Brook is the musician of the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece. He is a skeleton who the crew finds aboard a ghost ship after drifting into the Florian Triangle. He eats the Yomi Yomi no Mi, a Devil Fruit that returns him to a pseudo-immortal undead state, and he serves as the long-awaited musician that Luffy wants for his crew from the start of his journey.

Music and character

Music is central to Brook’s character. He is strongly devoted to it, and his attachment to music helps him through both happy and difficult periods. This musical focus appears throughout his fighting style, with many of his attacks named after songs and dances. He also uses music as a combat tool, including a hypnosis technique that can put enemies to sleep, though it can also affect allies. He fights in time with the rhythm of music.

Before his death in his first life, Brook is known as “Humming Brook” by the authorities because of his distinctive musical theme. His design as a skeleton musician is conceived early in the development of One Piece, and he is introduced later in the Thriller Bark arc after the idea has been kept in reserve for some time.

Reputation

Brook becomes a world-famous rock star during the two years before the present story, with his tone dial records selling in millions. During his final world tour in the Sabaody Archipelago, many of his fans react by crying or fainting at his presence.

Personality

He follows the idea that good things come to those who wait, a belief linked to the long years he spends on the ghost ship and Laboon’s patience.

Origins in the series

Brook is described as a skeleton musician concept that is first imagined when Oda draws Laboon, with the full design only taking shape later. An early concept of Brook also appears in One Piece Green: Secret Pieces.