Garp

Biodata

Background / History

Garp took notice of Roya after learning that the young Marine had awakened Conqueror’s Haki and mastered the Six Powers. He personally summoned Roya, assessed him, and recruited him as a captain aboard his ship, placing him directly under his command. His recognition also greatly elevated Roya’s standing among the Marines. 2

After witnessing Roya effortlessly incapacitate Koby with controlled Conqueror’s Haki, Garp was astonished that the ability had been awakened only about three months earlier. Believing Roya to be an exceptional genius, he offered to personally train him in Haki. 3

Garp informed Fleet Admiral Sengoku of Roya’s potential and became responsible for his development. He trained Roya in Observation and Armament Haki, integrated Haki into the Six Powers, arranged combat sparring, and taught the fundamentals of swordsmanship despite not being a specialist swordsman. 4 5

Garp later tested Roya in a serious sparring match and advocated for his exceptional promotion to Marine Headquarters rear admiral. 7

After Roya killed Saint Charlos, Garp joined Sengoku in appealing to the Five Elders for leniency. Although he failed to secure Roya’s release, he later visited him in Impel Down, apologized personally, and offered to help him escape. 50 53

During the Summit War, Garp was torn between his duty as a Marine and the imminent execution of his adopted grandson, Portgas D. Ace. He ultimately chose to defend Marineford, though Ace’s death at Sakazuki’s hands drove him into a rage so severe that Sengoku had to physically restrain him from attacking the admiral. 65 74 100 134

Garp continued fighting for Marineford after Ace’s death, setting aside his hatred of Sakazuki long enough to repel Big Mom and defend the Marines’ remaining forces. His bitterness toward Sakazuki persisted after the war, however, and he later refused to attend Sakazuki’s senior-officer meeting despite the latter’s position as Fleet Admiral. 195 229

Appearance

Garp is an elderly Marine with a full head of white hair. He is frequently seen eating rice crackers and wearing a Marine coat bearing the word “Justice.” 2 6

• White-haired 2
• Usually carries or eats rice crackers 2 4
• Wears the standard Marine “Justice” coat in battle 6
• Removes his Marine coat when preparing to fight seriously. 28

Personality

Garp presents himself as carefree, loud, and fond of joking, particularly when trading insults with Sengoku over food and age. Behind this relaxed behavior, he carries the overwhelming presence of a top-tier fighter and takes the Marines’ future seriously. 2 4

He is a harsh instructor who uses demanding physical training and live sparring to judge his students’ progress. After Koby and Helmeppo’s poor performance, he tripled their training; yet he also provides Roya with direct, specialized instruction once he recognizes his potential. 3 4

Garp is openly dismissive of the Celestial Dragons and strongly protective of Roya. Although he recognizes the political consequences of killing Saint Charlos, he supports Roya emotionally, prevents Sakazuki from provoking him, and personally appeals to the Five Elders to spare Roya’s life. 42 47 48 50

Despite his fierce commitment to Marine justice, Garp places profound value on family. Ace’s execution leaves him emotionally devastated, and Sakazuki’s killing of Ace nearly makes him abandon his restraint and attack a fellow Marine. He nevertheless continues defending Marineford when it is threatened, prioritizing the wider responsibility he bears as a Marine over his desire for revenge. 65 134 195

Garp also bears lasting resentment toward Shanks, whom he blames for encouraging Luffy to become a pirate. Even so, he maintains enough discipline not to attack Shanks recklessly during the already catastrophic Summit War. 164 165

Abilities & Skills

Armament Haki

Garp possesses Armament Haki powerful enough to overwhelm advanced defenses and project destructive force without physical contact. 4 7

• Demonstrated basic Haki coating by blackening his fist. 4
• Demonstrated advanced outward emission by destroying a mountain with a punch that did not touch it. 4
• Broke through Roya’s Iron Body and later defeated him with a vastly stronger Haki-infused punch. 6 7
• Clashed directly with Kaido’s spiked club using an Armament Haki-coated fist. 28
• His Haki-infused strike against Marco bypassed much of the Phoenix Fruit’s regenerative protection. 102
• Forced Big Mom back several steps with an Armament Haki-coated punch during the later stages of the Summit War. 195

Observation Haki

Garp can use Observation Haki with exceptional precision. 4

• Avoided a rain of falling stones while keeping his eyes closed. 4
• Explained that advanced Observation Haki can foresee the near future. 4
• Easily read and countered Roya’s initial attacks during their spar. 6

Physical Combat

Garp is a fist-focused combatant whose attacks are powerful enough to challenge the Four Emperors. 5 28

• Uses pure physical combat as his preferred fighting style. 5
• Personally fought Kaido alongside Sengoku when the latter overwhelmed Marine Headquarters’ forces. 28
• His collision with Kaido’s club created a shockwave that knocked surrounding combatants down. 28
• Stopped Marco’s attempt to reach Ace’s execution platform by knocking the Phoenix commander from the sky with a single punch. 74
• Fought Whitebeard alongside Sengoku in a battle powerful enough to shake Marineford and alter the sky. 101 102
• Despite fatigue from fighting Whitebeard and the effects of age, continued confronting major pirate threats during the war. 117 183

Instruction

Garp is an effective but severe teacher who develops fighters through direct demonstrations, discipline, and combat experience. 4 5

• Instructed Roya in the combat applications of Observation and Armament Haki. 4 5
• Taught Roya to combine Haki with the Marine Six Powers. 5
• Taught Roya the basics of swordsmanship before intending to find more qualified Marine instructors. 5
• Previously trained Kuzan, who later became a Marine Headquarters admiral. 2
• Personally trained Roya in the fundamentals of all three forms of Haki, though Roya later developed powers Garp had not known he possessed. 126

Relationships

• Roya — Recruiter, mentor, sparring partner, and staunch protector. Garp recognized Roya’s potential, trained him in Haki, recommended his promotions, and defended him after the killing of Saint Charlos. When his appeal to the Five Elders failed, Garp personally offered to help Roya escape Impel Down; he later urged Roya to remain with the Marines, but Roya refused. 2 3 7 47 48 50 53 138
• Sengoku — Longtime comrade and frequent verbal sparring partner. Despite their bickering, they cooperate in military decisions and jointly fought Kaido at Marine Headquarters, Whitebeard during the Summit War, and later the pirate forces threatening Marineford. 4 24 28 101 183
• Koby — Trainee under Garp. Garp permitted Koby to challenge Roya to assess his progress and later imposed intensified training after his defeat. 3 4
• Helmeppo — Trainee under Garp. Garp allowed his challenge against Roya, then punished him with increased training following his poor showing. 2 4
• Kuzan — Former trainee. Kuzan’s later rise to admiral is frequently cited as evidence of Garp’s ability to cultivate exceptional Marines. 2 244
• Portgas D. Ace — Adopted grandson. Garp wanted Ace to become a Marine and was devastated by his execution; Ace’s death at Sakazuki’s hands nearly drove Garp to murder the admiral. 65 121 134
• Monkey D. Luffy — Biological grandson. Garp is deeply distressed by Luffy’s decision to enter the Summit War and resents Shanks for influencing him toward piracy. 121 164
• Kaido — Recurring adversary. Garp has fought Kaido before and confronted him again when Kaido attacked Marine Headquarters. 25 28
• Whitebeard — Old-era contemporary and opponent. Garp and Sengoku battled Whitebeard together during the Summit War, while acknowledging that Whitebeard’s age and accumulated injuries contributed to their ability to suppress him. 101 102
• Big Mom — Enemy during the Summit War. Garp intercepted her personally when she attempted to escalate the assault on Marineford. 195
• Sakazuki — Fellow Marine officer opposed by Garp when Sakazuki tried to place Seastone handcuffs on Roya. Garp’s hostility became far more severe after Sakazuki killed Ace, and he later refused to cooperate with Sakazuki’s leadership as Fleet Admiral. 48 134 143 229
• Shanks — Garp resents Shanks for inspiring Luffy’s pirate path and regards his intervention at Marineford with anger and suspicion. 164 169
• Five Elders — Garp directly petitioned them to spare Roya after they demanded his execution, but failed to change their decision. 50 53

Story Role / Major Arcs

Roya’s Recruitment and Training

Garp’s recognition brings Roya into his command and unlocks the path to formal Haki training. His demonstrations of Observation and Armament Haki inspire Roya’s system-assisted cultivation, while his sparring test helps establish Roya’s qualification for promotion. 2 3 5 7

Kaido’s Attack on Marine Headquarters

When Kaido attacks Marineford over Doflamingo and Jack’s imprisonment, Garp welcomes the challenge. After Kizaru, several Warlords, and Marine forces fail to stop Kaido, Garp and Sengoku join forces against him. Their attacks fail to injure Kaido decisively, after which Garp permits Roya to test himself against the Emperor. 25 28 29

The Celestial Dragon Crisis

Garp initially laughs at Roya’s assault on Saint Charlos but recognizes the danger once Charlos is confirmed dead. He helps calm Roya when his Conqueror’s Haki threatens to erupt, blocks Sakazuki’s attempt to restrain him, and accompanies Sengoku to Mary Geoise to plead with the Five Elders. 42 47 48 50

Roya’s Imprisonment

After the Five Elders refuse to spare Roya, Garp visits him in Impel Down. He apologizes for being unable to secure his release and offers to assist his escape, demonstrating that his loyalty to Roya outweighs his willingness to accept the World Government’s unjust punishment. 53

Summit War

Garp initially struggles to reconcile his Marine duty with Ace’s execution, but eventually enters the war by stopping Marco from reaching the scaffold. He later fights Whitebeard alongside Sengoku and continues defending Marineford against the Emperors. Ace’s death pushes him to the brink of attacking Sakazuki, though Sengoku restrains him before he can do so. 74 101 102 134 195

Postwar Rift with Sakazuki

Although Garp temporarily puts aside his rage to help defend Marineford, he never forgives Sakazuki for Ace’s death. After Sakazuki becomes Fleet Admiral, Garp refuses to participate in his leadership meetings, underscoring the deep division within the Marine hierarchy. 195 229

Notable Quotes

“Roya, you're simply a genius. This old man likes you very much.” 3

“Then let him come!” 24

“There's no need to cuff Roya! I'll take responsibility if anything happens!” 48

“Don't forget! I am also a Marine! Protecting Marineford is my responsibility too!” 74

Trivia

• Garp’s rice crackers are a recurring source of arguments between him and Sengoku. 4
• He prefers physical combat and initially hoped Roya would choose the same path, though he accepted Roya’s decision to specialize in swordsmanship. 5
• Garp’s standing as the Marine Hero is respected even within Impel Down, where Magellan permitted him private access to Roya. 53