ONE PIECE Analysis! – Summary of Laugh Tale! Does it have other names besides Laugh Tale? Is its location underwater? The South Pole? The Kingdom of D? Was its origin Laugh Tell? - Manga Analysis

ONE PIECE is Japan’s best-selling pirate manga, with nearly 500 million copies in circulation.

The place that the Straw Hat Pirates, led by the protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, are aiming for is Laugh Tale. It is considered the final goal in ONE PIECE.

However, due to this, there have been many mysteries surrounding it. But a few years ago, the author, Eiichiro Oda, declared that he would address all the foreshadowing in ONE PIECE. In 2020, the shocking origin of the name Laugh Tale was finally revealed.

This time, I would like to thoroughly analyze the true nature of Laugh Tale. What is the location of Laugh Tale? What is the meaning of Laugh Tale? Is there an English reading other than Laugh Tale? What is its relationship with the “Sun God” Nika?

Table of contents

The final island where “ONE PIECE” is hidden: Laugh Tale?
1. Besides Roger, who else reached Laugh Tale?
Is Laugh Tale a Great Kingdom that Flourished Over 800 Years Ago?
Did Roger Name It “Laugh Tale”?
Was Laugh Tale Different from the “Kingdom of D”?
Is the Location of Laugh Tale Underwater?
1. Is It Laugh Tale or the “Kingdom of D” That Is Underwater?
Is the Location of Laugh Tale the South Pole?
The Hypothesis that Laugh Tale Means “Laugh Tell”
1. Was Laugh Tale Nika’s Homeland?
What Exactly is the ONE PIECE Hidden in Laugh Tale?
1. Was the Treasure in Laugh Tale Too Huge to Bring Back?
2. Does the Treasure in Laugh Tale Only Activate When the Fourth Arrives?

The final island where “ONE PIECE” is hidden: Laugh Tale?

Let’s review the true nature of Laugh Tale.

Laugh Tale is known as the “final island” that the Roger Pirates were the only ones to reach. In the history of ONE PIECE, it’s a legendary island that no one has reached for the past 800 years except for the Roger Pirates. The image shows Crocus, a former member of the Roger Pirates who reached Laugh Tale 25 years ago. Initially, he was an unassuming ship doctor.

By the way, the final point of the Grand Line is a place called Lodestar Island. Therefore, even if you advance through the Grand Line, Laugh Tale does not exist there.

It is said that the “ONE PIECE” is hidden on Laugh Tale.

Just before the Pirate King Roger was executed, he left behind the famous words, “My treasure? If you want it, you can have it… Find it! I left everything in this world there,” which sparked the Great Pirate Era. All the pirates in the world, including the protagonist of ONE PIECE, Luffy, are aiming for Laugh Tale.

Therefore, Laugh Tale can be said to hide the beginning of the story of ONE PIECE. At the same time, Laugh Tale seems to be the final goal in ONE PIECE. To put it another way, it can be interpreted as the “conclusion (ending).”

Besides Roger, who else reached Laugh Tale?

So, if you only read the beginning of ONE PIECE, you might mistakenly think that only Gol D. Roger reached Laugh Tale, but many members of the Roger Pirates made it there. The first mate, Silvers Rayleigh, the ship’s doctor, Crocus, and several other members reached Laugh Tale.

For example, Kozuki Oden, the Shogun of Wano Country, who was recruited from the Whitebeard Pirates to join the Roger Pirates, is a good example. However, “Red-Haired” Shanks, who is now one of the Four Emperors, and Buggy did not go to Laugh Tale, apparently due to high fevers. It’s a bit of an excuse, but that’s a secret.

However, what is curious is the line from Kin’emon of the Nine Red Scabbards in the image: “After finally reaching Laugh Tale, I learned the secret of the world.” Laugh Tale should have a treasure trove of gold and silver that everyone covets. So why do such significant words appear?

According to Roger, Laugh Tale should have a treasure trove of gold and silver. So why do such significant words appear? It seems that the “ONE PIECE” hidden in Laugh Tale is not about gold and silver treasures, but rather “a truth that shakes the very foundations of the world”?

Is Laugh Tale a Great Kingdom that Flourished Over 800 Years Ago?

Next, let’s delve into the identity of Laugh Tale.

In conclusion, could Laugh Tale be the “Great Kingdom that existed over 800 years ago”?

The image shows Professor Clover of Ohara deciphering the Poneglyph and discovering the existence of a mysterious great kingdom that flourished before the Void Century. Professor Clover refers to it as a great kingdom, but the nation depicted in the background is an “island nation.”

As previously explained, Laugh Tale is described as the “legendary island,” which perfectly aligns with this description.

Moreover, when Professor Clover was about to shout out the name of this once-flourishing kingdom, the Five Elders immediately shot him without hesitation. Considering that even the Five Elders called it a “bold hypothesis,” it should not have been a problem to mention the name. But why did they hastily silence Professor Clover?

It is because the name has already appeared in ‘ONE PIECE.’ That name is Laugh Tale. Even the then-CP9 chief was unaware of this dark history.

Did Roger Name It “Laugh Tale”?

Next, let’s consider the origin of the name. Please be aware that the following contains confirmed spoilers.

In conclusion, the origin of the name Raftel is “Laugh Tale.” The word “Laugh” means “laugh” in English, and “Tale” means “story.” Gol D. Roger and Kozuki Oden reached Laugh Tale and uncovered the secrets of the Ancient Weapons Poseidon and Pluton.

As predicted, Roger handed the blueprints of Pluton to Tom on his way back from Laugh Tale.

Roger laughed heartily upon seeing the “extraordinary treasure (ONE PIECE)” hidden in Laugh Tale. He suggested naming the last island, which no one had reached for 800 years, “Laugh Tale” as a “grand joke,” and it became established in the world of ONE PIECE.

In other words, Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, was the one who named Laugh Tale. Before that, the “last island” didn’t even have a name.

Was Laugh Tale Different from the “Kingdom of D”?

It seems that the identity of Laugh Tale was not related to the mysterious kingdom that Professor Clover mentioned.

Professor Clover was killed before he could name the mysterious kingdom, and it’s clear that Laugh Tale wasn’t named until Roger arrived there. While Laugh Tale does exist, if Professor Clover’s statement was true, the mysterious kingdom has perished.

Thus, it can be inferred that the mysterious kingdom mentioned by Professor Clover was indeed the “Kingdom of the Family of D.” It remains unclear to what extent Laugh Tale and the Kingdom of D were unrelated, but Laugh Tale was certainly not that kingdom. Therefore, it also seems that the Family of D are not the descendants of Laugh Tale.

Initially, it was speculated that the two fought at Laugh Tale, but this appears to be incorrect. That’s why Professor Clover didn’t mention the name “Laugh Tale.”

Is the Location of Laugh Tale Underwater?

So, where exactly is Laugh Tale?

First, let’s review: the location of Laugh Tale is indicated by the point where the four Road Poneglyphs intersect on a map. There’s a theory that the places indicated by the Road Poneglyphs, such as Twin Cape where Crocus was, act as lighthouses (guiding lights).

In conclusion, a popular theory suggests that Laugh Tale is underwater. For example, Roger‘s line “I left it there” could be a pun meaning “I left it at the bottom.”

Additionally, the starting point of the Grand Line, Reverse Mountain, might hide a meaning: “Reverse” as in “Re-verse” (return to the land). Remember that in the Skypiea arc, the land was referred to as “verse.”

If Laugh Tale were around that area, Reverse Mountain might have been named and created to return Laugh Tale, which had sunk underwater, back to the surface.

Moreover, there is evidence linking Laugh Tale with the mermaid princess who lived during the Void Century and Joy Boy, who had a close relationship with her. The fact that Rayleigh works as a coating craftsman in the Sabaody Archipelago and that Jinbe, a Fish-Man, joined the Straw Hat Pirates might be foreshadowing that Laugh Tale is submerged underwater.

Is It Laugh Tale or the “Kingdom of D” That Is Underwater?

However, Crocus proudly introduces Laugh Tale with a large island in the background. From this image, it’s hard to believe that Laugh Tale is underwater.

While there’s a possibility that Laugh Tale, like God Valley, sank later, would Roger, who encouraged others to search for it, have intentionally submerged it? Also, could Laugh Tale, an uninhabited island, have an environment like Fish-Man Island where people can live?

If something is submerged, it’s more likely the “Kingdom of D” rather than Laugh Tale itself. This aligns with Professor Clover’s statement that the kingdom no longer exists. Conversely, it seems less likely that Laugh Tale itself is underwater.

Considering the connection between Kaidou’s Devil Fruit and dragons, the idea of Laugh Tale being underwater seems less plausible. Instead, there’s a higher chance that Laugh Tale is in the sky, although Roger reaching it without much trouble diminishes this possibility.

Is the Location of Laugh Tale the South Pole?

Next is the theory that Laugh Tale’s location is the South Pole. Recently, it’s been revealed that the final point of the Grand Line is not Laugh Tale but Lodestar Island. Interestingly, “Lodestar” translates to “North Star” in English.

Shanks and Buggy once argued about which is colder, the North Pole or the South Pole. Regardless of whether these poles exist in ONE PIECE, if Lodestar is the North Pole, Laugh Tale could be at the South Pole, its polar opposite.

Thus, Laugh Tale and Lodestar might be counterparts. Additionally, Holy Land Mary Geoise has a giant frozen straw hat. This suggests that Laugh Tale could be in a cold, dark deep sea, but it might also be directly opposite Lodestar Island.

After the argument, Rayleigh said, “If you really want to know, you just have to go and check both.” Rayleigh has been to both Lodestar Island and Laugh Tale. Shanks, who hasn’t yet visited Laugh Tale, might go there with Luffy in the future.

The Hypothesis that Laugh Tale Means “Laugh Tell”

Next, I would like to discuss the hypothesis that “Laugh Tale ≒ Laugh Tell”. As mentioned earlier, the name “Laugh Tale” was given by the Pirate King, Roger. It’s merely a direct translation of the term “laughing tale” into English, but if Laugh Tale works, could there be other English expressions that convey the same meaning?

With the appearance of the “Sun God” Nika, the landscape of ONE PIECE speculation has dramatically changed. Given the increased emphasis on the word “laugh” in recent depictions, could it be possible that Laugh was always the name of this island or country?

In other words, although the nuances of the words are different, it’s possible that the pronunciation of “Laugh Tale” and “Raftel” ended up being the same by coincidence. The term “Laugh Tale” can carry a somewhat negative connotation. Is it acceptable for the final destination of ONE PIECE to have such a negative image?

Was Laugh Tale Nika’s Homeland?

This leads to a new theory: the invented term “Laugh Tell”. Generally, “tell” means “to inform” in Japanese, but it also means “to convey”. Perhaps Laugh Tale was a place that “conveys laughter to the world.”

The “Sun God” Nika suddenly appeared in the latter part of ONE PIECE. Nika was believed to be a god who, in ancient times, liberated slaves and brought smiles to the world.

Luffy’s Devil Fruit, initially thought to be the Gum-Gum Fruit, was actually the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika. While it remains unclear if Nika actually existed, if we assume Laugh Tale was the homeland of the “Sun God” Nika, it would indeed be the perfect place for conveying laughter.

The Family of D‘s Luffy (Nika) brings the dawn, greeted by the bright sun shining in the sky. Under it, people liberated from Imu’s oppression rejoice, celebrating and feasting. This is exactly how laughter spreads from Laugh Tale to the world. This is Laugh Tell.

What Exactly is the ONE PIECE Hidden in Laugh Tale?

What is the true identity of the treasure hidden in Laugh Tale? In other words, what does “the great treasure of ONE PIECE” actually mean?

Initially, it was thought that regaining the lost history (Void Century) would be ONE PIECE for humanity. Reaching Laugh Tale and completing a world tour would naturally reveal history, and “one piece” would signify the connection of history.

Indeed, Laugh Tale hides “the truth of the world (the truth of the Celestial Dragons and World Nobles)”. History cannot be monopolized; it should be a shared treasure of all humanity. Pirates are not “villains and robbers” but “righteous explorers” who discover the truth of the world.

Could it be something like “the last Poneglyph written with the truth of history”? In the sense of overturning historical truths, it’s possible that something indicating the atrocities and true identity of the Celestial Dragons from the Void Century is left there.

However, considering Roger‘s description of it as an “incredible treasure,” it seems it might be something else. As Eiichiro Oda has hinted for a long time, it appears a grand treasure is hidden there. Is that the treasure of the last journey, and would Roger really be happy about it?

Many readers of ONE PIECE are already aware that the Celestial Dragons are despicable, so even if that fact is revealed, it might not be very surprising for the readers.

Was the Treasure in Laugh Tale Too Huge to Bring Back?

So why didn’t Roger bring back the treasure (ONE PIECE) from Laugh Tale?

If it’s because it couldn’t be brought back, “the truth of history” still seems a valid possibility. The Void Century is likely a history of war. Roger‘s words about wishing he was born in the same era as Joy Boy, a battle maniac, also make sense.

Alternatively, it could be because the treasure was so massive that the Roger Pirates couldn’t bring it back. It could be something so enormous it seemed like a joke. Now that the Laugh Tale theory has become a reality, could it be that Laugh Tale hides an “enormous spaceship”?

Indeed, the Mink Tribe are mysterious beings who came from the moon. Enel has already reached an ancient, highly civilized city on the moon. Could there be something in Laugh Tale for traveling from Earth to the moon?

However, when we think of spaceships, we are reminded of “Noah’s Ark” on Fish-Man Island. The author believes this to be the true identity of the Ancient Weapon Pluton, but if the last treasure of Laugh Tale were a spaceship, it would overlap with Noah’s Ark.

It has long been speculated that “all three Ancient Weapons must be used together.” There’s a possibility that the Ancient Weapon Uranus is hidden in Laugh Tale. Conversely, there might be a “fourth Ancient Weapon” that unites the three Ancient Weapons hidden in Laugh Tale.

Does the Treasure in Laugh Tale Only Activate When the Fourth Arrives?

Another possibility is that the treasure was “dormant” when Roger arrived.

Unless all the Ancient Weapons are gathered, the treasure left in Laugh Tale might not be accessible. Roger learned of the existence of the Ancient Weapons after reaching Laugh Tale, so considering his remaining lifespan, he couldn’t obtain the “great treasure of ONE PIECE.”

If we interpret “the great treasure of ONE PIECE ≒ the great continent of ONE PIECE,” could the Red Line be the final treasure? Or rather, is there something in Laugh Tale that can “destroy the Red Line“? If we interpret the treasure of Laugh Tale as the fourth Ancient Weapon, it makes more sense.

Moreover, D is the fourth letter of the alphabet. Does this mean that the great treasure of ONE PIECE responds to the fourth member of the Family of D who reaches Laugh Tale? As mentioned, it’s highly possible that the first to reach Laugh Tale was Binks.

Whether Binks is a name or not aside, reviewing the order in which people reached Laugh Tale, it seems to be “Binks → Roger → Blackbeard → Luffy.”

Initially, the next candidate for the Pirate King was believed to be Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach). However, according to this theory, although Blackbeard will reach Laugh Tale, he will ultimately serve as Luffy’s “stepping stone.” The significance of Blackbeard bearing the name D seems to be minimal.

Given that the identity of Laugh Tale has now been revealed, predictions for the final chapter of ONE PIECE need to be significantly revised. It wouldn’t be surprising if the “ludicrous laughing tale” of the ONE PIECE space arc becomes a reality. Reaching Laugh Tale is merely “the beginning of a new journey,” just a milestone in the story.