Many would say that One Piece's most impressive feat is its ability to give each character a unique and seemingly tragic backstory. Their story is not only told directly, but is also implied through small details in their appearance and personality. This is how Ace's tattoos go from being a simple tattoo to revealing his true character. Ace's tattoo runs vertically down his left arm. He proudly displays it, along with the tattoo on his back. Indeed, Ace's tattoos are an integral part of his character, as you will soon discover.

What “ASCE” really stands for

Ace's "ASCE" tattoo is part of the brilliant foreshadowing that Oda masterfully executed. When you first notice the tattoo, your initial reaction is simply confusion. Why is there such a strange combination of letters? Do they stand for something? This is probably where the debunked theory originated.

Many fans thought the crossed-out S was simply a typo, and that's why it was crossed out. It fits well with Sabo's laid-back, cool personality, and is a common gag among fans. While it's funny to think about, there is evidence that the crossed-out S is actually a reference to Ace's younger brother, Sabo. The rest of the tattoo simply spells out Ace.

During a conversation with Thatch in Volume 2, Chapter 5 of the light novel "Ace's Story," Ace confirms this. Thatch asks him, "By the way, Ace... What's this joke tattoo you have?"

Ace replies, "The X through the S is my late brother's symbol. That's all."

This also suggests that the crossed-out S refers to Sabo's jolly Roger rather than the fact that he was presumed dead. This could go either way, as the fact that the S stands for Sabo is what matters here.

But why is the S in the middle of the name and not a separate tattoo? The common theory is that ACE and ASE would be pronounced the same anyway, and the tattoo functions as both a reference to Sabo and a play on Ace's name. It's just a creative way to include both brothers in one tattoo without it being obvious.

Another very strong piece of evidence is the cover of chapter 596. It depicts Luffy, Ace, and Sabo all together as adults. This is a what-if scenario showing what things would have been like if the ship incident had never happened. In this image, Sabo is still alive, and Ace's tattoo only spells "Ace" without the crossed-out S.

The crossed-out S referring to Sabo isn't just visible on Ace's arm tattoo. Sabo also signed it on a letter he originally sent to Ace, which is how we know it's his signature.

Ace's tattoos are a symbol of what was most important to him in life: his brother and his involvement with the Whitebeards. These seemingly small details add a whole new layer of realism and humanity to his character. This makes Ace feel very real and relatable, despite the fact that he is truly a firebending pirate.

Ace and his story

Portgas D. Ace, also known as Ace "Fire First," is the older brother of Luffy and Sabo. He is also the second-in-command of the Whitebeard Pirates. The meaning of his nickname is his ability to control fire. He gained his power after eating the Mera Mera no Mi, a type of Devil Fruit that grants the user the ability to control and transform into fire at will.

Because of this, he is a fierce opponent in combat, and physical attacks have little to no effect on him. He doesn't have much screen time in the series, but he's the type of character you root for every time you see him on screen. Fans report that his story is among the saddest, and many shed tears during this part.

Fan Theories

The meaning of Ace's tattoo has been hotly debated by fans, and some debunked theories continue to circulate and spread misinformation among new viewers. First, let's address the main theory that continues to pop up despite its numerous debunkings.

Some fans have theorized that "ASCE" is an acronym. The theory states that A stands for Ace himself, the crossed-out S stands for Ace's presumed-dead younger brother, Sabo, C stands for "crybaby" and refers to the nickname Ace and Sabo gave Luffy as children, and E stands for Ace's captain, Edward Newgate, aka Whitebeard.

At first glance, this theory seems perfectly valid. Until you realize that Ace had his tattoo before joining Whitebeard. If you want to see a reference to his joining Whitebeard, look no further than the large tattoo on his back, a tattoo of the Whitebeard Pirates symbol.

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