Summary

Buggy “fails upwards” into success, making him a strong contender to become the Pirate King.
Buggy acquires powerful allies like Crocodile and Mihawk, boosting his chances of finding the One Piece.
Buggy’s passion for finding the One Piece rivals Luffy’s, making him a true dreamer in One Piece.

As a story, One Piece has always been full of twists, turns, and surprises. Although on the surface, Luffy’s journey to become the Pirate King may seem simple, Oda, being the author of the series, has often subverted the fan base’s expectations. Whether it’s Luffy’s crushing defeat at Marineford or his surprising win on Wano, the journey to become Pirate King isn’t the straight line to success that many fans once thought it would be.

Due to this, some fans even believe that Luffy won’t be the first person to claim the title of the Pirate King before the conclusion of One Piece’s story. In fact, one other character currently may have a better shot of claiming the One Piece and becoming the Pirate King than Luffy himself. That character is Buggy the Clown, one of Luffy’s oldest antagonists in the series.

In their endless pursuit for answers, One Piece fans have created many theories as to why Roger laughed at Laugh Tale.

Buggy Has Had An Interesting Journey In One Piece

From The East Blue To The New World Buggy Fails Upward

Buggy the Clown, as many fans know, has been both an antagonist and ally to Luffy since the very beginning of the series. After their first encounter in One Piece’s Orange Town, the Clown Pirate has consistently appeared throughout One Piece. Although he is generally considered a weak character, his strange charms and a little bit of luck have allowed him to “fail” his way up into becoming a Warlord of the Sea and, eventually, an Emperor.

I wanna be the King of the Pirates! – Buggy

Throughout his journey, although he lost sight of it after he left the Roger Pirates, Buggy has regained his goal of discovering the One Piece and becoming the King of the Pirates. After forming the Cross Guild and allying himself with Crocodile and Mihawk, Buggy has truly become a force to be reckoned with, despite lacking any power himself. In a way, Buggy proves One Piece’s thesis statement, that with strong dreams and a desire to accomplish them, anything is possible. With no power and only a strong resolve, and though he constantly fails, Buggy has made it to the top of the world.

Buggy Has Acquired Powerful Allies

The Clown Convinced Crocodile And Mihawk To Join His Cause

Buggy Has Constantly Failed Into Success
The Cross Guild Gives Buggy A Huge Power Boost

This pattern of Buggy failing into success is one of the main reasons many fans have concluded that Buggy will be the one to find the One Piece. After failing during the Paramount War at Marineford, Buggy still emerged from the event as a Warlord, and commander of a mercenary squad. Additionally, after Mihawk and Crocodile come to him in need of funding and advertising for their new Cross Guild idea, Buggy accidentally becomes the face of their operation and is considered the leader, despite that not being the case.

The Straw Hat pirates are still missing one final member. This person will finally join them in One Piece’s final saga.

However, it’s after Crocodile and Mihawk attack Buggy for this slip-up that Buggy’s true potential to become the Pirate King is revealed. Here, despite being held as just a head and covered in bruises, Buggy proclaims that together, the Cross Guild can claim the One Piece. Although he keeps failing, Buggy continues to push forward towards his dreams, in any way he possibly can.

Buggy Is The True Dreamer In One Piece

His Passion For Finding The One Piece Rivals Luffy’s

In many ways, this proclamation of Buggy’s true goal, combined with his penchant for “failing upwards” makes him a strong contender to become the potential Pirate King. It makes sense that Buggy, who has succeeded no matter what happened in the story so far, will somehow succeed in becoming the Pirate King. Whether this means he will briefly hold the title for a second by stealing the One Piece during an epic clash between Luffy and Blackbeard or if he will actually become the Pirate King legitimately is unknown. Perhaps Buggy will only hold the title in an ironic sort of way, while the protagonist, Luffy becomes the true Pirate King.

It’s time for us to finally claim the One Piece! – Buggy

In the end, although it’s way too early in the story to tell, it may be a good idea to keep an eye on Buggy throughout the rest of the series. Although Buggy becoming the Pirate King may cheapen the title a bit, it would certainly complete the character arc of one of One Piece’s most iconic antagonists. Hopefully, fans will be given some closure on Buggy and his amazing journey in the Final Saga of One Piece.