In One Piece, devil fruits are an intriguing and central element in the series, and they offer incredible power sources that continue to define certain characters’ course of battle and destinies. Yet, despite their importance to the series, many aspects of these fruits remain a mystery.
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The series has dropped numerous hints about their origins and the true extent of their abilities, but fans still don’t have all the answers. Hence, the subtle hints the creator, Eiichiro Oda, has dropped throughout the series are what fans piece together to discover hidden truths about devil fruits in One Piece. Hence, the more the series unfolds, the more is left to discover the true nature of devil fruits.
1
The Origin Of Devil Fruits
Are They Natural Phenomenons?
- First Appearance: Episode 1
In the series, devil fruits are a source of power that grants its users abilities that defy logic and reality. However, despite the immense power of the devil fruits, one crucial question that is still a mystery is where the fruits come from. Devil fruits are considered a natural phenomenon in the series, much like the Grand Line’s unpredictable weather. It was revealed in the series that devil fruits manifest due to people’s will and wishes. However, it cannot also be ruled out that they could be remnants of the ancient kingdom. Since the ancient kingdoms are considered to be advanced in technology, it is possible that they developed devil fruits to enhance human abilities.
Moreover, the genius scientist Vegapunk studied devil fruits and attempted to replicate them. He tried to make a copy of Kaido’s mythical zoan devil fruit but deemed it a failure because it didn’t come out how he wanted. Hence, if devil fruits originated and were created by the Ancient Kingdom, what exactly was their purpose?
2
The Sea’s Hatred For Devil Fruit Users
The Curse Of The Sea
- Popular Characters Who Sank Many Times: Luffy, Brooks, Chopper
The reason why the sea rejects devil fruit users still remains a mystery. However, the explanation by Dr Vegapynk on Egghead Island is that devil fruits are a manifestation of human desires that is against the natural order of the world. In other words, the existence of devil fruits is unnatural; in this sense, the sea represents a natural phenomenon, and order rejects the unnatural abilities of devil fruits. Due to this, upon contact with the sea, it incapacitates a devil fruit user.
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Also, beyond seawater, seastone nullifies devil’s fruit abilities. This material emits a wavelength similar to the sea itself, draining devil fruit users’ strength upon contact. This phenomenon with the seastone and devil fruit users further emphasizes the link between the sea and suppressing these unnatural powers. Therefore, this perspective implies that the sea is a natural counterbalance by negating the powers that defy a natural order. However, these are just theories, and as the story continues to unfold, fans will understand the mysteries surrounding the curse invoked by the sea on devil fruit users.
3
How The Reincarnation Of Devil Fruit Works
The Cycle Of Rebirth
- The Reincarnation Event In Dressrosa Arc, Episode 629-746
When a devil fruit user dies, the abilities they possess don’t perish with them. Instead, it is reborn into a new fruit, allowing the power to continue its existence. In the series, Portgas D. Ace is the wielder of the Mera Mera no Mi, but he meets his tragic end during the Marineford War. Following his death, the flame-flame abilities did not vanish but instead reincarnated into a new fruit. Hence, this aligns with the already known fact that upon a user’s demise, their devil fruit power is reborn into a similar fruit elsewhere in the world. The notorious pirate Donquixote Doflamingo acquired this reincarnated fruit of Ace and used it as a prize in a tournament, where Ace’s brother, Sabo, ultimately claimed its power.
Also, the mysterious Joyboy is presumed to be a past wielder of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, a mythical zoan-type devil fruit. This fruit grants its user unparalleled abilities and freedom in combat. In the current timeline, Monkey D. Luffy inadvertently consumes this fruit, previously misidentified as the Gomu Gomu no Mi. Luffy’s awakening of this power draws parallels to Joyboy and the Sun God, suggesting a reincarnation of not just the fruit’s abilities but also its will. This connection implies that the fruit carries a legacy, intertwining the fates of its old user with the new wielder. However, the exact process by which a devil fruit transfers to a new fruit remains unclear.
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4
The Limits Of Devil Fruits Awakening
The Physical And Mental Limitations
- The First Instance Of Awakening: The Jailer Beasts Of Impel Down, Episode 422
Awakening is the highest stage of devil fruit power, where the users can exert their abilities on their environment or others. Doflamingo, Charlotte Katakuri, Luffy, and even Rob Lucci each displayed different levels of control after their awakenings. Logia, Paramecia, and Zoan awakenings function differently, but they all require synchronization between the fruit and its user. Awakening consumes enormous amounts of stamina, as seen with Luffy’s Gear 5, where he rapidly exhausts himself after prolonged use. Similarly, Law and Kid’s awakened abilities against Big Mom in Wano require massive energy consumption, especially in long fights. This suggests that awakening may unlock powerful techniques, but without the physical endurance to sustain them, users will be vulnerable. This could also be the natural limiter that prevents users from infinitely expanding their abilities.
Moreover, if awakening is just another stage of a devil fruit evolution, does it have an endpoint? Or can a user continue to push their fruit beyond its awakening into something even greater? There are theories that Luffy hasn’t reached the limits of his abilities even with his awakening, especially with the powerful evil entities he is bound to face in the final war. This perspective denotes that if devil fruit awakening has limits, then Luffy’s fruit might be an exception to the rule. Hence, could there be certain fruits that surpass the boundaries of normal awakening due to their ties to history and fate?
5
How Blackbeard Has Two Devil Fruits
A Man Of Mystery
- First Appearance: Episode 146
Out of all the mysteries surrounding devil fruits in One Piece, how Blackbeard can wield two devil fruits is one of the biggest mysteries. The feat Blackbeard pulled during the Marineford war when he acquired Whitebeard’s Gura Gura no Mi with his Yami Yami no Mi defies one of the most fundamental laws of devil fruits. A person cannot consume two devil fruits else the user will break down and will die. Yet, Blackbeard survived, ate two devil fruits, and obtained two of the most powerful abilities in the world.
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With no official explanation yet, fans of the series have speculated endlessly about how he accomplished this. Could it be due to Blackbeard’s unique body structure, the power of his devil fruit, an unknown secret method, since Blackbeard knows a lot about devil fruits, or maybe he has multiple souls and hearts due to his unknown lineage? These questions remain unanswered, but answers will come as the series unfolds.
