Marco

Ahoy! This here is the 138th Featured Article. “Marco” has been featured, meaning it was chosen as an article of interest.

Not to be confused with Macro or Macro (Automaton).

Marco the Phoenix^[5][11] is the former 1st division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.^[2] Once starting out as an apprentice on the crew,^[4] he had come to be Whitebeard’s closest confidant and right-hand man.^[12] After his captain’s death, Marco assumed leadership of the Whitebeard Pirates until the crew’s disbandment following the Payback War.^[13]

Since said war during the two-year timeskip, Marco works as a doctor at Whitebeard’s home village, Sphinx.^[3] Marco is a major ally during the Marineford Arc, and later on, the Wano Country Arc.

Appearance

Marco is a tall, lean, muscular, blonde-haired man with a rather sleepy look on his face and some stubble around his chin. He wears an open purple jacket and a light blue sash adorned with an elaborate golden-yellow belt around his waist. He has dark gray knee-long pants and black sandals, and on his left leg he wears what appears to be some sort of straw decoration, in a similar fashion to Arlong. While his chest was bare in his initial appearance, in his subsequent appearances he has the cross and crescent moon mustache symbol that resembles a black silhouette of Whitebeard’s Jolly Roger tattooed on it.^[14] Robin and Luffy believe that Marco’s head looks like a pineapple.^[13]

Initially in the anime, Marco was given a generic crew member look of a black haired man with pale skin and different clothes.^[1] When he later became more formally recognized in the story, his appearance was changed to what is depicted in the manga, along with his light purple jacket, his black pants and his dark red tattoo.^[15] Later, starting with Opening 13 “One Day”, he was given another color scheme. Once again his jacket was recolored in a much brighter purple, his pants were made dark blue, his tattoo blue and his skin a little brighter.

Marco was a member of the Whitebeard Pirates twenty two years ago as well. Even at the age of 23, his appearance, for the most part, resembles his present self.^[16]

As a kid, Marco’s signature tuft of hair was more curly. He sported a vertically striped shirt, with black pants, and no shoes. As a teenager, his appearance was not much different.^[4]

After the timeskip, while working as a doctor on Whitebeard’s home island, Marco wears a light button-up shirt as well as a pair of eyeglasses. He also has more facial hair.^[3] During the raid on Onigashima, Marco wears his initial attire and retains his eyeglasses.^[17]

Gallery

Main Series

Closeup of Marco’s face.

Marco as a child.

Marco at age 15.

Marco at age 19.

Oda’s initial depiction of Marco with a different tattoo.^[1]

Marco’s first color scheme in the anime.^[1]

Marco’s second color scheme in the anime.

Video Games

Other

Personality

Marco is generally calm and level-headed in the face of adversity or challenge; the only strong emotional moments he has shown so far were directly related to Whitebeard’s health (after he was stabbed in the torso by his own subordinate Squard and after his death).^[18] When Ace and Whitebeard were killed, Marco and the rest of the Whitebeard Pirates were in tears.^[19]

In fact, seeing his captain, Whitebeard, get stabbed through the chest by a deceived Squard was enough for Marco to lose his usually unshakable cool-headedness that he immediately flew over to where they were to smash Squard’s head against the Moby Dick’s figurehead.^[18]

He also demonstrates himself to be acute at detecting power, able to quickly notice the presence of Red-Haired Shanks’ Haōshoku Haki before anyone else aboard the Moby Dick^[2] as well as the underlying potential of Monkey D. Luffy.^[20] He clearly cares for his crew as he warned them to stay back from Shanks’ Haki.^[2]

Having been a member of the Whitebeard Pirates for at least thirty years, Marco has an extremely high degree of experience with exposure and combat inside the treacherous New World. After Whitebeard’s and Portgas D. Ace’s deaths at Marineford, Marco took the position of commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, highlighting his level of intelligence and suitability in taking up a commanding position.

He appears to be somewhat playful, pretending to be hurt from Admiral Kizaru’s attack with obvious sarcasm, though he can also quickly become serious.

Marco seems to appreciate raw talent, even if it comes from someone whom he had never met before (i.e. Luffy). Because of this, and based on the fact that Luffy intercepted Crocodile’s attack on Whitebeard, Marco immediately took a liking to him.^[20]

When he was an apprentice, he appeared to be a cheerful person. He was also encouraging as he cheered on Oden when he came close to passing Whitebeard’s test to join the crew. He showed a playful side when he noticed Oden being close to Toki.

Like some other characters, Marco has a very particular speech habit, which is a simple tic without meaning, ending his sentences with “-yoi” (～よい^? ): e.g. “arigatō-yoi” (ありがとうよい^? “thanks-yoi”) or “mattero-yoi” (待ってろよい^? “wait-yoi”).

Relationships

Crew

Being a division head of Whitebeard’s crew, Marco had a very strong bond with Whitebeard. So strong was their bond, it seemed very similar to a captain and first mate relationship, much like the one of Gol D. Roger and Silvers Rayleigh. This can be indicated by Marco’s position as 1st division commander. Also, during the Summit War of Marineford, Marco stood at Whitebeard’s side almost the entire time in the early stages of the battle. Marco was also the first and only crewmate who rushed to Whitebeard’s aid, after Whitebeard was stabbed by Squard and during his battle with Akainu. Later, Marco attempted to assist his captain in fighting Blackbeard, but was ultimately ordered to stand down. Marco, along with his crewmates, considered Whitebeard their “father” much in the same way the great pirate considered them his “children”.

Marco also had a very strong bond with the other commanders as well as the rest of the crew. He and Ace seemed to have a close friendship, due to him explaining to Ace the bond between Whitebeard and his crew. Marco also trusted Vista enough to protect Luffy from Mihawk. By his own admission, Marco liked Oden and decided to go to Wano in order to avenge his death, despite wanting to protect Sphinx.

Allies

Monkey D. Luffy

— Marco, on protecting Luffy from Akainu

Having heard stories about Luffy from Ace, Marco was among the first people to recognize the Straw Hat captain in the midst of the battle in Marineford, despite not having encountered him prior. While no direct interaction occurred between the two, Marco, took an immediate like to Luffy after the young pirate stopped Crocodile from attacking Whitebeard. Later, under Whitebeard’s orders, he was delegated the task of ensuring that Luffy lived through the battle in Marineford. In the anime they had a short conversation after he saved Luffy from Aokiji, during which Luffy thanked him for saving him while Marco told him not to worry about it. Marco was also surprised at seeing Luffy’s Haoshoku Haki and when his captain told the rest of the crew to back up Luffy. After Ace’s demise, he stopped Akainu from killing Luffy and urged the other Whitebeard Pirates to save Luffy, as Ace sacrificed his life for his.

Two years after the battle at Marineford, Luffy is shown to be thankful to Marco and the Whitebeard Pirates for protecting him from Akainu and wishes to meet them again one day in order to thank them for saving his life.^[21] During the raid on Onigashima, he stopped the Big Mom Pirates from entering Wano to prevent them from interfering with the Straw Hats’ decisive battle against the Beasts Pirates.^[17]

Shanks

The two first met over 25 years ago, but they did not show any animosity towards each other back then.

Years later, Marco was hostile towards Shanks as he regarded him as an enemy. After Shanks knocked out some Whitebeard Pirates with his Haki, Marco insulted and scolded him for the damage he had done and even told him to shut up after the Emperor offered him to join his crew.^[2]

After the battle of Marineford, Marco apologized to Shanks for his previous behavior and genuinely thanked him for ensuring the funerals of both Whitebeard and Ace, finally acknowledging him as an ally.^[22] Marco is also grateful to Shanks for burying Whitebeard near his hometown.^[21]

Nekomamushi

Marco is well acquainted with the mink as they sailed on Whitebeard’s ship together years ago. Nekomamushi knew exactly where to find Marco when he needed help. The pair caught up on recent events and impending threats before Nekomamushi understood why he didn’t want to leave the island. Marco was amused that the latter gave up on trying to recruit him so easily and asked to pass on a message to Luffy for him.^[21] However, Marco changed his mind and entered Wano at the same time as Nekomamushi, prompting him to throw the message overboard.

Enemies

Marshall D. Teach

Due to his role in the capture of Ace and the deaths of Thatch and Edward Newgate, Blackbeard is considered both an enemy and a traitor to the Whitebeard Pirates. He was shocked to see the power of his captain in the hands of Teach. During the timeskip, he and the rest of Whitebeard Pirates fought against the Blackbeard Pirates in the “Payback War”, but lost and have since disappeared.^[13]

Even after the timeskip, Marco still despises Teach calling his actions deplorable and referring to him as ungrateful for taking advantage of the crew, despite everything they did for him.^[21]

World Government

Marco detests the World Government for its tyrannical policies, specifically the Heavenly Tribute as he notes many nations do not become affiliated with the political entity because they cannot pay the massive tax that is demanded by the World Nobles to obtain access to resources to protect civilians from crime and poverty.^[23]

Big Mom Pirates

Marco was an enemy of the Big Mom Pirates as his captain Whitebeard and Charlotte Linlin were peers who used to be crewmates within the Rocks Pirates and became adversaries when they became two of the Four Emperors. Despite this enmity, Big Mom appears to have a degree of respect for the Whitebeard Pirates as she questioned why they were helping members of the Worst Generation incite an uprising against Kaidou. She believes it is sad the remnants of the crew have lost their way in disturbing the balance of power in the New World. Marco in turn was willing to temporarily cooperate with Charlotte Perospero to defeat Kaidou but informs Big Mom they surviving crewmates can live as they want with their captain’s death at Marineford. Marco then clashed against Big Mom, his phoenix flames proving capable of overpowering those of Prometheus. Big Mom grabbed Marco by the neck and ordered Perospero to kill him.

Abilities and Powers

Overview

As the former 1st division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco held authority over the 1,600 crew members lower-ranked than commander,^[2] while enjoying particularly deep trust by Whitebeard as his “right hand”.^[12][6] A veteran of the crew, Marco had been part of it for at least thirty years, from the time of Gol D. Roger in his apprentice days.^[4] Following Whitebeard’s death, Marco assumed full leadership of the Whitebeard Pirates, their retreat from Marineford seemingly made under his command.^[24][25] Later on, it was he who led the crew into the Payback War against the Blackbeard Pirates, until the crew’s subsequent dissolution after the Blackbeard Pirates had defeated them.^[13]

Marco’s status in the world is well-established, not least by his tremendous bounty of 1,374,000,000, which is one of the highest known of any non-Emperor pirate.^[6] After the war at Marineford, the Five Elders mentioned Marco (only him by name) with the remaining Whitebeard Pirates as one of the few groups left capable of defeating Blackbeard, who at that point was already held to be the chief candidate for succeeding Whitebeard as Emperor.^[25] The Emperor Big Mom, too, has acknowledged Marco’s strength, noting that his allegiance to the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance was unbecoming of a man his caliber.^[26]

In combat, Marco is shown to be extremely formidable. At Marineford he, if only briefly, fought and held his own against each of the three Marine admirals, indicating his capabilities.^{[27][28][29][30]} Post-timeskip on Onigashima, Marco had a brief, head-on clash with Big Mom on what seemed even terms, with Marco seemingly confident that he could keep the Emperor occupied. When abandoning their confrontation, Big Mom stated that she did not have enough souls to spare on Marco.^[31] Later during the raid on Onigashima, Marco effectively held off and overpowered the two All-Stars King and Queen—Kaidou’s two strongest combatants with bounties over one billion—at once, his attacks sending each flying and repeatedly drawing blood; Marco did note, however, that fighting the two was difficult, and he sustained some light injuries amid the engagement.^[32][33]

Marco is shown to have a strong will, remaining unfazed by the Emperor Shanks’ Haoshoku Haki as it was knocking his lower-ranked crewmates unconscious by the dozens.^[2]

Intelligence

Since childhood Marco has been very intelligent, supporting his crew with more than just battle power by providing knowledge and insight.^[6] He had enough medical knowledge to act, assisted by his powers, as a ship doctor,^[3] and while as a child he had a big passion for navigation, it is unknown how deep his knowledge runs in the present.^[6]

Physical Abilities

Marco possesses immense physical strength. He could clash with Marine admirals, repelling Kizaru and Aokiji large distances away using simple kicks (overpowering the former’s one-armed guard and breaking the latter’s Ice Saber in the act).^[27][28] He easily toppled the Queen Mama Chanter, a gigantic ship, above the Wano waterfall entry in a single blow^[17] and was later seen clashing head-on against Big Mom while the woman was wielding Prometheus, seemingly matching up to her strength in the process despite the woman’s monstrous brawn; ultimately though, Big Mom was able to restrain Marco with a one-handed chokehold.^[34] To King and Queen, Marco was able to repeatedly strike powerful melee blows, his phoenix-legged kicks making the Beasts Pirates’ All-Stars bleed and sending them flying with great force.^[33]

Marco seems to prefer an off-the-ground, kick-emphasizing style of attack supplemented by his phoenix transformation. Aerially in his hybrid form, he has been shown to deliver strong, hard kicks (and even knee strikes) using his human legs or with his feet as phoenix talons, to deal slashing damage.^{[27][28][29][17][33]}

Marco is shown to be extremely fast and agile, especially while flying. He sprung instantaneously to protect Whitebeard from Kizaru’s Yasakani no Magatama, interposing himself between his captain and the extremely quick-moving barrage of projectiles, and went on to intercept and clash with the fast-as-light admiral.^[27]

On top of his self-healing, Marco has exhibited great endurance. He was relatively fine (and able to run whilst healing) after having two of Kizaru’s lasers pierce clean through his torso^[35] and was later shot yet another two times while Seastone-shackled (thus with his powers nullified), but was still able to stand and function normally thereafter.^[36][37]

Devil Fruit

Marco ate the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix,^[6] a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit that allows him to transform into a phoenix and a human-phoenix hybrid at will. He has a very well-developed mastery over his transformation, allowing him to alter select parts of his body as he needs to. This power is the source of his nickname “Marco the Phoenix”.^[27]

As a Zoan, Marco enjoys a great boost to his physical abilities, gaining strength enough to restrain two extremely powerful Ancient Zoan users at once.^[32] Furthermore, as a bird-type Zoan, Marco gains wings that allow him to fly in both his hybrid form and full phoenix form,^[27] as well as taloned bird legs that he can use to perform powerful kicks or slash enemies with.^{[28][29][17][33]}

Marco can freely create his “Blue Flames of Resurrection” from any part of his body, even without actually transforming, and they always cover him while transformed.^[38] These phoenix flames are stronger than normal fire^[34] and possess tremendous healing properties; while shrouded in the flames, Marco can rapidly self-regenerate from nigh any physical damage he receives, like a phoenix being reborn. It is noted, or at least implied, that no matter what injury he is dealt, he can recover by flame (even injures that he suffered while his powers are nullified).^{[6][27][35][36]} Such immense power of recovery allows Marco to ward off extremely potent attacks with little issue, like Kizaru’s volley of light bullets^[27] or even Akainu’s magma punch.^[30]

Marco can also share his healing flames with others, allowing him to mend them as well, even multiple individuals at once. However, his flames are less effective on anyone other than himself.^[21][39]

Haki

Main article: Haki

Busoshoku Haki

Marco can use Busoshoku Haki, as shown by his ability to physically contact and kick away Logia users such as Kizaru and Aokiji without trouble.^[27][28] He, alongside Vista, failed to significantly harm or hinder Akainu using his Haki.^[40]

Kenbunshoku Haki

Marco possesses the ability to use Kenbunshoku Haki.^[6]

History

Past

Marco was born on the Grand Line 45 years ago.^[6]

Adventures With Kozuki Oden

Thirty years ago, a 15-years-old Marco was already a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, as an apprentice on the ship.^[4] He was seen among his crewmates when they arrived for the first time in Wano Country, after shipwrecking. Before getting to look for civilization for supplies, they encountered Kozuki Oden, who asked Newgate to let him join their crew after a brief clash.^[41]

The Whitebeard Pirates later had a feast with Oden and his retainers. Marco told Inuarashi and Nekomamushi of how vast the world is. Two weeks later, the Whitebeard Pirates tried to leave Wano without Oden. As they were leaving, the crew was surprised when Oden wrapped a chain around the Moby Dick’s mast to get dragged with the ship. As Oden held onto the chain, Izou was also holding on to Oden and got dragged with him. Marco prepared to unwrap the chain, but Whitebeard ordered him to leave it be and pull Izou up to the Moby Dick. Oden then accepted Whitebeard’s challenge of holding onto the chain for three days before he could be accepted into the crew. For the next three days, the crew watched how Oden withstood his ordeal. When Oden had an hour left to complete the challenge, Marco started cheering for him. After Oden was accepted into the crew, the Whitebeard Pirates had adventures with him as well as Toki, whom Oden helped, and Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, who had stowed away on the Moby Dick.^[42]

Sometime later, Marco noticed how close Oden had gotten with Toki. Two years after Oden joined, the crew celebrated the birth of Oden and Toki’s son, Kozuki Momonosuke. Around two years later after the birth of Oden and Toki’s daughter, Kozuki Hiyori, the Whitebeard Pirates arrived at an island and noticed a commotion that frightened the animals there.^[43] The crew then clashed with the Roger Pirates present there for three days and nights before the skirmish ultimately became a gift exchange. Afterwards, the Whitebeard Pirates parted ways with Oden and his family.^[44]

The Whitebeard Pirates learned about Oden’s death several years after it happened.^[45]

Meeting with Shiki

Twenty-two years ago, Marco was present on Whitebeard’s ship when Shiki visited the great pirate to inform him of his plans. At this point, he had already become one of Whitebeard’s commanders.^[46] Marco was also present on Fish-Man Island when Whitebeard claimed the island as his territory.^[47]

Ace’s Arrival

— Marco telling Ace why they call Whitebeard “Pops”^[16]

During the first few days that Portgas D. Ace came to spend on Whitebeard’s ship, Marco tried to befriend him. Marco explained to Ace the kind of fatherly relationship Whitebeard had with his crew members. In fact, it was Marco who told Ace to leave the ship and start from scratch again or bear Whitebeard’s mark as one of his sons.^[16]

At some point, Ace talked with Whitebeard about going to war with Kaidou to liberate Wano Country, but Whitebeard never agreed to this request. Marco stated that he would join Ace if Whitebeard gave his approval.^[48]

Thatch’s Murder

After the murder of Thatch at the hands of Marshall D. Teach, Ace decided to search for Blackbeard and make him pay for what he did. However, Whitebeard, who was feeling uneasy, told Ace not to go, something that Ace did not want to hear. Marco was one of the crew members who protested to Ace leaving the ship and going after Teach, but this was in vain.^[49]

Sky Island Saga

Jaya Arc

Marco was aboard Whitebeard’s ship when Rockstar delivered a letter from Shanks. Rockstar boasted about his own notoriety, but Marco claimed to have never heard of him.^[1]

Water 7 Saga

Post-Enies Lobby Arc

When Shanks came to visit Whitebeard personally, Marco and Jozu warned the younger and weaker crew members to stay back due to Shanks’s overwhelming presence. He also told the members still standing afterward not to worry about their fallen comrades as they were just unconscious. Marco scolded Shanks for what he did to his subordinates, and Shanks recognized him as the 1st division commander and asked him if he would like to join the Red Hair Pirates, which Marco refused.^[2]

Summit War Saga

Marineford Arc

Marco showed up at Marineford with the rest of the Whitebeard Pirates and their subordinate crews from the New World. He stated that, including him, all of the Whitebeard Pirates were ready to battle anyone who had dared to lay a single finger on Ace. Later, when Kizaru tried to attack Whitebeard with an array of laser beams, Marco nullified the attack with his powerful Devil Fruit transformation. He then proceeded to assault Kizaru, successfully kicking him a great distance to the ground, though the admiral did not appear seriously injured by the act.^[27]

Sometime thereafter, Marco saw Monkey D. Luffy and his Impel Down team falling from the sky and came to the realization that Ace’s brother, whom Ace had always talked about, had arrived. When he witnessed Luffy stopping Crocodile’s attempt to kill Whitebeard on the grounds of Whitebeard being important to Ace, Marco concluded that, “Ace’s little brother is not too shabby after all”.^[20] Just after Luffy had dashed off after informing Whitebeard that Ace would be executed ahead of schedule, Marco returned to the Moby Dick to report the same news. Whitebeard, after seeing some of Luffy’s resolve to save Ace, told Marco that he would not forgive him if he were to let Luffy die, to which Marco (who appeared to have developed a similar opinion and liking towards Luffy) smiled and replied, “Roger.”

Later, after Whitebeard manipulated Buggy into joining his cause temporarily, Marco remarked at how simple-minded Buggy was.^[50] When he witnessed Luffy being attacked by Dracule Mihawk, he called out to 5th division commander Vista to go and help him out.^[51] Afterwards, Marco found it odd when Squard appeared next to Whitebeard, and was shocked when Whitebeard was stabbed by him.^[52][53] He was the first one to reach the Moby Dick and to incapacitate Squard, but he was repelled by Squard’s sword when Squard told Marco it was also his fault that he had been forced to attack Whitebeard.

After Crocodile yelled at Whitebeard for being weak, Marco commented on how Whitebeard’s health was getting worse, since Whitebeard should have been able to stop any attack aimed at him, even if he was caught off-guard.^[18] After the whole ordeal was sorted out, he saw Squard crying and deeply regretting his actions, and suggested to him that he should redeem himself.^[54] Thereafter, Marco’s expression was solemn when he witnessed the Moby Dick being destroyed by Akainu’s meteoric magma attack.^[55] Later, as Ace was about to be executed, Marco was prepared to swoop in and save him, but noted that he was not needed after Crocodile saved Ace first. After Luffy was heavily injured by the admirals and was about to be finished off by Aokiji, Marco arrived and kicked Aokiji away a great distance.^[28]

Eventually, with (seemingly) only two Marines watching over Ace, Marco flew towards the execution platform telling Ace that he would soon save him. As he got closer, however, Monkey D. Garp intercepted him with a punch that sent him crashing to the ground. Marco, now in human form, looked up, frustrated and with a bruise on the left side of his chin.^[56]

In the midst of battling Akainu, Whitebeard suddenly seized his chest and Marco, in horror, realized what was happening just as Whitebeard coughed up a massive amount of blood. Marco thought to himself that this was what he was most afraid might happen and rushed towards his captain. However, he did not get very far before Kizaru shot him from behind with two simultaneous lasers, which clearly caused Marco pain, as he was in his human form.^[35] Enduring the pain, Marco activated his regenerative powers and continued to run towards Whitebeard, only to have Onigumo seize him and place Seastone handcuffs on his right arm. Kizaru then took the opportunity to shoot Marco with yet two more laser bursts. Badly injured and unable to regenerate, Marco fell.^[36]

Later on, after Luffy unconsciously used his Haoshoku Haki, the bloodied Marco showed surprise. By the time Squard entered the battlefield with the paddle boat Little Oars Jr. brought into the plaza, stating that Whitebeard and his subordinate crews should grab Ace and leave the enemy to him, Marco was back on his feet. He commented angrily on Squard’s foolish way of redeeming himself and quickly ordered a nearby crewmate to remove his cuffs.^[37]

After Whitebeard declared that he would part ways with his sons and stay behind, Marco hesitated, reluctant, as a nearby crewmate urged him to go. Soon after, Marco was shocked by the sight of Ace taking Akainu’s molten rock punch through the chest.^[57] Then when Akainu tried to strike Ace a second time and finish him off, he was stopped by Jinbe; Marco saw this and, desperate now, ordered Galdino, who was dragged over to him, to remove his handcuffs immediately.

Akainu turned to launch another attack on Jinbe, and much to his annoyance was repelled by a simultaneous assault from Marco and Vista, who used Haki to drive the admiral away from the injured Jinbe, Ace, and Luffy. Marco, deep in regret, wondered how they could have allowed all this to happen. As Ace spoke his last words to Luffy, Marco joined the battle in order to keep the Marine forces away from Ace^[29] and was seen crying after Ace had fallen dead.

Determined to finish off Luffy, who was incapacitated from shock caused by his grief and anguish, Akainu attacked once again; this time he was again intercepted by Marco alone, who shouted that Akainu would not touch Luffy. He ordered Jinbe to take Luffy and go. As Luffy was all that remained of Ace’s will, Marco declared that they would protect him without fail, in place of Ace; if he too were to die, the Whitebeard Pirates would be put to shame.^[30]

When Whitebeard and Blackbeard confronted one another, Marco tried to fly to the other side of the giant crevice separating them to assist his captain, but was commanded to stay back by his captain, who said that he would kill Blackbeard as revenge for killing Thatch. When, consequently, Whitebeard was brutally killed by the Blackbeard Pirates ganging up on him, Marco mourned Whitebeard’s death as Whitebeard left the crew under his care.^[58]

Marco then witnessed Blackbeard revealing himself to have stolen, somehow, the power of the Gura Gura no Mi from the dead Whitebeard, much to the commander’s shock. Marco explained to a fellow crewmate that Blackbeard was no ordinary person, reasoning that Blackbeard’s atypical body may have allowed him the aforementioned feat.^[59] Marco then joined his fellow crewmates, with some unlikely help from Crocodile, as they prepared to face off against Akainu to defend Luffy and carry him on to the next era.^[60] When Koby yelled for all the combatants to stop, Marco wondered why a Marine was trying to stop the fight.^[61]

Right after Shanks arrived at Marineford to stop the war, Marco was told by Shanks to withdraw peacefully from Marineford and avoid prolonging the battle any longer. Marco complied and later grieved with his crewmates over their losses.^[24]

Post-War Arc

Marсo, along with the rest of the crew, attended Ace and Whitebeard’s funeral near Whitebeard’s home of Sphinx in the New World. He thanked Shanks for ensuring that Whitebeard and Ace received proper burials.^[22]

During the Timeskip

One year after the war at Marineford, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, under Marco’s guidance, fought against the Blackbeard Pirates in the “Payback War” in an attempt to avenge their fallen comrades, but suffered an overwhelming defeat. They went into hiding and have not been seen since such defeat, which was what led Blackbeard to be officially recognized as Whitebeard’s replacement among the Four Emperors.^[13]

Four Emperors Saga

Wano Country Arc

After the Payback War, Marco went to Whitebeard’s home village on Sphinx and started working there as a doctor. Eventually, Nekomamushi came there to find and try to recruit Marco into the alliance formed to take down Kaidou in Wano Country. In conversation with the mink, Marco mentioned Whitebeard’s history with said village, as well as how he had heard about Edward Weevil attacking those connected to Whitebeard in search of a “fortune” that Marco noted did not exist. Because of the possibility that, in coming after him, Weevil would attack Sphinx as well, Marco voiced his decision to remain there to protect the village. Nonetheless, he asked Nekomamushi to pass on a message to Luffy:^[21] that he would still come to Wano, only late.^[62]

Days later in a surprising turn of events, Marco made his way to Wano at the same time as Nekomamushi and Izou (the latter of whom Marco knew the whereabouts of, hence them having made a pitstop to collect the samurai), making Marco’s message to Luffy unnecessary.^[62][63] During the Big Mom Pirates’ second attempt at entering the country, Marco flew to their ship and, as it finished climbing the waterfall, knocked it back down using Hoo-in.^[64] After Nekomamushi’s ship had succeeded in going up the waterfall, Marco and the Guardians proceeded to Onigashima.^[62] Once they reached the rear side of the island, a flying Marco dropped off Nekomamushi and Izou, and they encountered some of the Nine Red Scabbards (including Izou’s sister Kikunojo) alongside Trafalgar Law. As they rejoiced in their reunion, Marco said he would investigate a “strange shadow” he had spotted at sea earlier.^[63]

He subsequently happened across Charlotte Perospero, who proposed that they work together given their mutual goal of bringing down Kaidou,^[65] and together they arrived at Onigashima’s entrance.^[66] Eventually, the two encountered Big Mom, and Perospero bent to her will of upholding her alliance with Kaidou, with Marco noting that this spelt the end of their cooperation. When Big Mom asked why someone of Marco’s status was helping some “brats”, saying that the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates had lost their way, Marco simply asserted that, with Whitebeard’s death, they were no longer bound to his will but left free to do as they pleased.^[26] Marco then clashed against Big Mom, his phoenix flames proving capable of overpowering those of Prometheus. Big Mom grabbed Marco by the neck and ordered Perospero to kill him. However, before Perospero could fire his candy bow and arrow at him, he was attacked by the Sulong-transformed Wanda and Carrot, who recognized Marco as Nekomamushi’s ally. Big Mom abruptly decided to call off her fight with Marco and headed back to Kaidou’s castle, with Wanda telling Marco to go after her. Marco then noticed a nearby commotion.^[31]

Afterwards, Marco reached the Live Floor within the Skull Dome and offered to lend his assistance to the Straw Hats there.^[67] Proceeding to envelop the Ice Oni-infected Chopper with his flames to defrost him, Marco then started flying over and spreading his flames to all the infected present in the banquet hall, in order to slow the virus’ freezing effects in those afflicted by raising their body heat. Once he had done so, Marco offered Zoro and the other Straw Hats present to fly them to the Skull Dome’s roof.^[39] As the Beasts Pirates attacked Marco, he told Brook and Robin to run into the castle. He then transformed into a phoenix and began carrying Zoro toward the roof. However, the All-Stars King and Queen made an attempt to stop their advancement upward, with Queen shooting at Marco.^[68] Despite the All-Stars’ efforts, however, Marco managed to hold them back with his phoenix wings and successfully threw Zoro up to the roof through the hole in it.^[32]

While being assaulted by King, Marco heard Sanji’s cry for help broadcasted throughout Onigashima, which he was amused by.^[69] Marco then intercepted Queen’s attempt at hitting Hyogoro with a laser shot from his mouth, hitting and injuring the All-Star with Hoo-in. Marco reminded Queen that, since they were fighting, Queen ought not even think of about the samurai until he had finished Marco off. Marco then flew toward Queen, dodging another laser, as King suddenly jumped in and cut off Marco’s left phoenix wing. Marco, unfazed, simply reshaped the wing’s feathery remains into a large fireball that, as his Bluebird attack, he sent toward King, sending him violently crashing into a nearby building. Before King could properly guard himself, Marco followed up with a flying knee strike, causing an explosion where King had landed. As Queen angrily approached, he was suddenly hit by yet another attack from Marco, Ongle: a taloned kick that sent him flying as well. Marco noted how holding off two men with bounties over a billion was difficult, telling Chopper to hurry up.^[33]

After Chopper had successfully created a counter-virus neutralizing Queen’s Ice Oni, and an enraged Queen was distracted by his subordinates turning on him for his treating them expendable, Marco took the chance to grab hold of Queen’s neck, restraining him to allow Chopper to slap Queen in his Monster Point form. As Chopper exclaimed that he was not a “tanuki”, Marco inwardly apologized for having called him such.^[70] A little thereafter, Marco reacted with concern about the broadcasted announcement that Luffy, the highest bounty head on the alliance’s side, had been defeated by Kaidou.^[71] When Sanji arrived in time to save Chopper from Queen, declaring how not all hope was lost, Marco commented how this was why he liked their crew.^[72]

A while later, Marco was seen sitting still on the ground, having seemingly reached the limit of his stamina. This gave King and Queen the opportunity to wipe out significant portions of the enemy alliance without distraction, including the turncoat Beasts Pirates. When King confronted a bandaged-up Zoro, who was being carried away by samurai, the All-Star tried attacking him with a flaming punch, but just then Marco flew in to block it with his Fujiazami technique. Marco remarked that he had long ago heard about a certain race living atop the Red Line that could burst into flames, which King left uncommented. As King and Queen then prepared to attack Marco and take him out for good, Marco stated with a smile that he had done his part and would now allow the star players to take the stage; right then, a recovered Zoro and Sanji jumped in, launching an attack on King and Queen respectively.^[73]

After Zoro and Sanji’s attack, Marco watched King and Queen rise back up. Intrigued, he remembered something once told to him by Whitebeard: about how long before Mary Geoise existed, there had been a land of gods on top of the Red Line. While absorbed in these thoughts, some Beasts Pirates shot at him. Izou arrived in time, grabbed hold of Marco to dodge the gunfire, and then ran away with Marco under his arm. Marco jokingly noted how had waited to be saved by him, then asked Izou if he believed in gods, prompting Izou to say that Marco was sounding just like a drunk Whitebeard.^[74]

Major Battles

• Whitebeard Pirates vs. Roger Pirates
  • Marco vs. Silvers Rayleigh (anime-only)
• Whitebeard Pirates and their subordinate crews vs. the Marines and Seven Warlords of the Sea
  • Marco vs. Kizaru
  • Marco vs. Aokiji
  • Marco vs. Monkey D. Garp
  • Marco vs. Kizaru and Onigumo
  • Marco and Vista vs. Akainu
  • Whitebeard Pirates Commanders (minus Ace, Thatch and Jozu), Crocodile and Andre vs. Akainu
• Whitebeard Pirates (under Marco) vs. Blackbeard Pirates (unseen, during timeskip)
• Marco vs. Big Mom (Onigashima)
• Marco vs. King and Queen

Manga and Anime Differences

In the anime when Marco was first shown, his design was replaced with a more generic one of a dark-haired crewmember^[75] (whereas the manga correctly showed him having light-colored hair). This is a common mistake that occurs in transferring a scene from manga to anime and has been witnessed in One Piece before, in particular when characters are first shown without a formal introduction.

In the anime, in the flashback showing the final battle between the Whitebeard and Roger Pirates, a teenaged Marco was shown clashing with Silvers Rayleigh, the latter able to stop Marco’s phoenix kick using a single Haki-imbued finger.^[76]

Merchandise

Marco has been featured in various figurine series, such as Portrait of Pirates or One Piece World Collectable Figure.

Video Games

Playable Appearances

• One Piece: Unlimited Cruise SP
• One Piece: Gigant Battle! 2 New World
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3
• One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
• One Py Berry Match
• One Piece Treasure Cruise
• One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X
• One Piece: Burning Blood
• One Piece Thousand Storm
• One Piece Bounty Rush
• Jumputi Heroes
• One Piece Bon! Bon! Journey!!
• One Piece: Burning Will

Support Appearances

• One Piece: Gigant Battle
• One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X (becomes a playable character in the 1.3 update)
• One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum

Other Appearances

Other Media

• In One Piece Premier Show 2012, Marco travels to Samba Island to pursue the New World pirate Chameleone, who had disaffiliated from the Whitebeard Pirates after killing some of his allies. Marco and Luffy work together to defeat him. Marco also appears in One Piece Premier Show 2017 during the retelling of the Summit War of Marineford.
• “MEMORIAL WALL ~Remember Marineford~”, one of the Photo Spots in Tokyo One Piece Tower, features a statue of Marco next to an image projection wall.
• Marco appears in Super Kabuki II: One Piece during the retelling of the Marineford Arc.
• Marco appears in Marineford version of the Hungry Days commercial.

Marco as he appears in the One Piece Premier Show 2012.

A statue of Marco in “MEMORIAL WALL ~Remember Marineford~”.

Trivia

• In the 4th, 5th, and 6th Japanese fan polls of most popular characters, Marco was ranked the 122nd (shared with a variety of characters), 12th, and 20th, respectively. Being in the last two, he was the second most popular member of the Whitebeard Pirates behind Ace.
• Marco’s birthday, October 5th, comes from his name as a goroawase-type pun: 10/5 gives 0/5, with a kun’yomi reading of “zero” being “maru” and an on’yomi reading of “five” being “ko” in Japanese, hence playing on Marco’s name as pronounced in Japanese: “Maruko” (マルコ^? ).^[7]
• Marco’s pineapple-like haircut and gag of being compared to a pineapple^[13] likely reference an older Japanese term for pineapples, hōri (鳳梨^? ), which can translate to “phoenix pear” (referring to the Chinese fenghuang), as a nod to his abilities. One of Marco’s attacks also contains that very word for pineapple.^[39]
• Marco’s favorite food is pineapple as a play on his in-story comparison to the fruit, and his least favorite food is beans.^[6]
• Marco’s hobby is collecting bar coasters.^[6]
• Marco’s animal motif, true to his abilities, is the phoenix.^[6]
• Marco is the first person revealed to have eaten a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, when its concept is first introduced.
• A fan asked Oda if Marco’s penis would regenerate if it was cut off, and Oda responded that it would.^[77]

References

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