Drum Island Arc (Episodes 78–91)
78. "Nami is Sick? Beyond the Snow that Falls on the Ocean!"
79. "A Raid! The Bliking and Wapol the Blik!"
80. "An Island Without Doctors? Adventure in a Nameless Land!"
81. "Are You Happy? The Doctor Who is Called a Witch!"
82. "Dalton's Resolve! Wapol's Army Lands on the Island!"
83. "The Island Where Snow Lives! Climb the Drum Rockies!"
84. "The Quack Doctor Hiluluk! The Miracle of Cherry Blossoms!"
85. "An Outlaw's Dream! Hiluluk's Cherry Blossoms and Inherited Will!"
86. "Hiriluk's Cherry Blossoms! The Flag of Faith Flies Forever!"
87. "Goodbye Drum Island! I'm Going Out to Sea!"
88. "Zoan-Type Devil Fruit! Chopper's Seven-Form Transformation"
89. "When the Kingdom's Rule Ends! The Flag of Conviction Lasts Forever!"
90. "Tony Tony Chopper Joins the Crew! The New Adventure Begins!"
91. "Farewell Drum Island! I'm Going Out to Sea!“
The Drum Island Arc is the fifth story arc in the Alabasta Saga of One Piece and introduces a key member of the Straw Hat Pirates, Tony Tony Chopper. This arc takes place after the crew leaves Little Garden, when they are in dire need of medical assistance due to Nami’s sudden illness. The Straw Hats arrive at Drum Island, a wintery island known for its harsh climate, where they face new challenges, uncover a tragic past, and encounter a corrupt ruler. The arc delves into themes of friendship, loyalty, and self-acceptance, while also highlighting the importance of dreams and the lengths people go to in order to achieve them.
Plot Summary:
Nami’s Illness and the Need for a Doctor
As the Straw Hat crew sails away from Little Garden, Nami collapses due to a mysterious illness she contracted while on the island. With her condition worsening, Luffy and Sanji grow increasingly worried and realize that they need to find a doctor quickly. The crew heads toward the nearest island, Drum Island, which they learn was once known for having many skilled doctors. However, they soon discover that the island is now under the tyrannical rule of Wapol, a former king who has driven away almost all the doctors except for a select few who work directly for him.
The People of Drum Island
Upon arriving at the icy shores of Drum Island, the Straw Hats are confronted by Wapol and his pirate crew. Wapol possesses the Baku Baku no Mi (Munch-Munch Fruit), a Devil Fruit that allows him to eat anything and incorporate the properties of what he consumes into his body. Wapol’s crew is defeated by Luffy, but Wapol manages to escape, vowing revenge.
The Straw Hats then meet Dalton, a kind-hearted former soldier who leads a village on Drum Island and opposes Wapol’s cruel rule. Dalton explains that Drum Island was once a peaceful place, but Wapol’s selfishness led to the kingdom’s downfall. Most of the island’s doctors were exiled, leaving only Dr. Kureha, a legendary yet eccentric doctor, who lives in isolation on the snowy Drum Rockies mountains. Kureha is known for her unique personality and unorthodox medical methods, but she is the only one who can save Nami.
The Journey to Dr. Kureha’s Castle
Realizing that their only hope for Nami’s recovery is Dr. Kureha, Luffy and Sanji decide to make the perilous journey up Drum Rockies to her castle, which is situated at the peak of a treacherous, snow-covered mountain. The journey is incredibly difficult due to the harsh weather conditions and steep cliffs, but Luffy refuses to give up on saving Nami. Showing his incredible determination, Luffy carries Nami on his back while braving the freezing cold, refusing to let her down despite the danger to his own life.
Meanwhile, Sanji faces his own struggles, trying to protect Luffy and Nami while they climb the mountain. This part of the arc highlights Luffy’s fierce loyalty to his friends and his willingness to endure anything to ensure their safety.
Dr. Kureha and Chopper
When Luffy and Sanji finally reach Dr. Kureha’s castle, they meet the doctor, an elderly yet incredibly spry woman who seems somewhat unpredictable. At 141 years old, Kureha is as eccentric as she is skilled, known for her unconventional healing methods. Alongside Kureha lives her assistant, Tony Tony Chopper, a talking reindeer with a blue nose who is revealed to be the result of eating the Hito Hito no Mi (Human-Human Fruit), a Zoan-type Devil Fruit that gives him human characteristics, including the ability to speak, walk upright, and think like a human.
Chopper is shy and initially wary of humans due to the way he has been treated in the past, but he is also highly intelligent and skilled in medicine, having been trained by both Dr. Kureha and his former mentor, Dr. Hiluluk. Chopper’s backstory is tragic: he was an outcast among reindeer because of his blue nose and was further rejected by humans after consuming the Hito Hito no Mi, which made him neither fully animal nor fully human. However, he was taken in by Dr. Hiluluk, a quack doctor with big dreams of curing the people’s metaphorical illnesses, specifically their lack of hope and kindness. Hiluluk’s influence shaped Chopper’s dream of becoming a doctor who can cure any illness, both physical and emotional.
Wapol’s Return and Luffy’s Fight
As Nami is treated and begins to recover under Kureha’s care, Wapol returns to Drum Island with the intent of reclaiming his throne. He invades Dr. Kureha’s castle with his soldiers, planning to use his powers to defeat the Straw Hats and re-establish his dictatorship. Luffy, however, is determined to stop him and protect Chopper, whom he sees as a potential new crew member.
The battle between Luffy and Wapol serves as the climax of the arc. Wapol’s ability to eat and transform objects into weapons makes him a tricky opponent, but Luffy’s strength and tenacity prove to be too much for the tyrant. In the end, Luffy defeats Wapol and sends him flying off the island, liberating the people of Drum Island from his oppressive rule.
Chopper Joins the Crew
After Wapol’s defeat, Chopper struggles with his decision about whether to join the Straw Hat Pirates. He has always dreamed of sailing the seas and helping others, but his deep-seated insecurities and fear of rejection make him hesitant. However, Luffy, in his straightforward manner, asks Chopper to join the crew without hesitation, seeing him as both a skilled doctor and a good friend. Moved by Luffy’s acceptance and the crew’s camaraderie, Chopper decides to join the Straw Hats, fulfilling his dream of traveling the world as a doctor.
Dr. Hiluluk’s Legacy
One of the emotional highlights of the Drum Island Arc is the backstory of Dr. Hiluluk and his influence on Chopper. Hiluluk was an eccentric doctor who believed in the power of hope and was determined to cure the kingdom of Drum Island of its spiritual illness. He taught Chopper that a doctor’s role is not just to heal physical wounds but also to bring hope and happiness to people’s hearts. Hiluluk’s dream was symbolized by the Sakura, or cherry blossom, which he believed could bring peace to the kingdom.
Before his death, Hiluluk attempted to cure Drum Island by creating a powder that would turn the snow pink, resembling cherry blossoms. Though he died before seeing the results of his efforts, his dream was realized when Dr. Kureha, using his research, unleashed the pink snow upon the island after Wapol’s defeat. This moment, when the island is bathed in pink snow, is a powerful tribute to Hiluluk’s dream and his belief in the potential for healing and hope, no matter how bleak the circumstances.
Key Themes:
1. Dreams and Legacy:
The arc explores the importance of dreams and the impact they have on others. Dr. Hiluluk’s dream of curing the hearts of the people of Drum Island through his sakura blossoms lives on through Chopper and Kureha. It shows how dreams can inspire future generations and create lasting change, even in the face of adversity.
2. Self-Acceptance:
Chopper’s journey is one of self-acceptance. He has spent much of his life feeling like an outcast, neither fully reindeer nor fully human. However, through his interactions with the Straw Hats, especially Luffy, he learns that he can belong to a family that values him for who he is. His decision to join the crew symbolizes his acceptance of himself and his desire to use his abilities to help others.
3. Loyalty and Friendship:
Luffy’s loyalty to his friends is a central theme in this arc. His determination to save Nami, even at great personal risk, shows the depth of his commitment to his crew. This loyalty is mirrored in Chopper’s loyalty to Dr. Hiluluk and Kureha, as well as his newfound friendship with the Straw Hats.
4. Hope and Healing:
Dr. Hiluluk’s belief in the power of hope and the metaphorical cure he sought for Drum Island’s illness serves as a reminder of the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing. Chopper, as a doctor, embodies this philosophy, striving not only to cure physical ailments but also to bring hope to those in need.
Connection to the Overall Story:
The Drum Island Arc is crucial to the development of the Straw Hat Pirates, as it introduces Tony Tony Chopper, who becomes the crew’s doctor and an invaluable member. Chopper’s medical expertise is essential for the crew’s survival as they continue their journey through the Grand Line, where dangers abound. The themes of dreams, self-acceptance, and loyalty resonate throughout the series, and Chopper’s backstory adds emotional depth to the overarching narrative. The defeat of Wapol and the liberation of Drum Island also mark a key moment in the Straw Hats’ journey, as they continue to take down corrupt rulers and bring freedom to oppressed lands, a recurring motif in One Piece. Additionally, the introduction of Dr. Kureha and the legacy of Dr. Hiluluk tie into the broader theme of inherited will, which is a central concept in the series.
Conclusion:
The Drum Island Arc is a heartfelt and pivotal chapter in One Piece, introducing the beloved character Tony Tony Chopper and deepening the themes of hope, dreams, and self-acceptance. Chopper’s journey from an outcast to a valued member of the Straw Hat crew highlights the importance of friendship and finding one’s place in the world. The arc’s exploration of Dr. Hiluluk’s legacy and his belief in the healing power of hope reinforces the series' broader theme of inherited will. Additionally, the Straw Hats' victory over Wapol and the liberation of Drum Island continue their pattern of challenging corrupt rulers and bringing freedom to those in need. By gaining a skilled doctor and forming deeper bonds, the crew becomes stronger, preparing them for the challenges that lie ahead in the Grand Line. This arc serves as a testament to the importance of dreams and the enduring power of friendship, setting the stage for even greater adventures in One Piece.
