One Piece: The Only Proof That Kaido Isn’t Dead Might Be Oda’s True Genius With His Zoan Devil Fruit Explanation

SUMMARY

• Eiichiro Oda is extremely particular about not killing his characters in One Piece, leading to some disappointment for fans, but also some of the greatest comebacks.
• Kaido is one such character whose status hasn't been confirmed and his return to the main storyline would be an exciting event.
• A popular fan theory masterfully strings together all the questions we have about Kaido, and answers them with a simple but plausible set of events.

Eiichiro Oda struggles quite a lot when it comes to the deaths in One Piece. It’s extremely rare for the mangaka to kill his characters. His hesitation sometimes dampens the effects of high-stakes moments, but it’s also the reason we have some great comebacks in the series. After Wano, Oda has put Kaido in a similar stalemate, where we don’t know if he’s dead or alive. 

A still from Kaido vs. Luffy during Wano in One Piece | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

There’s a popular One Piece theory that could confirm Kaido’s status in the manga, the Zoan Devil Fruit theory. If this theory turns out to be true, it can also give us a much-awaited update on Kaido’s Devil Fruit. But first, what is this theory? 

The Zoan Devil Fruits and their will 

The Zoan Devil Fruit theory originated from a canon revelation. As Gear 5 was getting revealed, the truth behind Luffy’s Devil Fruit was also unveiled simultaneously. The Gum-Gum Fruit was actually the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika. The Five Elders discussed how long the government had been trying to catch hold of the Devil Fruit.

The Five Elders discuss the truth behind Luffy’s Devil Fruit | Credits: Viz Media

During that conversation, Nusjuro’s statement caught fans’ attention. He said that Zoan Devil Fruits have a will of their own. It’s somewhat of a blanket statement and the extent of this ‘will’ is unknown. Since this revelation, fans believe that the Zoan Devil Fruits choose their own user. It’s a popular theory which hasn’t been confirmed yet. If this is indeed the truth, then Kaido’s Devil Fruit defies his core personality, as a Reddit user explained the Azure Dragon’s instincts. 

While the Azure Dragon is the protector, Kaido has been the destructor. And, this could be a hint about what lies ahead for the character and the reason why he isn’t dead. 

The Zoan Devil Fruit theory is the reason why Kaido isn’t dead 

A still from Wano featuring Kaido | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

Kaido was introduced fairly early on in the series, and we heard legends of him from other characters. He was known to be the strongest creature in the One Piece world. His proper introduction happened in Wano and a substantial amount of screen time was dedicated to his backstory. Yet, he’s a character shrouded in mysteries. We don’t know if his Devil Fruit has already awakened. 

The disparity between what the Azure Dragon represents and Kaido’s trajectory so far can easily be explained if the Zoan Devil Fruit theory is true. Kaido hasn’t awakened yet because of his twisted motivations. After the fight with Luffy and a face-off with ‘Joyboy’, his character might experience a huge change. He could become Luffy’s ally and his protector in a way. This change of heart can then be followed by a Devil Fruit Awakening, as the roles of the Azure Dragon and Kaido finally coincide.

Kaido in the Azure Dragon form | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

This would be a perfect way to bring back the character and explore a new side of him. One Piece fans know that Eiichiro Oda wouldn’t turn him into a completely different, noble character, but he would undoubtedly be a valuable ally in the final war. By making him an ally and giving him an awakening, Oda can make him an integral character once again without diminishing his glory. 

One Piece is available to read on the MangaPlus app and website. 

Written by Laveena Joshi

Articles Published: 439

Laveena holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism with a keen interest in entertainment journalism. Known to defend Naruto with her life, her love for anime has turned into great appreciation for the Japanese Culture. Besides considering herself a veteran weeb, she's also a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur. Better if the perfect brew is paired with a random video essay from YouTube. Blending her love for anime with the know-hows of content writing, she is now an anime content writer at FandomWire.