
One Piece is the hugely successful comic book and animation series about a team of friends who go in search of the famous treasure of the same name. When the writer and illustrator, Eichiro Oda, recently revealed that many of the One Piece characters are based on real-life public figures and celebrities, he created a different type of treasure hunt for his legions of fans. Who was which character? Where did he draw inspiration from? After what must’ve been hours of research, one fan came up with this concise gallery.
But some of these pictures show way more than a passing resemblance. It’s almost as if he sketched every detail of the real-life figure into his One-Piece character, from their pose to their jewellery and accessories. The inspiration for Paulie is even wearing an identical shirt and jacket! Twitter users are now arguing over the fine line between homage and rip-off. What do you think? Check out the characters in more detail below…
This is your Throwback Thursday article of the week, your peek into the archives of RocketNews24 featuring articles from back when we were just getting started. We’d hate for you to miss any of the quality quirky news from Asia and Japan just because you recently stumbled upon our site. And if you’re a devout RN24 reader, thanks for sticking around! Enjoy this blast from the past!
(Originally published on April 16, 2013)
Mikhail Gorbachev – The Gorosei ( Five Elder Stars)
Eminem – God Enel
Jim Carrey (Lloyd Christmas) – Mr.2 BonClay
Steven Tyler – Jango
Twiggy – Miss Valentine
Joey Jordison – Basil Hawkins
Michael Jackson – Hody Jones
Freddie Mercury – Peeply Lulu
Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura) – Franky
Lenny Kravitz – Mr.5
Al Capone – Capone Bege
Hugo Boss Model – Paulie
Mick Foley – Spandam
Valentino Rossi – Trafalgar Law

Michel Polnareff – Don Quixote Doflamingo
Kunie Tanaka – Kizaru
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Postgas D. Ace
Tim Curry (Dr. Frank N. Furter) – Emporio Ivankov
Louise Brook – Nico Robin
Uma Thurman (Mia Wallace) – Shakky
Danny DeVito (The Penguin) – Dr. Hogback
Bunta Sugawara – Akainu/Sakazuki
Daft Punk – Killer
Hulk Hogan – Whitebeard

Mahatma Gandhi – The Gorosei ( Five Elder Stars)
George Clooney – Iceburg
Jean Rochefort – Gun Fall

Cruella de Vil – Inazuma
The full list:
• God Enel – Eminem • Steven Tyler – Jango • Jim Carrey (Lloyd Christmas) – Mr.2 BonClay • Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura) – Franky • Freddie Mercury – Peeply Lulu
• Joey Jordison – Basil Hawkins • Michael Jackson – Hody Jones • Lenny Kravitz – Mr.5 • Twiggy – Miss Valentine • Hugo Boss Model – Paulie
• Al Capone – Capone Bege • Valentino Rossi – Trafalgar Law • Mick Foley – Spandam • Louise Brook – Nico Robin • Uma Thurman (Mia Wallace) – Shakky
• Stevie Ray Vaughan – Postgas D. Ace • Tim Curry (Dr. Frank N. Furter) – Emporio Ivankov • Yusaku Matsuda – Aokiji/Kuzan • Kunie Tanaka – Kizaru • Bunta Sugawara – Akainu/Sakazuki
• Danny DeVito (The Penguin) – Dr. Hogback | • Hulk Hogan – Whitebeard | • Daft Punk – Killer | • Jean Rochefort – Gun Fall | • Cruella de Vil – Inazuma
• Harvey Keitels – Rob Lucci | • George Clooney – Iceburg | • Mikhail Gorbachev – The Gorosei ( Five Elder Stars) | • Mahatma Gandhi – The Gorosei ( Five Elder Stars) | • Michel Polnareff – Don Quixote Doflamingo
Well done that man!
Source: Hamusoku (Japanese)


























Special anniversary ONE PIECE episode will feature untold story from time jump
Awesome live-action One Piece video shows Luffy and gang could still look cool in real life
Japanese vending machines now selling One Piece character cakes【Photos】
Netflix live-action One Piece reveals new cast members for Season 2【Photos】
One Piece themed amusement park due to open in Tokyo this March
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One Piece kabuki adaptation officially opens in Tokyo, cast photos begin to surface online
Proclaim dedication to your special pirate-someone with deluxe One Piece-inspired jewelry
Hold on to your straw hats, kids! One Piece to hit the kabuki stage this winter
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Here’s how manga hit One Piece is like sex, politics, and religion
New One Piece video game requires you to throw real punches to win
What if One Piece was a girls’ comic? Shojo manga artist produces character redesign【Pics】
You have One Piece creator’s official permission to have sexy fantasies about his characters
You can taste One Piece’s Flower Flower Fruit in real life thanks to this peachy collaboration
Limited-time One Piece-themed Wonda canned coffees are now on sale in Japan!
One Piece anime character now appears as Japanese wagashi tea ceremony sweet
One Piece celebrates 25th anniversary with awesome new Uniqlo T-shirt line tracing series’ history
Japan’s real-world One-Piece fitness gym is open, lets you pump giant manga meat
Ado and GRe4N to perform at One Piece Day 2024, live and streaming
One Piece sets out to find its most popular character in the world in massive survey
One Piece Devil Fruit Bath Bombs from Lush are on their way and will be offered outside Japan too