One Piece has an abundance of tragic backstories but Ace was more than just Luffy’s catalyst. He was a character we grew to know whose death changed the world.

Portgas D. Ace was one of the most devastating and narrative-changing deaths in One Piece. He was truly Luffy’s brother, without sharing a blood bond, and even a great friend to several characters throughout the series. He gels well with anybody, which includes his enemies, something his younger brother shares with him.

So for a character with this much positive influence, it was a surprise that Eiichiro Oda was set on killing Ace in Marineford. No matter how many people came to save him, Akainu got his justice instead.

Ace on the execution block in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Despite what fans believe, Portgas D. Ace wasn’t an instrument to expand Luffy’s story. While he was the catalyst to make the young pirate stronger, his older brother was more than just his backstory.

Ace was an active character in One Piece. He had his own goals, great powers, and potential. It made his death much more devastating but it didn’t just affect Luffy. It shook the world of One Piece in more ways than just leaving a grieving brother behind.

Ace’s life had meaning to it beyond being the token older brother

The Post-War Arc of One Piece showcased how Luffy and Ace became brothers, alongside Sabo whom they believed was dead. It also gave us a glimpse of why Ace was so self-loathing and critical of himself.

Ace leaves Wano and says goodbye to Yamato in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

His past filled in many blanks we had from the brief period we knew him. Everyone loathed Gol D. Roger and cursed him for their lives going south, even insulting any potential children. This caused Ace to believe he shouldn’t have been born, something we observed with Nico Robin. He took his mother’s name to honor her and resented his father.

In his younger years, he wasn’t always a good, perfect brother to Luffy. He distanced himself from the boy, only swayed by his stubbornness. We witnessed him unlock Conqueror’s Haki to save him too. After Sabo “died,” we saw him step up as his older brother.

Despite being close brothers, they had their own lives and Ace set off to sea. He met several people on his way, including Tama, Yamato, Jinbe, the Whitebeard Pirates, Buggy, and many more. He was an actual character with real friends and family.

Ace’s execution wasn’t a prop just meant for Luffy’s development

Because of Ace’s connections, the news of his execution triggered the Summit War. Many lives were lost for him, including Emperor Whitebeard who was prepared to die. This Redditor explains the impact of Ace’s death perfectly.

The world changed too. Sengoku retired, Aokiji left and joined Blackbeard, Warlords needed new members, and more pirates were after the One Piece. It also reminds fans that Eiichiro Oda isn’t afraid of killing present timeline characters too.

Ace’s last words to Luffy in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

It’s still true that Ace’s was used as an instrument for Luffy’s development. His death and the events of the Sabaody Arc were enough to make him realize his shortcomings. But to deny Ace’s character the depth he has is an insult to his memory.

He mourned that he wouldn’t be able to see Luffy grow as a person. He thanked him for loving him, even when he believed he didn’t deserve it. Ace didn’t deserve to die a young death but One Piece reminds us of the cruelty of the World Government. It forever changed the trajectory of the series’ future.

One Piece is available on Crunchyroll.