Gunko Parts Z...

        Gunko is the first God Knight to be introduced into the story. The OP fan base has been anticipating this moment, and yet the populace was more concerned with the identity of the Red-Haired Hooded character at the time of Gunko’s introduction. Author’s have used this technique to keep their readers’ eyes off the ball. In this article, I’m going to digest and translate Gunko’s character design. Followed by sharing my hypothesis on how Gunko became a God Knight as well as what it takes to become one. Which would lead to what I think she used to be before she became a God Knight. Finally, I’ll point out the different signs that serve as easter eggs surrounding her arrival into the story. Let’s get into it.

    At first glance, Gunko looks like the typical “petite girl packs a punch” character troupe, but she’s much more than that. One of the first details revealed about Gunko may be the most relevant to the God’s Knights’ connection to IMU. Her right eye appears to be inverted, but her left eye shares the same design as Shamrock’s pair of eyes.

    I don’t believe this to be a coincidence. Instead, I believe it represents IMU’s presence in a God Knight. Meaning that these God Knight’s serve as “avatars” of IMU. It’s a big assumption based on a small detail, but I have much more to support this beyond Gunko’s design. For instance, what draws people to be fans of such small characters or lolicons? Like Rodo and Gerd; For Gerd it’s a cute fetish, but for Rodo, it’s perverted. To fawn over such a character is catastrophic to a man’s character profile, even if “doll-like” characters happen to be of a mature age. Comparing her size to Loki, Gunko looks like a “Battle Doll” from Angelic Layer; An old CLAMP manga (Cite This). In this manga, characters can mold a doll and control it with their thoughts using a cerebral apparatus. They would have all types of designs that suggest their owner’s characteristics. The dream is to settle disputes without directly hurting each other. So the dolls take all the damage, but some owners built a precious bond with an inanimate object that becomes animated. It seems that Oda has drawn inspiration from many classics and peers to aid in his character design process and story building. There’s at least half a dozen references that fit into Gunko’s design. I intend to reverse engineer Oda’s inspiration map to predict his intentions for the One Piece story and its characters.

    Gunko has many more aesthetics worth mentioning. Such as her bandaged lower face depicting “speak no evil” to match Loki’s “see no evil”. I believe the third of the ancient proverb is represented by the 2nd Tsuchikage, Mu, reanimated for the 4th Great Ninja War in Naruto Shippuden.

I know you’re saying “wait a minute, how did we get here?” Gunko and the 2nd Tsuchikage designs are related to a mummy. Which is how you say “”mother” in the British English language. Mummies are the horrors of ancient evil and IMU is the main antagonist in the One Piece story. It also seems less like a coincidence that IMU and Mu have similar names. The first Naruto Shippuden character that came to mind upon my observation of Gunko was Hiruko aka Sasori of the Red Sand. His mouth is also covered by a cloth, he uses a nerve-agent poison, and he’s a puppet/avatar of Sasori’s collection.

Sasori operates this puppet unconventionally by residing within it much like my theory of IMU and her “strings-attached” God Knights.

    Finally we get to Gunko’s full body reveal. A biologically immature stature dressed provocatively; similar to that of a dominatrix. She’s sporting a peaked/service cap reminiscent of the famous fighting game antagonist, Major Bison.

    A Street Fighter boss known for his “Psycho Powers” and special technique, “Psycho Booster”. A famous puppet of his, now free of his hold, Cammy is known for her sexy leotard displaying her finely toned legs.

    Cammy's provocative design relates to Gunko's attempt at the same agent to get a rise out of the observer. Figuratively, this psycho/psychic theme can describe IMU's hold on her God's Knights. But I believe it to be a more literal sense. IMU may very well be a character capable of mind control; a psycho/psychic. Notice how we can split psychic into “psy” and “chic”. “Psy” is pronounced as “sigh” a term of grievance and “chic” is a “kick” as well as “chick”; a baby chicken and also a fashion term pronounced “shiek”. Meaning smart, sophisticated, and elegant. It also pronounces “sheikh” which is a ruler in Arab culture, much like Egyptian culture of pharaohs and mummies. 

    Another reference that I believe inspired Gunko’s character design is Liltetto Lamperd, Sternritter G: The Glutton of the Bleach manga series.

She’s part of a 4-woman squad of Sternritters that exhibit, a petite woman (Liltetto), a provocative woman, a modest woman, and a wannabe woman. This is a clash of female character tropes which is Oda’s intention with Gunko. Though I believe “The Glutton” represents IMU’s insatiable appetite. What adds to this theory is how Liltetto fights. Her ability resembles what IMU demonstrated in the Mariejoa throne room against Sabo when defending against his “smothered mate” technique in chapter 1085.

A huge shadow appeared and swallowed his attack. Liltetto’s mouth can expand and devour virtually anything. A perfect example of peer mangakas working together and supporting each other in their story and message. 

    The element of Gunko’s figure that can be found in the One Piece story is that she’s dressed eerily similar to Nico Robin in the Egghead arc.

The primary difference is that my waifu is a fully developed woman *Yeow!*. A bodacious babe that wears it far better than Gunko on the red carpet. Now Robin is a babe most men can get behind without the hounding of the mob that a fixation on Gunko would create. Gunko’s appearance also demonstrates how a petite woman would compete against a busty woman in vanity. Elbaph’s Underworld is frigid, but she exposes her legs despite the weather. A small woman's wiles hinges on how they utilize their personality, voice/tone, mannerisms, and last but certainly not least, their thighs/quarter legs. 

        Gunko’s appearance also shifted thanks to her equipment and ability. She was shown towering to meet Loki at eye-level on stilt-like heels or stilettos.

“Psycho Boosters” for a “God complex”. Probably because she doesn’t like to be looked down on. Her forelimbs could enlarge for a stronger impact on her blows, which is perfect for her brawler aesthetic. The last character that demonstrated this Luffy-like transformation was Bonnie who parades around in the body of a fully-grown woman, but is actually revealed to be a 12 yr old girl. Oda is challenging the “status quo” and the “thin line” with his rendition of a seemingly precocious character.

    Now let’s get into Gunko’s dialogue and actions. Gunko carries a condescending tone with everyone except Shamrock, which I suspect to be IMU’s favorite toy; essentially, precious. Gunko inviting Loki to be a God Knight was like taking a hammer to a nail. Her spoiled nature showed no tact in her methods. She beat Loki like a drum everytime he turned her down. Much like the demonization of cat-calling. When a man openly calls out to a woman and gets angry/violent when he’s denied her attention. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and was willing to kill Loki rather than leave empty-handed if it wasn’t for Shamrock’s intervention. A show of how much IMU/Gunko respects and adores Shamrock. During her time in the Underworld, it was revealed that Gunko has the Aro Aro No Mi (Arrow-Arrow Fruit) that gives her the ability to alter trajectory. She describes it as “manifesting destiny” and only she can alter its course. During her assault on Loki, she uses her ability to gesture for his attention, only to threaten him with more assaults.

I believe Oda is showing the plight of man in this age of Information & Technology with what Gunko uses from the “utility belt” time has awarded her. 

    Gunko’s invitation into the God Knights spurs the question “How is one nominated to be a God Knight?” Part of the answer resides in their station as well as who they answer to. It is described that the God Knight’s answer directly to IMU. Much like the president and his/her cabinet members. The president can appoint whoever they want to their cabinet. Just like a King’s Guard. So what would make IMU who seemingly has it all want Gunko or Shamrock? Firstly, IMU would be seeking the “cream of the crop”. Like the greatest warrior or world’s most famous musician; like Micheal Jackson, the King of Pop. I believe IMU’s stipulation is admiration. IMU is just too proud to show her hand. Now it’s more clear as to why she would want Shamrock, but why would she want a pint-sized character like Gunko? And is Gunko even her original name? I don’t think so.

    IMU has lived a long-time and has observed the flow of time. Because of her extremely long lifespan, she has watched people come and go in what seems like “the blink of an eye” to an immortal being. So she collects people, like how one collects taxidermy animals. Imbuing them with her power and externalizing the character. Evidence of this is what happened to St. Jay Garcia when IMU pulled her influence from him. It seemed like all the passed time caught up to him and he aged a millennia in a few moments leaving behind a pile of dust and bones.

Immortality seems like a great bargain, but are you really living if you’re constantly under aggressive influence? I don’t believe that Gunko was the kind of person that would willingly accept those terms. In fact, she was probably just as defiant as Loki in regards to the invitation. But a character with so much power doesn’t have to do much to get what she wants. 

    My hypothesis is that Gunko was a healer beloved by the people. She came from an age when science was young and the knowledge of medicine was scarce. I think she represents what most people see when they look at a petite person; “They wouldn’t hurt a fly.” People tend to congregate around a person that can protect them from the unseen plague. So it was the congregation that made IMU notice Gunko in the first place; inadvertently. Much like how pop culture works. Gunko’s wave was big, but unfortunately, IMU’s wave is the tallest. Her Egyptian mummy design suggests she came from an age of pharaohs and pyramids. And her capabilities were comparable to that of a prophet. Which leads me to believe that her original character relates to the prophet Moses. The man who parted the seas to grant safe passage away from the tyrannical pharaoh.

I’m excited by this theory, because it makes you wonder, what did people follow? The man? Or his character? I believe it to be the latter. Therefore, a petite girl like Gunko could be capable of shepherding a populace with her sheer character alone. It’s the same energy of electing a female president to preside over the highest office in the world. 

    IMU’s Gunko is a twisted version of her original character. Much like Sid, the bully from Toy Story, who altered and experimented on his collection of toys. I believe she dressed modestly like Moses rather than the revealing edition that IMU sports today. A leader and healer poisoned and turned into a ruthless brawler. All IMU cares about is that Gunko is her’s. Once Gunko lost the affection of the people, IMU began to experiment with her design loosely. Which is why she doesn’t resemble her original self at all. I even believe that IMU taped her mouth shut to prevent her will from seeping out. Despite IMU’s control, Gunko’s prayers were on a loop in defiance of her captor, the false god.

    The Elbaph arc has details that relate it to a chess game. Some of my hypotheses stem from what elements of this arc represent which pieces on the board.

This creates a framework that the perceptive reader can follow. Oda has been leaving hints to the nature of Gunko in the scenes she didn’t take part in as well. Like the fact that she was summoned amongst a hooded pair. Much like the Akatsuki in what seems to be what remains of the “White Rook”. The parallel here is that Gunko and Shamrock have taken the white castle. I believe the other “White Rook” is the Owl Library. And guess what Strawhat pair was present at the library? Robin the archaeologist and our favorite “cutsie” Strawhat, Chopper THE DOCTOR. The last connection of the pair is Robin and Shamrock. I believe Shamrock’s original character was similar to that of the folklore hero, Robin Hood.

With that connection, I knew that Gunko’s “x” variable equated to that of an “ancient doctor” or shaman. In those times, healers were revered and said to have magic powers. In some parts of the world, they were hunted as witches in the Salem Witch Trials. It’s this frame and lighting of Oda presenting Gunko that drew me to my theory of her original character. 

    The hooded pairs’ movements were symbolic of a Black Queen and Black Bishop. Demonstrating that the Black chess player (IMU) has an advantage being in White (Elbaph) territory. When Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Rodo entered the castle after those two agents vacated the premises, they observed that the castle doors were kicked from the inside-out. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the metal frame of the door shows “four black queens/ministers” with one “bent out of shape”.

It seems like Oda is suggesting that the person who broke down the door is “twisted” as well as coming from within the confines of the castle. In history, women were confined to the home, and there are works of art that suggest their longing to be free. Oda is showing that these homes can’t hold these women anymore. The women that are consumed by self-interest and contemporary power in the name of freedom. As well as the idea of not looking back at what once was or the wreckage that remained. 

    I believe I made a very strong case on the parts that make up the character, Gunko. Her design inspired by great mangakas of our time; Misashi Kishimoto (Naruto), Tite Kubo (Bleach), and CLAMP (Angelic Layer). Addressing the reality of man and woman’s fixation and perception of “cutsie”, “doll-like” characters and their fan base. A character with the aggression of a firing squad, physically and verbally. I made sure to include many acts of wordplay that add to Gunko’s theme. As well as shedding light on Gunko’s strings and the marionette known as IMU. As a fan of One Piece, it would excite me to see just how corrupt Gunko is from her original self. Not because I enjoy the downfall, but because I relate to the tainting of one’s image by an enormous force. Mangakas/Artists/Authors like Oda grant a voice to the “smothered mate”. Until next time, stay tuned DonQuix fleet.

P.S. A little thematic keyword to pair with the title; “Legz”