Initially, Duval in One Piece was an insignificant – and frankly powerless – thug and criminal. He was the head of the Rosy Life Riders, a kidnapping gang who employed flying fish as their steeds to terrorize the Sabaody Archipelago neighbourhood. However, this crook’s story took an unexpected twist after the marines discovered his striking resemblance to Vinsmoke Sanji of the Straw Hat crew.
Initially played off as a gag character, Duval attained unwanted fame in the world of One Piece, which ignited a fierce desire for revenge. Having served as an enemy to the Straw Hats during his first appearance in the anime, Duval has since become an ally who remained by the Straw Hats’ side for an important section of their journey.
Table of Contents
When Does Duval Appear In One Piece?
Duval makes his first appearance in Chapter 386 of One Piece, which is titled He Hates The Straw Hat Crew – Iron Masked Duval Makes His Appearance. The corresponding moment from the manga occurs in chapter 492. The Straw Hat crew had just made their way away from Thriller Bark, having added Brook to their gang, and were on the way to Fishman Island.
Also Recommended: One Piece Watch Guide
Midway through, the Flying Fish Riders ambushed the Thousand Sunny. This was part of an elaborate plan Duval had laid down, which involved a former enemy of the Straw Hats. To enact his revenge against Sanji, Duval devised a scheme to kidnap Hatchan and trap Camie, Pappag, and the Straw Hat Pirates.
Luffy and his crew confronted Duval’s forces at his base, freeing Hatchan in the process. During the battle, Luffy’s attack revealed Duval’s face, which was coincidentally identical to Sanji’s wanted poster, causing him great distress. As his face was revealed, Duval took the Straw Hats on a trip down memory lane via a flashback.
Duval’s Backstory In One Piece
Fans of One Piece are no stranger to sad backstories. Past lives of the Straw hats and even those of some side characters like Koala and Senor Pink have made all of us cry at some point. However, Oda is no less proficient in writing the tragic than the comic, and Duval’s backstory – though deeply disturbing to his own self – actually causes more giggles than tears.
Originally a low-level mafia member on a quiet island, Duval’s life took a dramatic turn after the Straw Hat Pirates caused a ruckus at the world government’s stronghold of Enies Lobby. Following the revelation of their bounties before the wide world of One Piece, a running gag ensued, where “Black Leg” Sanji’s face on his wanted poster was revealed to be a caricature of his real face.
The gag was masterfully taken to a new level when Duval was revealed to have a face that matched this hand-drawn caricature to a T. The once-small-time crook found himself pursued relentlessly. Sanji’s father, in particular, sent hordes of pursuers after him, ranging from renowned bounty hunters to relentless Marines from the Marine Headquarters.
The relevance of Sanji’s father is expertly tied into a future event that would be a major focus of the post-timeskip storyline. Additionally, Duval wearing an iron mask also happens to parallel Sanji’s childhood trauma, where he was forced to keep an iron mask on all times as a child, to punish him for his flawed genetics.
At one harrowing point before his appearance in One Piece, Duval was even trapped in an iron cage until he was rescued by the bison Motobaro. Despite his best attempts, Duval could not convince his pursuers of his true identity, forcing him to wear an iron mask to safeguard himself. Finally, seeking both protection and revenge against the one who had inadvertently ruined his life, Sanji, Duval arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.
There, he reluctantly established a kidnapping gang, the Flying Fish Riders, who rose to prominence among rival gangs in the area. Duval’s name struck fear into the hearts of all within the archipelago. However, despite becoming a notorious figure, Duval continued to conceal his identity behind the mask, waiting patiently so that he could exact his long-awaited revenge.
Battle With The Straw Hats
During the struggle, one of Luffy’s punches ripped off Duval’s mask, revealing his true face. Duval then lamented his fate, blaming it on the simple happenstance of his face resembling the horrible Wanted image that he was branded with. He tried to drown Sanji using an iron net brought in by the Flying Fish Riders, yet he was saved by Camie’s quick swimming.
Next, they attempted to drop a large anchor onto the Thousand Sunny but were stopped by their most recent weapon, the “Roar Cannon”. Franky’s cleverly crafted weapon devastated much of their base in the process. He additionally attempted to charge Motobaro against the Straw Hats at one point, but it was halted by Luffy, who then scared him by unintentionally utilizing Conqueror’s Haki.
As such, Duval’s appearance marks the first time that Luffy uses Conqueror’s Haki, thereby elevating the importance of this gag character too. Of course, in this moment neither Duval nor Luffy realized this strange power, as any form of Haki had not been introduced yet.
Turning Over A New Leaf In The Sabaody Archipelago
One Piece fans often ask: how is Duval’s storyline resolved in the story?
Well, Oda’s comedic wit doesn’t fail us, and he has Sanji arrange the poor villain’s face with his kicks. Yes, that’s right, although this hardly seems surprising in a world where drinking milk can make your bones regrow. Duval was immensely grateful to the Straw Hats’ cook for changing his facial structure and began dubbing himself “handsome”.
Additionally, the Straw Hat Pirates, through Sanji, gained an ally for life. Duval and his soldiers quit battling the Straw Hats out of gratitude to Sanji. Duval caught up with him for a moment to thank them and give them the number for his Den Den Mushi before riding off to return to his tranquil country life. Later, he was contacted by Sanji and proved invaluable in supporting the Straw Hat group in their search for Camie.
What Is Duval’s Future In One Piece?
During the fight on Sabaody, Duval also beat up Peterman for kidnapping Camie and taking her luggage. Later, he and his crew escaped with the Straw Hat Pirates. They returned to Grove 13 as Duval returned Camie’s bag and left. He appeared to have been tasked with looking over the Thousand Sunny until the Straw Hats returned.
However, because they had been forcibly relocated from the Sabaody Archipelago by the Paw-Paw Fruit of Bartholomew Kuma, the Straw Hats did not yet appear. While the Straw Hats were away, Duval really shone as their ally. When the Coffee Monkeys tried to steal the Thousand Sunny, Duval stood in their way.
Despite speaking about not letting anyone lay a finger on a little girl in his presence, Duval pledged with a high-sounding voice to ensure he would never let any crook place a finger on the Straw Hats’ ship.
When Shakky mentioned the necessity to defend the Thousand Sunny, Duval began to remark that he and his men would protect the ship from any attacker. However, he was stopped by one of them, who warned him of Kuma’s presence on the tiny island. However, Duval proved to be one of the bravest characters in One Piece when he got ready to face off against even this behemoth.
The confusion was cleared up when it became apparent that Kuma’s goal was to safeguard the Thousand Sunny. Kuma took over as protector when Duval and Hatchan suffered injuries in a battle involving the Marines of One Piece. Duval was bandaged for his injuries while protecting the Thousand Sunny when Sanji came to Shakky’s Rip-off Bar two years later.
Duval was told he would need one year to recuperate. Sanji congratulated him for saving the ship but immediately dismissed his heroic tales in search of information concerning Nami. Duval then gazed in the mirror at himself, admiring his good looks.
Where Else Does Duval Appear In The One Piece Franchise?
It is clear that Duval in One Piece made a big impression on the fans. Whether it be because of his bizarre backstory, his role as a comic relief, or his bravery and change of heart, this seemingly inconsequential character remained in the hearts of readers and viewers alike. This is evident by his consistent appearances in other media in the franchise.
One Piece Premier Show
Duval appeared in One Piece Premier Show 2010. In One Piece Premier Show 2018, he also comes to the Straw Hat Pirates aid, helping them face the Bounties Pirates while also saving the kings of Levely. These shows form an annual event at Universal Studios Japan and feature pyrotechnics, stunt work, special effects, stunt work, and mapped projections with many 3D elements.
Sanji’s Pirates Restaurant
Duval also appeared in the 2017 season of Sanji’s Pirates Restaurant, a dining restaurant that is based on the anime. If you ever happen to visit Japan, this unique themed eatery is filled with characters from the story. Who knows, perhaps Duval will be your server in your own One Piece-themed eating extravaganza!
Eiichiro Oda’s fans will agree that even minor characters like Duval in One Piece leaving an indelible mark on our memories is truly a testament to the manga artist’s talent.
