The best characters introduced in One Piece cover stories

Cover stories are somewhat overlooked when considering their importance to storytelling. One piece. Existing to provide background on characters unrelated to the story, these one-panel entries can fill in holes in the main story. It may be forgotten that the original version of the plot, like Koby working through the Navy and Buggy meeting Alvida, started with a cover story. Sometimes the cover story goes further, and helps flesh out certain characters that will fit into the original narrative. Here are some of the best features introduced through this method.

5 Babura

Debut: Caribou's Kehihihi in the New World, Vol. 15 (Chapter 690)

This sweet old lady is first seen nursing Caribou back to health after he ends up on an island in a storm. When one considers his brutal nature, it is not surprising that he is still willing to rob the woman who could have saved his life. However, he likes to entertain him, and tries to make him escape from the island, and gave him a saddle with meat for the journey. Caribou discovers that the revolutionaries have been destroyed by Scotch, one of Kaido's agents living on the island.

Caribou later discovers his resemblance to the deceased Gaburu, Baburu's grandson, who he seems to think is his equal. He also saw that Baburu's house had been ransacked for his detention. Caribou is finally reunited with his crew, including his brother and co-captain, Coribou, who notes his grandmother's desire to fit in with them. In a rare act of kindness, Caribou leads his revolutionary team, eventually defeating Scotch. However, Caribou himself was captured by X Drake, leading to his imprisonment in Wano.

Despite his love of subtlety, Baburu pulls the wool over his eyes when he visits Gaburu's grave, revealing that he knew they were not the same all along. However, Baburu's involvement in the cover story showed a different side of Caribou, making him return in a more heroic (albeit selfish) way in Wano. Even though Caribou could be a complete villain when he returns, the story still adds to his character.

4 The Automata

Debut: Enel's Great Space Operations, Vol. 4 (Chapter 433)

These robotic creatures look nothing like Chopper, and are a bit cuter than reindeer men. Enel first sees one of them (Lieutenant Spacey) defeated at the hands of the Space Pirates, a team of aliens that resemble various animals. Using his powers to revive the defeated automaton, he discovers that they are on the moon for revenge. Their creator, Dr. Tsukimi is killed by choking on a dumpling while being shocked by an explosion on the moon. Although only a machine, the automaton was deeply affected by the death of its creator and went to the moon for revenge.

Enel himself made it to the moon because it is the legendary Fairy Vearth of Birkan. After Spacey leads Enel to his defeated comrades (Sergeant Cosmo, General Galaxy, and Colonel Macro), the two are attacked by a pirate. This leads Enel to take revenge on the Space Pirates and destroy their ship. He condemned the automaton again and replaced it with his partner. Eventually, Enel discovered more automata underground, created by the ancestors of the Birkans, Skypeians and Shandorians. All automata decide to work as his servants out of gratitude. While it's unclear if any of these characters have anything to do with the larger story, they provide some interesting lore for the series.

3 Hina

Debut: Paradisa Dihy Jango, Vol. 36 (Chapter 171)

This rear admiral is responsible for saving Jango and Fullbody's friendship. Formerly a pirate and latterly a marine, the pair set out to forget the others as their dance moves ruined Fullbody's career, as he had to sacrifice his lieutenant's rank in order to be forgiven. -Jango's fault. However, both were beaten by Hina, the captain at the time, and decided to enlist as a sailor (the lowest form of marine) in her unit, the Black Cage Corps.

Since then, Hina has appeared as a supporting character in various arcs involving the marines. The Devil's Fruit, the Ori Ori no Mi, allows him to catch most criminals, and possibly the marines. Under his leadership, Jango and Fullbody are both currently lieutenant captains, and seem to have maintained a good relationship.

2 Camie and Papag

Debut: Hatchan's Sea-Floor Stroll, Vol. 12 (Chapter 195)

This mermaid and her star pet/mentor are first seen running away from a sea urchin, who helps Hatchan rescue them. Unfortunately, the fish man traded him for a treasure map from his old friend in the slave trade. After believing himself to be tricked, Hatchan accidentally frees Camie by destroying her ship. He later discovers that he was not deceived and uses the treasure to make takoyaki for the hungry banded fish. Although Octopako, Hatchan's favorite, tries to convince him to give him the last, he gives it to the hungry old fish, who arrived late. As a token of appreciation, Hatchan and his friends set up a takoyaki stand for the striped fish.

Camie and Papag later gain their importance in the main plot, after Luffy frees them from the Sea King, who swallows them again. They eventually help Hatchan by developing a friendship with the Straw Hats, despite their former animosity. Hatchan's friendship is essential to the Straw Hats, as it leads the team to encounter a coating mechanism, which allows them to travel underwater. This mechanic was also the famous first mate of Roger Pirates, Silvers Rayleigh, who also acted as Luffy's mentor, allowing him to improve his haki during his time on the Amazon Lily.

Hatchan also later helped protect the Thousand Sunny during the timeskip, along with the likes of Bartholomew Kuma and the Rosy Life Riders. Due to their combined efforts, the marines were unable to capture the sailors' ship while they were still there in their absence. Camie's support not only allows the Straw Hats to be friends with former enemies, but also leads them to develop more relationships, showing that the goodwill the team has built is an invaluable aspect of their progress.

1 Monkey D. Garp

Debut: Diary of Koby-Meppo, Vol. 9 (Chapter 92)

Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp mentors several marines, including characters such as Kuzan, Koby, and Helmeppo. He is also associated with today's most famous villains, his grandson; Monkey D. Luffy, one of the four Emperors, and his children; Monkey D. Dragon, former Marine, leader and founder of the Revolutionary Army.

Garp was no less powerful than any of his kin, and his physical strength was the result of years of hard and dedicated training. Like Luffy, he can use all types of haki, and is loyal to his beliefs. His philosophy is at odds with that of his generation, as his desire to rule the sea, and his grandson's desire for “freedom” are in direct opposition to his son's goal of overthrowing them. He often appears against his grandson or other powerful pirates, more often than not displaying skills that rival those of the admiral. However, he refuses constant offers to raise the position, thinking it would be under the control of the World Nobles, whom he despises.

With so many facets to his character, it might be quick to forget that he also debuted in the cover story, which ultimately established his role as a mentor to those who seem of Koby and Helmeppo, both of whom trained under him to reach their current level of skill. . Of particular interest to the pair, they saw how they dealt with “Axe-Hand” Morgan's escape, which also resulted in Helmeppo's temporary capture. Eventually, Garp decides to take part in their training, and continues to mentor them even after they become skilled fighters.