In a recent tweet, an X user compared the dynamic of One Piece’s Koby and Monkey D. Garp to My Hero Academia’s Deku and All Might. This caused fans to barrage a ton of criticism towards the actions of Garp in certain events of One Piece which make him an unfit comparison to All Might, who has consistently cared for all of the students in My Hero Academia.
Many fans still blame Garp for the events of Marineford and his much more passive role in the overall plot of One Piece. Meanwhile, All Might’s influence is vast in My Hero Academia.
The subsequent roles that Garp and All Might play are completely different, considering the worlds of the anime they are in are also incredibly distinct. It’s important to think critically about Garp’s role in One Piece. His dynamic with Koby is very close to how All Might and Deku started, with the men being legendary figures in their field recognizing and mentoring the powerless boys who had undying determination. But Garp’s duties are more complicated than All Might’s and it led to severe complications in his relationships with his grandsons.
The Roles All Might and Garp Play in Their Universes
Fans were mixed about implying there’s a connection between Garp and All Might’s dynamics. However, many still don’t forgive Garp for his actions at Marineford.
Some people even began to slam Deku in the process or proceeded to say that All Might would’ve saved his grandson, unlike Garp.
All Might is the figure of peace and justice in My Hero Academia. In the eyes of both heroes and citizens, he can do no wrong. He has to keep up appearances at all times, as proven by how he pushes himself to keep his muscle form in front of everyone, despite being too sick to do so. He keeps it a secret from everyone else and still shows up to defend the vulnerable when they need it. He’s expected to help wherever he goes. That is his duty.
Monkey D. Garp is the “Hero of The Marines” and has to uphold his sworn duties to the World Government. He’s become too deep into the Marines to go back now and truly believes this was the path even his grandsons, Monkey D. Luffy and Portgas D. Ace, should’ve taken. Nobody is a true hero or true villain in One Piece.
When Ace was being executed, Garp was unable to do anything as he had to be on the side of the Marines. Even when he finally broke and tried to hurt Akainu, Sengoku held him back by force. So, even though he couldn’t save Ace, his saving Koby was in character for Garp as the young boy is on the same side as him. However, many theorize if Ace asked for help, Garp would’ve dropped everything to save him.
Garp’s Flaws Are Not Why He Cannot Be Compared to All Might
It’s unfair to compare Garp to All Might as the expectations embedded in him depend from person to person. Marines would rely on him whereas pirates are his enemies. His grandsons chose a path that would undeniably pit him against them and thus, he cannot do anything.
This is his version of justice. In the world Eiichiro Oda has built, the definition of justice changes from person to person. It’s not black and white, unlike in My Hero Academia, where heroes are very distinct from villains and there’s almost no room for interpretation.
One Piece and My Hero Academia are available on Crunchyroll.