One Piece Kumamoto Revival Project

At the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office
Monkey D. Luffy, the leader of the Straw Hat Pirates, is known for his rubber-like body—granted by the powers of a Devil Fruit. As a fearless captain, he leads his crew not only on grand adventures but also in efforts to support earthquake recovery. Fittingly, Luffy’s statue stands directly in front of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office, symbolizing leadership, strength, and unity in the face of adversity.

At the Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Tony Tony Chopper, the doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates, is a reindeer who became part human after eating a Devil Fruit. The smallest of all the One Piece statues, Chopper stands in front of the Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The zoo suffered significant damage during the 2016 earthquakes and remained closed for over a year, with many animals temporarily relocated during the repairs. Chopper’s symbolic presence reflects his caring nature—he’s there to watch over the animals and support their recovery.

At Ozu Central Park
Roronoa Zoro, the Straw Hat Pirates’ chief fighter, is a master swordsman known for his unique “three-sword style.” Formerly a bounty hunter, he now serves as the crew’s unwavering protector. His statue stands in Ozu Central Park, just a short walk from Higo Ozu Station. The area is renowned for its strong Kendo tradition, and the local martial arts hall was destroyed in the 2016 earthquakes. Zoro’s powerful presence here symbolizes resilience, inspiring the youth of Ozu to keep fighting and never give up.

At the Earthquake Museum
Robin, the archaeologist of the Straw Hat Pirates, has the power to reproduce her body parts—perfect if you ever need a hand… or even a leg. Fittingly, her statue stands at the Earthquake Museum near the dramatic valley entrance to the Aso caldera. This site was once the Aso Campus of Tokai University, but the buildings were so badly damaged during the 2016 earthquakes that students can no longer study there. Today, the area has been transformed into an open-air museum, freely accessible to visitors and serving as a place of remembrance and resilience.

At Aso Station
Usopp, the sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates, stands proudly in front of Aso Station with one finger pointed toward the sky. Behind him rises Mount Nakadake, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. The Aso region experienced widespread landslides during the 2016 earthquakes, leaving visible scars across its iconic grasslands. Usopp’s symbolic presence here reflects the harnessing of nature’s power to help restore Aso’s natural beauty and resilience.

At Takamori Station
Franky, the shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates, is part cyborg and the tallest of all the One Piece statues. He stands proudly at Takamori Station in Minami Aso, cheering on the reconstruction of the Minami Aso Railway. The line was heavily damaged during the 2016 earthquakes, but restoration efforts are well underway, with full reopening planned for 2023. Currently, an 8-kilometer section is already back in operation, and Franky’s symbolic presence celebrates the community’s resilience and ongoing progress.

At Nishihara Village
Nami, the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates, is closely associated with wind, making her placement in Nishihara Village especially fitting. The nearby Tawarayama wind turbines harness the strong winds that blow from the Aso caldera, symbolizing Nami’s deep connection to nature and navigation. These turbines were damaged during the 2016 earthquakes, and her symbolic presence now stands as a tribute to both the power of nature and the region’s ongoing recovery.

At Mashiki Sports Park
Sanji, the Straw Hat Pirates’ cook, stands proudly in front of the running track at Mashiki Sports Park. Mashiki was among the areas most severely affected by the 2016 earthquakes, with the sports hall serving as an emergency shelter for several months. The local school lunch center was also destroyed, making Sanji’s presence especially meaningful—he stands here to symbolically provide the children of Mashiki with warm, nutritious meals in their time of need.

At Mifune Dinosaur Park
Brook, the Straw Hat Pirates’ musician and swordsman, is a lively skeleton who feels perfectly at home in Mifune Dinosaur Park. After the 2016 earthquakes, the nearby Heisei College of Music sustained damage, and Brook now stands nearby to symbolically perform alongside students and uplift the local community.

Sumiyoshi Kaigan Park in Uto
Jinbe, a whale shark fish-man and the helmsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, is known for his love of sake—symbolized by the empty cup he holds. His statue stands by the sea in Sumiyoshi Kaigan Park in Uto, a city whose town hall was severely damaged during the 2016 earthquakes. Positioned near the ocean he calls home, Jinbe embodies guidance and strength, steering the people of Uto on their path to recovery and resilience.