TV-Series
Description
Jaguar D. Saul is a giant and a former Vice Admiral of the Marines who plays a pivotal role in the history of Nico Robin. A native of the South Blue, he is distinct for being a giant who does not hail from the legendary warrior island of Elbaph. His most defining physical characteristic, besides his immense size, is his long orange hair and large beard that encircles his face, resembling a lion's mane. In his early appearances, he wore a black shirt and gray jeans, having discarded his Marine uniform, and is seldom seen without a large cowboy hat, a piece of attire that Robin would later adopt in his memory.
Saul’s personality stands in stark contrast to what one might expect from a giant or a high-ranking Marine officer. He is fundamentally kind-hearted, somewhat timid, and shy, fulfilling the archetype of a big friendly giant. He is famously known for his unique and self-acknowledged awkward laugh: "Dereshishishishi". Saul is a firm believer in following his own conscience, a philosophy he refers to as "Moral Justice," which puts him in direct opposition to the Marines' dominant and ruthless ideology of "Absolute Justice". This moral compass is the driving force behind all his major decisions.
Before his defection, Saul served the World Government with a record of loyalty. However, his path changed forever when his vessel intercepted a ship of archaeologists from Ohara. Despite his orders to take them alive, his crew slaughtered nearly all of them, leaving only Nico Olvia, Robin’s mother, alive. The final breaking point came when he was selected to participate in the Buster Call to annihilate Ohara for the crime of studying the forbidden poneglyphs. Unable to justify the genocide of scholars and innocent civilians, Saul freed Nico Olvia from captivity and deserted the Marines.
Shortly after his defection, a storm left Saul shipwrecked and he drifted to the shores of Ohara itself. There, he met and befriended a young and isolated Nico Robin, becoming the first person to show her unconditional kindness. He spent his days building a raft while Robin secretly brought him food, and he taught her to laugh even when she was sad as a way to cope with her pain. When the Buster Call was finally activated, Saul attempted to save Robin, promising her mother he would protect her. Displaying his immense physical power, he lifted and destroyed a massive Marine battleship with his bare hands. His heroic stand was cut short when he was confronted by his former colleague and friend, Kuzan (the future Admiral Aokiji). Saul was frozen solid by Kuzan's powers. As he was encased in ice, he smiled and laughed like other bearers of the initial "D.," telling Robin that the sea was vast and she would one day find friends who would protect her.
For decades, Saul was presumed dead by the world, including Robin. However, he miraculously survived the encounter. According to his account, the intense flames of the burning island thawed him out, though he was left with severe scars across his face and lost his right leg, replacing it with a peg leg. After recovering, he led a group of giants to retrieve the priceless books that the Oharan scholars had sunk into a lake to protect from the flames. He hid these archives on Elbaph and went into seclusion, eventually becoming a beloved history teacher known as "Saul-sensei" at the Walrus School on the island. His survival and the recovery of the books have proven crucial, as they preserved the knowledge of the Void Century, which the World Government had sought to destroy.
In the present storyline, Saul finally reunites with Nico Robin when the Straw Hat Pirates arrive on Elbaph. This emotional reunion confirms that he remains a loyal friend and ally, dedicated to protecting Robin and the people he cares about. Despite his gentle nature, his past as a Vice Admiral grants him formidable combat experience. He is not only immensely strong and durable but has also traveled the Grand Line, giving him extensive knowledge of the world and Devil Fruit powers. His character represents the theme of inherited will, as he preserved the knowledge of Ohara and passed on the values of moral justice and friendship to Nico Robin, which ultimately helped her find her family with the Straw Hat Pirates.
Saul’s personality stands in stark contrast to what one might expect from a giant or a high-ranking Marine officer. He is fundamentally kind-hearted, somewhat timid, and shy, fulfilling the archetype of a big friendly giant. He is famously known for his unique and self-acknowledged awkward laugh: "Dereshishishishi". Saul is a firm believer in following his own conscience, a philosophy he refers to as "Moral Justice," which puts him in direct opposition to the Marines' dominant and ruthless ideology of "Absolute Justice". This moral compass is the driving force behind all his major decisions.
Before his defection, Saul served the World Government with a record of loyalty. However, his path changed forever when his vessel intercepted a ship of archaeologists from Ohara. Despite his orders to take them alive, his crew slaughtered nearly all of them, leaving only Nico Olvia, Robin’s mother, alive. The final breaking point came when he was selected to participate in the Buster Call to annihilate Ohara for the crime of studying the forbidden poneglyphs. Unable to justify the genocide of scholars and innocent civilians, Saul freed Nico Olvia from captivity and deserted the Marines.
Shortly after his defection, a storm left Saul shipwrecked and he drifted to the shores of Ohara itself. There, he met and befriended a young and isolated Nico Robin, becoming the first person to show her unconditional kindness. He spent his days building a raft while Robin secretly brought him food, and he taught her to laugh even when she was sad as a way to cope with her pain. When the Buster Call was finally activated, Saul attempted to save Robin, promising her mother he would protect her. Displaying his immense physical power, he lifted and destroyed a massive Marine battleship with his bare hands. His heroic stand was cut short when he was confronted by his former colleague and friend, Kuzan (the future Admiral Aokiji). Saul was frozen solid by Kuzan's powers. As he was encased in ice, he smiled and laughed like other bearers of the initial "D.," telling Robin that the sea was vast and she would one day find friends who would protect her.
For decades, Saul was presumed dead by the world, including Robin. However, he miraculously survived the encounter. According to his account, the intense flames of the burning island thawed him out, though he was left with severe scars across his face and lost his right leg, replacing it with a peg leg. After recovering, he led a group of giants to retrieve the priceless books that the Oharan scholars had sunk into a lake to protect from the flames. He hid these archives on Elbaph and went into seclusion, eventually becoming a beloved history teacher known as "Saul-sensei" at the Walrus School on the island. His survival and the recovery of the books have proven crucial, as they preserved the knowledge of the Void Century, which the World Government had sought to destroy.
In the present storyline, Saul finally reunites with Nico Robin when the Straw Hat Pirates arrive on Elbaph. This emotional reunion confirms that he remains a loyal friend and ally, dedicated to protecting Robin and the people he cares about. Despite his gentle nature, his past as a Vice Admiral grants him formidable combat experience. He is not only immensely strong and durable but has also traveled the Grand Line, giving him extensive knowledge of the world and Devil Fruit powers. His character represents the theme of inherited will, as he preserved the knowledge of Ohara and passed on the values of moral justice and friendship to Nico Robin, which ultimately helped her find her family with the Straw Hat Pirates.