Oda’s Inspiration behind Whitebeard

Whitebeard is one of three characters whose name comes from the real life Blackbeard, otherwise known as Edward Teach.

His last name, Newgate, may in fact come from Newgate Prison, a prison that used to stand in the city of London.

Whitebeard‘s character design and traits are also confirmed to be based on the owner of the pub Oda liked going to. The owner often sat down in the store with medical equipment hooked up to his nose and drank, calling sake “medicine” while telling war stories.

Whitebeard’s own line in his first appearance, “I’m not talking to any snot-nosed airheads.” was in fact an exact phrase the owner often said to customers. Unfortunately, the pub owner passed away by the time Oda revealed this fact.

The nature of Whitebeard’s death may have been influenced by the legend of Japanese folk hero Musashibo Benkei, who famously died in a standing position after sustaining countless injuries in battle.