In One Piece, there are many obscure and comedic characters that fans joke about, such as Condoriano, MocDonald, and others. These characters often become running memes within the community, adding a humorous layer to the sprawling world of pirates and adventure. But among these “joke characters,” there is one figure whose significance might be far greater than it first appears: the character who unknowingly started the Great Pirate Era.
While many fans believe Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, is the catalyst for the Great Pirate Era, there’s an obscure, unnamed individual who can be argued to have played the pivotal role in igniting the entire era.
The Moment that Changed Everything: The Question
Gol D. Roger’s execution is a key moment in One Piece lore, where his death was initially intended to mark the end of an era. But just before his execution, a random person from the crowd yells out a crucial question to Roger:
“Where did you hide all the treasure you found? You got it, didn’t you? The legendary treasure!”
This question, simple as it seems, sparks Roger’s famous response. He declares that he has hidden his treasure—the One Piece—somewhere and that any pirate who wants it can search for it. This declaration is the direct cause of the Great Pirate Era, as countless pirates set sail in search of the legendary treasure. It’s a single question, uttered by an anonymous individual, that ultimately sets off the world-changing events that lead to One Piece’s ongoing story.
The “Joke Character”: Ask D. Question
This mysterious person in the crowd, who unintentionally triggered the Great Pirate Era, has become a meme within the One Piece fandom. Fans, in jest, have dubbed this character “Ask D. Question” and included him in discussions about the D. Clan, the mysterious bloodline that runs through key figures in the One Piece universe, such as Luffy, Roger, and Blackbeard.
Despite his lack of an official name or much screen time, Ask D. Question has been adopted into the ranks of other famous meme characters like Buggy D. Clown and Condoriano. His role in the series is comedic, yet in a meta-sense, his question about the treasure is arguably the most important in the entire saga. Without that question, Roger might never have made his final declaration, and the Pirate Age may never have begun.
Why Was He Important?
You’d think that someone more famous or powerful would ask the question, right? Why didn’t a legendary pirate like Donquixote Doflamingo, or one of the other well-known characters, step up to ask the question? The answer likely lies in the thematic nature of the One Piece world.
Most legendary pirates, including figures like Doflamingo, were keeping a low profile during Roger’s execution, perhaps to avoid drawing attention or being linked to such a controversial event. If one of these figures had asked the question, it would have likely been less impactful or would have led to unwanted suspicion.
Moreover, the idea of a random person, someone not yet a pirate but with a deep curiosity, asking such an important question reflects One Piece’s themes of adventure, mystery, and the pursuit of dreams. It aligns with the story’s core idea that the world of piracy and treasure is accessible to anyone—whether they are a renowned pirate or an anonymous bystander.
Theories: Ask D. Question and the Voice of All Things
While most of the conversations about Ask D. Question are memes and jokes, some fans have come up with fascinating theories regarding his identity. One prominent theory is that Ask D. Question represents the Voice of All Things—a mysterious ability that certain characters in One Piece, like Roger and Luffy, possess.
The Voice of All Things allows its user to hear things others cannot, often giving them insight into the world’s mysteries, including the Poneglyphs, the Ancient Weapons, and the One Piece. In this theory, the question asked by the unnamed person might not have come from an ordinary individual at all, but rather, from a manifestation of the Voice of All Things. This would explain why the person who asked the question was not physically shown and why the question felt like it resonated so strongly across the entire world.
This theory adds another layer of intrigue to the concept of D.—the mysterious, seemingly special lineage in One Piece that is tied to destiny and the greatest events of the series. If Ask D. Question is a product of the Voice of All Things, it could be a clue that the true nature of the D. Clan is tied to the very fabric of the world and the Great Pirate Era itself.
The True Catalyst for the Pirate Era?
Though One Piece is full of complex characters and events, it’s intriguing to think that such a small moment—a question shouted by an anonymous crowd member—was the true trigger for the Great Pirate Era. While Gol D. Roger’s legacy and treasure are undeniably central to the story, without that pivotal question, it’s possible the Pirate King’s execution wouldn’t have had the same explosive impact on the world.
Perhaps this is why the character has become a beloved joke among One Piece fans: it’s a reminder of how even the most insignificant actions can have monumental consequences. It’s also a fun, absurd aspect of the series that highlights Oda’s ability to blend deep storytelling with lighthearted moments and fan-friendly humor.
Related Topics:
-
Saori Hayami to Voice Heroine in With You and the Rain Anime Adaptation
-
Lycoris Recoil Short Film Project Reveals Title, Key Visual, and Staff Details
