Pappag

Pappug is a starfish that is Keimi's pet and teacher. He is the creator of the Criminal fashion line and is mentoring Keimi to be a fashion designer.

Appearance
He is an orange starfish that appears to be stitched along his outline. His face is in the middle of his body and he wears a hat similar to a tam hat or rastacap.

He is depicted in the game Ocean's Dream! - Oceans of Dreams with the wrong color scheme on his hat.

After the two-year timeskip, Pappug wears sunglasses with the Criminal brand logo on the rims and has a small bow tie.

Personality
Although he is a Starfish, he can speak in human language quite well. This is due to the fact that when he was young, he thought he was human and by the time he realized he wasn't, he had already learned to speak like a human. It is also shown that Pappug can play a guitar and sing quite well.

A running gag is that Pappug is sometimes ignored when he tries to explain some things, which leads him to be depressed temporarily. He is also appalled at the Straw Hats' casual way of addressing King Neptune. Pappug also lied about being friends with Princess Shirahoshi.

Abilities and Powers
Pappug is the creator, own and proprietor of his own fashion brand and has complete control over his inventory stock, and can even grant someone a discount of simply give away an entire clothing store's supply at his say (though in this latter case he did so by accident when Nami took full advantage of his kind offer to give her free clothes to practically steal all of his store's inventory.) His brand is quite popular and well known, as some citizens of Fishman Islanders suspected King Neptune's invitation to the Straw Hat Pirate's was do to them being acquainted with Pappug.

Despite Starfish usually lacking a voice box, Pappug appears to have found some way to convey his voice as he possesses the ability to speak the human language quite fluently, and even sing. This ability is referred to as modulating in which the larynx is used to control the pitch and volume of the voice to create certain complex words, sounds and noises to create speech, and in the real world most species of animals have a unique larynx (if at all) which they use for their own sounds, noises and languages and they are not always compatible with each other. Pappug, however, is still able to modulate to the human language, an ability usually unique to humans and a fair amount of bird species.

Though

Hatchan's Sea Floor Stroll


Pappug is first introduced after a sea boar spit out him and a mermaid named Keimi. Pappug and Keimi soon befriended Hatchan, but Hatchan later traded Keimi and Pappug to the Macro Fishman Pirates for a map. Pappug then has another encounter with Hatchan, who felt betrayed by the Macro Pirates. Pappug is saddened and wants Keimi back. Hatchan then rescues Keimi and then Keimi and Pappug help Hatchan set up a takoyaki stand.

Sabaody Archipelago Arc
While traveling across the ocean, Pappug and Keimi got lost from Hatchan and once again became victims of a large sea king as they were swallowed up whole for the twentieth time. Fortunately, they were once again saved from being digested. This time however it was by Luffy, who had sailed to the second Red Line intersection of the Grand Line and now planned on going to Fishman Island along with his crew. Spat out from the sea king's belly when Luffy struck the beast, Pappug was flung from the creature's mouth and onto the Thousand Sunny. Pappug then reprimanded Keimi for selling takoyaki in thanks for saving them instead of just simply giving it to her saviors.

After Keimi learned that Hatchan was being help captive by the Flying Fish Riders, Pappug and the others then ventured to the Flying Fish Riders' base.

Upon arriving there, Pappug and the others found the base completely deserted. The only person about was Hatchan who was locked up in a suspended caged placed directly in the middle of the base. Though it seemed like it would be an easy task to save Hatchan due to the circumstances, there were some problems. The whole setup smelled like a trap, a thought that shocked both Pappug and Keimi since they did not think about it until they were told, and her allies apparently did not want to save Hatchan upon learning who he was.

When the Straw Hats realized that the person they were saving is Hatchan from the Arlong Pirates and decided not to save him, Pappug scolded them for not caring. Feeling abandoned, Pappug and Keimi decided to free Hatchan by themselves and unfortunately dove once again into the clutches of Macro and his crew. Their hopes however weren't all lost as then the Straw Hats decided to save them and Hatchan, regardless of past experiences. With Luffy's help, Pappug and Keimi were rescued from Macro and placed onto the dock of the Flying Fish Riders' base.



With the Straw Hats' help, Pappug and Keimi were soon reunited with Hatchan. After Sanji rearranged Duval's face with a barrage of kicks, the battle was soon over and the whole incident was resolved. With Hatchan free, Pappug and Keimi decided to keep their part of the bargain with the Straw Hats. They rewarded the Straw Hats with a helping of the takoyaki that they promised.

After the promised meal and a little encounter with Duval who was thankful for his new face, Pappug, Keimi, and Hatchan led the Straw Hats to the Sabaody Archipelago. They explained that in order for the Straw Hats to get to Fishman Island, they would need to coat their ship with a special resin found in the archipelago. Upon arriving at the archipelago, Pappug, Keimi, and Hatchan joined the landing party of the Straw Hats in order to lead them to the mechanic who could coat the Thousand Sunny with the special resin. The group soon rented some bon chari, a mode of transportation on the archipelago, and toured some of the sites as they headed to their destination. While the group was generally having fun as they journeyed, they soon witnessed one of Sabaody's darker aspects. A slave named Dias attempted to escape from his World Noble masters but got heavily injured in the process.

As Pappug and the group continued on their journey to the mechanic, they eventually came into the more shady parts of the archipelago. There they came to a bar and met an old acquaintance of Hatchan, Shakuyaku. Through Shakky, Pappug and the others learned that the mechanic they were seeking, Rayleigh, was not in the bar but could be found somewhere else on the archipelago. Before they could go and search for him, they were also warned by Shakky that on the archipelago, there were a bunch of strong pirates roaming about that they should look out for. These nine pirates all had bounties higher than 100,000,000 and would be trouble if they should meet them. With new information about the mechanic's whereabouts and the warning, Pappug and the group set out to look for Rayleigh.



The first place that they decide to look is the Sabaody Park, a place they had heard from Shakky that the mechanic might be aside from the lawless zones. However, instead of looking for the mechanic thoroughly, Pappug and the group decided to enjoy the many attractions the park offered. However, in the middle of all the fun and excitement, Keimi is kidnapped by Peterman and his kidnapping gang, the Hound Pets, to be sold into slavery for the rest of her life.

While searching the Sabaody Archipelago for Keimi, Pappug blamed himself for not protecting Keimi properly. Luffy assured him that they will find Keimi. With the help of Duval, they located Keimi at an auction house in Grove 1. Pappug went into the auction house with Hatchan, Nami, Chopper, and Franky. They planned to buy Keimi in the auction in order to save her without causing an incident. However, before they could do anything to save her, a World Noble, Saint Charloss, immediately bid an immense amount of money on her. Keimi was sold off to him and Pappug started to panic. Just as she was sold off however, Luffy and Zoro came crashing in. A ruckus was then started by Luffy as he came forward to rescue Keimi. Suddenly in the middle of everything, Pappug saw in horror as Hatchan was shot by Charloss when he was revealed to be a fishman in the ruckus. Pappug immediately went to Hatchan's side.

Just as things looked bad, Pappug, as well as the rest of the people in auction house, suddenly saw Luffy punch Charloss in the face for what he did to Hatchan. As nearly everyone in the auction house started to panic at what Luffy did, Keimi's fish tank was sliced open by one of Zoro's techniques in the midst of the chaos. Though her prison was open thanks to Zoro, the collar on Keimi's neck however was still attached. As the chaos in the auction house continued, Shalulia, the sister of Charloss, decided to shoot Keimi in order to stop the Straw Hats. Fortunately however, before the World Noble could shoot Keimi, Shalulia was knocked out by a rush of spirit sent by Rayleigh. The coating mechanic had fortunately arrived on the scene alongside the giant who was also supposed to be sold in the auction. With him on the scene, Pappug, Keimi, and the others were saved temporarily as Rayleigh took out all the guards in the auction house who were trying to capture them.

With the coating mechanic on the scene, Rayleigh was able to remove Keimi's collar by hand without it exploding in her face. Pappug and the others escaped the auction house and went to Shakky's bar. Rayleigh and the Straw Hats said farewell to Pappug, Keimi, Hatchan and Shakky, as they leave the bar. As it had been at least a day since the Straw Hats were seen, Keimi got worried about their safety. However, Pappug, Hatchan, and Shakky reassured her that they would survive if they had the strength and the will.

Post War Arc
Pappug is later seen again on the Thousand Sunny with Keimi and Hatchan. While Keimi and Hatchan talked about the places on Fishman Island that the Straw Hats should visit, Pappug remembers his promise of introducing Brook to the Mermaid Princess.

Fishman Island Arc
After the two year timeskip, it can be noted that Pappug has become quite the famous designer of the Criminal brand of clothing wear and now lives in the high class Gyoverly Hills section of Fishman Island. Despite being Keimi's pet, he lives in a mansion while she lives in the lower class district, as she has stated she does not care for the high class district and enjoys living close to the rest of her mermaid friends. Even though they do not live with each other, Keimi and Pappug still keep contact with Keimi delivering clams to him every now and then.



After the Straw Hats' arrival at Fishman Island, Pappug first meets Brook. The two are at the Mermaid Cafe together when Keimi brings Luffy and Usopp there and Pappug is overjoyed to see them again. Pappug states that he was about to introduce Brook to his estate and invites Luffy, Usopp, and Keimi to come along. They then travel on a fish taxi.

While Luffy and Usopp are busy looking at the sites of Fishman Island, Pappug reveals to Brook that the Vander Decken from the legend died on Fishman Island and the one that the Straw Hats encountered was his descendant Vander Decken IX, a wanted criminal on Fishman Island. Pappug also mentions that Vander Decken has been harassing the Mermaid Princess by sending her threatening marriage proposals.

When Luffy is looking at the different fishmen and merfolk that roams Fishman Island, Pappug informs him that there are four different patterns of offspring from a fishman and a mermaid. The group soon comes across a candy factory with Big Mom's jolly roger on it. Pappug informs them that Big Mom is the new protector of Fishman Island. After passing the factory, they arrive at Pappug's house.

After Luffy, Usopp, and Brook learn that there is a Crimin clothing store on the first floor, Pappug states that he is the president and famous celeb designer of the "Criminal Brand Company" and plans to open shops all over the world. As soon as they enter the store, they find Nami making complaints about the high prices. Nami scolds Pappug and demands a discount. Pappug says that the Straw Hats can have whatever they want for free. After hearing this joyful news, they empty the store much to Pappug's dismay. They then hear a commotion outside the store and they find that King Neptune has arrived to meet them. Pappug and Keimi are shocked by his presence in the lower waters and are astonished when King Neptune invites the Straw Hats to his palace.

Pappug, Keimi, and the Straw Hats ride on Megalo while Neptune rides on Hoe. On their way to the castle, Pappug scolds Luffy and Nami for not giving Neptune the proper respect. Pappug thinks about the Mermaid Princess, and Brook asks him if he was right in remembering that Pappug was once best friends with the princess. Pappug gives him a long "ssshhh", and Brook realizes it was a lie. Upon arriving at the palace, everyone looked at in awe. Brook says that it made Pappug's mansion look like a flea, prompting the starfish to tell him not to compare them. After entering the castle, Luffy wanders off in search for food. Pappug wonders in horror what Luffy could be doing wandering around the sacred land.

After receiving word of the mysterious disappearances of the mermaids from Mermaid Cove and of Madame Shyarly's ominous prediction, the palace guards and personnel took action against the Straw Hats and locked up Zoro (who arrived at the palace earlier). Nami, Usopp, and Brook overwhelmed some of the guards in the ensuing battle. Pappug is surprised that Usopp has become more reliable.

Zoro busted himself out and joins the fight and eventually, the Straw Hats subdue and tie up the king, the ministers, and the royal guards. Pappug and Keimi stand on the sidelines quaking in fear after witnessing the trouble that the Straw Hats put themselves in. The three princes of the Neptune House return to the palace only to find it under the control of the Straw Hats. Since the princes are unable to enter, Fukaboshi speaks with Zoro through Den Den Mushi. As Zoro makes some demands, Pappug begs the pirates to tie up Keimi and him so they will not be labeled as accomplices. Pappug then listens to Fukaboshi as he reveals Jinbe's message.



After Jinbe's explanation about the past of Fishman Island, it was revealed that Pappug stayed behind with Zoro and the others in Ryugu Palace during Hody's attack. Pappug is the only one not to be captured. Brook tries to communicate with Pappug through his spirit form, but Pappug runs away in terror, fearing it was an evil spirit. Eventually, upon realizing this "spirit" was Brook, Pappug helps Zoro, Usopp, and Brook escape by locating and retrieving Zoro's swords, allowing Zoro to break the cage the three were trapped in.

Pappug and the group then meet Sanji at the palace entrance and head for Gyoncorde Plaza. When the Straw Hats are preparing to fight, Pappug is seen in the Soldier Dock with Nami, Usopp, and Chopper, telling them to leave since it is too crowded. Usopp tells Pappug that he does not care about the new weapons and tells him to get off instead. Pappug then says that he's afraid to go outside. After the Brachio Tank V comes out of the Thousand Sunny, he is seen in the cockpit with Nami and Usopp, asking why a shipwright would build weapons like this instead of ships.



After the battle for Fishman Island has ended, Pappug is seen standing on top of the Thousand Sunny. He is later seen attending the banquet at Ryugu Palace, dancing with the Medaka Mermaid Quintuplets. He later went with the Straw Hats to check on Shirahoshi. When the Minister of the Right wondered why one of the towers was cut in half, Pappug tried to tell him Zoro was the one behind it. Zoro slaps him and tells him to let the minister blame it on the thief.

After the celebration ends, Pappug is seen with Keimi and Hatchan bidding the Straw Hats farewell.

Trivia

 * Pappug says that he knows how to talk like a human because the Japanese word for human ("hito") and starfish ("hitode", literally "human hand") are almost identical, so he believed he was a human when he was younger.
 * Similarly to Gonbe, Pappug thought he once was another species.
 * Pappug is one of the two citizens on Fishman Island to be adressed with a French honorific prefix, as he is referred to as Monsieur Pappug, just as Shyarly is referred to as Madam Shyarly.

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