Eiichiro Oda, the renowned author of the famous manga One Piece, has consistently found unique ways to draw inspiration and create characters within his work.
One prominent example is Enel, the antagonist from the Skypiea arc. Enel is designed with traits and characteristics that are inspired by a well-known musical symbol of the United States. Additionally, Enel is also the name of a power plant in Italy. In the story, he possesses the Goro Goro no Mi Devil Fruit, which allows him to generate electricity from any source, even from his own body.
There are several reasons to believe that Eminem plays a significant role in inspiring the character Enel in One Piece.
Previously, Oda has mentioned his admiration for Eminem during interviews. Considering that the Skypiea arc was written in the early 2000s—a time when Eminem was extremely popular—this connection makes sense.
The details of Enel‘s design share similarities with the renowned rapper. The character’s confident and charismatic demeanor reflects Eminem‘s bold style.
Not only does Enel draw inspiration from Eminem, but Oda often incorporates elements from various cultural icons to create his characters. For instance, Sanji exhibits traits reminiscent of Steve Buscemi in Reservoir Dogs. Moreover, some characters, like the Marines, are influenced by well-known actors from Japan.
This shows that Oda skillfully blends various cultural influences to enrich the universe of One Piece. In the case of Enel, this is achieved by amplifying specific characteristics, such as his elongated ears, creating a character that resonates with the essence of Eminem while fitting seamlessly into the world of One Piece.
While Oda has not explicitly confirmed that Enel is inspired by Eminem, the evidence points in that direction. This not only showcases Oda‘s creativity but also highlights the multifaceted nature of storytelling, captivating fans around the globe.
