One Piece is a popular Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as “One Piece” to become the next Pirate King.
The series is well-known for featuring many unique and eccentric characters. One such character is Fleet Admiral Sengoku, a prominent figure in the Marines who has earned the nickname “The Buddha” due to his large stature and afro-like hairstyle resembling a Buddha statue. Though his exact height is never officially stated, many fans speculate that Sengoku stands at around 5 feet tall, making him one of the shortest major figures in the series.
Sengoku’s Background
Sengoku first appeared early on in the One Piece storyline as a Vice Admiral leading the Marines against Gol D. Roger, the previous Pirate King. He rose through the ranks over the years, eventually becoming Fleet Admiral and leader of the Marines.
Some key facts about Sengoku:
– His full name is Sengoku the Buddha. His nickname comes from his afro resembling a giant Buddha statue.
– He ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu, a rare Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit that allows him to turn into a gigantic Buddha statue.
– He was a contemporary of legends like Roger, Whitebeard, and Garp, but is considered less physically imposing than them.
– He is paired with his pet goat. He is often seen caring for and talking to his goat while on duty.
– He is a brilliant strategist who carefully plans the Marines’ moves behind the scenes. However, he gets extremely frustrated by the antics of his subordinates.
Evidence Supporting Sengoku’s Short Stature
Though Sengoku’s height is never directly stated, there are several contextual clues that point to him being on the shorter side, likely around 5 feet tall:
Scenes with Other Characters
When standing near other characters, Sengoku tends to be much shorter by comparison:
– He only comes up to about shoulder height next to taller characters like Doflamingo and Akainu.
– In a scene with Garp, he is dwarfed when standing side-by-side.
– Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, who took over his position, is drawn much taller than him.
Size of His Devil Fruit Transformed State
– When transformed into a Daibutsu, he grows extremely large in scale compared to his normal size. This implies his normal form is more diminutive.
– His Daibutsu form is not nearly as massive compared to other giant-sized characters in the series.
Other Hints
– Some official art and merchandising portray him as shorter than other characters.
– His bushy afro hairstyle adds height, suggesting he tries to appear taller than he really is.
– His habit of yelling at subordinates hints at a “Napoleon complex.”
Counter Evidence of Sengoku Being Average Height
However, there are also some instances in both the manga and anime that depict Sengoku as more average in height:
– In some scenes, he appears only slightly shorter than Garp, who is confirmed to be very tall.
– His character design changed initially between his first appearance and the Marineford arc, with him becoming taller and more muscular.
– As Fleet Admiral, he is drawn with a commanding presence, implying imposing stature.
– In group scenes like at Reverie, he doesn’t stand out as being particularly short.
– His Daibutsu form varies in size, sometimes appearing more proportional to a normal-sized person.
Conclusion
So in summary, while Sengoku’s height is never officially confirmed, the weight of evidence points to him likely being on the shorter side, possibly around 5 feet tall. This would make him one of the few prominent “little people” characters among the largely exaggerated proportions of One Piece.
However, as with many details left intentionally vague by Oda, there are also counterpoints suggesting Sengoku may be more average in stature. His short height remains a spirited fan debate. Regardless of his size, Sengoku remains one of the most cunning and authoritative figures in the One Piece world.