One Piece by Eiichiro Oda is highly acclaimed for its detailed, intricate, and rich storytelling. The characters are well-developed, particularly the Straw Hat Pirates. Every single one of them has an unforgettable, heartfelt past that gives their personalities a distinct identity. Nico Robin’s tragic background gave the word “devil” a deeper significance for her.

Nico Robin
Nico Robin (Credits: Toei Animation)

In the series’ early arcs, Robin was one of the most enigmatic characters. She asked Luffy to join the group, as opposed to being welcomed, unlike the other Straw Hat Pirates. She was one of the primary adversaries at first and didn’t change until she was defeated. Still, that’s not the reason she’s called a demon.

Nico Robin’s Association With The Word ‘Devil’ Can Be Traced Back To Her Childhood

Nico Robin in her childhood
Nico Robin in her childhood (Credits: Toei Animation)

Robin had always been associated with the word “devil” even in her early years. Her home is the island of Ohara, where the majority of the population is an archaeologist. The villagers were lifelong learners who conducted research every day. Nothing or no one, not even the World Government, could stop them from discovering the real history of the globe.

The young Robin was also naturally inclined to learn, and her Devil Fruit powers just made it stronger. Before turning eight, she had already consumed her Devil Fruit. She is also shunned by her family and the other villages because of this, with many of them even dubbing her a devil.

Her mother, Nico Olivia, returned to Ohara when Robin had learned the language required to create the poneglyphs. Soon after, the entire island and its inhabitants were destroyed by the Marines who were following closely behind her. At Jaguar D. Saul’s expense, Robin was the only one who made it out alive.

The World Government sought her down and called her the Demon of Ohara since she was a remnant from Ohara and could read the poneglyphs. They made up accusations that she was looking for Ancient Weapons to bring about the end of the world.

Nico Robin’s Devil Fruit Abilities Also Have Some Demonic Connotations

Nico Robin might be one of the smartest Straw Hats
Nico Robin is associated with the devil (Credits: Toei Animation)

With her Devil Fruit, Robin can spring any part of her body in any direction. She can also manifest enormous wings composed of connected arms using one of her powers. Even though she is not able to fly with those wings, she can halt her fall with them and appear to be a fallen angel. Still, a more overt reference to her demonic moniker is the new tactic she employed against Black Maria—the Demonio Fleur.

When Robin got into a cunning battle with one of Kaido’s Tobi Roppo, she was forced to use all of her trump cards. In homage to her nickname, the Devil Child, she channeled all she had learned during her time with the Revolutionary Army through a method known as Demonio Fleur. When activated, Robin materializes as a massive, multi-appendaged, fanged, and horned version of herself. She performed a clutch and locked her opponent in a grip with her many limbs.

Among the Straw Hat Pirates, Nico Robin’s backstory is one of the most colorful. Ever since her childhood, she has been connected to the devil, and this continued to torment her after she joined the Straw Hats. However, she accepted her ominous nickname for the benefit of her Nakama, just like Zoro did in more recent One Piece chapters.

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