The death of Portgas D. Ace in One Piece remains one of the most emotional and heartbreaking moments in anime history. The tragedy of Luffy’s older brother still haunts the fans of this series, but they are not the only ones who are grieving. Even the voices behind the characters were deeply affected by this tragic event, one of them being Mayumi Tanaka; the voice actress of Monkey D. Luffy.
A recent confession by Mayumi Tanaka has touched on a sentiment that many fans of One Piece share — Ace’s death wasn’t just a plot point; it was a moment that shaped Luffy’s character and impacted the emotional core of the entire story.
Mayumi Tanaka’s Candid Confession
Mayumi Tanaka, the renowned voice actress who voiced Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, revealed in a recent interview that she is still grieving Ace’s passing. During the candid discussion, Tanaka acknowledged how much Ace’s death affected her.
Tanaka also revealed that Yamato’s bond with Ace brought out a sense of jealousy in her, as Luffy himself never knew some of the things that Ace shared with Yamato.
Ace’s death established the emotional stakes of One Piece and signified more than just a plot twist. Alongside Luffy, fans grieved, and Tanaka obviously felt the same sorrow. Many claim that Luffy has never really moved on from the loss, and Tanaka’s thoughts demonstrate how deeply that moment still affects Luffy years later.
On the other hand, with the introduction of Yamato during the Wano arc, One Piece fans were given a new perspective on Ace’s character. One of the most significant aspects of Yamato’s backstory was her friendship with Ace, and it even struck Tanaka, as it made her feel a bit envious, that there was a side of Ace that Luffy never got to see.
Even We Can’t Move On From Ace’s Death
It’s not just Mayumi Tanaka who continues to feel the loss of Ace, One Piece fans have never truly moved on either. One Piece entered a darker, more emotionally complex phase with Ace’s death, being one of the first significant casualties in the series.
The Marineford War Arc, with its high stakes and emotional devastation, is still regarded as one of the most powerful arcs in anime history, and Ace’s sacrifice was the heart of this story. Tanaka’s confession mirrors the feelings of many One Piece fans who are still grappling with the idea that Ace, a character who seemed destined for greatness, was taken from the story so abruptly.
Still not recovered 🥲
— Zoro (@realzoro_o) October 22, 2024
i thought about this too and it made me sad < R.I.P Ace !!
— J A D E D (@JADEDHEART4LIFE) October 22, 2024
Ace is forever goated pic.twitter.com/KXtz48V2Q8
— 🔥NEOS🔥 (@Neos543) October 22, 2024
Best friendship ❤️🔥 ace and yamato ❤️🔥
— Luffy (@LuffytheJB) October 23, 2024
Wow, that just shows how much Tanaka is connected to Luffy’s journey! Ace’s story really hits hard.
— Gowtham (@Tvk_Gtm) October 22, 2024
Even in the most recent arcs of One Piece, Ace’s legacy still has an effect on the plot. His influence is felt in Luffy’s motivations and in the relationships that his death left behind. Characters like Sabo, Yamato, and even the Whitebeard Pirates continue to honor Ace’s memory, and his spirit seems to linger over Luffy’s journey to becoming the Pirate King.
Mayumi Tanaka’s statement that reflects how much Ace’s passing still affects her as Luffy’s voice and the fans who followed Luffy’s journey. Although Yamato’s special connection with Ace has given his character new depth, it also painfully reminds us of the relationship Luffy was never able to have with his brother.
One Piece is currently available to read and watch on Viz Media and Crunchyroll, respectively.
