Mihawk and the Roots of the Dracula Legend
Mihawk shares many elements reminiscent of Dracula.
His name written in English — DRACULE MIHAWK — is just one letter away from DRACULA.
So Dracula is clearly his model — but…
How was the fictional monster “Dracula” born in the first place?
The Model Behind Dracula
Dracula spread throughout the world in the 19th century…
…triggered by Irish author Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula.
The inspiration for the novel was Vlad III, ruler of Wallachia (present-day Romania) in the 15th century.
Vlad III favored impalement as his execution method for traitors, instilling fear and demonstrating the absolute authority of his rule.
He also used his signature impalement against the invading Ottoman Empire.
He lined up the impaled bodies of captured enemy soldiers, causing the enemy army to lose their will to fight and retreat.
This is the same tactic as Kanki from the manga Kingdom!
Vlad III, who drove back the mighty Ottoman Empire with his “forest of stakes,” became notorious throughout Europe as the “terrifyingly cruel king” and “Vlad the Impaler,” influencing the birth of the Dracula character.
Speaking of Dracula and impalement — the king of Lurucia Kingdom made a similar declaration.
Princess Komane’s name is likely modeled after Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci.
So…
Could Lurucia Kingdom be modeled after Romania (Wallachia)?
“Dawn” in Romanian is “zori”
The scene where King Neptune mispronounces Zoro’s name as “Zori.”
Most readers pass it off as just a gag, but Oda sensei — who uses languages from around the world in names and technique names — surely wouldn’t use such a word as a mere joke.
After checking every language on Google Translate, Romanian came up as a match.
Night is the Foundation for “Dawn”
Pedro’s pirate crew “Nox” — it means “night” in Latin.
Perospero mocked the passive-sounding name, but Pedro had a deeper intention.
Taught by Roger as a child that “everyone has their moment,” Pedro wanted to help Inuarashi and Nekomamushi — who were waiting for the “World’s Dawn” — and set sail to find the remaining Road Poneglyphs.
But he was captured while targeting Big Mom’s Road Poneglyph and lost most of his lifespan.
Sanji, who saved the lives of Inuarashi and Nekomamushi — essential to the “World’s Dawn” — was in danger. Luffy declared he would rescue him from Big Mom’s island.
Pedro joined them to repay his debt to Sanji and get revenge on Big Mom.
With the future entrusted to Luffy by Inuarashi and Nekomamushi now in danger, Pedro saw his “moment” and laid down his life, becoming the cornerstone of the World’s Dawn.
Nox = Night = Before Dawn
Those who call themselves “night” become the foundation for the Sun that brings “dawn” to the world.
Another “Night”
The name of Mihawk’s black sword is also “Yoru” (Night).
And “Zori,” the name King Neptune accidentally called Zoro, means “dawn” in Romanian.
Coincidentally, Mihawk — the man with the “night”-named weapon — also became the foundation who trained Zoro to lead the world to dawn.
Led by “night,” they retrieved Sanji and brought dawn to Wano. Luffy and Zoro truly are the Sun.
In the Wano arc, both wore kimonos bearing a sun pattern that ushers in the dawn.
(Note: Sanji, who wore an iron mask while cooking French cuisine as a child, is modeled after France’s Sun King Louis XIV. Jinbei, with a “Sun” pirate crew tattoo on his chest, also joined in Wano. The Straw Hat crew is full of the Sun!)
Mihawk’s Role
Luffy, whose power awakened to become Nika the Sun God, is naturally the protagonist leading the world to dawn. But Zoro (Zori) is also a symbol of dawn — guided by the man with the “night”-named weapon, he receives near-protagonist treatment.
Comparing the “walls to overcome” for near-protagonist Zoro and true protagonist Luffy…
Luffy declared: “I’ll assemble a crew that rivals Shanks and become King of the Pirates!”
Zoro declared he would surpass Mihawk, the current world’s greatest swordsman, and become the greatest swordsman in the world.
Moreover, Mihawk has elements of Pedro, and was also in a rival relationship with Shanks.
When you think about it, Mihawk is a super important figure, on par with Shanks.
Then, since Shanks’ birth was depicted in the God Valley incident, surely Mihawk wouldn’t be completely skipped there…
Which means, after all…
Mihawk’s Parents Were Also at God Valley
For Shanks, the God Valley incident revealed most of his birth secrets: his mother was a God Valley resident who coexisted with the Davy tribe, his father was Saint Garling, the existence of twin siblings, his parents’ personalities, and the circumstances of being rescued by Roger.
So, if Mihawk — who this theory suggests is Shanks’ counterpart — also appeared there? Calculating from his age, Mihawk would have been 4 years old at the time of the incident.
And the strongest candidates for his parents among those at God Valley are Rayleigh and Shakuyaku (Shakky).
His clothing patterns and swordsmanship strength come from Rayleigh.
His distinctive sideburns and elegant bearing come from Shakuyaku? Or perhaps because he was raised by the refined women of Amazon Lily?
If that’s the case…
The fact that their homeland island was destroyed by the Celestial Dragons also matches. Mihawk is truly Shanks’ counterpart through and through.