Napoleon, often referred to as "Napoleon the Bicorne," is a strange yet powerful homie of Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, in the One Piece series. Being a homie, Napoleon is essentially an inanimate object revived in such a way that it has fragments of Big Mom's soul, giving it sentience and special abilities. Unlike the regular existence of other objects, Napoleon has a dual existence—in the form of a bicorne hat worn by Big Mom and, for practical purposes, it can change into a sword, especially in combat.
Napoleon was created when Big Mom put part of her own soul in it, resulting in a unique homie with unimaginable potential. This realization alone proves that Big Mom really knows how to harness the power of her Devil Fruits - Soru Soru no Mi, which makes her even more able to manipulate souls. Until now, the fandom speculates about the exact moment of Napoleon's existence and the conditions that surrounded it, with some even theorizing that it might link to Big Mom's consent on integrating a sword into her combat style.
The fact that Napoleon's main form is a bicorne does not make it simply cosmetic to show something about the character. Still, he is a living accessory, able to communicate both with Big Mom and other homies and to provide strategic input and observations during the battle. Its capacity to speak to him makes Big Mom also more dimensional in character, for she would often consult Napoleon and other special homies, Zeus the thunder cloud and Prometheus the sun, on key moments.
The most impressive fact about Napoleon is that it can be said to morph into a gigantic sword when Big Mom commands it to do so. This is the aspect in which Napoleon can be considered flexible to change into any situation for the purpose of battle. When he is in his sword form, Napoleon is very big, just like the warrior who is of a huge amount of size and power. Most of the time, it is depicted as a longsword with a broad edge that could unleash very destructive slashes—all this augmented by Big Mom's large amount of physical power.
In combat, however, Napoleon works with other of Big Mom's abilities and Homies alike to maximize efficiency. Combining Napoleon with Prometheus as a burning sword added an elemental feature to Big Mom's attacks in combat. This powerhouse thus testifies to the strategic depth in Big Mom's capabilities and the many swirling, symbiotic relations between her creations, each of them infused with souls.
Napoleon's position in the storyline of One Piece is significant beyond just its being a weapon. As one of Big Mom's best comrades, it also contributes centrally to her personal life and decision-making. By giving counsel and making observations on the whim, the abilities of the hat give insight into Big Mom's character and how she really needs the homies not only on a practical basis but also in dealing with emotional matters.
Its popularity with fans has thus seen its character, Napoleon, featured in a host of One Piece-related media and merchandise. For example, in the One Piece Card Game, Napoleon makes a character card appearance in Sets like "Pillars of Strength," allowing a player to use its supporting abilities while fleshing out his plans. This integration into game mechanics shows that Napoleon is indispensable to Big Mom's arsenal, and its inclusion extends to its identity as one of the denizens of the One Piece world.
Napoleon's original character has inspired many creative interpretations among the fans. It is such a challenge that even cosplayers are always looking for its unique bicorne form, for which they have sometimes even used foam and feather boas just to mimic that distinctive appearance. In a way, these fan-made creations show how the design of Napoleon has quite the strong impact on the visual aesthetics of the series, contributing to the appeal of it as a recognizable part of Big Mom's characteristics.
In the anime adaptation of One Piece, Yu Mizushima provides the voice acting for Napoleon in Japanese, while in English, it is Aaron Campbell. His voice acting makes Napoleon alive and depicts his role: more than just an inanimate object. This vocal representation deepens the interactions between Big Mom and her homies, pointing out that she has specific, special ties to her soul-infused creations.
No doubt that the fate of Napoleon and how it will look in the future go on to be two of the biggest interests that fans have throughout the course of One Piece. Appearing assuredly with the latest developments in the manga, more precisely in the Wano Kuni arc, there is some doubt and questioning related to the livelihood of Big Mom's homies, especially with Napoleon. All of this puts a fascinating strain on the narrative—readers await to know its fate in subsequent arcs, among other roles it could possibly play.