Monkey D. Luffy is the main hero in Eiichiro Oda's One Piece. He comes from a bloodline that has massively influenced both pirates and marines. The following article describes Luffy's full family tree, telling of blood relations and self-made family, an aspect majorly responsible for character development and progress in his journey.
The Blood Line of Monkey D.
The Monkey D. family is certainly one of the most influential and resourceful families that has made a big mark throughout the world of One Piece.
Monkey D. Garp: The Heroic Grandfather
Monkey D. Garp, Luffy's grandfather on his father's side, is a hero to the Marines, being a Vice Admiral. Legendary Garp got his accolades from his duels against the Pirate King Gol D. Roger and the defeat of Rocks Pirates with Roger. He is an interesting example of being a Marine and raising Luffy. There is some kind of complicated family dynamics going on here.
Monkey D. Dragon: Revolutionary Father
In contrast to Garp, Luffy's father is Monkey D. Dragon, who is the High General in the Revolutionary Army. Dragon is a revolutionary, and so, with that status, the background of Luffy becomes all the more complex. He is pitted against the World Government and thus against the ideals of his father.
Chosen Family and Sworn Brothers
Blood relations are not the only family Luffy has; sworn brothers and family by adoption complete the tally.
Portgas D. Ace: The Sworn Brother
First thought to be the blood brother of Luffy, Portgas D. Ace turned out to be his sworn brother. Having been raised together by Garp since young, he developed a strong brotherhood, even though actually Ace, son of Gol D. Roger and Portgas D. Rouge.
Sabo: The Third Sworn Brother
Finally, the triad is completed by the third sworn brother, Sabo. Having bonded just as well as one possibly could have done with anyone related by blood, Sabo and Luffy show that family in One Piece can extend to the people one chooses to surround themself with.
Dadan: The Mountain Bandits' Caretaker
Curly Dadan was a mountain bandit who had a significant role in the upbringing of Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. Since he is not a blood relative, Luffy considers Dadan to be actual family, which for Luffy means nurture is equally important as nature.
Will of the D.
Among the more integral parts of Luffy's family tree is the mysterious "Will of D." that several members of his lineage seem to carry.
Meaning of D. Initial
The 'D.' in Monkey D. Luffy's name is what connects him to so much more heritage within the One Piece world, one shared by the likes of other very influential characters such as Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Rouge, and Portgas D. Ace, indicating some deeper yet unexplained bond between these characters.
Impact of the Journey on Luffy
This influence of the D. family heritage thus immediately places Luffy in a very unique position, whereby he inherits not only his father's spirit of a revolutionary but also his grandfather's sense of justice while being on his way to become a pirate.
Dragon's Revolutionaries
Dragon's role as the leader of the Revolutionary Army expands the extended family of Luffy even more. Although Luffy himself does not get involved in the activities of the Revolutionary Army, the actions of his father affect the perception other characters have of Luffy.
Luffy's View of Family
The interesting thing about Luffy's view of family is that, although divergent, it is not an ordinary definition. If someone asked him about his family tree, Luffy would probably put Dragon under extended family but claim Sabo, Ace, Dadan, and Garp as family. This confirms that, in Luffy's view, family members are those people one chooses to have and not necessarily by blood.
Monkey D. Luffy's family tree is a tapestry between blood relations, sworn brothers, and chosen family members. From the heroic Marine grandfather Garp to the revolutionary father Dragon, and including sworn brothers Ace and Sabo, Luffy's family background is as colorful as it is influential. This extraordinary bloodline, along with the mystery of the Will of D., becomes a significant factor in molding Luffy's personality and his subsequent journeys to become the Pirate King. Knowing Luffy's family tree gives real meaning to his motivations, his relationships, and the greater scheme of One Piece.