Eiichiro Oda seems to have a strange and ruthless habit: killing off mothers in One Piece to drive the story forward. From Bell-mère (Nami’s adoptive mother) to Ginny (Bonney’s mother), this heartbreaking list has just grown longer. In the latest chapter 1168, Ida, Harjudin’s mother, dies with a smile on her face, sparking shocking theories about the “Will of D” right in the land of Elbaph.
A Smile Before Death: Is Ida a Member of the D Clan?
In the world of One Piece, characters who die with a bright smile are often identified as members of the D clan, no matter how brutal their death. Chapter 1168 confirms that Ida was poisoned by someone from Loki’s maternal village, and she passed away peacefully.
Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed that Ida carries the “D” initial, her background shares striking similarities with Jaguar D. Saul. We know Saul is a giant from South Blue, not Elbaph. Similarly, Ida was not born on the giant island but comes from Samuwanai Island in South Blue. She met Harald while working at a circus in the kingdom of Bunt. Ida’s experience outside the giant world helped Harald shed his pride and open up to other cultures.
Ida’s personality is the biggest clue. Like Luffy and Roger, she treats everyone with compassion and deep empathy while holding firm principles. She is the only one who dares to confront and reprimand King Harald. She accepts all of Loki’s insults, treats him like a second son, and stays in Elbaph despite discrimination. Her final smile, reminiscent of Gol D. Roger and Portgas D. Ace, leaves fans wondering about the true bloodline Ida carries.
Oda’s Familiar “Mother’s Death” Trope
Setting aside the D clan theory, Ida’s death once again reinforces Oda’s storytelling habit: sacrificing great mothers to fuel the growth of male characters.
Ida’s death is key to understanding Loki’s arc. Without her, the only kind figure who understood his pain, Loki wouldn’t undergo his psychological transformation. This formula has been used before with Ace, Sanji, and many others. Mothers in One Piece are often portrayed as radiant, selfless figures only to be “written off” to create emotional turning points for the male leads.
Controversial Repetition and Luffy’s Mother’s Future
Oda’s repeated use of this trope is becoming predictable and tiring for some readers. Although Ida’s death is darker and more sinister than her predecessors, it still fits the old pattern Oda has used for decades.
Fans have waited years to learn the identity of Luffy’s mother, but looking at Ida and Bell-mère’s examples, many worry that Luffy’s mother might also meet a painful sacrificial fate. Will Ida be the last mother to fall under Oda’s pen, or will this trend continue until the series ends?