With the Awakening of his Devil Fruit, Luffy has become the "Warrior of Liberation," taking up the mantle of Joyboy through unleashing his new power.

Joy Boy has always been one of One Piece’s most mysterious figures, and for the past 900 years, there has been very little evidence he even existed. Joy Boy was first hinted at in One Piece chapter 628 when Nico Robin reads off of the Ryugu Poneglyph in Sea Forest. The title of Joy Boy was then referenced numerous times after that, leaving many to wonder who Joy Boy was. Luckily the Wano arc revealed major information about Joy Boy's identity.

Upon reading the ancient Ryugu Poneglyph in Sea Forest, Nico Robin ponders its meaning, noting it could be a letter of apology to the Fishmen. It was also revealed that Gol D. Roger, the former Pirate King, wished he could have lived in the same era as One Piece's Joy Boy upon learning the true history of the world at Laugh Tale. Both of these pieces of information lead fans to theorize that Joy Boy was a prominent figure in the annals of history, despite the fact that confirmation of his existence has been suppressed by the Gorosei and World Government. Also noteworthy, is the theory that “Joy Boy” is not a person, but rather a mantle worn by whoever is attempting to liberate the world from oppression. This idea is further supported by King believing Kaido could be a Joy Boy-like figure, and Kaido losing the belief that Luffy could be Joy Boy.

Joy Boy is a Mantle Inherited By Those With the Power to Free the World

In Wano, this theory was proven correct, as Zunesha announces that he can hear the “Drums of Liberation” once more, and proclaims Joy Boy has returned. These drums happen to coincide with Luffy’s heartbeat and his Devil Fruit Awakening. Additionally, the manga switches over to Gorosei’s perspective where it’s revealed that Luffy’s Devil Fruit is not the Gomu Gomu no Mi, but is actually a Mythical Zoan, the Hito Hito no Mi: Model Nika. The warrior who possesses Nika’s power is said to grant the user’s body unparalleled freedom, only being constrained by their imagination. Furthermore, this description coincides with the themes of freedom woven throughout One Piece, as one of the Gorosei mentions that by putting smiles on the faces of those around him, the one who possesses the Hito Hito no Mi: Model Nika is “the embodiment of the warrior of liberation.”

All of this information comes together to reveal two very important aspects of One Piece’s lore. Firstly, Luffy is not the reincarnation of Joy Boy, but rather it seems as if “Joy Boy” truly is just a title given to whoever holds the power to liberate the world. Secondly, the Joy Boy of the past did indeed have the powers of the Hito Hito no Mi: Model Nika, as Zunesha, a centuries-old being associates the Awakening of this Devil Fruit with his long-lost comrade’s presence.

The reveal of who Joy Boy is is one that falls in line with One Piece’s established narrative perfectly. Though some fans once worried that Luffy would turn out to be the reincarnation of Joyboy, this is not the case. The use of the ancient Joy Boy’s existence only serves to amplify the themes of inherited will, as over 900 years later his will is still being carried on through Luffy and the Hito Hito no Mi itself. In its Final Saga, One Piece will likely reveal even more about the ancient Joy Boy’s past and his connection to the World Government which has hunted his Devil Fruit for centuries.