Hailing from one of Shonen Jump's most famous anime, Monkey D. Luffy shares many characteristics with other shonen protagonists. He's cheerful, reckless, and loves a good adventure. He cares for his friends and family a great deal and will do whatever he can to protect them. Not to mention he's one of the strongest characters in the show. But there are some aspects of Luffy that make him stand out.
Whether discussing his childhood, personality, or personal beliefs, some parts of Luffy make him differ from the run-of-the-mill shonen protagonists. One Piece's creator, Eiichiro Oda, showcases Luffy's strengths and weaknesses while also using those traits to shape the overall story. Monkey D. Luffy has inspired many shonen anime fans, sharing many characteristics with other shonen main characters. However, some things about him still make him unique.
11 He's Childish And Childlike At The Same Time
Unlike most shonen protagonists, Luffy tends to take his childishness to new levels. His love for adventure makes him act on impulse, much to his crewmates' annoyance. However, there are times where he can be downright immature, such as refusing to share food with anyone.
Luffy's had a rebellious streak even as a child, but not because he's a bad person. He doesn't like being bossed around, but he stands firm in his beliefs. Personality-wise, Luffy's categorized as being "pure of heart." He's not bad but not all good either, which makes him such a fascinating character to watch.
10 He Has Animal Instincts
A lack of parental figures is a typical troupe in shonen anime, but One Piece took it a step further with its protagonist. Luffy doesn't know much about his parents but still spent most of his childhood in less-than-ideal situations. His grandfather, Monkey D. Garp, frequently left him out into the wilderness for "training."
Some may call it cruel, but it forced Luffy to learn how to fend for himself. His fighting is much sharper from spending so much time around animals, whether to fight them or hunt them. His two-year training with Silvers Rayleigh helped draw out those animalistic instincts to have more impact during his fights.
9 He Doesn't See Himself As A Hero
Luffy's never seen himself as a hero. In fact, he does whatever he can to distance himself from the title. There are a few possible reasons he doesn't like to align himself with heroes other than his pirate status.
One of his reasons lies in his childishness, such as not wanting to share his meat with anyone—generosity being a heroic trait. Another reason is much deeper, with his dislike of the World Government. Even before Ace's death, Luffy never cared to be a Marine like his grandfather, Garp, because of its restrictions and "less than righteous" practices. Luffy knows the difference between good and evil and acts according to his whims; he won't hesitate to help a person in need, even if it means defying what everyone else views as "right."
8 He Doesn't Kill His Enemies
Death in One Piece holds a lot of weight, even with the show's violent nature and dark socio-political topics. A character's death has more meaning in the anime, especially if they're close to one of the main characters. Luffy is one of the strongest characters in One Piece but never needs to kill his enemies. This sentiment holds a deep meaning.
According to Oda, Luffy doesn't kill his enemies because "men live by their beliefs and risk their lives to defend them." He adds that Luffy proves their beliefs wrong by defeating his opponent, forcing them to reconsider their ideals. This defeat is much more humiliating and "worse than death."
7 He Gets Attached To People Quickly
Luffy attaches himself to people too easily, despite the Straw Hat members' advice. It doesn't take long for him to ask the person in question to join his crew, even if it makes little to no sense at the moment.
This "method" is how Luffy gets Brook and Jinbe to join his crew, though his crewmates initially opposed it. He's a good judge of character and knows when he likes a person, even if others may seem wary. But it doesn't take long to get attached.
6 He Has Little To No Thought Bubbles Or Inner Monologues
Throughout One Piece's 20+-year runtime, there have been little to no instances where Luffy's had thought bubbles. The creator, Eiichiro Oda, did this on purpose.
Luffy is straightforward and will say whatever he thinks, regardless of its insensitivity or pure stupidity. He doesn't bother to think before he speaks and comes across as brutally honest, even when it's not necessary. Luffy has never been one to have inner dialogue because Oda didn't believe it was necessary to his character.
5 He Has A Habit Of Singing
It's pretty rare to hear a shonen protagonist singing whenever they're bored. Even though their voice actors may have released a song or two—Naruto, for example—the protagonist never sings on their own.
Even before meeting Brook, Luffy has had a habit of singing to pass the time. He could be walking through the forests of Skypiea or walking through a traditional village, but he seems to love belting out whatever tune comes to mind. It's an odd but remarkable fact about Luffy.
4 He Always Changes His Outfits
A handful of shonen protagonists have changed their outfits throughout the seasons. But Luffy has had the most outfit changes, mainly due to the anime's length and the locations he visits.
From the Alabasta deserts to Wano Country, Luffy had to adapt to every country's climate. He's worn robes, gladiator costumes, and even a tattered kimono. Regardless, Luffy's iconic straw hat is always incorporated in his outfits, remaining tied around his neck or sitting firmly on his head.
3 He Has No Concrete Love Interest
Luffy has an unspoken charm to his personality, but One Piece has never shown him in a relationship. He has a one-track mind, set on becoming the Pirate King, and has never shown romantic interest in any of the characters he encounters.
Two of the most popular fan ships involve Luffy and Nami and Luffy with Boa Hancock. However, a romance between Nami and Sanji has a better chance of blossoming. It might be harder to convince anyone to support a romance between Luffy and Hancock, mainly because of the large age gap and Luffy's lack of interest in her.
2 He Has A Unique "Respect" For Food
Luffy's love for food stems from a unique appreciation for it. He was forced to survive out in the wilderness as a child, including finding a consistent food source. Luffy resorted to eating various animals, so he has no problem scarfing down anything that moves.
His relationship with food also stems from fighting with mountain bandits to eat. When Luffy lived with Dadan and her gang, he would have to work for his meals. But everything was still on a "first come, first serve" basis, leaving him with nothing a lot of the time. So any meal Luffy comes across makes him more protective of it.
1 He's Very Humble
Despite his immense strength and fighting power, Luffy is the last to brag about his accomplishments. He's confident in his abilities, but doesn't feel the need to show off to anyone.
Luffy's humility can stem from his carefree nature; he goes through life with one goal in mind. He feels the need to fight if he's challenged—which may seem tedious to the other party because of his absentmindedness—or if he's helping someone in need.