TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE— LUFFY AND NAMI'S MOMENT OF HOPE.

A soldier leaving his most treasured possession, as a symbol of the hope he looks to redeem to a helpless victim.

A walk down memory lane?

After years of slavery under villain Arlong, Nami, now in a state of hopelessness, comes to a painful epiphany— the master that had so brutally detached her from home and kept her captive against her will for most of his expedition never planned to redeem his promise to restore the peace to her village.

In a burst of despair that threatens to swallow her whole, she stabs herself, using her own staff, in the same spot that Arlong marked her with his damned tattoo.

Luffy, witnessing this act of pain, realizes he is the only beacon of light to Nami’s world, the only hope she has to be free from the shackles of the ruthless man that held her captive for so long.

And so, after she calls out to him for help, in an iconic moment that is cast in anime history, he removes his straw hat— his most esteemed belonging —and puts it on her head gently, assuring her that the battle would be won for her, and he leads his men on the Walk to Arlong Park, with a renewed hunger for victory.

He wanted to do it, not just for Nami, but for Cocoyasi village and her people.

This is one of the most iconic anime scenes ever aired, not just for the aura about it, but the emotions it triggers, and for the light it shines on Luffy.

This moment redefined the character. Luffy was no longer just a “smiley straw hat pirate”. He was a reason to have faith.