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One Piece [ワンピース] #53
One Piece, Volume 53: Natural Born King
When the Straw Hats come in contact with Bartholomew Kuma's bare paw, this Warlord of the Sea's teleportation power sends them flying to an unknown location. Luffy lands on a maiden island where he battles the local Amazons. But with the crew scattered all around the world, will they ever be able to meet up again?!
216 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2009
155 people are currently reading
1467 people want to read
About the author
Eiichiro Oda
1,884 books4,796 followersEiichiro Oda (尾田栄一郎, Oda Eiichirō) is a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator of the manga and anime One Piece.
As a child, Oda was inspired by Akira Toriyama's works and aspired to become a manga artist. He recalls that his interest in pirates was probably sparked by the popular TV animation series titled Vicky the Viking. He submitted a character named Pandaman for Yudetamago's classic wrestling manga Kinnikuman. Pandaman was not only used in a chapter of the manga but would later return as a recurring cameo character in Oda's own works.
Please also see:
尾田荣一郎 (Chinese, simplified)
尾田榮一郎 (Chinese, traditional)
As a child, Oda was inspired by Akira Toriyama's works and aspired to become a manga artist. He recalls that his interest in pirates was probably sparked by the popular TV animation series titled Vicky the Viking. He submitted a character named Pandaman for Yudetamago's classic wrestling manga Kinnikuman. Pandaman was not only used in a chapter of the manga but would later return as a recurring cameo character in Oda's own works.
Please also see:
尾田荣一郎 (Chinese, simplified)
尾田榮一郎 (Chinese, traditional)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
November 8, 2021
One Piece, Vol. 53 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (513–522) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon begins a new story arc. While Silver Rayleigh distracts Admiral Kizaru, the real Bartholomew Kuma confronts every member of the Straw Hats in turn. Despite their best efforts to escape, Kuma defeats each of them and causes them to disappear.
Sometime later, Monkey D. Luffy appears on an island populated only by women. Although men are forbidden to set foot on it, Luffy is able to befriend some of the islanders. When Boa Hancock, the island's leader learns of Luffy's presence, she petrifies his new friends in stone as punishment and sentences Luffy to be executed.
When he shows no concern for his own fate, and asks only that his friends be freed, Hancock falls in love with him and does as he asks. Now free to roam the island, Luffy hears that his brother, Portgas D. Ace, lost his earlier battle with Blackbeard and is to be executed by the World Government. Wanting to save him, Luffy asks Hancock to take him to the government prison, Impel Down.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. After defeating the Straw Hat Pirates, Admiral Kuma sends each of them flying from the Sabaody Archipelago to different islands. This arc centers on Monkey D. Luffy, who lands on an island where only women live. Luffy soon discovers that the women on the island are led by Warlord of the Sea Boa Hancock. He also hears of the fate of his half-brother and wants to mount a rescue of him.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 53 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.
This tankōbon begins a new story arc. While Silver Rayleigh distracts Admiral Kizaru, the real Bartholomew Kuma confronts every member of the Straw Hats in turn. Despite their best efforts to escape, Kuma defeats each of them and causes them to disappear.
Sometime later, Monkey D. Luffy appears on an island populated only by women. Although men are forbidden to set foot on it, Luffy is able to befriend some of the islanders. When Boa Hancock, the island's leader learns of Luffy's presence, she petrifies his new friends in stone as punishment and sentences Luffy to be executed.
When he shows no concern for his own fate, and asks only that his friends be freed, Hancock falls in love with him and does as he asks. Now free to roam the island, Luffy hears that his brother, Portgas D. Ace, lost his earlier battle with Blackbeard and is to be executed by the World Government. Wanting to save him, Luffy asks Hancock to take him to the government prison, Impel Down.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. After defeating the Straw Hat Pirates, Admiral Kuma sends each of them flying from the Sabaody Archipelago to different islands. This arc centers on Monkey D. Luffy, who lands on an island where only women live. Luffy soon discovers that the women on the island are led by Warlord of the Sea Boa Hancock. He also hears of the fate of his half-brother and wants to mount a rescue of him.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 53 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.
January 11, 2026
This whole arc is my reason to stay alive, it's what keeps me going, how can you even ask me to give it less than five stars?
If you're looking for me, you'll find me crying in the corner
If you're looking for me, you'll find me crying in the corner
September 13, 2025
lesbian island (insightful review, jay, as always). also if they’ve all got blown to different places how the hell will they ever get back together, this is just chaos now, oda, what are you doing
August 13, 2023
Y sacamos los pasajes para imple down 🥺 este arco me da pena, aquí llegué la primera vez que ví one piece cuando me comí el tremendo spoiler de lo que pasó con Ace. Me acuerdo que estaba revisando los capítulos ya que no todos estaban bien descargados. Abro uno x y lo pongo en x minutos y justo veo esa escena 🥺🥲 todavía no la supero
Pues bien, Kuma termino de separar a los muwis. Luffy no fue capaz de salvar a ninguno, eso fue aposta, Kuma fue uno por uno y a él lo dejó para el final. Terminó cayendo en Amazon Lilly, la isla de las mujeres guerreras, y tras ciertas situaciones acabo con Hancock enamorada de él, y enterado de la marca de los tenryuubitos y la marca del sol que lleva Hacchi en la frente.
Por último, luffy ya sabe que van a ejecutar a Ace y le pidió ayuda a Hancock como shichibukai para que lo ayude a infiltrarse.
Me cae mal ella, pateó al gatito y eso no se lo perdonaré nunca >:c jsjajsk ah y aquí, en la isla, el haki es algo natural. Y el haki del rey, que se me olvida el nombre que tiene en japonés, acá le ponen el nombre.
Pues bien, Kuma termino de separar a los muwis. Luffy no fue capaz de salvar a ninguno, eso fue aposta, Kuma fue uno por uno y a él lo dejó para el final. Terminó cayendo en Amazon Lilly, la isla de las mujeres guerreras, y tras ciertas situaciones acabo con Hancock enamorada de él, y enterado de la marca de los tenryuubitos y la marca del sol que lleva Hacchi en la frente.
Por último, luffy ya sabe que van a ejecutar a Ace y le pidió ayuda a Hancock como shichibukai para que lo ayude a infiltrarse.
Me cae mal ella, pateó al gatito y eso no se lo perdonaré nunca >:c jsjajsk ah y aquí, en la isla, el haki es algo natural. Y el haki del rey, que se me olvida el nombre que tiene en japonés, acá le ponen el nombre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2020
A storm is brewing :-) And Luffy is going to be right in the middle of it :D
May 5, 2015
After the dense world-building and decisive action of the previous volume, Eiichiro Oda switches tone again, for a breezy comedy adventure on the island of Amazon Lily. As the name suggests, this is a riff on the mythological Amazons, which quickly turns farcical.
In another creator's hands an "island of women" storyline might have been an excuse for egregious fanservice. Oda dodges that: his female characters are mostly as visually grotesque and comical as his men, and his hero is basically an asexual simpleton whose main drives are for fairness and food. Boa Hancock's arc isn't exactly original, but her slavery and mistreatment is never played for laughs or titillation, and it underlines the point of the Saboady arc: the powers that be in the world of One Piece are monstrous, and need a (probably rubberised) punch in the face. Meanwhile, Oda's sense of pace seems fully restored - compare the Amazon Lily romp to the similarly one-joke Thriller Bark, and this story absolutely zips along.
In another creator's hands an "island of women" storyline might have been an excuse for egregious fanservice. Oda dodges that: his female characters are mostly as visually grotesque and comical as his men, and his hero is basically an asexual simpleton whose main drives are for fairness and food. Boa Hancock's arc isn't exactly original, but her slavery and mistreatment is never played for laughs or titillation, and it underlines the point of the Saboady arc: the powers that be in the world of One Piece are monstrous, and need a (probably rubberised) punch in the face. Meanwhile, Oda's sense of pace seems fully restored - compare the Amazon Lily romp to the similarly one-joke Thriller Bark, and this story absolutely zips along.
December 19, 2022
So nice to see Luffy on his own again, without any kind of a crew or friends nearby, for the first time since the very beginning of the story. Bouncing off of the other Straw Hats - arguing with them, having fun with them, charging into the jaws of hell to save them from themselves - is all very well, but it's left him, up until now, somewhat dependent on others. Quite literally, too, in-universe. He just can't handle being alone.
This volume was also when I caught up with One Piece and started reading it real-time. I still remember the exact chapter. Maybe that has something to do with why I didn't like it quite as much at first - it was a different sort of a reading experience - but I've long since come around to it and enjoying the unique side of the story it offers.
This volume was also when I caught up with One Piece and started reading it real-time. I still remember the exact chapter. Maybe that has something to do with why I didn't like it quite as much at first - it was a different sort of a reading experience - but I've long since come around to it and enjoying the unique side of the story it offers.
July 12, 2018
esto se pone interesante omg
May 30, 2024
I could hear people getting bored with me, but I couldn’t stop
December 27, 2024
boa could get it actually. i too would turn to stone
January 2, 2021
Luffy is defeated by Kuma or teleported to some Island of women called "Amazon lily" and he meets the Kuja there and there is battle, hunting and weird shenanigans but its fun and we finally have the entrance of Boa HANCOCK and she is cold and there are some interesting confrontations between them but he is able to overcome her hurdles and impress her that he is a good man and the women there are impressed too, the whole story of how that happens is just awesome and then we have him recieving the news of Ace's execution and thus it falls on Luffy to go rescue his brother and he needs Boa's help who has fallen in love with him! The art is awesome and dynamic and really sparkling! The biggest saga aka Marineford starting soon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2020
I remember watching this in the anime, I think 9 years ago and was blown away by Luffy's haki. In here I think, for once the manga did not show the importance of the moment as it could have. However, it is so well written and drawn that the emotions are translated beautifully.
Another great aspect of this book is the looming threat of Ace's execution and the upcoming war. Yet details, which I personally enjoyed, even more, moments when Luffy is lost without his crew. He often says that this would be easier with Nami, Sanji, Chopper... Oh, the heartbreak.
Another great aspect of this book is the looming threat of Ace's execution and the upcoming war. Yet details, which I personally enjoyed, even more, moments when Luffy is lost without his crew. He often says that this would be easier with Nami, Sanji, Chopper... Oh, the heartbreak.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2022
This volume wraps up the Sabaody Archipelago arc and begins a new one.
Luffy was sent to a women-only island; where men are forbidden to set foot on it. Luffy figures that his crew was also sent to some other place and they are alive, so he is trying to get back to Sabaody where he could reunite with them.
A Mid mini-arc: sets up a new ally for Luffy to help him find his way to Impel down where he will have to go on an impossible mission without his crew.
Luffy was sent to a women-only island; where men are forbidden to set foot on it. Luffy figures that his crew was also sent to some other place and they are alive, so he is trying to get back to Sabaody where he could reunite with them.
A Mid mini-arc: sets up a new ally for Luffy to help him find his way to Impel down where he will have to go on an impossible mission without his crew.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2021
Hancock's probably one of my favorite women beside Vivi. ❤
August 7, 2022
This is a lot of great set up and a fun little side adventure of Luffy! I’m so excited to see what happens in the next arc! BIG THINGS ARE COMING!!!
October 29, 2024
AMAZON LILY ARC
1. LUFFY HAS SUPREME KING HAKI LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
2. i like that boa hancock was revealed to have a troubled past; and i like that luffy is the one who landed on amazon lily. i do think zoro would have made it so that he wouldn't've died, and sanji definitely WOULD have died, but none of them would have been able to to touch their hearts the way luffy does. his genuine and kindheartedness, his gratitude, his loyalty and humbleness to the ones helping him, he is a great person and one who brings hope, so that was a very good arc!!! really enjoyable. it's also funny that she fell in love with luffy LMFAOO
3. nami is on a small sky island, franky is on the future land baldimore, sanji is in kamabakka queendom (serves him right LMFAO), usopp is in bowin island, brook is in hungeria/lazy bones island, robin is in tequila wolf (IN THE EAST BLUE??????), chopper in the south blue (birdie kingdom), and zoro on gloom island - they're so far away T_T
4. the next arc is about saving ace, so i'm beyond tense and hype for it, because EVERYBODY is at marineford. this is going to get so scary
1. LUFFY HAS SUPREME KING HAKI LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
2. i like that boa hancock was revealed to have a troubled past; and i like that luffy is the one who landed on amazon lily. i do think zoro would have made it so that he wouldn't've died, and sanji definitely WOULD have died, but none of them would have been able to to touch their hearts the way luffy does. his genuine and kindheartedness, his gratitude, his loyalty and humbleness to the ones helping him, he is a great person and one who brings hope, so that was a very good arc!!! really enjoyable. it's also funny that she fell in love with luffy LMFAOO
3. nami is on a small sky island, franky is on the future land baldimore, sanji is in kamabakka queendom (serves him right LMFAO), usopp is in bowin island, brook is in hungeria/lazy bones island, robin is in tequila wolf (IN THE EAST BLUE??????), chopper in the south blue (birdie kingdom), and zoro on gloom island - they're so far away T_T
4. the next arc is about saving ace, so i'm beyond tense and hype for it, because EVERYBODY is at marineford. this is going to get so scary
August 31, 2023
An introduction to haki
January 1, 2026
Je vais pleurer
October 1, 2025
2025 reread : raising this to 5 stars.
The beginning of this volume is pure heartbreak. I know the strawhats are fine, but Luffy doesn't know that while the fight is happening so his emotions are real and hit hard.
And then it's time for Amazon Lily. I have grown to like Boa Hancock more over the years, so I think it's part of what raises this volume in ratings for me. I also really like the quick friendships Luffy makes on the island. The way he helps the Boa sisters keep their secret is obviously a highlight, quickly followed by another one when he choses to save his friends rather than get a boat to leave the island. But I was also able to appreciate smaller details on this reread, like the fact that Luffy tells Hancock that he doesn't need to know what happened to her and her sisters in the past when it becomes obvious that retelling the story is very traumatic for them. Luffy doesn't really care about people's pasts, it's something we have seen with his crew and we are seeing it again here. He is never the one who pushes people to relive traumatic events. Luffy truly is just the best, and I think this volume is a great example of that.
Amazon Lily really isn't my favorite island... And I know what comes next in this arc so I'll just be pouting in denial from now on.
The beginning of this volume is pure heartbreak. I know the strawhats are fine, but Luffy doesn't know that while the fight is happening so his emotions are real and hit hard.
And then it's time for Amazon Lily. I have grown to like Boa Hancock more over the years, so I think it's part of what raises this volume in ratings for me. I also really like the quick friendships Luffy makes on the island. The way he helps the Boa sisters keep their secret is obviously a highlight, quickly followed by another one when he choses to save his friends rather than get a boat to leave the island. But I was also able to appreciate smaller details on this reread, like the fact that Luffy tells Hancock that he doesn't need to know what happened to her and her sisters in the past when it becomes obvious that retelling the story is very traumatic for them. Luffy doesn't really care about people's pasts, it's something we have seen with his crew and we are seeing it again here. He is never the one who pushes people to relive traumatic events. Luffy truly is just the best, and I think this volume is a great example of that.
Amazon Lily really isn't my favorite island... And I know what comes next in this arc so I'll just be pouting in denial from now on.
January 29, 2023
This kicks off with such a sad moment for Luffy, forcing him into a situation of utter powerlessness. But then things become hilarious as Luffy finds himself on a women-only island. As he handles things there, showcasing his values with 100% innocence (and 0% attraction to women), things end on an exciting note with Luffy set on saving his brother.
May 31, 2017
Rufy nell'isola delle amazzoni. Dopo una lotta contro le due sorelle serpentose, riesce a fare breccia nel cuore dell'imperatrice Boa Hancock, facendola innamorare. E riesce così a salpare con la nave della Marina per andare a liberare suo fratello Ace tenuto in prigione dalla marina.
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January 13, 2021i’m a boa hancock apologist
January 19, 2025
REVIEW
➽ Volume 53 is heartbreaking, as it starts with the utter defeat of the Strawhats. They get vanished one by one until only Luffy is left and he's devastated that he couldn't save any of his friends. It was such an emotional moment and showed how the crew wasn't strong enough to withstand the dangers of the New World. Like the others, Luffy gets repelled by Kuma and is flying through the air until he lands on a mysterious island. I was worried about the upcoming volumes, as I knew I'd miss the Strawhats and their dynamics. However, I really enjoyed Luffy's solo adventure as well!
➽ Luffy's immediately getting into trouble, as is typical for him. The place he landed on is literally an all-woman island home to the Kuja warriors and no man is allowed to be there. Even worse, the Empress of the island is another Warlord of the Sea: the beautiful Boa Hancock. I loved the way she was written, as initially, she appears as a cruel, arrogant person who kicks kittens and rules the island with an iron fist. However, there is much more to her when Luffy discovers her dark secret. I didn't expect to like her at all, but seeing the horrors she had to endure and the trauma it caused, made me understand Hancock's personality. Luffy being Luffy shows kindness to her and her sisters, which is why she lets him live at all. It was heartbreaking seeing her admit to Luffy that she'll never be able to be vulnerable with anyone again for fear of being controlled. It's no wonder she's in shock of Luffy's genuine kindness and love for freedom! She offers to lend him her ship so he can get back to his crew, but just when things can't get worse, Luffy finds out that Ace is about to be executed!
INFORMATION
➽ CW's: Past Slavery & Kidnapping, Violence
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January 15, 2024
Volume 53: Chapter 513-522
Saga 6: Summit War
Arc 19: Sabaody Archipelago
Arc 20: Amazon Lily
Luffy was sent to Amazon Lily, an island of woman where man is forbidden, located in the Calm Belt. Amazon Lily is lead by an empress, Boa Hancock, who is also the captain of the Kuja Pirates and a Shichibukai.
Luffy was caught and will be executed. Luffy fight with two Boa Hancock's sisters, Boa Marigold and Boa Sandersonia. Accidently, Luffy released a Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku no Haki).
Luffy helped Sandersonia to cover their mark on her back. All three of them have the same mark. They are former slave for the Tenryuubito. They were save by a Fishmen, Fisher Tiger. Boa Hancock falls in love with Luffy.
Luffy knows a news about Ace's execution and the upcoming war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marine. Luffy asks Hancock to sent him to the Impel Down.
Saga 6: Summit War
Arc 19: Sabaody Archipelago
Arc 20: Amazon Lily
Luffy was sent to Amazon Lily, an island of woman where man is forbidden, located in the Calm Belt. Amazon Lily is lead by an empress, Boa Hancock, who is also the captain of the Kuja Pirates and a Shichibukai.
Luffy was caught and will be executed. Luffy fight with two Boa Hancock's sisters, Boa Marigold and Boa Sandersonia. Accidently, Luffy released a Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku no Haki).
Luffy helped Sandersonia to cover their mark on her back. All three of them have the same mark. They are former slave for the Tenryuubito. They were save by a Fishmen, Fisher Tiger. Boa Hancock falls in love with Luffy.
Luffy knows a news about Ace's execution and the upcoming war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marine. Luffy asks Hancock to sent him to the Impel Down.
July 18, 2024
Pretty sick to see Boa! The one Megan Thee Stallion has been making love songs about. I get it tho. Girl is GORGEOUS! I’d fall into stone if I simply looked at her too. Anyways, we about to lose Ace aren’t we?? I don’t know if I can stomach this next arc then. It was awesome to see Luffy’s haki. Even tho it’s not a thing that’s been explored, it’s been hinted at. I wonder what’ll happen and if Luffy realized he even did it and knows how to do it.
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January 2, 2023The events that are taking place on these volumes are going to prove how the strawhats are a family being completely spread around. I love how unpredictable the predicaments have been so far (even though the author has a clear pattern on dealing with antagonists). Luffy keeps on being that main characters that makes me love and appreciate him more and more.
June 21, 2024
Love how luffy is so kindhearted. And a new character, boa hancock! At first I thought she was really arrogant, but her backstory just… hit different for me. In comparison to the other backstories hers felt realistic, I can‘t explain it. I didn‘t really enjoy the first half, that’s why I gave this volume 3 stars. However, you can see that the story is starting to become more intense!
January 21, 2023
Sabaody part 4; Natural Born King
513: Beyond Rescue!!!
514: Body Parasite Mushrooms
515: Adventure on the Island of Women
516: Pirate Empress Boa Hancock
517: Bath Time
518: Coliseum
519: Natural Born King
520: Eye of the Gorgon
521: Hoof of the Celestial Dragon
522: Fatal Illness
513: Beyond Rescue!!!
514: Body Parasite Mushrooms
515: Adventure on the Island of Women
516: Pirate Empress Boa Hancock
517: Bath Time
518: Coliseum
519: Natural Born King
520: Eye of the Gorgon
521: Hoof of the Celestial Dragon
522: Fatal Illness
September 19, 2024
I like Hancock a lot and know this volume gives us a lot of plot set-up and backstory (Ace, Haki, Celestial Dragons) — all of which is super interesting — but I don't care much about Amazon Lily island in general.
September 21, 2024
amazon lily i love you - HAKI LOVE YOU TOO. love miss boa and the cunty girls like . SORRY THIS IS A GIRLS ARC - but GODDAMN ONCE AGAIN FUCK THE CELESTIAL DRAGONS TF. loved the fight and ofc loved the heart. luffy is him … and now we begin… PRISON BREAK … (in)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews