Have you ever wondered about the real-life figures that inspire our favorite fictional characters? Today, we delve into the fascinating story behind Whitebeard, one of the most iconic characters from the beloved series ONE PIECE. This exploration not only reveals the man who inspired this legendary figure but also highlights the deep connections between reality and fiction. Join us as we uncover the layers of inspiration that breathe life into our favorite stories!

Unveiling the Real Whitebeard

Good evening, everyone! Today, December 27, marks the 17th anniversary of “Kagamine Rin and Len” since their release. Thanks to the support of many, we have come this far! We are excited to announce that starting today, the blog design has been taken over by newly illustrated Rin and Len by Naru, showcasing their vibrant energy. This special blog design is only available for a limited time, so be sure to enjoy it!

Detective Conan’s Latest Release

On December 18, the anime comic version of the blockbuster film “Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Five-Point Star” was released. Please note that this article contains spoilers for the anime comic.

What is “Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Five-Point Star (Part 2)”? This is the second volume of the anime comic adaptation of the hit film! The story follows the phantom thief Kid as he pursues a Japanese sword related to the vice commander of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizo. The investigation leads to a body found in the Hakodate warehouse district, linked to a Japanese-American arms dealer involved in wartime military industries.

Whitebeard’s Real-Life Inspiration

In the 10th anniversary issue of ONE PIECE, titled “ONE PIECE PARADISE!” or “Wanpara,” there was a special feature on Whitebeard. Recently, I received some sad news from my former editor about the passing of the owner of a tavern I used to frequent, who was the real-life inspiration for the character Whitebeard. The line “I don’t want to talk to a snot-nosed brat” was something he would say to customers. He would sit in the middle of the bar with medical equipment connected to his nose, insisting that alcohol was medicine while sharing war stories.

When I told him I had drawn him in my manga, he was thrilled. It’s rare for me to have such a clear model for character creation. I pray for his soul and vow to continue depicting cool older men in my work.

In the SBS of volume 68, I mentioned that Sanji also had a real-life model, although I didn’t intend to make him look exactly like that person. I just wanted to capture the essence of that individual. In film terms, it would be like Steve Buscemi from “Reservoir Dogs” being a visual model, while Whitebeard is a character model. If there are other characters inspired by real people, I would love to hear about them!