The term "ship" in anime terms is actually a shortened version of the word "relationship" and represents the fan-based relationships between characters in the series. So, if you think two characters would be perfect as a couple, you "ship" them together. When it comes to One Piece ships, one of the most popular and widely voiced (not counting Sanji imitating all the female characters) is the one involving the protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, and Boa Hancock. In this article, we decided to explain why Boa Hancock is so in love with Luffy and what the potential of this relationship is.

Boa Hancock is in love with Luffy because he's different. He was the first man to successfully resist her charms, but at the same time, he truly loved her despite her history. Luffy doesn't love Boa romantically, but his honest attitude and humanistic approach make her fall completely in love with him.

The rest of this article will explore the relationship between Boa Hancock and Monkey D. Luffy. We'll explore the nature of their relationship, the reasons for Boa's love for Luffy, how Luffy views Boa, and whether there's any potential in this ship. This article won't contain too many spoilers, but be careful how you approach it if you don't know the full story.

How did Boa Hancock and Luffy first meet?

Hancock's reputation as the most beautiful woman, second only to mermaids, is known throughout the world. As the leader of the Kuja tribe, she is held in high esteem among the Amazons of Amazon Lily Island, a fact not only due to her beauty but also to the legend that she and her sisters killed a gorgon and all three were cursed as a result. This curse is said to be recognizable by a mark on her back that turns to stone upon sight.

However, this legend only serves as a cover-up, as the symbol branded on the Gorgon sisters' backs is actually a symbol of slavery issued by the Celestial Dragons, which Boa is willing to hide under any circumstances. Shortly after Luffy knocked out the Celestial Dragon Saint Charlos during the human auction and provoked an attack from Marine Admiral Kizaru, Hancock received a request from the World Government to come to Marineford to witness the execution of the recently captured Ace, which was a ruse to fight Edward Newgate, aka Whitebeard.

However, Hancock ignored the order and invitation to Mary Geoise, issued a few weeks earlier, to consult with the other Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Navy regarding the replacement of Sir Crocodile and Monkey D. Luffy. This went so far that Vice Admiral Momonga anchored off the Amazon Lily to come and retrieve her personally or give her the choice of losing her status as Warlord of the Sea. But in response to his request, Hancock petrified her crew with her Devil Fruit powers.

She eventually returns with her crew to the Kuja colony on Amazon Lily, but is confronted by a male intruder, who ends up seeing her mark on her back while she bathes alone. Luffy, fleeing from the other Kuja, bursts in and sees the mark on her back, which he mistakes for the one Hatchan has on his forehead. Seeming to be immune to his Mero Mero no Mi, which Luffy mistakes for Foxy's Noro Noro no Mi, Hancock ultimately prevents his escape with a Pistol Kiss, allowing him to be captured.

In the colony arena, Luffy is said to have died fighting for the amusement of others for his crime of entering Women's Island. But before that, Hancock punishes those who brought Luffy to the colony in the first place and petrifies Marguerite, Sweet Pea, and Aphelandra in front of the assembled tribe for saving Luffy. As the fight for her life begins, Hancock must both watch her pet Bacura be struck down by Luffy with a single blow and endure numerous insults from "the man" who, unlike the viewers, refuses to succumb to her charms.

She eventually follows Luffy's fight with her sisters Sandersonia and Marigold, who are overpowered by them, until the two trick Luffy into unconsciously displaying his Haōshoku, a Haki that Boa Hancock also possesses. The tide turns when Luffy finally wins the fight with his Gear 2, turning Hancock's sisters' powers against them, and when Sandersonia's back is exposed, Luffy throws himself onto her back to conceal his mark. This act, and the fact that her secret was almost revealed, leaves Hancock stunned. She slumps onto her throne and sheds a few tears.

Why does Boa Hancock like Luffy?

Luffy was initially Boa's enemy because he was the one who discovered her secret and was also the only one who could fend off her seductions. She came to the conclusion that such a man had no right to life and gave the green light for him to be put to death. She ordered his execution because she didn't believe his claim that Bartholomew Kuma had sent him. She also thought he was selfish and vain, like many men, but she was proven wrong and was moved by his selfless gesture.

She might truly consider Luffy the only unrelated person—along with Rayleigh and Shakky—whom Boa Hancock considers her true friend. When he protected his sister's back during their altercation so no one could see the Heavenly Dragon Slave's mark on her, she instantly became friends with him; when given the option to save himself or Kuja's daughters, he chose to save Margaret, Sweet Pea, and Aphelandra. She revealed her past to Luffy after discovering that he had struck the Tenryubito, one of her tormentors.

Hancock fell in love with Luffy once she discovered he didn't hate her because she was a slave in the past. "Lovesickness," a disease that claimed the lives of at least two of her predecessor's empresses and could have killed almost all of them, destroyed her. But according to Old Nyon, there is a chance of cure, namely by pursuing one's lover, so death need not be a consequence of the disease. And Boa will undoubtedly perish if she tries to repress these emotions within herself. Hancock finds it extremely difficult to feel these strange emotions; she physically suffers from being separated from Luffy, blushes at the mere thought of him, and becomes furious when he misspells her name.

In her incredibly vivid fantasies, Luffy appears as a charming romantic hero. When Luffy used her first name correctly and referred to it as "requited love," she nearly fainted. She nearly fainted once more when Luffy said "Thank you" (Japanese: ありがとう, Arigatou) a little while later with just his lips, and she interpreted his words as "I love you" (Japanese: 愛してる, Aishiteru). The girl exclaimed, "So this is what marriage is like!" after Luffy gave her a hug in appreciation for her help and the key to his brother's shackles.

Gloriosa then revealed to him that he was single. As a result, Hancock is now determined to marry Luffy. Despite Luffy repeatedly rejecting Hancock's marriage proposal, she still deeply adores him and doesn't care. Boa stated that she despised all men, especially pirates and Marines, except for Luffy, during the battle with Whitebeard at Marineford. She never wavered in her love for Luffy, even after discovering that he was the offspring of a wanted criminal.

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Hancock has been fighting for Luffy with all her might in this conflict ever since she first attacked Smoker and the Pacifista to save her beloved. Hancock has been entirely concerned with Luffy's well-being ever since he arrived at Marineford, becoming absolutely furious whenever he was attacked and quivering with terror whenever she wasn't sure he was okay.

Hancock stated her determination to bear Luffy's pain after reuniting with him after the conflict and learning from Trafalgar Law of his serious condition. She also showed great concern for Luffy; she had not eaten much since returning to Amazon Lily, at least until she was sure he was okay, and she even gave orders to feed him as much as necessary for his rehabilitation.

Although he doesn't feel the same way about Hancock, Luffy nonetheless genuinely loves and respects her. Luffy defended Boa by saying he wouldn't reveal who helped him get into Impel Down even if he died when Magellan tortured him in an attempt to find out. She "saved the day" twice later by helping him break into Impel Down and later giving him the keys to Ace's handcuffs, for which Luffy hugged her in appreciation.