jackthai]

This is one of the greatest threads ever, I just love the way BB talks about and belive in fate and that's why he's one of my favorite character in the series and I deeply believe his backstory will tear us apart, I mean just look at the dawing of young BB Oda made, he looks sad and alone in a cold night.
Even fate, luck and destiny, when the time comes, will have the hard task of choosing between the two of them which one deserves to be the pirate king.

 

[keeper1h]

I think Oda cleverly guises plot-armour well under fate, makes it more "fate" or "destiny" than plot-armour.

Also true. Now that I think about it, it's funny to see someone that creates a character that directly challenges his creator, and the said creator decides that this character is going to win against him. Oda is the forgiving god in One Piece

@keeper1h - Good train of thoughts with "destiny train" moving along to stimulate everyone's thinking caps.

Thank you