Distinct in their structures and ideologies, the royal families of One Piece stand out. Although the Straw Hat Crew embraces their pirate identity, they have formed strong alliances with several of these families and often collaborate with princesses.
Among them, Shirahoshi emerges as the most formidable princess, despite never officially joining the crew as Nefertari Vivi once did. Her family, particularly the Neptune Family, plays a crucial role as allies committed to the welfare of their people, striving for equality among fish-men and other underwater species.
They face challenges posed by the corrupt Celestial Dragons, yet the Neptune Family prioritizes the well-being of their community above all else.
Shirahoshi’s strength shines as a formidable ally of the Straw Hat Crew (Photo: Straw Hat Crew/Toei Animation)Various influential figures have championed the cause of freedom for fish-men, each with distinct visions for achieving it. The most famous among them is Fisher Tiger, a former slave who transformed into a pirate and dedicated his life to liberating others from bondage, regardless of their species.
He founded the Sun Pirates, welcoming many lost fish-men who needed assistance. His legacy persists through figures like Jinbe, Arlong, Hody Jones, and Koala the Revolutionary.
While their beliefs diverge, Fisher Tiger’s influence remains profound within the royal family of Fish-Man Island, and each individual upholding his legacy has a unique relationship with the family.
King Neptune: A Larger-Than-Life Presence
Towering over his subjects as a giant coelacanth merman, King Neptune embodies a vibrant personality that matches his stature. Although he is known for his impulsive decision-making, such as ordering the arrest of the Straw Hats, his motivations stem from a desire to protect his people.
Neptune’s unconventional yet innovative thinking has helped him better understand the crew, at the end leading him to become their ally and trust them with the safety of his island, aided by Jinbe’s membership in their ranks.
Otohime’s Vision for Peace
Historically, the acceptance of fish-men on the surface is a recent achievement, as they have faced oppression and exploitation for slave labor. The Celestial Dragons have long denied their humanity.
Otohime, a goldfish mermaid, dedicated her life to advocating for her people’s right to experience the sun above. She tirelessly promoted the idea of peaceful coexistence and collaboration with humans. While her ideals often clashed with those of Fisher Tiger, they shared mutual respect.
Her vision finally influenced individuals like Donquixote Mjosgard, swaying him toward the belief in equality between species. Otohime’s efforts culminated in securing the first representation for Fish-Man Island at Reverie.
The Legacy of Tragedy: Otohime’s End
However, the momentum toward acceptance faltered after Fisher Tiger’s passing, as many of his former crew members succumbed to heightened anger against humans.
Arlong exacerbated this resentment among younger fish-men, while Hody Jones took drastic measures, murdering Otohime and framing a human for the crime.
Despite Hody’s actions, Otohime’s call for peace persisted, leaving her children and Jinbe to carry forward her message and protect Shirahoshi. Otohime’s ideals live on through her offspring, who are determined to uphold her legacy.
Fukaboshi: A Determined Leader
Fukaboshi, the shark merman and presumed heir to Fish-Man Island, consistently demonstrates unwavering dedication to his people. He has made promises, such as vowing to fulfill his mother’s wishes at her funeral and taking on the responsibility of conveying Jinbe’s message to Monkey D. Luffy.
Known for his serious demeanor, Fukaboshi embraces the weight of leadership, committing himself to become a warrior for both Shirahoshi and Fish-Man Island. His protective instincts toward his sister are fierce, though he strives to consider all perspectives before reaching conclusions.
Ryuboshi: The Joyful Prince
While Ryuboshi may not receive as much attention as his older brother, he remains actively engaged in family events throughout the Fish-Man Island arc and Reverie.
Similar to Fukaboshi, he is deeply protective of Shirahoshi, a promise made by their mother that he takes to heart. As an oarfish merman, Ryuboshi is known for his playful nature, often expressing himself through song and dance.
He and Manboshi would sing and dance to soothe Shirahoshi during her childhood, a tradition that continued after Otohime’s death. Ryuboshi combines his joyous spirit with a readiness to fight when necessary for the sake of Fish-Man Island.
Manboshi: The Lively Youngest Prince
Manboshi, the youngest prince, shares similarities with Ryuboshi but exhibits even more exuberance. He readily bursts into dance, regardless of the situation. As an opah merman, he also enjoys singing, albeit not in scales like his brother.
Otohime’s dream of peaceful coexistence leaves a lasting impact on her people (Photo: Otohime/Toei Animation)Like his siblings, Manboshi knows when to adopt a serious demeanor, having fought alongside them against the New Fish-Man Pirates. His spirited nature sometimes leads to reminders to maintain decorum, especially during tense moments like when Shirahoshi faced harassment from a Celestial Dragon during Reverie.
Shirahoshi: The Key to an Ancient Power
Similar to her father, Shirahoshi is a giant mermaid, though she is classified as a smelt-whiting. Much of her life has been spent isolated in a tower to shield her from Vander Decken IX.
Longing for freedom and the chance to see the world her mother envisioned, Shirahoshi yearns to promote her mother’s dream, just as her brothers do. Despite her fragile demeanor, stemming from her isolation and the overprotectiveness of her family, she displays bravery and a thirst for knowledge.
The Neptune Family: Guardians of Secrets
The Neptune Family’s connections trace back to the Void Century, granting them knowledge of world secrets that surpasses that of most others. They also had an encounter with Gol D. Roger during his quest for the last island.
These relationships place them in a precarious position regarding the World Government, which has little incentive to grant equality to their people. Additionally, Shirahoshi’s status as Poseidon presents even greater dangers.
Regardless of the risks, the Neptune Family has remained steadfast in their advocacy for their community, willing to forge alliances with pirates if it serves the best interests of Fish-Man Island. There are more to come.