Monkey D. Garp has been criticized a lot by the fans for letting Ace die in One Piece but he had a very valid reason behind letting it all happen.

SUMMARY

Monkey D. Garp is a fan favorite character but he was criticized a lot for letting Ace die.
Fans have always questioned his decision to choose his duty over his grandson.
However, his decision might have been right after all as there was more at stake than fans realize.

Monkey D. Garp, the grandfather of Monkey D. Luffy and one of the most important characters in One Piece, is a fan favorite and is loved for a lot of things. His carefree attitude, his insane strength, and his wisdom are all aspects that add substance to his character. However, there is one thing that One Piece fans have hated Garp for a long time.

Monkey D. Garp | Credit: Toei Animation

The reason why a huge chunk of fans hates Garp is that, during the Marineford War, he didn’t save his grandson, Portgas D. Ace, even though he had the chance. Although Garp was strict towards his grandsons in One Piece, he loved and cared for them dearly. But when Ace got caught by the Marines and was about to be executed, Garp chose to let it happen.

Thus, he received a lot of hate for it, and to this day, fans hold Garp responsible for the death of Ace. But there is a pretty valid reason behind Garp choosing to let Ace die, and this makes it an even bigger sacrifice than losing his grandson. This sacrifice was setting an example in front of other soldiers as the Hero of the Navy in One Piece.

Monkey D. Garp let Ace die during the Marineford War

When the news about Ace getting captured was spread throughout the One Piece world, it created a ruckus, especially in the pirate community. The Marines decided to publicly execute Ace to set an example and explain the consequences of becoming a pirate. Thus, Garp was already warned by Sengoku not to interfere with the execution and prove his worth as a Navy soldier.

Garp agreed to it and sat silently until the Paramount War broke out in One Piece. He was then forced to stop everyone who tried to save Ace and stop the execution. Not only did he stop powerful characters like Marco, but he also stood in front of his other grandson, Monkey D. Luffy, and tried his best to make sure that he didn’t reach Ace at any point.

Garp and Ace | Credit: Toei Animation

This was one of the hardest things for him to do in One Piece because he was seen sitting with Ace and crying about why he didn’t follow his path and join the Navy. Also, when Ace finally died, his emotions almost took over him, and he was about to kill Akainu if Sengoku had not taken control of him.

Garp not saving Ace was his biggest sacrifice

For the longest time, fans have blamed Garp for the death of Ace and the turmoil it caused in the One Piece world. However, fans need to understand Garp’s situation too, as he had no choice but to let the execution happen. Garp is considered the Hero of the Navy in One Piece, and many Marine soldiers look up to him as an inspiration.

Garp stopping people from saving Ace | Credit: Toei Animation

The Paramount War led to the death and sacrifice of many Navy soldiers and had Garp interrupted with the execution, all the deaths and sacrifices of the Marines would have gone to waste.

Thus, his duty and his loyalty towards his subordinates didn’t allow him to save Ace. As a result, he sacrificed his image in front of fans and other characters and honored the deaths of others.

This is why, in a way, Garp’s decision to let Ace was justified, even though it brought him and the One Piece fans extreme pain. And now, Garp is in a similar situation, and fans will have to see whether the Navy honors his sacrifice by saving him or not.