Summary
- Fisher Tiger’s leadership of the Sun Pirates united former slaves and instilled defiance while maintaining a strict code against killing humans.
- The crew split due to internal and external pressures after Tiger’s death, with Arlong forming a faction driven by hatred and vengeance.
- Jinbe’s alignment with Big Mom and subsequent rebellion highlights the lasting impact and ongoing legacy of the Sun Pirates in One Piece.
The Sun Pirates hold a significant place in the history of One Piece, not just as a formidable crew but as symbols of resistance against the oppression of Fish-Men (and racism in general). Founded by Fisher Tiger, the Sun Pirates were initially composed of freed slaves who bore the brand of the Celestial Dragons. Tiger’s leadership instilled a sense of purpose in the crew, uniting them under the emblem of the burning sun.
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However, not all promising heroes get their happy ending, and their journey was marred by tragedy, ultimately leading to the fragmentation of the crew into multiple factions. The circumstances surrounding the crew’s split stemmed from both internal ideological divides and external pressures from the World Government and the Marines within One Piece.
The Rise of the Sun Pirates in the One Piece World
Fisher Tiger’s Vision and Leadership
Fisher Tiger, a revered figure among Fish-Men, founded the Sun Pirates after leading a daring raid on Mary Geoise to free enslaved people of various races. Many of those he liberated joined his crew. The Sun Pirates earned a fearsome reputation, both for their strength and their defiance against human oppression. Despite this, Tiger maintained a strict code against killing humans, believing that doing so would make Fish-Men no better than their oppressors.
The Tragic Death of Fisher Tiger
The turning point for the crew came when they attempted to return a former slave, Koala, to her home. Betrayed by the islanders, Tiger was ambushed by the Marines and suffered fatal wounds. His refusal to accept a blood transfusion from humans, a symbol of his deep-seated trauma, led to his death. His final wish was to conceal the truth of his past enslavement, leaving his crew to navigate their future without his guidance.
Listen carefully! I did things the way I wanted and … against Otohime’s will, but I still believe in her. I still believe that she is right. Everyone wants peace. But our generation cannot bring that peace we are bound to an ugly past. Only children like Koala free of that history can change the world.
— Fisher Tiger’s last words
The Split of the Sun Pirates
Jinbe’s Leadership and the Crew’s Division
Following Tiger’s death, Jinbe took command of the Sun Pirates. His growing reputation eventually earned him an invitation to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a position that offered protection to Fish-Man Island. However, accepting this title also meant the effective disbandment of the Sun Pirates as they once were. With the crew’s pardon granted by the World Government, the members faced a choice—return to Fish-Man Island or carve their own paths.
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Why Arlong Left the Sun Pirates
Even during Tiger’s leadership, Arlong clashed with his captain’s ideals (even though he adored his captain). He advocated for violent retribution against humans rather than peaceful resistance. He saw Tiger’s stance as weak and unrealistic, believing that Fish-Men should dominate humans rather than seek equality.
After Tiger’s death, Arlong immediately left the Sun Pirates to form a crew that aligned better with his ideals. He harbored a deep-seated hatred for humans, and he openly rejected Fisher Tiger’s ideology of coexistence, believing that fish-men were actually superior and should have been ruling humans instead.
Everyone has their own designated place and position in life […] you see, not all living things are born equal!
Tiger’s death only solidified Arlong’s beliefs. He viewed it as proof that humans were irredeemable, betraying even those who showed them kindness. This event became the catalyst for his split from the Sun Pirates. Arlong could no longer follow Jinbe, who, like Tiger, sought a diplomatic path. When Jinbe accepted the title of Warlord, Arlong saw it as a betrayal to Tiger’s memory, further justifying his decision to leave.
Arlong took his own faction and traveled to the East Blue, forming the Arlong Pirates. There, he enforced his belief in Fish-Man superiority by oppressing humans, extorting villages, and attempting to create a world where Fish-Men ruled through fear. His reign of terror in Cocoyasi Village was the embodiment of his ideology, as he exploited and tormented the human population to prove his dominance. Unlike Tiger, who sought to free his people from oppression, Arlong became the very oppressor he once despised, blinded by his thirst for vengeance.
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Macro Pirates: A Shift in Morality
Another faction emerged under Macro, who, along with his subordinates, turned to kidnapping and slave trading—ironically perpetuating the very suffering the Sun Pirates initially sought to combat. Instead of continuing the fight for Fish-Man equality or taking a diplomatic approach like Jinbe, Macro and his crew saw an opportunity to exploit the very system they had once rebelled against.
Despite their descent into criminal activity, the Macro Pirates never attained the same level of infamy or influence as Arlong’s faction. Their operations remained largely in the shadows, dealing in back-alley transactions and working with other underground networks. Their betrayal of the Sun Pirates’ original mission stands as a grim reminder of how desperation and the lack of strong leadership can lead individuals down a path of corruption.
The Sun Pirates’ Fate After the Split
Jinbe’s Alliance with Big Mom
Years after the crew’s split, Jinbe relinquished his Warlord title before the Summit War of Marineford, leading to the Sun Pirates once again being labeled as criminals. To protect Fish-Man Island, Jinbe aligned with Emperor Big Mom, securing a fragile peace but at the cost of serving under her banner.
But during the events of Whole Cake Island, Jinbe rebelled against Big Mom, choosing to align with Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates because he believed in their ideals. The remaining Sun Pirates aided his escape, sacrificing their own safety in the process. After helping Luffy escape, Jinbe went back to his crew to ensure their safety, and promised Luffy that he would come back to join them once he ensured their safety.
I can’t leave them behind!
The Lasting Impact of the Sun Pirates’ Story
The split of the Sun Pirates underscores some of One Piece’s most compelling themes—freedom, the weight of past trauma, and the consequences of ideological divides. From Fisher Tiger’s noble dream to Arlong’s descent into hatred, each faction represents different responses to oppression. Even in their disbandment, the Sun Pirates’ legacy continues to shape the world of One Piece, serving as a powerful reminder of the struggle for equality and the cost of vengeance.
