ONE PIECE Analysis! – Summary of Void Century! The History of the War Between the Kingdom of D and the 20 Kingdoms? Was 800 Years Ago a Super-Futuristic Era? Is the Source the “Void Century”? Why Did the Advanced Civilization Disappear? What Was the World Like 900 Years Ago?
The final chapter of ONE PIECE is fast approaching. There are rumors that ONE PIECE will conclude around 2025 or 2026, and as various plot threads are gradually being tied up, the story is reaching its climax.
Among these, the biggest mystery is the enigmatic history known as the Void Century. Although there were brave scholars who tried to investigate this Void Century, they were successively brought down by government bullets. It can be described as a truly forbidden history.
In this article, we will thoroughly analyze the mystery of the Void Century. Was it the expected history? Has Vegapunk finally unraveled it? Why does Imu need to keep the Void Century hidden?
The Void Century, which spans from 800 to 900 years ago
First, let’s explain the overview of the Void Century.
The Void Century refers to the forbidden history in ONE PIECE. Specifically, it denotes the history that occurred from 800 to 900 years ago. Since the World Government strictly forbids the study of this century, no one in the world knows what happened during this period.
Furthermore, the deciphering and study of the Poneglyphs, which are said to have been created by the Kozuki Clan, are also prohibited. This is because the Poneglyphs contain historical records and fragments of information related to the Void Century.
In other words, the Kozuki family left the Poneglyphs to convey the events of the Void Century to future generations. This means that the events of the Void Century are a history that must be passed down no matter what.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
On the other hand, the secret of the Void Century is unknown even to the top-level individuals within the World Government, such as CP9, CP0, and even Admiral “Akainu” Sakazuki. It is speculated that only the topmost members of the World Government, the Five Elders, might know the truth about the Void Century. In fact, even this might be uncertain.
So, is Imu, the king of the world, the only one who knows the secret of the Void Century? It is truly a forbidden history that no one, ally or foe, knows.
Knowing the secret of the Void Century means certain death
What happens if someone mistakenly learns the secret of the Void Century?
It means nothing less than death. Twenty years ago, Ohara, which was secretly researching the Void Century, was subjected to a Buster Call. When Professor Clover, who held out until the end, tried to report his hypothesis about the Void Century, the Five Elders issued an order to shoot him.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
For example, when Nico Robin of the Straw Hat Pirates said she wanted to unravel the mystery of the Void Century, Professor Clover, who was like a parent to her, strongly forbade her, saying, “That is strictly prohibited! It must remain prohibited!” This is because even children are mercilessly killed.
Even the world’s greatest scientist, Dr. Vegapunk, who led the SSG (Special Science Group) that cooperated with the World Government on the secrets of Devil Fruits, Seastone, Seraphim, and Pacifista, received an assassination order just for trying to learn a fragment of the Void Century’s secrets.
This shows how the events of the Void Century are “inconvenient history” for the World Government. For instance, it is said that the golden city of Shandora was destroyed during this period, concealing the greatest darkness in the history of ONE PIECE.
However, researching history from over 900 years ago is not illegal. The prohibition on research only applies to the “specific 100 years,” so it seems possible to make rough guesses by studying the history around the Void Century.
Interestingly, even in the real world, Japan has its own “Void History.”
The Inspiration for the Void Century is the “Four Centuries of Silence” Next, let’s explore the inspiration and basis for the Void Century.
In conclusion, the Void Century is based on the “Four Centuries of Silence.”
To confirm this, let’s take a look at Japanese history. The period known as the Kofun era, when the Yamato kingdom was established, spans from the mid-3rd century to around the 7th century. This era is characterized by the construction of large burial mounds, such as keyhole-shaped tombs for emperors and nobility.
Wikipedia
However, during this time, Japan was referred to derogatorily as “Wa” and did not have written characters until the late 7th century. Although the Japanese language existed in a systematic form before this, the oldest Japanese written records, like the Kojiki, were not created until the 8th century.
As a result, understanding Japan’s history from this period relies heavily on Chinese historical texts and documents. However, even the historical records from the Jin Dynasty (265–420) that ruled China at the time do not contain descriptions of the Wa kingdom (Yamato kingdom).
Thus, the history of Japan from 266 to 413 AD remains shrouded in mystery. This period is referred to as the “Four Centuries of Silence.” It’s not that the entire 400 years are unknown, but rather the history of the 100 years within the 4th century (300s AD) remains unclear.
This situation matches the Void Century in ONE PIECE. In the real world, as in ONE PIECE, it’s not possible to clarify history solely by researching the periods before and after this gap. Hence, it’s natural that the history before and after the Void Century in ONE PIECE cannot provide clear insights either.
The “Great Kingdom” Key to the Void Century
However, 20 years ago, there was someone who came very close to unraveling the mystery of the Void Century.
That person was Professor Clover, an authority on archaeology living in Ohara. Ohara housed the world’s largest and oldest library, making it a city of historians. It was also a town cultivated by the proactive and surprisingly militant Professor Clover himself.
Professor Clover succeeded in deciphering the Poneglyphs and concluded from various texts that there once existed an Great Kingdom. However, this Great Kingdom is believed to have been destroyed during the Void Century and no longer exists.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
On the other hand, the current World Government was established around the same time as the Great Kingdom’s destruction, about 800 years ago. Thus, it can be inferred that the Void Century was a period of war between the current World Government and an Great Kingdom.
Even in real history, major wars typically last only four to five years, and even prolonged civil wars usually span just a few decades. Therefore, a war that lasted nearly a century must have been extraordinarily intense. The World Government likely wants to conceal the existence of this “Great Kingdom.”
Kingdom of D vs. the 20 Kingdoms
Recently, Vegapunk, who inherited Professor Clover’s will, revealed the secret of the Void Century.
As expected, the Void Century was indeed “the history of the war between a highly advanced civilization known as the Kingdom and the 20 Kingdoms.” The latter formed the ancestors of the Celestial Dragons and World Nobles who established the current World Government. Although not explicitly mentioned, it is natural to consider that the former refers to the Great Kingdom.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
Given this established rivalry, it’s reasonable to conclude that the Great Kingdom was ruled by the Family of D. This explains why the World Government still fears the Family of D, as they are the descendants of their ancient enemies from over 800 years ago.
There is a saying, “History is written by the victors.” Typically, the winning side justifies its position and portrays the defeated side as the villains. Historical issues often lead to contentious debates, as seen in many countries, including Japan.
Therefore, why does the World Government go to such lengths to hide the Void Century? It could simply portray the defeated Great Kingdom of D as villains and present the victorious World Government as heroes. This kind of historical revisionism has been seen in places like Wano Country and Dressrosa Kingdom.
What was the “Will of D” in the Advanced Civilization?
Firstly, it’s important to reaffirm that the Great kingdom (D’s kingdom) possessed an extremely advanced civilization. Even Vegapunk, the world’s greatest genius scientist, was astonished by their technological prowess, unable to replicate many of their inventions despite his genius.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
This suggests that over 800 years ago, a futuristic world existed. The twist of the past being the future echoes the ending of “Planet of the Apes.” Professor Clover declared that “knowledge is essentially the past,” but in this context, the past was also the future.
To be precise, it’s not that advanced technology and energy were relegated to the past, but rather, the past had been reduced to ancient times. For instance, if we assume that Ancient Weapons like Pluton were actually modern weapons, then it seems plausible that these Ancient Weapons originally belonged to the Family of D.
Furthermore, this high level of civilization likely intertwined with the Will of D.
Was the Void Century a War Over Energy Resources?
To recap, D’s kingdom required something to power its advanced technology.
This was the Ancient Energy.
Vegapunk couldn’t replicate the civilization of D because he couldn’t secure this immense ancient energy. However, if he tried to solve the mystery of ancient energy, he would inevitably have to unravel the secrets of the Void Century, which would lead to his certain execution.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
Hence, it’s possible that what Imu truly feared being discovered was this ancient mysterious energy. This suggests that the war during the Void Century might have been over “energy resources.”
The reason why D’s kingdom, with its advanced weaponry, lost to the 20 kingdoms (later the Celestial Dragons) is intriguing (perhaps related to Joy Boy’s betrayal?), but it’s natural to think that Imu wanted to prevent the revival of ancient energy.
Energy Distribution and Monopolization
It stands to reason that the objective of the former 20 kingdoms was to monopolize energy. Conversely, this means that D’s kingdom opposed this idea.
Thus, the Will of D that Imu fears can be concluded as the intention to distribute energy worldwide.
This aligns with Vegapunk’s idea of a world where everyone can use energy “freely,” “fairly,” and “equally,” which corresponds to the Family of D‘s aim for a dawn and Monkey D. Luffy’s love for freedom.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
In summary, the Void Century was likely a battle over the distribution and monopolization of immense energy.
Is Imu the Only One Who Can Control Ancient Energy Now?
If immense energy filled the world during the Void Century, why did it suddenly disappear with the demise of D’s kingdom?
More precisely, according to Vegapunk, ancient energy still exists, though unseen. What does this mean?
This leads to the conclusion that the technology to extract this invisible energy has been lost.
In fact, Imu has used a mysterious power to obliterate places like God Valley, where Xebec died, and Lulucia, where Sabo sought refuge. This might have been a weapon utilizing ancient energy.
ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC
Thus, it’s possible that Imu is the only one who can freely manipulate this vast ancient energy. Although the 20 kingdoms defeated D’s kingdom, Imu, who might be immortal, was lurking behind the scenes, aiding them. Knowing this immense power, the Five Elders remain loyal to Imu.
Why Imu Doesn’t Inform the World Government About the Void Century
On the contrary, it makes sense why the Celestial Dragons and the World Government don’t know about the Void Century or ancient energy. If they did, Imu’s position (rendering him obsolete) would be jeopardized.
The world before the Void Century, 900 years ago, is intriguing. At that time, immense energy hadn’t been utilized yet. However, D’s kingdom discovered its existence and created a system to convert it into electrical energy at some point.
As a result, D’s kingdom, with its advanced civilization, rapidly strengthened its influence and military power, clashing with the 20 kingdoms over the control of energy.
Was the Immense Energy Solar Energy?
Considering Vegapunk’s statement about “energy overflowing everywhere,” this suggests it might have been a form of natural energy. If we specify further, the energy used during the Void Century could have been solar energy.
And in ONE PIECE, the sun is represented by Sun God Nika.
Nika is a legendary warrior believed to freely create Devil Fruits. When on the verge of losing to Imu, did Nika create Devil Fruits in exchange for his life? If Sun God Nika were to resurrect, Imu might lose control over solar energy.
Additionally, it’s possible that the Great kingdom was Laugh Tale. Reaching Laugh Tale might grant access to dormant ultra-modern weapons, potentially enabling the overthrow of the World Government.
Could the True Nature of the ONE PIECE Be Immense Energy?
Furthermore, could it be that the immense ancient energy is the true nature of the ONE PIECE?
If an inexhaustible source of energy were to spread throughout the world, it would indeed “connect the world” through energy. This aligns with Oda’s description of the final treasure as a “tangible thing.”
The Mink Tribe, likely descended from beings who came from the moon, have lived on the back of Zunesha, who has been under a mysterious punishment for over a thousand years. Why can the Mink Tribe control electrical energy? This also explains why the Family of D and the Mink Tribe are such close allies.
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