In One Piece, Luffy’s grandpa is one of the most recognized marines ever to serve yet he preceding a revolutionary and pirate.
One Piece is so empowered by the ‘found family’ myth that biological family members don’t pop up very often if they’re not already “simply the worst.” In fact, it wasn’t until the end of the Water 7 and Enies Lobby Saga that readers first discovered a bit about Luffy’s family through his grandpa, Monkey D. Garp. Here’s all we know about Luffy’s grandfather — and how he’s both like and different to Luffy.
In classic Eiichiro Oda fashion, Garp was mentioned and presented in One Piece well before his real unveiling — fans simply didn’t know it at the time. Luffy’s grandfather first appeared in the side narrative Koby and Helmeppo’s Chronicle of Toil, which covers the two young men’s life after parting from Luffy and Zoro and joining the marines. Garp arrives to monitor the transfer of former marine captain Axe-Hand Morgan, but is unintentionally struck down by Morgan when the criminal holds his own kid captive as a route of escape. However, Morgan didn’t truly gain the jump on Garp. The easy-going marine vice admiral merely fell asleep while standing up, as you’d anticipate. In the end, he takes both Koby and Helmeppo under his wing and they transfer to Navy Headquarters to begin their training under his leadership.
The first time One Piece viewers hear Luffy has a grandfather is from Admiral Aokiji in Chapter #319. Aokiji adds Luffy is much like his grandfather — reckless and has no control — and then remarks that he owes a big obligation to the man. However, Garp isn’t completely disclosed until Post-Enies Lobby where he sees Luffy and his Nakama, and also informs them about Luffy’s father, Dragon.
Garp is not just a Marine Vice-Admiral, but has been named the “Hero of the Marines” for his decades of service. At one time he battled alongside Gol D. Roger to halt Rocks D. Xebecs and his company, consisting of Big Mom, Kaido and even Whitebeard at God Valley. Much is unclear about the God Valley Incident, but we do know it’s what earned Garp his title.
Furthermore, Luffy’s grandpa has been given the title of Admiral on multiple times, but has denied it every time. This is because Admirals can be called in service of the Celestial Dragons, which Garp wants nothing to do with. It seems hate of the Celestial Dragons is definitely a common characteristic by individuals of the Monkey family in One Piece.
Despite his varied travels, Garp does share a lot in common with Luffy. The elderly guy is as rude and uncompromising like his grandson and similarly suffers from narcolepsy and a huge appetite — albeit Garp seems to have a preference for rice crackers over meat.
As a father and guardian, Garp is a threat at worst and inattentive at best. In service of making Luffy stronger, Garp hurled him into a ravine, left him in a forest, and tethered him to balloons. Then he left Luffy in the hands of the Mountain Bandit Dadan alongside Ace. Still, Garp would periodically check up on the two youngsters from time to time, and wanted to see them become respectable naval men. With his grandkids as pirates, Garp is left feeling proud of their spectacular successes, even at the price of the marines’ reputation and status.
What makes Luffy’s grandfather intriguing, though, is how duty as a Marine comes in the way of his love for his family. During Ace’s execution, Garp could neither force himself to aid the marines, nor save his grandson. Instead, he opted to sit down and be alongside Ace till the very end, not wanting his grandson to be alone should he die. In reality, after Akainu killed Ace, Garp had to be prevented from executing the horrible admiral. Monkey D. Garp is clearly one of the greatest Marine characters, and possibly still has a deeper role to play as One Piece exposes more about the God Valley Incident and his backstory.
