Summary
After watching Koby’s Powerup in One Piece episode 1122, fans are in doubt, Whether Luffy and Koby Are still Friends. Their opposite professions make them each other’s biggest rivals. So in the case where Marine Captain Koby is on duty to catch the most wanted pirate Monkey D Luffy, their true innocent friendship lies.
Honestly, if you talk about Luffy, nothing matters to him except friendship. Even the first time he didn’t think again that the person whom he saved and gave the chance to let him fulfil his dream actually is going to be the biggest rival in the future. And after that whenever he met Koby he just called him his friend. So now on Kobby’s end, what may be the possible reasons to keep alive this friendship let’s try to analyze.
Are Luffy And Koby Still Friends?
In the first scene of the first episode of One Piece, Luffy rescues a timid boy Koby and helps him go towards his life’s biggest dream to become a Marine. That was the very first time Luffy made a friend. From Koby’s point of view, I think Luffy is more than his friend for him. He respects Luffy and wants to listen to his praise from Luffy’s mouth as he considers him his ideal. So these 10 major possible reasons may always keep alive this very innocent and true friendship between two teenage boys.
1-A Bond Beyond Professions
When the friendship bond between Luffy and Koby was developed, they both knew that their dreams were opposite to each other. But the foundation of their relationship was not what they become in the future but it was that they both had dreams. So despite being pirates and Marines, Luffy and Koby’s friendship transcends their roles. Even when Koby met again Luffy in Water Seven he was happy to show Luffy his power and on the other hand Luffy advised Koby to be more strong as a true friend.
2-Luffy’s Influence on Koby’s Dreams
At the start of One Piece, we see Koby as a timid and scared boy. Luffy was the first person in Koby’s Life who encouraged him to pursue his dream and taught him the importance of chasing his ambitions without fear. This deeply impacted Koby, making Luffy not just a friend but a mentor in spirit, someone Koby can’t turn against because he is his very reason for dreaming. After the Vega punk’s message although Koby said to catch Luffy he deeply just let him go I think just like Fujitora and Captain Smoker.
3-Shared Moral Compass: Justice Over Duty
As we know Luffy always fights for justice no matter who is in front of him and if we see Koby then he is also just like Luffy who is against injustice. We have seen in 1122 how he sacrificed himself in front of Blackbird when he heard that the high authority would not do anything to save the Marine soldiers. Koby’s sacrifice for justice shows that in some manner he is not different from Luffy so it doesn’t matter if he is a Marine Captain. So Luffy and Koby are still friends as they both have the same spirit to prevail justice.
4-Garp and Gol D. Roger: A Historic Parallell
Koby and Luffy’s friendship may also be a repetition of history just like the relationship between Garp and Roger. Garp was a Marine and Roger was a pirate king but they respected each other despite their opposing sides. I think this way Oda may repeat history, showing how mutual respect and admiration can lead to unexpected friendships across enemy lines. And in the future, they both may set new benchmarks of friendship despite being rivals.
5-Koby’s Kindness is the same of Luffy
We all know about Luffy’s kindness and at what level he can risk his life to save innocent people and his friends and family as well. The same quality we have seen in Koby when he risks his life for a common woman in episode 1122. Koby again and again regretted that it was his fault that he is unable to protect the people. Koby’s kind-hearted feelings somehow showcase how parellay he is going with his mentor Luffy in terms of caring the innocent people. So these similar good qualities are signs that Luffy and Koby are still friends.
6-Challenging Each Other to Grow
As Luffy and Koby continue to cross paths, they always push each other to grow stronger. Koby’s hard training with Garp was somehow influenced by his desire to one day stand alongside, or even against, Luffy. But in every situation, Their friendship has the spirit of healthy rivalry. So we can hope Luffy and Koby are still friends and encourage the personal growth of each other.
7-Luffy’s Pure View of Friendship
We all know Luffy that he doesn’t discriminate when it comes to friends, whether they’re pirates or Marines. From Koby to Bonnchan he made friends everywhere he got the chance. His pure-hearted approach means he will always see Koby as a friend, no matter Koby’s position in the Marines. So it is hard to believe that Koby can see him as just a “wanted criminal” but easy to assume that Luffy and Koby are still friends.
8-Both Are Inspired by Role Models Who Coexisted Across Lines
Both Koby and Luffy have role models (Garp for Koby and Shanks for Luffy) who showed them the possibility of crossing societal boundaries. The same thing their mentor taught is to sacrifice for the new generation and they both did so for their beloved disciples. In the second episode of One Piece Shanks sacrificed his arm for Luffy then in 1122 we saw how Garp sacrificed himself for Koby. This influence has made them open-minded, allowing them to see each other as individuals rather than as just pirates and Marines. So we can assume as individuals Luffy and Koby are still friends.
9-The Power of Their First Meeting
Luffy and Koby’s initial meeting laid the foundation for their friendship. It was a pivotal moment in both their lives. I don’t think it is easy to forget this shared memory of Luffy’s rescue that has kept their friendship strong. Rather they each remember where they began and what Luffy’s influence has meant for Koby. So if neither Luffy nor Koby forget their first meeting then it is a very strong reason to say that Luffy and Koby are still friends.
10-The Spirit of Freedom vs. Order
While Luffy embodies freedom, Koby represents order. However, both see value in the other’s ideals. Their friendship is an ongoing balance between freedom and discipline, each respecting what the other stands for without letting it get in the way of their bond. But in the end, I think Koby can join Luffy or let him do what he wants to do as he will also know the dark side of the World Government.
Final Thoughts
Well in the final saga, it will be more interesting to confront each other after Koby’s powerup. Let’s see how exactly Oda Sensai has planned the next meeting of Luffy and Koby. But one thing is for sure Luffy is going to be very excited after seeing so much Koby’s strengthened transformation as he always motivated him for this.
It is a very amazing theory
Thanks parth