In the vast world of One Piece, the Fishmen are one of the most fascinating and powerful races dwelling beneath the sea. These incredible beings inhabit the ocean depths of the Grand Line, thriving in the underwater paradise known as Fish-Man Island. When Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates finally reach this mysterious domain, they uncover a culture filled with history, pride, and pain.
The Fishmen are hybrid creatures half-human, half-fish who possess extraordinary aquatic abilities. They can breathe underwater, swim at incredible speeds, and even communicate with marine life, giving them a natural dominance over the seas. Their strength far surpasses that of ordinary humans, making them some of the most formidable beings in the One Piece universe.
Much like the artistry seen in Frame by Frame animation, where every movement tells a deeper story, the Fishmen’s journey is layered with emotion and meaning. Their narrative reflects themes of equality, prejudice, and the struggle for coexistence elements that make their arc one of the most moving in One Piece.
Fish-Men in One Piece
Jinbe: The Paladin of the Seas
Jinbe, the noble whale shark Fish-Man with his striking blue skin, stands as one of the most respected figures in the One Piece world. Known for his unshakable honor, wisdom, and incredible mastery of Fish-Man Karate, Jinbe embodies the bridge between humans and Fish-Men a role he’s carried with quiet pride throughout his journey.
Raised in the humble Fish-Man District alongside figures like Fisher Tiger and Arlong, Jinbe’s path was shaped by hardship, loyalty, and the dream of unity. His natural talent in combat led him to join Neptune’s Army, where his strength and sense of justice soon caught the attention of the great Fisher Tiger. When Tiger founded the legendary Pirates of the Sun, Jinbe proudly joined his ranks. Following Tiger’s tragic death, Jinbe took command of the crew, determined to carry on his mentor’s dream of equality and peace between the races.
In a surprising twist of fate, Jinbe later accepted the title of Warlord of the Sea using his influence not for power, but to protect his people and foster trust between Fish-Men and humans. His sense of duty made him both feared and revered across the oceans.
Jinbe’s destiny truly took shape when he crossed paths with Monkey D. Luffy inside the depths of Impel Down. United by courage and compassion, the two warriors joined forces in a desperate attempt to rescue Ace from Marine captivity. Though tragedy struck at Marineford, and Ace’s life was lost, Jinbe’s loyalty never wavered. He carried the broken Luffy to safety, standing as both a shield and mentor during the young pirate’s darkest hour. It was on Amazon Lily that Jinbe’s calm strength helped Luffy heal, planting the seeds of a powerful friendship that would one day reshape the seas.
Two years later, Jinbe and the Straw Hat crew met again this time on Fish-Man Island. Together, they dismantled the rebellion led by Hody Jones and saved the Ryugu Kingdom from ruin. After the victory, Luffy invited Jinbe to join the Straw Hats, recognizing his valor and kindness. Jinbe, however, humbly declined for the time being bound by honor to Big Mom’s crew, who protected the island. Even so, he and Luffy made a promise: one day, they would sail together as crewmates.
That promise came to fruition in the fiery chaos of the Whole Cake Island arc. During Sanji’s ill-fated wedding, Jinbe boldly stood before Big Mom and declared his freedom. In a moment that stunned the seas, he renounced his allegiance to the Yonko and pledged himself to the Straw Hats instead. Enduring the Empress’s wrath and her terrifying powers, Jinbe’s courage never faltered. His steadfast resolve helped his new crew escape Totto Land unscathed, marking his true rebirth as a Straw Hat pirate.
When Jinbe finally reunited with Luffy in Wano, it was as their official helmsman the tenth member of the crew. His navigation skills and combat mastery became invaluable to the Straw Hats’ fight against Kaido and the World Government’s ever-tightening grip. With every wave he steers and every enemy he faces, Jinbe proves himself not just as a warrior, but as the moral anchor of Luffy’s crew. Together, they sail toward the ultimate dream: crowning Luffy as the next Pirate King.
Jinbe’s journey is not just a tale of strength, but one of conviction and unity. From the oppression of Fish-Man Island to the chaos of the New World, he remains the living symbol of peace between species a true “Paladin of the Seas.”
Behind the scenes, Jinbe’s presence has also inspired creative storytellers around the world. In the world of animation, bringing such a rich character to life requires artistry and precision. Through Frame by Frame animation, every gesture and motion of Jinbe can be rendered with emotion and purpose capturing his grace in battle and his calm wisdom in stillness. Meanwhile, modern 3D animation services allow animators to give depth, realism, and texture to his underwater world, creating stunning visuals that mirror the vastness of the ocean and the power of its warriors.
Just as Jinbe unites humans and Fish-Men, animation bridges imagination and reality. Each movement whether hand-drawn frame by frame or crafted with sophisticated 3D animation services echoes Jinbe’s own journey: a blend of discipline, artistry, and passion that continues to inspire fans and creators alike.
The Paladin of the Seas sails onward, his legend flowing like the tides. And wherever he goes, he carries not only the hopes of the Fish-Men but also the promise of a better world one where courage, loyalty, and friendship reign above all.
Fisher Tiger
Fisher Tiger was a dorado-type Fish-Man, towering over five meters in height. Once born into slavery, he bore the mark of the Celestial Dragons seared onto his chest a symbol of oppression and pain. Refusing to live under chains any longer, Tiger took up arms and launched a one-man rebellion against the Tenryubito and the Marines at Mariejois, liberating countless slaves during his daring uprising. To conceal the slave brand that marked his torment, he branded his chest with the symbol of the sun a mark that would later inspire the emblem of his own pirate crew.
After his legendary escape from Mariejois, Fisher Tiger founded the Pirates of the Sun, a crew made entirely of Fish-Men who shared his vision of freedom. Among his most renowned crewmates were Jinbe, Arlong, Hachi, and Aladin. Their Jolly Roger, adorned with a blazing red sun, became a beacon of liberation a reminder that no being should ever live in chains.
The Pirates of the Sun sailed the seas fearlessly, raiding Marine vessels and seizing their treasures. Fisher Tiger’s valor and defiance earned him a bounty of 230 million berries, making him one of the most wanted pirates on the seas. During one of his voyages, he discovered Koala, a young human girl who had been enslaved. Moved by her suffering, Tiger chose to return her safely to her home, an act that deeply affected his outlook on humanity.
However, after delivering Koala back to her village, Tiger and his crew were ambushed by the Marines. Gravely wounded, Fisher Tiger refused a human blood transfusion, rejecting it with the same defiance that had defined his life. He chose to die on his own terms free, proud, and untainted by the pain of his past.
As he lay dying, Fisher Tiger left his crew with words that would define their legacy. He urged them not to harbor hatred toward humans, and to conceal the truth of his death from the rest of their kind. He acknowledged that not all humans were cruel some, like Koala, had shown kindness and innocence. Though he admired Queen Otohime’s dream of coexistence, Tiger confessed that the scars of his past as a slave still made it impossible for him to truly love humans.
Even in death, Fisher Tiger’s spirit burned as bright as the sun on his chest a symbol of hope, resistance, and the unyielding will to be free.
Arlong
Arlong is a sawshark-type Fish-Man towering at over 2.5 meters, with a heavily built physique that radiates strength and menace. His skin is a deep shade of blue, his eyes gleam crimson with intensity, and his most striking feature is his long, saw-like nose a deadly weapon he wields with pride. Arlong is a firm believer in the superiority of Fish-Men, viewing humans as an inferior species meant to serve under them. His deep resentment toward humanity is rooted in the years of slavery and prejudice his kind endured at their hands.
From a young age, Arlong faced the cruelty of human discrimination. Seeking freedom and purpose, he joined Fisher Tiger’s legendary crew, the Sun Pirates, where he rose to prominence as one of its fiercest members. However, after Fisher Tiger’s tragic death, the crew fell into disarray, and Arlong was captured by the Marines. His imprisonment came to an end thanks to Jinbe, who secured freedom for his comrades by accepting the position of a Warlord of the Sea.
Once free, Arlong carved his own path. He formed the Arlong Pirates and set sail toward the East Blue, where he established his reign of terror. Conquering Cocoyashi Village, he enslaved its people and ruled with ruthless tyranny. Among the villagers was Nami, a gifted navigator whose cartographic skills he exploited for his own ambitions, forcing her to work in exchange for her village’s freedom.
Arlong’s reign met its end when Monkey D. Luffy arrived in Cocoyashi to liberate Nami. The fierce clash between Luffy and Arlong shattered Arlong Park and brought his oppressive rule to a close. Defeated and humiliated, Arlong was taken into Marine custody and later imprisoned in Impel Down.
After the great prison breakout led by Luffy and Blackbeard, Arlong’s whereabouts and fate remain shrouded in mystery leaving fans to wonder if the saw-nosed Fish-Man still roams the seas, waiting for his next chapter to unfold.
Hody Jones
Hody Jones is a great white shark-type Fish-Man hailing from Fish-Man Island. In his younger years, he served proudly as a soldier in King Neptune’s Army, the royal defense force of the island. During that time, he idolized Arlong and the infamous Sun Pirates, admiring their defiance and strength. Though Hody longed to join them, his youth prevented him from doing so an obstacle that would eventually shape his darker ambitions.
Fueled by resentment and a desire to surpass his idol, Hody established his own crew the New Fish-Man Pirates gathering ruthless and loyal followers such as Dosun, Zeo, Daruma, and Ikaros Much. From their base in the Fish-Man District, their infamy spread rapidly, earning them the title of the most dangerous outlaws ever to emerge from Fish-Man Island.
Hody’s ultimate goal was nothing short of revolution: to overthrow King Neptune and rule Fish-Man Island through fear and power. His confrontation with Monkey D. Luffy marked the climax of his rebellion. Despite using the powerful Energy Steroid drugs to enhance his strength beyond natural limits, Hody was decisively defeated by Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. With his forces crushed and his ambitions shattered, Hody and his lieutenants were captured by the royal guard and later handed over to the Marines. Imprisoned alongside Vander Decken IX, Hody’s failed uprising signaled the downfall of the New Fish-Man Pirates and the end of his tyrannical dream.
Dellinger
Dellinger is a young hybrid Fish-Man, notable for his long blond hair, flamboyant personality, and strikingly androgynous appearance. Only 16 years old, Dellinger was taken in by the Donquixote Pirates when he was just three, raised under the care of Jora, whose influence shaped his elegant yet unpredictable nature. Despite his delicate looks, Dellinger is one of Diamante’s most formidable subordinates, feared for his explosive strength and incredible speed gifts inherited from his Fish-Man lineage.
In battle, Dellinger reveals a more sinister side. His body can manifest a razor-sharp dorsal fin, and his teeth morph into deadly fangs, transforming him into a feral and bloodthirsty fighter. This monstrous form exposes the true danger lurking beneath his charming exterior.
During the Dressrosa arc, Dellinger is assigned by Donquixote Doflamingo to ensure that Bellamy succeeds in his mission to eliminate Luffy. When Bellamy fails, Dellinger responds with brutal efficiency, attacking without hesitation until Bartolomeo intervenes. Later, he appears at the SMILE Factory, joining Señor Pink and Machvise in a fierce battle against Franky. Following Sugar’s defeat by Usopp, Dellinger regrouped with the rest of the Donquixote Family to defend Doflamingo’s crumbling empire.
Ultimately, Dellinger’s rampage ends when he faces Hakuba, the violent alternate personality of Cavendish, who defeats him in a flash. Despite his youth, Dellinger proved himself to be a lethal and relentless combatant, embodying the cruel beauty and chaos that defined the Donquixote Pirates.
Queen Otohime
Queen Otohime was a radiant red-fish mermaid, the beloved wife of King Neptune, and the devoted mother of Fukaboshi, Ryuboshi, Manboshi, and Princess Shirahoshi. As the queen of the Ryugu Kingdom on Fish-Man Island, she dedicated her life to building a bridge of understanding between Fish-Men and humans a dream that defined her reign and her legacy.
For years, Queen Otohime passionately campaigned for peaceful coexistence, urging her people to trust humanity and take part in the World Government. Her vision was bold: to one day see her kind live freely beneath the same sun as humans on the surface. Through her kindness and determination, she inspired hope in countless hearts.
One of her most remarkable accomplishments was transforming the worldview of the Celestial Dragon, Saint Mjosgard. Through her compassion and wisdom, she managed to reform him from a cruel noble into a genuine ally, securing his support for the long-desired migration of the Fish-Men to the surface world.
Tragically, Queen Otohime’s life was cut short when she was assassinated by Hody Jones ten years ago. Her death sent waves of grief across the kingdom, threatening to shatter the unity she had worked so hard to build. Yet, her spirit lived on through her children, who refused to let her dream die. Despite Hody’s hatred and manipulation, Otohime’s message of peace prevailed thanks in part to Luffy’s intervention, which reignited her vision and helped her people embrace her ideals once more.
Today, Queen Otohime’s children continue to honor her legacy. The migration of the Fish-Men to the surface and the breaking of the protective bubble stand as powerful symbols of her dream finally coming true.
Queen Otohime remains a timeless embodiment of the core values of One Piece: compassion, courage, forgiveness, and the strength to pursue one’s beliefs even in the face of prejudice. Her story is a shining reminder that true change begins with empathy and the unwavering will to build a better world. Her name and legacy will forever inspire generations to come.
Truly Unique Characters
In the vast universe of One Piece, few races are as fascinating and emotionally layered as the Fish-Men. These ocean dwellers have endured centuries of hardship and prejudice, facing relentless discrimination from humans across the world. Forced to retreat beneath the waves, they sought refuge in the depths of the sea only to face new dangers as ruthless pirates frequently attacked the Ryugu Kingdom, capturing or killing its people.
From the emotional Fish-Man Island Arc to the intense Battle of Marineford, the stories of the Fish-Men intertwine powerfully with Luffy and the Straw Hat crew. Each encounter reveals a new layer of their strength, pride, and resilience. Heroes like Jinbe stand as symbols of unity and honor, while villains like Arlong embody the pain of oppression turned into vengeance.
These characters, brought to life through the brilliant storytelling of Eiichiro Oda, remind fans that freedom, equality, and empathy are battles fought both on land and under the sea. As the anime continues to unfold, many wonder will the Fish-Men rise to an even greater role in shaping the world’s future?
At Prolific Studio, we celebrate such powerful storytelling and character depth that inspire animators and storytellers worldwide. The journey of the Fish-Men is a shining example of how creativity and emotion can make animated worlds feel as real and moving as our own.
