Boa Hancock

Origin

Young Boa Hancock

Before she became the empress of Amazon Lily and a member of the Shichibukai. She was a child on the Kuja Pirates' ship with her two younger sisters, Marigold and Sandersonia. They were abducted from the vessel and sold into slavery on Sabaody Archipelago. Bought by the world royals, the Celestial Dragons, they were tortured and branded as their possession with their personal seal. While there all three sisters were forced to eat a Devil Fruit for the royals entertainment. The fruit Hancock ate was the Love-Love Fruit. It gave her the ability to change all who fell in love with her into stone. They were only able to escape by the intervention of the great Fish-man leader, Fisher Tiger. Though he hated humans, he freed all the slaves.

Young Boa Hancock with her two sisters being sold as slaves to the Celestial Dragons

After making their way back to Sabaody Archipelago, they were found by one of the former Amazon Lily empresses, Granny Nyon. She would raise the girls there among Shakuyaku and Silvers Rayleigh, and eventually travel back with them to Amazon Lily. To hide the shame of the marks put upon their backs, a story was created that the girls had defeated a gorgon monster and were cursed with Gorgon's Eyes on their backs. The Kuja Amazons were all told that if anyone were to see the marks on their back, that they would turn to stone. This was the excuse given for why the sisters took such guarded and isolated baths alone. Due to her victories, great strength, and beauty, Hancock was appointed the Empress of Amazon Lily. Though she deeply hates the World Government, she hold the role of Shichibukai as part of an agreement of their non-involvement with the actions of her crew and the island.

Creation

One Piece Vol. 53 JPN (Mar 2009)

Boa Hancock is a supporting character in the series One Piece, that was created by Eiichiro Oda. Her very first appearance was actually show on the cover of a 1999 Weekly Shonen Jump, the original magazine series that releases the serialized chapters of One Piece. Just as the story had moved into the Grand Line Saga, the editing department of Shonen Jump requested images from Oda that would display several of the villain characters that would appear in future stories. He agreed, but only illustrated their backs, and an early Boa Hancock design was included among the gallery of rogues. The image would be republished Color Walk 2. The design would have some changes before her final design and first story appearance in 2008. In one of the later "data books" published for One Piece, a more detailed design sketch with notes for Hancock were revealed. She was intended to be older than her finalized version, her appearance was intended to be more intimidating and have more "evil-based themes", she had tattoos on her face, and no bangs to her hair. To date, it's never been confirmed why Oda adjusted the character's earliest vision.

Earliest Boa Hancock appearance (1999)

Hancock's final design has her at 29 years-old, she was alive during the time before Gold Roger's execution. She is a character with long black hair, a voluptuous body, and a confident of arrogant personality. She is almost always seen with her red and white giant anaconda, Salome. She has the mark of the Celestial Dragons burned onto her back and she hides this from the world with an absolute shame of her time as a slave. Themes of the character and the rest of the Kuja Amazon designs shares themes from Greek mythology that include Medusa and the Gorgons, Calypso, and the Sirens, since her powers revolve around seduction. Her family names comes Boa species of snakes. Boa can also mean "good" in Portuguese when referring to an attractive woman. The given names of all the Kuja Amazons are based on the names of flowers. Hancock comes from the scientific name of the snowberry plant, Symphoricarpos x Chenaultii Hancock.

Hancock's first story based appearances was in One Piece Volume 53, CH. 516 "Pirate Empress Boa Hancock", and her first anime appearance was at the very end of One Piece - Episode 409" Hurry Back to Your Friends! The Maiden Island Adventure". Her more story based first appearance wasn't until the next episode at One Piece Episode 410 "Everyone Falls in Love! Pirate Empress Hancock". She has had two separate voice actresses for her adult version and another for her child version told in the flash back story in the Japanese anime series. Her standard Japanese voice actress is Kotono Mitsuishi, and the child version of Hancock was voice by Kanae Ito. For the U.S. dub produced by FUNimation, no voice actress has been announced.

Original Boa Hancock design sketchs

Hancock uses a very formal and antiquated style of speech more often used by those of a royal upbringing in the Japanese publication of the series. In more standard Japanese, a speaker would use the phrase 私は (watashi wa) to mean "I am". Hancock uses the more arcane 妾は "warawa wa" for "I am".

Being a character who was alive before Gold Roger's execution, she had a very brief cameo appearance in the prequel One Piece Chapter 0 that tied into the One Piece Strong World (2010) movie. This chapter was then animated and sold as a separate OVA titled, One Piece Film Strong World Episode: 0. In this special, Boa Hancock is seven years-old on Amazon Lily as she' talking with her two sisters. Boa Hancock is said to be the second most beautiful woman in the world. She is only topped by the Fish-Man Island's princess, Shirahoshi.

Character Evolution

" And why is that? No matter what I do... Whether I kick kittens, or tear off people's ears, or even commit murder... The whole world will forgive me! Because.... Yes,... becasue I'm beautiful! "
Boa Hancock "One Piece" Vol. 53 Ch. 516

Major Story Arcs

Amazon Lily Arc

Boa Hancock meets with Marines

As Boa Hancock and the rest of the Kuja Pirates were arriving to Amazon Lily after their more recent raids, there was a Marine ship sitting off the island waiting of her. Vice-Admiral Momonga was there to deliver the ultimatum from the World Government to take part in the war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates. She ignored his warning, changed his crew to stone with her Love-Love Beam, and left the commander alone. She didn't care if she lost her title as Shichibukai. On her return to the island, several warriors were missing over what she was told was a wild monkey, and Granny Nyon harassed her over not complying with the World Government's demands.

Luffy, immune from Hancock's powers?

While she was soaking in her tub alone, a young man came crashing through the ceiling. He saw the mark on her back and seemed to recognize it but wasn't sure from where. Her sisters came bursting in, and they were all shocked to see that this man was immune to her powers despite seeing her naked in the bath. She immobilized him with her Pistol Kiss as he tried to escape through the window. He was then taken to the coliseum for execution.

Hancock sees Luffy in her chanbers

The boy named Monkey D. Luffy had been assisted on the island by three of the Kuja Amazons, Margaret, Sweatpea, and Aphelandra. The three tried to defend the man, and Hancock changed them to stone as punishment. She commanded Bakula to kill, but Luffy defeated the beast with a single punch. For some reason he was immune to her charms and beauty. She couldn't stand it, and ordered her sisters to kill him. The battle dragged on, and Luffy showed that he had the Conqueror's Haki. Later, he guarded Sandersonia's back from being revealed of the mark. Hancock ordered the coliseum be evacuated. She offered Luffy the option of escape from Amazon Lily or for her to revive the girls she had changed. She was astounded that he picked the girls over himself. He was brought to her room to see the mark on her back, and she told him their past as slaves. Granny Nyon entered with news that days later Luffy had punched one of the Celestial Dragons. She was won over by this young man's honest, kindness, and bravery. She agreed to help him leave to find his friends.

Hancock helps Luffy sneak aboard a Marine ship

Hancock had fallen under great pain and fever, and Granny Nyon realized it was the fatal illness of love sickness. She had fallen in love with Luffy. He came to ask her to take him to Impel Down, and she happily agreed. They contact Momonga that she would be joining them to Marineford but under the condition they go to Impel Down to see Ace, Luffy's brother who was scheduled for execution at Marineford. Luffy hid under Hancock's robe and stayed in her cabin.

Impel Down Arc

Hancock arrived to Impel Down

Hancock covered for Luffy during the week long trip to Impel Down. Any Marine that tried to peek in her room was turned to stone. As they reached the great prison, Luffy hid back under her cloak, but the assistant guard Domino requested she remove her cloak to submit to a body check before entering. Hancock change Domino to stone to let Luffy escape and made him promise to not cause too much trouble. After changing Domino back, she allowed the check and was given Sea Prism Stone shackles to restrain her powers. From the elevator, she could see Luffy and mistook him saying "Thank you." as "I Love You".

Hancock meets Magellan

Hancock met chief-warden Magellan on Level 4, and she distracted him with her beauty to prevent him from responding to the trouble in the prison that she knew must have been Luffy. She was taken to Level 6 to see Luffy's brother, and again manipulated Magellan's attentions to the crass prisoners so she could whisper to Ace. She told him that Luffy had come to the prison to save him. With that said, Domino escorted her out to the Marine ship to head for Marineford to take part in the war.

Marineford Arc

Hancock defends Luffy from Smoker

Hancock joined the other Shichibukai along with the Marine elite against the armada of Whitebeard. Luffy was able to manage an escape from Impel Down, but arrived too late to stop the battle. She was overjoyed to see he was safe. As with most of the Shichibukai, she fought mainly for her own reasons. She defended herself from attack from the Whitebeard Pirates, but didn't care if Marines were in the way of her attacks. When she saw Luffy being captured by the offiicer Smoker, she went into a rage she had never felt in her life. After knocking his off Luffy, she slipped him the eye to the chains of Ace. He hugged her in joy, but in her inexperience with men thought that meant they were now married. When Smoker tried to give chase, she knocked him back and destroyed his jutte.

Hancock orders the Marines to follow Luffy

Luffy got into some more trouble when the Pacifista tried to attack him, but shield shielded Luffy from attack. Being a Shichibukai, they weren't programmed to attack her. She also blocked Marine attacks as Luffy approached Ace, but was being blocked from his grandfather Vice-Admiral Garp. She claimed they couldn't attack her grandfather. Luffy was later able to free Ace, but his brother sacrificed himself to save him from a killing blow from Admiral Akainu. Ace died in his arms, and was rescued by the combined efforts of the Whitebeard Pirates, Jimbei, Emporio Ivankov, Buggy, and the Heart Pirates captain, Trafalgar Law. He was taken aboard the Heart Pirates sub and escaped. Hancock commandeered a Marine ship and ordered them to follow Luffy. She had Salome follow them underwater. She was joined by Ivankov and his followers. She froze the Marines in stone.

Dawn Island Arc

Rayleigh comes to see Luffy

Hancock, Ivankov, Jimbei, and Trafalgar Law once they caught up to the Heart Pirates. Law was able to tend to Luffy's injuries, but no one was sure about his mental state. She allowed the Heart Pirates to port on Amazon Lily's coast. By the time she arrived with food for Luffy, he had awoken and worked out some of his problems. She was so happy Luffy was better that it took her a while to notice Rayleigh was there to see Luffy. He was there to propose Luffy return with him and Jimbei to Marineford to send a message to his crew.

Boa Hancock demands to know why she can't visit Luffy

She escorted the three far enough so they could capture a Marine ship to land on Marineford to get the attention of the news media covering the end of the war. The Kuja Pirates picked them up after their escape. They took Luffy and Rayleigh to Ruskaina Island, off the coast of Amazon Lily; and she wasn't happy that Rayleigh forbid her to visit Luffy for two years while they trained. She relented when he told her it was for Luffy's sake.

Fish-Man Island Arc

Hancock tells Luffy to avoid trouble

Two years had passed and the Kuja Pirates came to pick Luffy up. She had packed their ship with lots of food for the trip. When she said it was a quality that made her a good wife, Luffy thanked her and casually said he had no interest in getting married. They took him to Sabaody Archipelago, and she gave him a cloak and backpack filled with supplies. She asked him not to say goodbye, but said he wanted to see all of them again. She took that as a proposal.

The Marineford forces heard word of the Straw Hat Pirates on Sabaody and wagged an all out assault. Luffy's crew was able to get gather and run on their ship, the Thousand Sunny. Hancock blocked the Marine ships with her own vessel under the pretense that the Marines were in her way by coincidence. Luffy waved to them, and h left with his crew to Fish-Man Island.

Powers and Abilities

Love-Love Fruit

Boa Hancock possessed the powers of the Paramecia type Devil Fruit called the Love-Love Fruit (メロメロの実, mero-mero no mi). Many of her powers require her to first entice her victims with her charms. Any with impure thoughts will be turned to stone. So far, Monkey D. Luffy has been the only person immune.

Love-Love Fruit Techniques

Boa Hancock's Love-Love Beam pose

• Love-Love Beam: The Love-Love Beam (メロメロ甘風[メロウ], Mero Mero Merrow) attack is one of Hancock's most favored attacks. By first striking an alluring pose, she plants the seed of lust in either men or women. She then forms her hands in the shape of heart and fires a beam that changes anyone it hits into stone. This can only be undone using the Mezameyo (目覚めよ, Mezameyo) technique. This is used by blowing a kiss from her hand toward the person she froze in stone.
• Pistol Kiss: The Pistol Kiss (銃[ピストル]キス Pisutoru Kisu) technique is used when Hancock kisses the tip of her finger and blows a kiss. This creates a small floating heart that she then pierces with her finger and fires as she would a gun.
• Slave Arrow: The Slave Arrow (虜の矢[スレイブ･アロー], Sureibu Arō) is similar in use to the Pistol Kiss. The Slave Arrow attack is form by blowing a kiss to form a much larger heart, it's stretch and grabbed like bow. She draws back on the rear of the heart. Once release, it created a barrage of arrows that turns all they hit into stone. It's powerful enough to even stop a cannon ball in mid-air.
• Perfume Femur: The Perfume Femur (芳香脚[パフューム･フェムル], Pafyūmu Femuru) attack requires no activation and it used with her close combat skills. With this technique, it causes anyone she kicks to turn to partially stone in the general area of the strike, but doesn't spread to the rest of the body. The infected area become brittle and prone to cracks and crumbling.

Haki

The powers of Haki (覇気, haki) were a mystery for much of their time in the One Piece series until Rayleigh revealed they are somethign innate in every human. Those who have attained fame in the world are those with the most powerful Haki. There are three forms and each person tends toward the form that suits them best. Few can master all three, even with training. Boa Hancock, has been shown to know how to use two Haki forms. The powers of Haki are well known on Amazon Lily, but most citizens are unaware of the Devil Fruits.

• Armament Haki: is an attack power that is famous for it's abilities to cancel out even the most powerful of the Devil Fruit powers. It can also be infused into weapons such as arrows, and in Hancock's Pistol Kiss attack.
• Conqueror's Spirit: is the power to command and control the wills of others. A wave of force will overcome all within an area. The weak of willed will pass out, and some stronger enemies will be tamed into temporary submission to the will of the user.

Weapons & Equipment

Salome

Salome is the pet anaconda snake of Boa Hancock. All the Kuja Amazons of Amazon Lily have a snake that accompany them everywhere. These snakes can take the form of a bow for firing arrows. However, Salome has never been seen used as a weapon.

Other Media

U.S. Publication

For the U.S. serialization of the Shonen Jump Magazine published by VIZ Media, Boa Hancock's appearance was censored to hide her cleavage. A shirt was added to the inside of her dress to hide her breast. This change was not published in the manga volume format of Volume 53.