For more than twenty-five years, One Piece has kept fans hooked with its sprawling world, boundless imagination, and a cast of characters so memorable that they’ve become legends in their own right. But as the series nears its grand finale, a fascinating debate has once again taken hold of the fandom: is Luffy’s crew complete, or are there still more Straw Hats yet to join before the story ends?
At the heart of this debate lies an analysis that first gained traction on the blog Merlin’s Musings. It proposes that Eiichiro Oda designed the Straw Hat recruitment process according to a deliberate narrative rhythm—a repeating four-member pattern that structures the series into distinct “acts.” If this pattern continues, then the final saga, the so-called “third act” of the Grand Line journey, could still introduce four new official crewmates before Oda closes the curtain.
This theory, bold and almost mathematical in its precision, has led to some of the most passionate fan speculation in recent years. Could Oda truly have mapped out such symmetry from the beginning? Or is the idea simply a product of fandom’s collective obsession with order in a story defined by chaos and adventure?
Whatever the answer, exploring this theory offers a fascinating lens through which to appreciate Oda’s storytelling—and to imagine what surprises might still await the world’s most beloved pirate crew.
The Pattern Hidden in Plain Sight
To understand the “four-per-act” theory, we need to look back at the structure of One Piece from its earliest days. According to Merlin’s Musings and countless discussions that followed, the series can be divided into three major “acts,” each representing a phase in Luffy’s rise as a pirate captain and his journey toward becoming the Pirate King.
The first act covers the East Blue Saga, where Luffy sets out to sea and begins assembling his crew. During this time, four members officially join: Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. These four lay the foundation for everything that follows—each representing core archetypes of the shonen genre: the swordsman, the navigator, the dreamer, and the cook.
The second act spans the Paradise half of the Grand Line, covering sagas like Alabasta, Skypiea, Water 7, Thriller Bark, and the chaos of Sabaody. Once again, four new members join: Chopper, Robin, Franky, and Brook. This phase of the story expands not only the crew but the world itself—introducing the mysteries of the Ancient Kingdom, the Void Century, and the World Government’s control.
With eight total recruits spread evenly across two major acts, the structure appears too clean to be coincidence. If One Piece is indeed told in three narrative movements—East Blue, Paradise, and the New World—then the final act should logically echo the pattern. That would mean four more recruits are still waiting to board the Thousand Sunny before the end.
Of course, Oda has never confirmed any such design, but his storytelling has always exhibited a knack for cyclical rhythm. From the way Luffy’s major battles mirror each other to how key phrases—like “I want to live” or “I’m going to be the Pirate King”—echo across generations, Oda’s world is built on patterns.
And in a manga that constantly references the past to shape the future, the idea that the crew’s growth follows a hidden structure feels strikingly possible.
The Case for More Straw Hats
If the “final four” theory holds, who could possibly fill those last slots?
This is where the fandom becomes divided, passionate, and endlessly creative. Countless debates have broken out over which characters fit the mold—who has both the narrative weight and the emotional resonance to join the Straw Hats this late in the story.
Three names dominate the conversation: Yamato, Vivi, and Carrot.
Yamato, the self-proclaimed “son of Kaido,” emerged in Wano as a major player and a character tailor-made for Straw Hat energy. Yamato’s admiration for Oden and yearning for freedom align perfectly with Luffy’s ideals. Yet, despite their strong connection, Yamato ultimately chose to stay behind in Wano—at least for now. That hasn’t stopped fans from arguing that Oda might bring Yamato back for the final leg of the journey, especially given their dream to see the world like Oden once did.
Vivi, meanwhile, has a far deeper bond with the crew. As the princess of Alabasta, she traveled with the Straw Hats long before the world knew the name “Mugiwara.” Many fans consider her an “honorary” member, but with the Revolutionary Army and the mysterious disappearance of Cobra in the Reverie, the possibility of Vivi rejoining has gained real momentum. If she were to become a permanent part of the crew again, it would tie together one of One Piece’s oldest threads and give emotional closure to an arc that began over two decades ago.
Then there’s Carrot, the energetic mink who traveled alongside the crew during Whole Cake Island and Wano. Her personality fits the Straw Hat mold—brave, quirky, and deeply loyal—but her story seemed to conclude when she took over as the new ruler of Zou. Still, given how often Oda revives old allies, her reappearance isn’t out of the question.
Outside these fan favorites, a few others have entered the conversation: Bonney, who’s grown closer to Luffy’s group during the Egghead arc; Hancock, whose loyalty to Luffy is undeniable; and even Smoker, who some fans believe might undergo a redemption arc that lands him among the Straw Hats. Each suggestion speaks less to prediction and more to wishful thinking—a reflection of how deeply fans connect with these characters.
The most common argument in favor of more recruits is balance. In traditional pirate mythology and even Japanese storytelling structures, groups often follow symmetrical numbers—either nine, ten, or twelve. The Straw Hats currently stand at ten (including Jinbe), meaning four more would bring the total to fourteen, symbolizing a completed “family” just before the world-changing endgame.
The Case Against It
Yet, for every fan who supports the “final four” theory, there’s another who sees it as impossible.
The counterargument is grounded in pacing and narrative focus. With the story entering its climax, the manga simply doesn’t have the space to develop four brand-new characters without sacrificing depth. Every existing crew member—especially the less spotlighted ones like Franky, Brook, and Chopper—still deserves their final moment of growth before the end. Adding new faces, critics argue, would dilute that emotional payoff.
There’s also Oda’s own statements over the years. He’s hinted multiple times that the Straw Hat crew was “almost complete,” even as far back as post-Enies Lobby. Each new addition since then (like Brook and Jinbe) arrived with massive buildup and significance. If there are truly more members to come, Oda would need to introduce them with the kind of weight reserved for legends.
Moreover, One Piece has evolved beyond its early “recruitment arc” formula. The modern story focuses less on expanding the crew and more on uniting allies—samurai, pirates, revolutionaries, and even former enemies—under a single banner. In a sense, the entire world has become Luffy’s crew. From the Grand Fleet to the allies of Wano, his influence now extends far beyond the Thousand Sunny.
So, while the idea of four new Straw Hats is thrilling, many fans believe Oda’s real goal isn’t to expand the crew itself, but to expand what “crew” means in the world of One Piece.
The Symbolism of Four
Still, the number “four” carries rich symbolism in Oda’s storytelling—and it’s hard to dismiss that entirely.
In Japanese culture, four (四, shi) is often associated with death, but also rebirth and transformation. It’s a number that marks cycles—the end of one phase and the beginning of another. If Oda truly built the story around a repeating pattern of fours, the final four could represent the rebirth of the world itself after the destruction of the old order.
Each previous quartet of recruits brought balance to the crew: physical strength, intellect, emotion, and creativity. If a final set does exist, they could embody the next evolution of these traits—characters who bridge the human and the divine, the past and the future.
Imagine a scientist who rivals Vegapunk’s brilliance, a former Celestial Dragon who defects to the crew, or even an ancient being from the Void Century who carries the last memory of the “First World.” The possibilities are endless, and in One Piece, “impossible” is never a safe bet.
Oda’s Storytelling Rhythm
Beyond patterns and symbolism, this theory resonates because it reflects something true about how Eiichiro Oda writes. His storytelling thrives on rhythm—rising and falling action, mirrored arcs, and recurring motifs that tie thousands of chapters together.
Consider how Luffy’s major fights often echo earlier moments. Crocodile’s defeat foreshadowed Doflamingo’s. Enies Lobby mirrored Marineford in structure and emotion. Wano’s liberation reflected Alabasta’s. Each time Oda loops back on himself, he’s not repeating—he’s resonating, building layers of meaning through reflection.
That’s why theories like the “final four” feel so compelling. They capture the sense that Oda’s world isn’t random—it’s a living, breathing narrative organism where everything, somehow, connects.
If this theory proves right, the revelation of the final crew members could serve as a culmination of the series’ rhythm—a final movement that mirrors the first. And even if it’s wrong, the discussion itself reflects how One Piece continues to inspire readers to think, analyze, and dream about what comes next.
The Legacy of the Straw Hat Crew
Regardless of whether new members appear, one thing is beyond question: the Straw Hat crew has already achieved an iconic balance few fictional groups ever have. Each member embodies a facet of the human spirit—courage, intellect, loyalty, curiosity, kindness, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.
Luffy may be the captain, but his greatest power has always been his ability to draw people together—not through fear or control, but through trust and shared purpose. That, more than Devil Fruits or bounty numbers, is what makes the Straw Hats legendary.
So perhaps the answer to this theory lies not in the number of crew members, but in what the crew represents. The “final four” may not be literal new additions, but symbolic ones—the people and ideals Luffy’s journey has inspired across the world. In that sense, everyone who carries the will of freedom could be counted among the crew.
The Endless Voyage
The beauty of One Piece lies in its openness. Every theory, no matter how far-fetched, reflects a world so deep and consistent that it invites participation. The “final four” theory may never be confirmed, but it continues to spark discussions because it taps into what makes the story timeless—the belief that adventure is never over, that there’s always room for one more dreamer, one more ally, one more voyage.
As One Piece sails toward its end, fans may never get the neat symmetry they crave—but Oda has taught us again and again that perfection isn’t about order. It’s about freedom.
And if the seas of the world still hold four more souls brave enough to chase the horizon with Luffy, then maybe—just maybe—the adventure is far from over.