Monkey D. Luffy

Episode 1 (http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2jhop996T1rrb2iso1_500.gif (http://alittlebitofonepiece.tumblr.com/))

Lot's of people have their own ideas on what makes a hero. What makes a person someone they want to look up to and admire. Everyone has experienced life in different ways that is what shapes their view on what defines a hero. I think having at least one hero in your life is something very important for every person to have in their life, having a hero or two can give a person a more positive attitude, it can give them dreams and aspirations. A hero whether real or fictional I think is an incredibly important part of a persons life.

(http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzcazvuMKE1qmo2jso1_500.gif (http://konnichiwadesu.tumblr.com/))

Five characteristics that I think make up a good hero include the following. I think to be a hero the person must be selfless. They're willing to do whatever it takes to save the ones they love and help people under any circumstances. A hero is someone who doesn't have the slightest bit of discrimination too people. Someone who can easily care about other people and be ready to help and protect them no matter what. A hero is someone who does what they feel is right too them even if it is not necessarily right in the worlds eyes. A hero is someone who can make others happy and help other people find a reason to live.

The Straw Hat Pirates (http://27.img.v4.skyrock.net/273/one-piece-world-xx/pics/2746579592_small_1.jpg ())

Monkey D. Luffy, the main protagonist of the manga/anime One Piece. He is the captain of The Straw Hat Pirates. He is the son of the most dangerous and wanted man in the world. Monkey D. Dragon is the grandson of the famous Vice Admiral of the Marines Monkey D. Garp. He is the adoptive brother of Portgas D. Ace the 2nd Commander of the strongest pirate crew in the world, the infamous White Beard Pirates. To give the backstory, 22 years before the start of the story there was a man named Gol D. Roger the captain of the Roger Pirates who was the only pirate ever in history to conquer the most treachorous seas in the world known as The Grand Line. Right before being executed he smiled too the crowd and said, "If you want my treasure you can have it! I left everything I own in 'One Piece'". Many people suspect Roger left his legendary treasure on the last island of the grand line known as Raftel so many pirates from around the world who desire the One Piece are on a hunt to conquer the grand line and find the treasure facing against monstrous sea beasts, other pirates, the Marines not mention the constant changing weather disasters that occur on the Grand Line. Monkey D. Luffy is one of these Pirates who set off on his journey in a tiny raft when he was 17. Along his journey he's acquired eight other crew members and has had two major Pirate Ships. The first being The Going Merry given to them as a reward from a rich girl in a village for saving the village from the Black Cat Pirates and their captain "Man Of 1,000 Plans" Captain Kuro. Their second being The Thousand Sunny. As of now int he story the Straw Hat Pirates consist of, Captain "Straw Hat" Luffy, 1st Mate "Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro, Navigator "Cat Burglar" Nami, Marksman and Professional liar "King Of Snipers" Usopp, Chef "Black Leg" Sanji, The half man-half reindeer Doctor "Cotton Candy Lover" Tony Tony Chopper, Archaeologist "Devil Child" Nico Robin, Shipwright "Cyborg" Franky, and Skeleton Musician "Soul-King" Brook.

Luffy during the Amazon Lily Arc (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m30adc9ym41rt4xlto1_500.gif ())

For instance when Nami stole the Going Merry and it seemed that she'd betrayed the crew as a part of the fishman Arlongs pirate crew the whole the time he never doubts her, he always believes that she is his Nakama. And when they get to her home island where the Arlong Pirates are and Luffy sees her crying, he doesn't know that she's crying because Arlong went back on his promise to give Nami her homeland back for 100,000,000. Luffy only sees her Nakama crying and he knows it's because of Arlong so he goes to find arlong to kick his *expletive*. Or when Nico Robin ran away from their crew because of her past she didn't want them being attacked because of her but despite knowing the full reasons Luffy and his crew go and rescue Robin during the Water 7 Are and declare war against the world government by shooting at the Governments flag and Luffy gives Robin her will to live back when all she wants to do is die and thinks she deserves nothing more than death. Luffy is always eager to accept people in to his crew, people that everyone else doesn't accept or thinks as a monster. Such as the entire Drum Kingdom thinking Chopper was nothing but a monster because he's a half reindeer half man. But Luffy thinks he's awesome and wants him on his crew, same applies for the Skeleton Brook who had been alone for over 50 years and had his entire crew killed but he still lived because of the Yomi Yomi no Mi fruit he had the ability to cheat death and became a skeleton. Luffy doesn't care how weird someone is if he likes them he wants them on his crew. Luffy also shows his determination to stick by his dreams and live for adventure. Like the time when the crew got to meet Gol D. Rogers first mate Rayleigh and Rayleigh knew the exact location of where the One Piece is hidden and when Usopp asked Rayleigh about it Luffy yelled at him and said "No, I don't want to know where the One Piece is. There's no adventure in that. If he tells us where it's at then I'm quitting being a pirate!" Luffy has fought many tough opponents including other strong pirates and even taking on some of the marines strongest admirals to fight for what he believes in and to fight for his Nakama and his dreams. 

(One Piece Volume 44 Chapter 427 (Eiichiro Oda))

This has just been a few of the many reasons I think Monkey D. Luffy is an exceptional hero. And as the series continues I find more and more reasons to love him and his sense of adventure, courage, love for his Nakama. I have legitimatly learned some really important lessons from him in the short 4 months that I've began reading/watching One Piece and seeing his exploits. So far I've read over 600 chapters and over 60 volumes of the manga and am about half way through watching the anime adaptation and I love every bit of it. Seeing and reading his actions give me chills and bring tears to my eyes and I get excited and fearful for his life never knowing what could happen and I'm constantly on the edge of my seat every wednesday for the new Chapter of the manga to come out. And I look forward to seeing his journey to the end and learning more from his heroic actions.