|
Name: Axe-Hand Morgan
Epithet: Axe-Hand
Age: unknown
First Appearance: Anime Episode 2, Manga Chapter 4
Species: Human
Bounty: none
Morgan, clearly an imposing figure, possesses great physical strength, and wielded his sharp axe limb with grim power, enough to split a steel fence down the center with one swing as well as command the fear of his own Naval command. However, his success in the Navy fostered a very arrogant attitude, one that ultimately led to his defeat by Luffy.
Helmeppo was drawn before his father and early drawings of Morgan greatly resembled Helmeppo's own appearance. One example had him almost identical to Helmeppo, with just a crazier hairstyle. He was given his final design after the editor told Oda he looked lame.
Morgan's original name was going to be 'Captain Chop'. Oda explained that he didn't have the nerve to actually use this name. (His name also appearently was similar to a westling move by a famous Japanese westler called Giant Baba).
Morgan was the soldier that survived an attack by Kuro on a Navy ship, which left him with a broken jaw. And was hypnotized by Django into believing that he had captured Kuro (which was in reality nothing but a lookalike pirate), setting off his road to his Navy status.
Early in the storyline, Morgan acted as a Marine Captain, governing over the small marine base island of Shell Town. Contrary to his duty, Morgan instead ruled the town by fear by abusing his rank and position to levy high taxes over the people, and even personally executing his own men if they dared question his orders. His spoiled little son, Helmeppo, was just as bad at using his father's rank to get what he wished from the island's inhabitants, acting however he saw fit to abuse the townsfolk. This all changes however when Luffy comes to town to help Koby fulfil his dream and possibly recruit Roronoa Zoro into his crew. After Luffy accidentally breaks a newly finished statue of Morgan, Axe-Hand immediately sets after him, confronting Luffy in the courtyard of the marine base. Morgan was easily defeated by Luffy without even landing a single blow against the Straw Hat, and was promptly finished off by Zoro as Luffy had to do with Helmeppo who was holding Koby hostage.
Last seen of Morgan in the series was in a chapter cover mini-arc (single panels that often show what later happens to previous characters), where the deposed captain was about to face his execution. During this story, starring Koby, Morgan manages to escape the Navy ship by using his own son as a hostage. Helmeppo disowns him shortly after and returns to the Navy, leaving Morgan alone and drifting the ocean. |
