Luffy is the next Joy Boy and has the powers of the Sun God Nika but does this make the legendary figures the same person? It’s time to dig deep.

Ever since Luffy’s awakening of his Devil Fruit from the Gomu Gomu no Mi to the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, One Piece has more mysteries in its hands. This marks the young boy’s awakening as the next Joy Boy and has the powers of the Sun God Nika.

However, the distinction between Joy Boy and the Sun God has become blurred. It’s generally unclear whether these two figures are the same person or legend. Both of them have had a huge impact on the story of One Piece, with several characters either hating their guts or idolizing them.

Luffy’s Gear 5 form, Nika, in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

One Piece loves to tease these mysteries and Oda is no stranger to foreshadowing. It’s the mangaka’s forte, after all. But the Joy Boy and Nika dilemma is a huge misconception even amongst fans. Some have mistaken them for the same person. While it’s still quite possible that they could be the same, many hints have proven otherwise. This might be the biggest twist in One Piece’s history.

Joy Boy and Sun God Nika: Who Are They?

The Sun God Nika as seen in chapter 1018 of One Piece. [Credit: Shueisha]

As far as we know, the Sun God Nika is a mythical figure rooted in Elbaf mythology and is highly praised and worshipped amongst the Buccaneers. Bartholomew Kuma’s history reflects this sentiment in him, a staunch believer of the mythical figure, as we see him participate in a dance with his friends that mimics Nika. More than that, Nika earned the title of Sun God from slaves in ancient times, before the Void Century. At some point, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika came to exist that would grant any users his powers.

This is where Joy Boy plays a role. While we know very little about Joy Boy, he is thought to be the first pirate, hailing from the Great Kingdom, and played a major role in the Great War against the Twenty Kingdoms (now the World Government). The pirate also has a history with Fish-Man Island. His appearance, though unclear, is very similar to Luffy’s Wano outfit. Joy Boy had the Straw Hat at some point or is the original person who wore it.

Joy Boy meeting Emet in One Piece. [Credit: Shueisha]

The pirate utilizes Haki and the giant Straw Hat in Imu’s possession is certainly his, not confirming he might be a giant but is taller than the average person. Joy Boy was the first user of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, which is why people believe Luffy is the next Joy Boy. It’s clear from these hints Nika and Joy Boy are not the same person but share the same will.

The Inception of Joy Boy and Nika

Robin questions who Joy Boy is in One Piece. [Credit: Shueisha]

Not much is known about how Eiichiro Oda imagined the two but the only mention of a Joy Boy in real life is from the Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were. The book describes him as a figure from Caribbean folklore who brought joy and dance to people and is associated with slaves from West India. However, this description also fits Nika.

Nika might be the figure of people’s hopes during ancient times and if he is equal to the likes of Buddha, as Sengoku’s Devil Fruit is also a mythical model of Hito Hito no Mi but with Buddha. Joy Boy, on the other hand, doesn’t seem mythological but a real person who defied the World Government.