The best-selling manga in history is set in a fictional world, so it has no real locations; this route is entirely made of tributes. Its author Eiichirō Oda is from Kumamoto, and after the 2016 earthquakes the 'Kumamoto Revival Project' was born: ten bronze statues of the Straw Hat crew across the hardest-hit municipalities, each with a symbolic role in the recovery.
-
Luffy Statue — Kumamoto Prefectural Officethe captain
tribute
The first statue (installed on 30 November 2018), in front of the prefectural government. In the project's story, the Straw Hat crew lands in the "Land of Hi" (Kumamoto), sees the damage from the 2016 earthquake, and Luffy orders each of them to help the recovery with their own speciality; they promise to meet again here.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Chopper Statue — Kumamoto City Zoothe doctor
tribute
The ship's doctor (installed on 7 November 2020) came to the Kumamoto zoo and botanical garden, whose animal enclosures were damaged in the earthquake. He looks after the animals that had to be evacuated to zoos outside the prefecture and brings smiles to the children who visit.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Zoro Statue — Ōzu Central Parkthe swordsman
tribute
The swordsman (installed on 22 January 2022) stands in Ōzu's central park, a town with a strong kendo tradition whose dōjō, where children trained, was damaged in the earthquake. He trains with them in the plaza to build a town that will not give in to earthquakes.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Nami Statue — Moe no Sato (Nishihara)the navigator
tribute
The navigator (installed on 31 July 2021) came to Nishihara, where the earthquake damaged whole hamlets and rebuilding the community is the challenge. Recalling her own experience in Cocoyasi Village, she sends winds of encouragement to the windmills, the village's damaged symbol, and to all its communities.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Usopp Statue — Aso Stationthe sniper
tribute
The sniper (installed on 8 December 2019) stands in front of Aso Station. He came to the city whose vast grasslands, its residents' pride, were badly damaged, and helps regenerate them with his "green" power tools.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Sanji Statue — Mashikithe cook
tribute
The cook (installed on 7 December 2019) came to Mashiki, which suffered two earthquakes of intensity 7 and lost its school-lunch centre. Using local produce, he makes warm meals for the health and smiles of the town's children.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Robin Statue — Former Tokai Univ. Aso Campus (KIOKU)the archaeologist
tribute
The archaeologist (installed on 9 October 2021) stands at the former Aso campus of Tōkai University, now the core of the KIOKU earthquake museum, which passes on the damage and lessons of the quake. As a storyteller of history, she helps preserve its memory. The museum is open 9:00–17:00 and closed on Mondays.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Franky Statue — Takamori Stationthe shipwright
tribute
The shipwright (installed on 21 November 2020) came to Takamori, whose Minamiaso Railway, the way to get to hospital and school, was cut. Like his master Tom, who built the Sea Train, he swings his hammer at the terminal station for the reopening of the whole line, which came in July 2023.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Brook Statue — Mifunethe musician
tribute
The musician (installed on 8 November 2020) came to Mifune, where the earthquake damaged its music university and many homes. With songs of encouragement alongside the music students, and his jokes, he supports the residents' emotional recovery.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗
-
Jinbe Statue — Sumiyoshi Seaside Park (Uto)the helmsman
tribute
The helmsman (installed on 23 July 2022) came to Uto, where a new city hall is being built after the earthquake damage. With his back to the Ariake Sea, he watches over the residents and steers the recovery.
Source & evidence
Read the source ↗