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The mysteries ofOne Pieceare what make Eiichiro Oda’s storytelling so compelling. But with Oda’s style of narration (that builds up over time and leaves ample room for interpretation) theories are bound to happen. And no possibility—from Shanks having an evil twintoImu being JoyBoy’s vice— is “too ridiculous”.
One such theory is that Mary Geoise, the celestial capital atop the Red Line, was originally named “Mary Joy,” with ties to Joy Boy’s mother—or perhaps a figure deeply connected to him. It sounds far-fetched, but with linguistic clues, mythological parallels, and historical hints in mind, the case for Mary Geoise being “Mary Joy” somehow seems more likely than not.
The Linguistic Clues In One Piece: “Mary,” “Imu,” and “Geoise”
The name “Mary Geoise” (マリージョア orMarijois) offers a wealth of potential meaning. In multiple languages, “Mary” connects to the sea: in Latin and Spanish, “Mar” means “sea,” while “Mary” has roots as “Stella Maris” or “Star of the Sea” in French. Similarly, “Imu,” when reversed, spells “Umi,” the Japanese word for sea.
“Geoise,” on the other hand, seems tied to the French term “bourgeoisie,” representing the upper class. However, its pronunciation also closely resembles “Joy.” Much like the reveal of“Laugh Tale” being a wordplay on “Raftel,”it’s plausible that “Mary Geoise” was originally “Mary Joy.”
Mary Joy and Joy Boy: A Familial Link?
If Mary Joy was indeedthe original name of the Ancient Kingdom, then its connection to Joy Boy becomes even more intriguing. The name “Joy Boy” could have come from “Mary Joy’s Boy,” suggesting a familial relationship. Joy Boy might have been the son—or spiritual successor—of someone named Mary Joy, whose ideals or legacy represented freedom and prosperity.
There’s also another possibility that Mary Joy was the name of the Ancient Kingdom, and Joy Boy was the man who represented it internationally (against the 20 Kingdoms). Imu, in a display of power after defeating the kingdom, named his new world after them.
The Mythological Parallels of Mary, Imu, and Joy Boy
This theory gains strength when viewed through the lens of mythology. The name Mary, as “Star of the Sea,” ties to Venus, a symbol of love, beauty, and abundance. Venus is also the “Morning Star,” an imagethat resonates with Shirahoshi (Poseidon), whose name means “White Star.” Imu’s lush private garden, filled with ancient plants, mirrors Venus’s association with fertility and life.
Imu’s connection to the sea—through the reversed name “Umi”—suggests a deeper link to aquatic themes, mermaids, and even the Sun Tree Eve,which sustains Fish-Man Island. If Mary Joy was tied to the Ancient Kingdom’s ideals, her influence might have extended to both the seas and the natural world, which are central toOne Piece’smythos.
Conquest and Transformation: Mary Geoise’s Fall
Imu’s role asthe ruler of the Celestial Dragonsraises the question of why such a powerful figure would adopt the name Mary Joy—or its distorted form, Mary Geoise. The answer might lie in the act of conquest. By taking the name of the Ancient Kingdom’s capital, Imu would assert dominance over its legacy, symbolically erasing its history.
The historical parallels are striking. Much like how European colonizers repurposed names of indigenous lands, Imu’s use of Mary Joy could reflect a similar strategy. What once represented joy and prosperity—the ideals of Mary Joy—was corrupted into the oppressive seat of power we know today.
Why Mary Joy Matters
The connection between Mary Joy and Joy Boy paints a picture of resistance and legacy. If Joy Boy’s existence was tied to Mary Joy, it underscores the stakes of the ongoing battle against the World Government. Theparallels to characters like Shirahoshi, the Sun Tree Eve, and the ideals of freedom further reinforce this theory’s plausibility.
Imu’s inability to destroy Fish-Man Island or harm Shirahoshi suggests a limitation tied to the ancient past. Could the Sun Tree Eve, which sustains life below the Red Line, hold a secret that Imu cannot destroy without unraveling their power? If Mary Joy was truly the name of the Ancient Kingdom, then its ideals of coexistence and abundance still resonate, even in defiance of the World Government’s tyranny.
One Piece
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One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, to become the next king. The manga’s popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
