The Chronology of the Thriller Bark Pirates
On September 1, 2025, Chapter 1158 of Weekly Shonen Jump featured a shocking cover story illustration:
- Vol.38: “The grave of a hero born in West Blue and raised in Ringo—come pay your respects.”
- Vol.39: “To protect the village, he fought Kaido, but died without even leaving a body behind.”
- Vol.40: “Here lies a pirate of justice.”
And the name of the hero who died defending Ringo was revealed to be… Kouzuki Moria‼︎⁉︎
Immediately, fans were left with countless questions:
- “Why does Moria carry the Kouzuki surname?”
- “Wasn’t he Gecko Moria?”
- “Did he flip Kouzuki into Gekkou (moonlight) as a fake name?”
- “Did he marry someone from the Kouzuki clan?”
- “Which one is his real name?”
Speculation exploded, but for now we can only wait for Oda to reveal the truth.
In the meantime, let’s put together what we do know into a timeline of the Thriller Bark Pirates.
Gecko Moria
Profile
- Age: 50
- Height: 692 cm
- Origin: West Blue
- Favorite food: Caviar marinade
- Bounty: 320,000,000 berries
- Laugh: Kishishishi
History
- 24 years ago: Witnessed Roger’s execution in Loguetown
- ? years ago: Became a wanted man with a 320 million bounty
- 23 years ago: Fought Kaido in Wano and was defeated
- ? years ago: Built the giant ship Thriller Bark
- ? years ago: Joined the Seven Warlords of the Sea
- 2 years ago: Thriller Bark destroyed by the Straw Hats
- 2 years ago: Stripped of his Warlord title after the Paramount War
- Present: Attempting to re-form the Thriller Bark Pirates
When I laid out this timeline, I was shocked. At age 26, Moria witnessed Roger’s execution in Loguetown. Immediately afterward he was wanted with a 320 million bounty, and just a year later he was already challenging Kaido in Wano.
And yet, Ocho described him as “a hero born in West Blue and raised in Ringo.”
So when exactly did he grow up in Ringo? Before Roger’s execution?
That would mean that by age 26, Moria had already found a way to cross from West Blue to East Blue (perhaps like Sanji did), and from there entered the Grand Line to reach Wano.
In Wano, the people of Ringo saw him as a hero who dared to face Kaido. Though defeated and presumed dead, he was enshrined as their savior. In reality, he stole Ryuma’s body and the sword Shusui before leaving the country.
Later, he built Thriller Bark using an island in West Blue (likely his birthplace), and traveled to the land of ice where he discovered Oars’ corpse.
Looking back, Moria’s career is surprisingly impressive:
- Traveling the world aggressively from youth
- Hunting Kaido in Wano like Ace once did
- Pulling off a “country-lifting legend” by floating an entire island as a ship
…Moria was honestly incredible all along.
Absalom
Profile
- Age: 36 (deceased)
- Height: 195 cm
- Origin: West Blue
- Favorite food: Roast zebra
- Laugh: Fufufu
History
- ? years ago: Ate the Suke Suke no Mi
- ? years ago: Became Moria’s subordinate
- ? years ago: Modified through Hogback’s surgery
- 2 years ago: Thriller Bark destroyed by the Straw Hats
- 2 years ago: Rescued Moria with Hogback
- 0 years ago: Active as “Absa,” a freelance reporter breaking scoops
- Present: Killed by the Blackbeard Pirates, powers stolen
With his Vivre Card marked with his death, Absalom’s passing is confirmed.
But given Hogback’s modifications, his corpse likely still has value as a zombie soldier. If his body was retrieved during the escape from Hachinosu, it’s possible he could reappear—reborn as a zombie with a different shadow.
Hogback
Profile
- Age: 47
- Height: 223 cm
- Origin: West Blue
- Favorite food: Spaghetti soup
- Laugh: Fosfosfos
He appears to be modeled after the Penguin from Batman Returns—a villain often said to rival the Joker as one of the greatest in comic history.
History
- ? years ago: Began studying medicine
- ? years ago: Fell in love with Sindry
- ? years ago: Saved many lives as a surgeon
- 12 years ago: Learned of Sindry’s death
- 12 years ago: Revived Sindry as a zombie
- 7 years ago: Accidentally revealed zombies’ weakness to Brook
- 2 years ago: Escaped Thriller Bark
Afterward, he was last seen vacationing with Absalom in a cover story (Vol.59). Since then, nothing.
Given how close Moria’s “monster trio” were, it’s not hard to imagine Hogback rejoining if Moria regains his drive. After all, his expertise in enhancing corpses is essential for Moria’s power.
And there’s another layer: Moria’s zombie army ties directly into Norse mythology. In Ragnarok, the ship Naglfar carries an army of the dead into battle. That could easily be Moria’s zombies. And fittingly, Hajrudin’s ship already shares that very name. Coincidence? Probably not.
Perona
Profile
- Alias: Ghost Princess
- Age: 25
- Height: 160 cm
- Origin: West Blue
- Favorite food: Bagel sandwiches & hot cocoa
- Laugh: Horohoro
Even Perona’s profile hints at darker symbolism:
- “Horohoro” laugh → Holocaust
- Captain Gecko → Ghetto
- Favorite food bagels → a bread strongly tied to Jewish culture
Given how often Oda weaves real-world references, it hardly seems accidental.
History
- ? years ago: Taken in by Moria as a child
- ? years ago: Became commander of animal and surprise zombies
- 2 years ago: Defeated by Usopp
- 2 years ago: Sent to the ruins of Shikkearu Kingdom
- 2 years ago: Nursed Zoro back to health, lived at Mihawk’s castle
- 0 years ago: Helped the Straw Hats’ escape from Sabaody
- 0 years ago: Learned of Moria’s survival through the papers
- Present: Struck a deal with Coby at Hachinosu to free Moria → escaped with him
They likely fled to a safe place together… perhaps even to Wano?
If they were to secure a mass of SMILE users’ corpses there, the Thriller Bark Pirates would gain terrifying strength.
Childhood
Flashbacks show Moria and Perona with clear signs of noble origins: ornate daggers, boots, parasols, elegant clothes, and even dangerous animals as pets. Ordinary children couldn’t possibly live like that.
It suggests Moria was born a noble—and Perona too.
So why did he become a pirate? And why did he take Perona in? Perhaps the Celestial Dragons’ “human hunting competitions” destroyed their kingdom, killing Perona’s royal parents. If so, Thriller Bark itself may be built from the ruins of their lost homeland.
Cover Story Parallels: Ginny & Moria
In Chapter 1158, the main story is edging closer to the God Valley Incident.
Ginny—abducted and brutalized by the Celestial Dragons—returned home broken, only to die while clutching Bonney.
So why did Oda suddenly bring Moria into Yamato’s cover series? Likely to mirror Ginny and Bonney with Moria and Perona.
In other words:
- Perona escapes Hachinosu with her “father figure” Moria
- They head for their “second homeland,” Wano
- Yamato discovers them and offers protection
- Could Moria and Perona actually become Yamato’s retainers?
English One Piece theories
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