Facebook
Reddit
Email
Discover the mysterious origins of Mihawk and Crocodile and who draws the intrigue of One Piece fans the most.
One Piece is filled with enigmatic characters whose pasts remain shrouded in mystery. The creator, Eiichiro Oda, sprinkles bits and pieces of information throughout the story, allowing fans to come up with a plethora of theories before the grand reveal. However, this is built over several years, with many characters’ origins left unexplained for a long time.
Mihawk and Crocodile are two such figures, with their pasts remaining largely unexplored. Despite having a significant role, One Piece has purposefully not delved into their characters yet. Since Oda is a master of a good backstory, giving even the most minor figures a complex past, it is highly unnatural that he missed their history. Rather, Mihawk and Crocodile’s puzzling nature has helped create a large following, with many believing they have a larger role in One Piece’s lore. So, whose origin intrigues One Piece fans the most?
Among the two, Mihawk’s origins are more fascinating to fans, considering his connection to the main cast and potential ties to the World Government. At the same time, Crocodile has theories of his own, which may seem outrageous but could drastically elevate his importance. Let us take a closer look at both.
Who Are Mihawk and Crocodile in One Piece?
Dracule Mihawk, also known as “Hawk Eyes,” is the strongest swordsman in the world and a former Warlord of the Sea. Wielding the Supreme Grade Blade Yoru, Mihawk is a serious man with a no-nonsense personality.
He exudes an aura of dominance during battle, renowned for his rivalry with Shanks until the latter loses his arm. Notably, Mihawk is the ceiling that Zoro aims to break through. During their confrontation in the Baratie Arc, Mihawk didn’t hesitate to show off his superiority with a small dagger. At the same time, he recognized his opponent’s spirit, giving him the grace of ending the battle with his main sword.
Unlike Mihawk, whose morality and motivations are largely unaddressed in One Piece, Crocodile is the first major obstacle faced by Luffy. As the leader of Baroque Works, “Sir Crocodile” took over Arabasta intending to gain ultimate power.
Wishing to build a utopia comparable to the World Government, Crocodile wanted to search for the Ancient Weapon Pluton, linked to the Nefertari Family. Unfortunately, Luffy’s interventions put a halt to his plans.
Following this, he ended up imprisoned in Impel Down. However, Crocodile escaped later in the series, going on to form the Cross Guild with Mihawk. The two formidable figures are rapidly gaining power as a part of this organization, though the face of the group is Buggy.
Mihawk’s Known Past in One Piece
Unlike most characters in One Piece, where we know at least a little about their past, Mihawk’s is almost entirely absent. The only thing we know is that Mihawk gained renown prior to Roger’s execution.
However, he had a severe hatred of the Marines due to suffering an unknown betrayal at their hands, hence gaining the moniker of “Marine Hunter.” This directly parallels Zoro’s nickname of “Pirate Hunter.”
In addition, Mihawk shared a close bond with Shanks, with the two constantly fighting each other. Unfortunately, when Shanks lost his arm protecting Luffy, Mihawk lost interest in fighting him. At the same time, they still stay in touch, indicating that Shanks is one of the few people Mihawk trusts.
Shanks’ own past in One Piece is one of the biggest mysteries in the series. Hence, theories about Mihawk’s past stem from the kinship he felt with the red-haired pirate.
Crocodile’s Known Past in One Piece
While Mihawk’s past remains almost completely unknown, One Piece has dropped information regarding Crocodile’s history in bits and pieces. This referred to the antagonist’s early ambition in the series, wishing to become the Pirate King after Roger’s execution.
Unfortunately, his dreams were shattered soon due to a devastating defeat against Whitebeard. Soon after this, Crocodile took another approach to gaining power, involving the use of Pluton. He set up Baroque Works, infiltrated Arabasta, and eventually took control of the nation.
His defeat against Luffy during the Arabasta Arc led many to believe that it was the last time they would see the villain. However, he has continued to remain relevant, returning in Impel Down and eventually leading the Cross Guild.
Crocodile’s continued presence in One Piece despite already being defeated has some fans believing there is significance in his past. This is proven by his relationship with Ivankov. One Piece has confirmed that this Revolutionary possesses information about Crocodile’s past that greatly annoys him. This has given rise to one of the most unbelievable theories in the series.
Popular Fan Theories Regarding Mihawk and Crocodile
The most popular theory about Mihawk alludes to his identity as a World Noble, potentially even being the son of the dangerous Imu. This theory is backed by the fact that Mihawk lives a grand lifestyle on Kuraigana Island and clearly has the aura of a luxurious man.
More importantly, his eyes are extremely similar to those of Imu, having the rare appearance of multiple concentric circles. Since Mihawk hates the ruling powers and has a bond with Shanks, who is the son of Saint Garling, this would be consistent with his character. It would help him become much more significant in the Final Saga, as opposed to his limited current role as Zoro’s rival.
In contrast to Mihawk’s more grounded theory, the most common discussion point about Crocodile’s past is that he used to be a woman. The heart of this theory lies in the mysterious connection between Crocodile and Ivankov. Ivankov’s powers lie in the ability to manipulate human hormones, changing the body of any recipient.
Crocodile’s nickname of “Sir Crocodile” seems to emphasize his gender too much, while Ivankov also teasingly called him “Croco-boy” in Impel Down. This hypothesis is taken to a whole other level since some fans also believe Crocodile to be Luffy’s mother.
The renowned “Croco-mom” theory follows the close relationship between Luffy and Crocodile as well as the protagonist’s unknown mother. While this started out as a joke, many fans have gone on to take it very seriously.
Why Mihawk’s Origins Intrigues One Piece Fans the Most
Crocodile’s past and the theories regarding his origins are undoubtedly fascinating in One Piece, but most fans are intrigued by Dracule Mihawk more. The main reason for this is that the narrative of the series has never brought proper attention to the swordsman despite his dynamic introduction in earlier arcs.
Fans believed that Mihawk, who is Zoro’s goal, would be a highlight in the series. However, apart from a few short appearances, we still know nothing about him. His ambition, ambiguous personality, and potential ties to the World Government only make us more excited to find out if he is going to be a hero or a hidden villain.
In addition to this, the theories about Crocodile’s past, though interesting, are far too absurd. While it would be an enjoyable twist, its relevance to the current One Piece storyline would be overshadowed by the unexplored Mihawk’s origins.
Conclusion
Between Mihawk and Crocodile, Mihawk’s origins intrigue One Piece fans the most. While Crocodile has an abundance of hints and fan theories surrounding his past, Mihawk remains a near-total enigma. Fans cannot wait to discover more regarding his connection to Shanks, hatred for the Marines, and role in the Final Saga.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!