"Straw Hat Pirates" has been featured, meaning it was chosen as an article of interest.
Over the course of the manga, Oda was often asked certain questions about the Straw Hats via the SBS sections. These questions were often about subtle information such as what colors represent the Straw Hats and other similar topics. The following are Oda's answers to such questions.
In an SBS question, a fan asked what animals would they best resemble. When this question was first asked, the Straw Hats had 6 members. At a later SBS, Oda provided the other animals for the remaining crew members. Chapter 651's color spread depicts each Straw Hat as an animal post-timeskip as well. Some of the crew's animals are changed, but some stay the same.[13][14] Oblivious to it, Jinbe has his animal theme like other Seven Warlords of the Sea.
In relation to an SBS question about a shirt Nami wore with the number 3 on it, Oda showed the specific numbers that he uses to represent the Straw Hats. The majority of these numbers are different from the order Luffy's crew joined him. They are instead numbers representing the order of the Straw Hats as a whole. When this question was first asked, the Straw Hats only had 6 members. At a later SBS, Oda provided the other numbers for the remaining crew members.[14][16] Note that the title of the chapter where a member joins is the ordinal number one less than the personal number; for example Zoro joins in Chapter 6, The First. Recently, each Straw Hat was given another number by Zoro, which was determined by the order of who arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.[17] Jinbe's number was shown in the sixth databook.
In an SBS question, a fan asked if each of the Straw Hats have specific colors. Oda replied and revealed the specific colors for each member. When this question was first asked, the Straw Hats only had 6 members. At a later SBS, Oda provided the other colors for the remaining crew members.[14][20] In the 17th opening, all the Straw Hats wear clothes with color schemes appropriate of their color. In the One Piece's 20th anniversary color spread, the Straw Hat Pirates are drawn in Germa 66Raid Suit-like costumes under the name "Mugiwara 56", in their respective colors.
In an SBS question, a fan asked Oda that since Chopper had such an amazing blue nose that allows him to identify his fellow crewmates, what do they all smell like. When this question was first asked, the Straw Hats only had 6 members. At a later SBS, Oda provided the other smells for the remaining crew members. All but Chopper's smell were identified as Chopper cannot tell what he himself smells like.[14][20]
In an SBS question, a fan asked which type of island do each of the Straw Hats like among the different seasonal types of islands in the Grand Line. It was also asked which season of that island do the Straw Hats like. When this question was first asked, the Straw Hats only had 7 members. At a later SBS, Oda provided the other islands and seasons for the remaining crew members.[14][23]
Monkey D. Luffy: Summer but considers snow to be great; ultimately anywhere where there's meat
In an SBS question, a fan asked what each of the Straw Hats' favorite food were. Oda gave the following as a reply.[24] It was later shown in Chapter 850, and confirmed in Chapter 854 that Sanji has a strong habit of making those food preferences, even without noticing. When asked about the bento in SBS Volume 86, Oda confirmed it and added Brook's favorite food, curry.[25] Jinbe's favorite food was shown in the sixth databook.
In an SBS question, a fan asked if the Straw Hats were a family, what family member would each one be. When this question was first asked, Brook wasn't a member at the time. At a later SBS, Oda provided the answer to which family member would Brook be.[14][26]
In an SBS question, a fan asks what would a genderswapped Straw Hat pirate crew be like, looking at Emporio Ivankov's powers. Oda replies with drawings and quotes for each genderswapped Straw Hat, all except for Brook who is just a skeleton and is unable to show any visible change. Jinbe's genderswap was shown in a different SBS along with the other Seven Warlords of the Sea.[27][28]
[note: Except for Luffy (partly), Zoro Sanji, and Jinbe, they all say their own catchphrases, but modified to be extremely feminine/masculine.]
In an SBS question, a fan asked if the Straw Hats were real, what nationality would they be of. Based on their appearances, Oda gave the following as a reply:[29]
On the color Cover Page of Chapter 790, the Straw Hats are dressed up in the stereotypical national clothing of various countries, most being different from the SBS nationalities displayed above, with:[30]
In an SBS question, a fan asked Robin's voice actress, Yuriko Yamaguchi, what flower would suit each of the Straw Hats.[32] When Oda was asked about the Worst Generation, he gave different answers for Luffy and Zoro.[33]
Note-real world referance: In some countries they use the ABO naming system, which explains Crocus' blood type: X is equivalent to A; F is to B; S is to O; and XF is to AB.
Note-RH factors:Sanji's RH- factor was stated by Chopper in Chapter 609. Given that fact it would be logical for Usopp and Robin to have RH+ factor, since they were unable to donate blood. Luffy and Jinbe were stated to have an F blood type in Chapter 648, and since no RH factor was stated it is logical that Luffy is RH+. However, since none of that was confirmed, it is considered speculation.
Bathing
In an SBS question a fan asked Oda how often do the Straw Hats bathe. As a reply, Oda wrote:[35]
In an SBS question, a fan asked Oda the order in which the members of the Straw Hat Pirates joined the crew. Oda replied, also giving information about the sea in which each one of the Straw Hats was born in.[37] At a later SBS, Oda provided the information for Vivi.
In an SBS question, a fan asked Oda what each crew member's career of choice would be if they weren't pirates, and he provided a response to the question made by another fan, seeing as they were suitable enough.[40]
Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Robin, and Franky all have their own autographs, which they gave to Bartolomeo on his request. Usopp gave Chopper an autograph as his alter ego "Sogeking", that Chopper now hangs in the Thousand Sunny infirmary. The remaining Straw Hat Pirates' autographs were revealed in Volume 333.
Luffy's autograph says "Me".
Zoro's autograph says "Sword".
Nami's autograph says her name and shows her tattoo.
Usopp's autograph shows a drawing of his silhouette, and include a dedication which says his and the recipient's name.
Sogeking's autograph says his and the recipient's name.
Sanji's autograph says his name. The "J" is styled similar to his eyebrow, and the "I" is dotted with a kiss.
Chopper's autograph shows his calf print.
Robin's autograph shows a unique drawing, and says her name.
Franky's autograph has a dedication and his name under his signature star.
Brook's autograph, says his name and Epithet and have a drawing of his face over staff. The "O's" double as Brook's eyes, and the "K" double as a music note.
Luffy's autograph.
Zoro's autograph.
Nami's Autograph.
Usopp's autograph.
Sogeking's autograph, dedicated "To Chopper-kun from the great Sogeking".
Sanji's autograph.
Chopper's autograph.
Robin's autograph, with a drawing of a rooster.
Franky's autograph, dedicated "To my brother".
Brook's autograph.
Early One Piece
In One Piece Green: Secret Pieces an early concept of the crew was revealed. No changes in particular are seen in Luffy, Zoro, and Nami aside from a few small ones; such as Zoro carrying a bottle of sake on his waist and wearing a dark shirt rather than a white one, and Nami's skirt being a little wavy rather than having straight cuts.
Sanji was supposed to have a somewhat thicker goatee from the beginning.
Usopp was supposed to be a vice captain/sniper that resembled his father more.
Chopper was supposed to be more of a "realistic-looking reindeer".
Robin replaced a man that was supposed to be more of a plant lover than a history lover. His characteristic as a botanist is transfered to the post-time skip Usopp.
Franky replaced the original carpenter of shorter stature.
Brook also was supposed to have a Cavalier hat like Yorki, instead of his trademark afro.
However, it was later revealed in One Piece Magazine Vol.10 that version published in Green had been edited to erase a tenth figure. This was the helmsman of the crew, an earlier version Jinbe.
Early concept of the crew in One Piece Green.
The complete version in One Piece Magazine Vol.10.
Trivia
When Luffy first left his village he mentioned that he would be satisfied with a pirate crew of about 10 crew members.
The Straw Hats are the only known pirate crew where each current member has a bounty on their head.
In SBS Volume 51, Oda said that the Yojijukugo (a Japanese idiom spelled with four kanji) which would best represent the crew is "Unprecedented in history".
Members of the crew often have a chapter titled after their the order they joined Luffy.
Usopp and Franky shared a chapter title when rejoining the crew.
Vivi, Chopper, Robin, and Jinbe are exceptions to that pattern.
In the anime since the Post-War Arc, all Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Robin's olive skin were changed to light skin (in Robin's case to very light skin, similar to Nami's and Sanji's) to match them as they are colored in the manga.
Usopp, Sanji and Vivi are the only Straw Hats who have both of their parents named.
They all have a deceased mother (Banchina, Sora and Titi).
Usopp and Sanji both have an infamous father (Yasopp and Judge).
Zoro, Brook and Jinbe are the only Straw Hats not shown with any form of family or parental figure.
Two of the Straw Hats are former captains: Brook was the captain of the Rumbar Pirates, and Jinbe was the captain of the Sun Pirates. They were both the crews' second captains. The number ascends to three if Usopp's Usopp Pirates are counted as a real crew.
Robin has the highest starting bounty of 79,000,000, but it was assigned to her before joining the crew.
Sanji has the highest starting bounty as a member of the Straw Hat Pirates with 77,000,000.
Jinbe has the highest bounty when joining the Straw Hats with 438,000,000.
Additionally, the Thousand Sunny is revealed to have been finished at March 25th, meaning about a month has passed.
Cultural References
In the manga series Rurouni Kenshin, the Straw Hats' flag design was used on a bomb to start a vengeance hit on one of the main characters of the series. Before writing One Piece, Oda worked as an assistant to Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of Rurouni Kenshin.
In the sixth volume of Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series, the Straw Hats' jolly roger appears on a painting of a ship at a party.
In the final chapter of the Naruto manga series, the author, Kishimoto, includes the Straw Hats' Jolly Roger in the final scene as homage to One Piece. Conversely, Oda includes multiple references to Naruto on the cover of Chapter 766.
The crew was featured in Arashi's music video of "A-ra-shi: Reborn" where they were rescued by the crew from a deserted island, and party with them before both groups preformed the song.
The bomb from Rurouni Kenshin.
The Ship painting from Scott Pilgrim.
The Straw Hats' Jolly Roger in Naruto's final chapter.
The crew with the band Arashi.
References
↑One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 1Chapter 5 (p. 19) and Episode 3, Zoro agrees to become Luffy's crewmate.
↑One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 11Chapter 96 (p. 6) and Episode 45, Luffy's first bounty is put by Brannew in the wanted list.
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 20, fan question: What animals do the 6 Straw hats most resemble?
↑ 14.014.114.214.314.414.5SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 50, fan question: what are the personal info for the Straw Hats who weren't around when certain questions were asked about the group?
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 38, fan question: What type of island and season do each of the Straw Hats like?
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 45, fan question: If Luffy's favorite food is meat, what about everyone else on the crew?
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 86 (p. 98), A fan asks about the bento Sanji made for Pudding.
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 48, fan question: If the Straw Hats were a family, what family member would each one be?
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 56, fan question: Nice to meet you. I was thinking while looking at Iva-chan that I'd like to see genderswapped versions of the Straw Hats. You don't think you could draw them for me? Please do it.
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 76, fan question: If the members of the Shichibukai were genderswapped with the Horu Horu no Mi ability, what would happen?
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 56, fan question: If the Straw Hats were real, what nationality would they be from?
↑One Piece Manga — Vol. 79Chapter 790, Straw Hats dressed in various nationalities.
↑SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 59, fan question: What is inside Luffy’s head?
↑ 32.032.132.2SBSOne Piece Manga — Vol. 60, fan question: Which flower would suit each of the Straw Hats?