As One Piece sails deeper into its Final Saga, the community is buzzing with speculation about one of the biggest questions left unanswered: will the Straw Hat Pirates welcome another member aboard the Thousand Sunny? For decades, the roster of Luffy’s crew has grown at a steady pace, each new addition bringing fresh dynamics and thematic weight. Yet as the story nears its climax, many fans believe Eiichiro Oda has one last surprise in store.
Two names keep rising to the top of the discussion: Princess Nefertari Vivi of Alabasta and Vegapunk Lilith, one of Dr. Vegapunk’s satellite personas. Both characters have strong ties to the Straw Hats, both offer symbolic resonance, and both would dramatically shift the crew’s balance if they became official members.
Why Fans Expect Another Straw Hat
To understand the hype, we need to revisit Oda’s storytelling patterns. Throughout One Piece, crew additions have followed a loose but recognizable formula. Each new Straw Hat embodies a distinct dream, represents a unique skill set essential to the crew, and reflects a core theme of freedom.
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Zoro: the swordsman striving to be the world’s strongest.
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Nami: the navigator mapping her way to freedom.
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Sanji: the cook chasing the All Blue.
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Robin: the archaeologist uncovering the Void Century.
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Brook: the musician fulfilling a promise across decades.
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Jinbe: the helmsman bridging races and oceans.
By this pattern, fans argue there’s still space for at least one more major role, someone who embodies an unresolved dream or balances the crew in a new way. Vivi and Lilith both fit that mold — albeit in very different ways.
The Case for Vivi
Vivi’s story with the Straw Hats stretches back to the Alabasta Saga, one of the earliest and most emotionally powerful arcs in One Piece. Though she ultimately stayed behind to protect her kingdom, her time aboard the Going Merry cemented her as “one of them.” Her farewell scene, marked by the crew silently raising their X-marked arms in solidarity, remains iconic in the fandom.
Why Vivi Fits the Role
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Unfinished Business: Vivi’s bond with the Straw Hats has never fully closed. Her status as a “Straw Hat in spirit” leaves the door open for a formal return.
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Thematic Symbolism: Vivi represents loyalty, sacrifice, and justice. As the world’s balance shifts in the Final Saga, her presence could symbolize the unification of royalty and piracy against tyranny.
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Alabasta’s Significance: With the Reverie and the growing role of the Nefertari family in the Void Century mysteries, Vivi’s return would tie directly into the overarching narrative.
Challenges
Vivi’s role as a princess still binds her to political responsibilities. Could she truly abandon Alabasta during such turbulent times? Some fans argue that her importance lies more in the global stage of world politics than as a full-time crew member.
The Case for Lilith
If Vivi represents the heart of the Straw Hats, then Vegapunk Lilith represents the mind — or perhaps the chaos. Introduced in the Egghead Arc, Lilith is one of Dr. Vegapunk’s six satellite bodies, each embodying a facet of his personality. Lilith represents “Evil,” often showcasing reckless behavior and a willingness to dive into danger.
Why Lilith Fits the Role
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Scientific Bridge: Lilith brings cutting-edge technology and knowledge to the crew, skills the Straw Hats currently lack. She could become a counterbalance to Franky, combining engineering genius with futuristic science.
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Symbolism of Chaos and Progress: As the Straw Hats challenge the World Government and its technological dominance, Lilith’s presence would be both ironic and powerful — a piece of the government’s greatest scientist joining the rebellion.
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Unpredictability: Lilith’s personality could add a volatile spark to the crew, shaking up dynamics in ways no other candidate could.
Challenges
Lilith’s identity is complicated. As a satellite, she is not wholly independent; her existence is tied to the greater Vegapunk consciousness. Would Oda allow such a character to permanently detach from that role? Some fans see her as a temporary ally rather than a destined crew member.
Oda’s Hints and the Fandom Divide
Oda has been characteristically coy about whether another Straw Hat is on the horizon. He has, however, dropped small hints suggesting the crew is not yet complete. Interviews over the years have alluded to the idea that “the crew will total around 10 members,” depending on how you count. With Jinbe’s official addition, we’re close to that number — but not quite there.
The fandom remains sharply divided. On Reddit, Twitter, and fan forums, debates rage daily:
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Team Vivi argues that her return is destiny, fulfilling the promise she made long ago.
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Team Lilith sees her as the bold, unexpected twist Oda loves to deliver.
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A third camp insists the crew is already complete, and new members would dilute the emotional impact of the Final Saga.
What Each Choice Would Mean for the Story
If Vivi joins, it would represent the past returning to the present. Her comeback would honor the Straw Hats’ history, tie together global politics, and pay off one of the series’ earliest emotional arcs.
If Lilith joins, it would represent the future colliding with the crew. Her addition would plunge the Straw Hats deeper into the clash of technology and freedom, symbolizing rebellion not just against tyranny, but against control itself.
Both choices carry weight, and both would reshape the Sunny in profound ways.
Final Thoughts: One More Dreamer?
At its core, One Piece is about dreams — chasing them, protecting them, and finding the freedom to live them. Vivi and Lilith embody different facets of that theme. Vivi’s dream is one of peace and loyalty, while Lilith’s is one of curiosity and chaos.
Will Oda choose to bring back an old friend or introduce a new wild card? Or will he surprise everyone by keeping the Straw Hats as they are, showing that the crew has always been complete?
No one can say for certain. But the very fact that fans are debating it so passionately proves how deeply One Piece continues to capture imagination. As the Final Saga unfolds, every chapter could bring the answer. Until then, the Thousand Sunny sails on — perhaps with room for one more dreamer.