Superman has been holding robust on the field workplace since its launch, with constructive phrase of mouth serving to to maintain the momentum for James Gunn‘s first film within the new DCU. One of many main causes that the film has maintained reputation is the characterization of Superman, performed by David Corenswet. Whereas Henry Cavill’s model of the character was extra brooding and self-serious, this new Superman is not solely extra lighthearted, however the hero’s want to save lots of and protect life is given way more focus on this movie. The final son of Krypton is a person of the folks, who’s proven even to keep up relationships with the on a regular basis people of Metropolis.
The empathetic nature of Clark Kent on this movie is remarkably harking back to one other sudden character from an extremely fashionable comedian. Nonetheless, this is not a Marvel or DC character — it is Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of the Japanese manga One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda. The collection is the best-selling manga of all time. On the similar time, Superman is the best-selling character/single-issue comedian collection of all time, making the equally written characters really feel like they have been meant to enrich each other. It is in a single tragic subplot of Superman that the hero bears a hanging resemblance to Luffy, with the parallels making good sense inside the context and construction of One Piece‘s story.

Superman
- Launch Date
-
July 11, 2025
- Runtime
-
130 minutes
- Director
-
James Gunn
- Producers
-
Peter Safran
Superman and ‘One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy Share Surprisingly Comparable Qualities
Early on in Superman, when the hero flies again to Metropolis to battle the Hammer of Boravia, he crashes down into the streets. He’s ultimately helped up by Malik Ali (Dinesh Thyagarajan), a falafel vendor who enormously admires Superman and runs into the road to point out help for the hero. Luthorcorp intently displays anybody who shares an affiliation with the Kryptonian (regardless of how small), which finally contributes to the character’s tragic destiny later. It is a heartfelt scene that emphasizes how Superman is a hero and a consultant of everybody, no matter their social standing, and it additionally mirrors how Monkey D. Luffy interacts and empathizes with on a regular basis characters in One Piece.
One Piece is an extremely enthralling and large story in regards to the pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his journey to search out the titular treasure, with Luffy and his crew stopping at numerous islands alongside the best way and embarking on every kind of adventures. Whereas every island is stuffed with fully totally different characters, backdrops, and talents, there’s often a constant sample that attracts Luffy into the geopolitical battle of its location. The “Dressrosa” and “Wano Nation Saga” arcs of One Piece are prime examples of this, wherein Luffy stumbles upon somebody dwelling there, is presented meals by them, and ultimately learns of the turmoil and oppressive regime on the coronary heart of the nation or island he’s in.

Associated
‘Superman’s Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating Will Have James Gunn Flying Excessive
The “Popcornmeter” rating on Rotten Tomatoes guarantees a triumphant return for the Man of Metal.
Superman’s relationship with Malik exemplifies the selfless and liberating nature of the hero, additional cementing similarities with Luffy. Afterward within the movie, when Superman is in Lex Luthor’s custody, Malik is used as a torture technique in an interrogation, the place Lex threatens to kill Malik if the hero does not reply his questions. Malik is ultimately killed, however not earlier than saying that it was an honor that Superman ate his meals. The lack of one other life hurts Superman greater than anything, and it is harking back to how Luffy is pushed to take down abusive authority figures after being proven kindness in the same method to what Malik did to Superman.
‘Superman’ and ‘One Piece’ Deal With Their Hopeful Characters within the Similar Approach
Current developments in One Piece have remodeled Luffy and his powers right into a determine that conjures up hope, incomes him the title of the warrior of liberation who brings pleasure to everybody. Superman can also be a determine meant to signify hope, as whereas there are many thrilling battle scenes within the film, there’s a better emphasis on how he saves folks from dire conditions. Malik’s demise is a heartbreaking apart at first, till the film’s ending reveals that an article within the Each day Planet was written in regards to the character after the occasions in Metropolis, wherein he’s honored as a hero. It is protected to imagine that Clark Kent wrote the piece as properly.
Each One Piece and Superman have larger-than-life stakes, however they’re grounded by the non-public connections that the primary characters should the folks and locations that they’re defending. As Superman fights Ultraman and the Engineer, he’s extra involved about stopping the rift earlier than it reaches a location the place persons are, and is unconcerned with any envy or hatred that Lex Luthor has for him. It is on this regard that Luffy and Superman’s paths diverge, as a result of as a lot as Luffy cares about defending folks, he’s additionally simply as invested in proving his energy over oppressors.

Associated
Followers Can’t Agree on One Controversial ‘Superman’ Second That “Goes Towards” the Man of Metal’s Code
James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ has been gaining robust evaluations, however has nonetheless precipitated a number of on-line debates.
One other impactful trait that Superman and Luffy share is that their actions are condemned by their governments. Superman’s actions firstly of the film, when he stops a warfare between international locations, lead figures of authority within the U.S. Authorities to develop weary of him, and the identical factor occurs to Luffy with the World Authorities in One Piece. Regardless of liberating international locations on his pirating adventures, Luffy is taken into account a felony and wished around the globe. Each characters have their hopeful beliefs misconstrued or outright rejected by their respective governments.
Superman and Luffy Encourage Hope Like No Different Characters
Superman isn’t solely a refreshing tackle the character, but additionally looks like a much-needed revitalization of the superhero style. Extra than simply his personal talents and actions, Corenswet’s Superman’s values and talent to signify hope encourage different characters and heroes within the movie to face up for what’s proper. Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is a manga that shares most of the similar qualities, with Luffy additionally serving as inspiration for quite a few different characters to rise above their struggles and fears. Whereas each Superman and Luffy’s worlds are huge and stuffed with all kinds of colourful and highly effective characters, they each stand out of their respective tales as singular factors of hope and optimism.
The traits that Luffy and Superman share additional exemplify how David Corenswet’s model of the character differs considerably from earlier iterations of the hero in numerous media. Watching how James Gunn was in a position to humanize a personality who’s seemingly invincible can also be a part of what makes this model of the character just like Luffy, because the Pirate can also be a polarizing determine inside the context of the world of One Piece, who nonetheless manages to attach with on a regular basis folks. Hopefully, future Superman motion pictures will proceed to observe the precedent set by Gunn’s first movie, and create a significant relationship between the hero and the folks he protects. Superman is in theaters now.