Mystery Character From One Piece: Smoker - A Tough Yet Talented Marine

Welcome to One Piece! A world of high seas, mythical treasures, and formidable pirates! This beloved manga and anime series, created by Eiichiro Oda, has captivated fans across the globe with its thrilling adventures and enigmatic characters. And now, Japan Figure is about to take you on a journey to uncover the mystery surrounding one of its most intriguing figures: One Piece Smoker - the formidable yet skilled Marine!

1. About One Piece Smoker

In the One Piece series, the Marines serve as guardians of justice, striving to maintain law and order across the seas. And if you’re wondering “Who is Smoker in One Piece?”, then Smoker is one of them.

1.1. Appearance

One Piece Smoker is a man with a strong build, standing at a height of 209 cm (6'10"). He has white hair and brown eyes, and is always seen smoking two cigars at once, which is a distinctive trait of his.  He also has a scar that extends from his forehead to his right eye and tapers off to the side of his face (after the timeskip).

One Piece Smoker's distinct trait is that he smokes two cigars at once

One Piece Smoker wears a thick white and blue marine jacket with greenish fur lining the neck, wrists, and hem. On the back of the jacket, the kanji for "justice" (正義) is written. About his weapon, he carries a jitte with a Seastone tip, although it has been broken twice: once during the Summit War of Marineford by Boa Hancock, and once on Punk Hazard by Vergo. Additionally, he wears brown leather gloves, blue jeans with a brown belt, and large military-issue brown leather boots.

Overall appearance and weapons of One Piece Smoker

You can find One Piece Smoker figure at Figuarts Zero One Piece Smoker Action Figure Bandai Tamashii Nations

1.2. Personality Traits

One Piece Smoker is a seasoned Marine soldier, but he's also famous within his organization for his obstinate behavior and rebellious attitude towards his higher-ranking officers. This is due to his disagreement with their methods of maintaining peace and justice, particularly when they involve concealing the truth or failing to acknowledge those who deserve recognition. Even when offered awards that could enhance his reputation, One Piece Smoker vehemently opposes them, especially if he feels like he has not earned such accolades. However, he does have an interest in climbing to higher ranks to widen his authority and ability to act independently.

One Piece Smoker is actually very kind, as he comforted a little girl after she bumped into him

While Smoker may come across as stern and earnest, he possesses a deep dedication to safeguarding the lives of innocent civilians and his subordinates from harm. One Piece Smoker treats his colleagues and underlings with equal respect and never exploits his authority for personal gain.

Unlike many other marines in the One Piece series, Smoker does not adhere strictly to the doctrine of Absolute Justice. Instead, he follows his own personal code of justice, which he later imparts to his subordinate Tashigi.

Smoker and his subordinate - Tashigi

This flexible perception of justice enables One Piece Smoker to assess individuals as potential allies or adversaries based on the specific circumstances and his observations of their actions. The Straw Hat Pirates serve as a prime example of this, as Smoker often finds common ground with them against a greater enemy, allowing them to go free or even joining forces with them to protect innocent lives. However, as a Marine, One Piece Smoker constantly reminds the Straw Hats that he is duty-bound to apprehend them at any other time.

1.3. Initial Appearance in the Series

One Piece Smoker was first introduced in Chapter 98 and Episode 49 of the anime. His initial appearance occurs in Loguetown during the Loguetown Arc, and One Piece Smoker's age is 34 at that time. 

Loguetown is a place known for its connections to pirates. Some pirates realize their dreams here, while others get caught by the Navy. One Piece Smoker arrives in Loguetown with a reputation as a fearsome Marine Captain who wields the power of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit (or Moku Moku no Mi).

One Piece Smoker's initial encounter with the series' protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, sets the stage for their recurring clashes and complex relationship. This happens when Luffy is about to be executed in Loguetown, and Smoker steps in to capture him.

One Piece Smoker's age was 34 when he made his first appearance in the manga

One of the defining characteristics of One Piece Smoker in his early appearance is his unwavering sense of justice. He's determined to capture pirates and maintain order in the seas, and he pursues Luffy relentlessly. And due to his actions of wanting to capture Luffy, One Piece Smoker is considered a primary antagonist of the Loguetown Arc. However, he earns respect from both the audience and the Straw Hat Pirates. This is because, despite being a Marine, Smoker's sense of right and wrong isn't limited to blindly following orders; he genuinely cares about protecting innocent people.

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2. One Piece Smoker's Abilities and Powers

Characters in the One Piece series possess extraordinary abilities through the consumption of Devil Fruits, and Captain Smoker is no exception. Let's delve into Smoker's unique abilities and how they make him a formidable figure in the series!

2.1. The Smoke-Smoke Fruit

One Piece Smoker's defining power comes from the Smoke-Smoke Fruit, known as the Moku Moku no Mi in Japanese, a Logia-type Devil Fruit. This fruit grants him the ability to control, create, and transform into smoke at will. This remarkable power makes him nearly invulnerable to conventional attacks. When attacked, he can simply disperse into smoke, rendering the blows ineffective.

The Smoke-Smoke Fruit

Here's a closer look at his unique powers:

• Smoke Manipulation: One Piece Smoker can produce and control thick, billowing smoke at will. He can shape this smoke into various forms, using it for offense, defense, or strategic purposes. This ability allows him to become intangible, rendering physical attacks ineffective against him.
• Smoke Solidification: Smoker can solidify his smoke into tangible objects, such as ropes or weapons. This versatility allows him to engage in both long-range and close-quarters combat with ease.
• Smoke Flight: By transforming into smoke, One Piece Smoker can float and move through the air effortlessly. This aerial mobility grants him a significant advantage during pursuits and battles.

2.2. Haki Mastery

As a Marine Captain, Smoker possesses Haki, a mysterious power that grants him heightened senses and the ability to inflict damage on Devil Fruit users. While he initially struggled to master Haki, he eventually became proficient, making him an even more formidable opponent.

2.3. Jitte Mastery

Aside from his Devil Fruit abilities, Smoker is an expert in using jitte, a truncheon-like weapon with a hook. He wields it with great skill, making him a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. His proficiency with the jitte allows him to capture and immobilize opponents efficiently.

One Piece Smoker’s Jitte

2.4. Weaknesses

Despite his impressive abilities, Smoker has weaknesses. His powers can be neutralized by Sea-Prism Stone, a material that nullifies Devil Fruit abilities. Additionally, he's not invincible, and determined adversaries can find ways to outsmart him.

3. Relationships and Rivalries in Smoker's Life

One Piece Smoker, like every other character in the series, has had his life intertwined with friendships, rivalries, and alliances. Following are some notable relationships and rivalries that have shaped Smoker's journey in this series.

3.1. Tashigi - Smoker’s subordinate

One of the most notable relationships in Smoker's life is his mentorship of Tashigi, a young and dedicated Marine officer. Tashigi serves under Smoker's command and idolizes him for his strength and principles. Smoker, in turn, sees Tashigi as a promising Marine with a bright future. However, he can be harsh with her when she makes mistakes, although he trusts her judgment and puts her in charge of his other subordinates when he is absent.

Smoker has acted as Tashigi's superior and mentor

3.2. Hina - A close friend

One Piece Smoker has close ties with Hina from their training days. Hina has defended Smoker in situations where he could have been fired. Hina calls Smoker "Smoker-kun", and Smoker addresses Hina by her name alone. Hina appears accustomed to Smoker's persistent nature, engaging in casual and somewhat bitter arguments with him. She is also aware of One Piece Smoker's more gentle side, and he just simply told her to "mind her own business".

Hina seems used to Smoker's obstinate attitude

3.3. Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy, as a notorious pirate, is a natural adversary for Smoker. Their encounters are characterized by intense clashes of ideologies and a series of memorable battles. One Piece Smoker has a strong desire to arrest Luffy and considers him a potential danger. Luffy used to be afraid of Smoker because he couldn't counter his abilities, but after learning Haki, he no longer fears him, and want to have a rematch with Smoke. However, despite their conflicts, Luffy does not hate Smoker and even likes him. He ordered Zoro to save Smoker during the Arabasta Arc because he didn't want him to drown.

Luffy and Smoker are having a fight with each other

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Despite their rivalry, Smoker and Luffy end up assisting each other during the Arabasta Arc and form a temporary alliance in the Punk Hazard Arc. However, these alliances are short-lived and only serve the purpose of defeating their shared enemies. As is typical between pirates and Marines, they revert back to being enemies once their common foe is vanquished in each of these story arcs.

3.4. Seven Warlords of the Sea

Smoker hates the Seven Warlords of the Sea and considers them as nothing more than pirates. He has interfered with their affairs and attacked those they care about. By informing Admiral Fujitora about the Arabasta incident, he played a part in the downfall of the Warlord system. As a result, Smoker is once more enemies with the remaining former members of the disbanded Warlord system.

4. Speculations and Mysteries Surrounding One Piece Smoker

4.1. The Origin of His Name

One of the lesser-known mysteries surrounding Smoker is the origin of his unique name. While many characters in One Piece have names that reflect their abilities or personalities, the meaning behind "Smoker" remains uncertain. Some fans speculate that it could be tied to his Devil Fruit power or his chain-smoking habit, but this mystery adds an element of intrigue to his character.

4.2. Unrevealed Backstory

Smoker's backstory is a subject of much speculation among fans. Despite being a prominent character in the series, little is known about his past, upbringing, or the events that led him to become a Marine. Some fans have theorized that his strong sense of justice may be rooted in a personal experience, making his backstory a potential goldmine of revelations in future One Piece chapters.

One Piece Smoker’s past or upbringing still a mystery

4.3. The Nature of His Devil Fruit

Smoker's unique abilities, granted by the Smoke-Smoke Fruit (Moku Moku no Mi), raise questions about the full extent of his powers. While he can transform into smoke and control it to a certain degree, the limitations of this Devil Fruit remain uncertain. Speculations abound regarding whether Smoker has unlocked all the potential abilities of his fruit or if there are hidden facets yet to be revealed.

4.4. Future Role and Alliances

As the One Piece narrative unfolds, fans wonder about Smoker's future role and potential alliances. Will he continue to pursue Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates, or will he align with them for a greater cause? This keeps fans eagerly anticipating his next appearance and the impact it may have on the story.

4.5. Is Smoker a good guy?  

Smoker is a character who frequently appears as an antagonist in the One Piece series, but Smoker is more of an anti-hero than an outright villain. He possesses a sense of nobility, but lacks some of the qualities typically associated with true heroes, and his actions are not particularly villainous.

Smoker is more of an anti-hero than an antagonist

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Taken as a whole, as a Marine officer, One Piece Smoker embodies the pursuit of justice, unwavering in his mission to capture pirates and maintain law and order on the high seas. However, what makes Smoker truly intriguing is his multifaceted nature. He's not a simple "good guy" or "bad guy," but a character shaped by his own moral code and evolving relationships with other characters, especially the Straw Hat Pirates. And this keeps us eagerly following his journey throughout the series. For more posts about One Piece characters or One Piece Smoker figures, don’t hesitate to drop by Japan Figure!