Over the years, the One Piece manga and anime franchise has introduced fans to a wide variety of factions and groups, from the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Four Emperors to the World Government and numerous pirate crews.
One of the most significant and powerful factions is the Revolutionary Army, which, despite its limited screen time, stands out for its commitment to fighting for the downtrodden and oppressed. The members of this Army would rather die than submit to the World Government.
One Piece fans are now familiar with key members of the Revolutionary Army, such as Dragon, Sabo, and Emporio Ivankov. As the final saga of One Piece unfolds, fans can make educated guesses about the Army’s role in deciding the world’s future.
This also helps estimate the fate of the Revolutionary Army, whether it will succeed in its mission or face a devastating defeat at the hands of the Navy. While Luffy might succeed where the Army fails, the defeat of Dragon’s coalition would be disastrous for all of One Piece’s heroes, and no fan wants to see that outcome.
Key Player in Final War Against World Government and Luffy’s Quest for Global Freedom
The Revolutionary Army’s role in One Piece can be seen in two ways: within the story and from a storytelling perspective. Within the story, the Revolutionary Army aims to challenge the corrupt World Government, especially targeting the Celestial Dragons and nobles who benefit from its oppressive rule.
They represent the common people’s fight against this unfair system, expressing their anger and desire for freedom from tyranny. For years, the Revolutionary Army has weakened the World Government’s power across the seas, aiming to ultimately overthrow it so all island nations can govern themselves independently.
The Revolutionary Army also supports other freedom-oriented groups, particularly the Straw Hat Pirates led by Dragon’s son, Luffy. Although they don’t have an official alliance, the Revolutionary Army is willing to ally with any group or kingdom opposing the World Government.
An example of this was on Dressrosa, where Luffy and Trafalgar Law inspired locals to rise against Doflamingo, and the Revolutionary Army arrived to help. This is how Luffy discovered his childhood friend Sabo was alive. Since then, the Straw Hats and Revolutionary Army have gone their separate ways, but their alliance in spirit remains and might become important again soon.
Narratively, the Revolutionary Army sets the stage for the final war against the World Government, aiming to free the world from its control.
It’s unrealistic for just Luffy’s crew or the Straw Hat armada to defeat the World Government and its elite defenders, like the Admirals and Five Elders. The story needs the Revolutionary Army to make the downfall of the World Government believable.
A resistance movement of this scale gives fans hope that the World Government can be defeated, with Luffy taking a symbolic lead as Joy Boy, the icon of liberation and hope.
While Luffy fights for personal freedom, fans can predict that he will also fight for global freedom in the final saga’s climax. The Revolutionary Army’s presence is essential to help Luffy and make this ultimate victory feel credible.
Triumph or Dissolution as World Government Faces Overthrow
The story of One Piece is ongoing, so the final fate of the Revolutionary Army is still unknown. However, fans can make educated guesses about its future, both positive and negative. Monkey D. Dragon’s army is committed to an all-or-nothing cause against the World Government, and surrender is not an option.
The army will either succeed in its mission or face annihilation, and fans hope for the former. If they succeed, several outcomes are possible.
The Revolutionary Army started as the Freedom Fighters movement, which implies that freedom is precious and worth reclaiming. In an oppressive world, such a group was necessary, and if the World Government falls, the Revolutionary Army will either change its mission or dissolve.
If the World Government is overthrown and all islands are freed, the surviving members of the Monkey family and their friends might tour the world, helping unstable or impoverished nations build their strength and thrive in a post-World Government era. This reconstruction period could take many years.
Anime fans have seen something similar in My Hero Academia, where pro heroes and UA students work to rebuild their shattered nation and restore order. The same might happen with the Revolutionary Army’s members.
Alternatively, the Revolutionary Army might dissolve, allowing its members to either help with the reconstruction on their own terms or retire from world affairs and enjoy their private lives as ordinary citizens.
For efficiency, the Revolutionary Army might stay together to help coordinate the world’s reconstruction, but it would likely allow anyone to quit if they wanted to, as their main mission would be over. Only volunteers would remain, working together as friends rather than fellow Army members to do the right thing for the world.
After all this, the Revolutionary Army would enter history as the greatest, noblest organization ever, ending centuries of oppression and cruelty by the World Government. People might say that the Revolutionary Army inherited the thirst for freedom from the mysterious Void Century when the original Joy Boy fought to protect the world’s peace after the World Government rose to power.
History books might place Monkey D. Dragon in the same category as Joy Boy, with officers like Sabo receiving honorable mentions. This would be the most glorious and inspiring fate for the Revolutionary Army as the world entered its reconstruction era.
Revolutionary Army’s Possible Defeat Could Set the Stage for Luffy’s Ultimate Triumph
During the final saga of One Piece, it’s possible that the Revolutionary Army will launch its long-awaited assault on the World Government and lose. While the Revolutionary Army plays a major role in the story, it only has so much plot armor.
To increase the tension and stakes, it might be for the best that the Revolutionary Army fails in its final battle, even if fans are rooting for it. The Revolutionary Army is bigger and stronger than ever, but the World Government is very powerful, with its vast navy, mighty Admirals, and the Five Elders who wield awakened mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruits.
If the Revolutionary Army fails in its mission, it will need Luffy to support it and finish the mission it started. In that case, the Revolutionary Army’s fate is one of disgrace, though its members’ noble intentions may still be recognized.
The Army’s members would likely be captured by the Admirals and Five Elders, and the leaders would face public execution as an example, with Monkey D. Dragon being a likely candidate for execution.
If Gol D. Roger could be publicly beheaded to send a warning to all pirates, the same could happen to Dragon to warn against future freedom fighter uprisings. The remaining Revolutionary Army members would likely end up in the dreaded Impel Down prison with no hope of escape, or at least the officers would. The rank-and-file members would end up in various conventional detention centers.
If that happens, Luffy would have to push himself to the limit to lead the charge and finish what the Revolutionary Army started, toppling the World Government with the power of Gear 5 and his status as Joy Boy, the one chosen by Nika the sun god.
If Luffy can finish the job, then the remaining Revolutionary Army members would be freed and begin reconstruction efforts, the same as if they had succeeded, but perhaps more humbly and with a few leaders already dead. Still, those kinds of risks are what Sabo and the others signed up for.
No matter what happens by the end of One Piece, they are ready for whatever fate awaits the Revolutionary Army, be it glorious or humiliating.
