Luffy’s name “Monkey” is inspired by a famous Chinese figure
Luffy’s first name “Monkey” is a tribute to one of the most well-known figures in Chinese literature. The name is an allusion to the legendary monkey king Sun Wukong from the famous Chinese tale “Journey to the West,” written in the 16th century.
Sun Wukong is a rebellious hero known for his boundless energy and determination – traits that Luffy embodies in the world of One Piece.
Other anime have also drawn inspiration from Sun Wukong – most notably Dragon Ball, whose main character Son Goku resembles a modern version of the monkey king.
The figure of the monkey king is widespread, and in 2024, a successful action game was released on Steam, where you can take on the role of Sun Wukong.
On page 3, we will continue with the first concept for Luffy and a fun fact from the manga.
