The “Gray Terminal” in ONE PIECE’s Goa Kingdom is the place where Luffy, Ace, and Sabo’s unbreakable bond was born — a setting that symbolizes both freedom and social inequality.
Its real-world inspiration is believed to be Smoky Mountain, a garbage hill that once stood in Manila, Philippines. Through the lives of those who survived amid fire and waste, we uncover One Piece’s deeper message of human strength and hope.
What Was Smoky Mountain?
Smoky Mountain was a gigantic garbage dump located in the Tondo district of Manila, Philippines. It formed between the 1970s and 1990s as massive amounts of urban waste accumulated, eventually creating a mountain over 30 meters high.
Approximately 20,000 people lived on and around this mountain, surviving by collecting recyclable materials from the waste. Constant smoke rose from decomposing garbage and methane gas emissions, giving the mountain its name — “Smoky Mountain.”
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Tondo District, Manila, Philippines |
| Formation Period | 1970s to 1990s |
| Main Issues | Fires, pollution, disease, child labor |
| Closure | 1995 (as part of a redevelopment plan) |
| Current Status | Now converted into residential areas, schools, and parks |
Despite the severe environmental and health hazards, many residents refused to leave. They continued to live there, sustaining their families through determination and community ties.
Why It’s Considered the Model for the Gray Terminal
In One Piece, the Gray Terminal is depicted as a massive dump site located at the outskirts of the Goa Kingdom. It is where the wealthy discard everything they no longer need, and where the poor are forced to live among the refuse.
This mirrors the social divide that existed in Smoky Mountain. Both locations represent the same themes — human dignity, inequality, and the reality of poverty.
| Comparison | Gray Terminal | Smoky Mountain |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Outskirts of the Goa Kingdom | Tondo District, Manila |
| Inhabitants | Poor citizens and orphans | Families living off recyclable waste |
| Conditions | Smoke, stench, and decay | Methane gas, unsanitary environment |
| Symbolism | Contrast between class and freedom | Reality of economic inequality |
Eiichiro Oda’s decision to draw inspiration from such a place likely reflects a desire to question “whether a person’s worth is determined by where they are born.”
Life at Smoky Mountain
Life on Smoky Mountain was defined by survival through recycling waste.
Every morning, as garbage trucks arrived, residents — including children — rushed to scavenge usable items. They sorted plastics, paper, and metals to sell to recycling merchants, earning barely enough to survive.
| Category | Reality |
|---|---|
| Average Income | 100–200 pesos per day (approx. 3–6 USD) |
| Main Work | Waste picking and material sorting |
| Housing | Makeshift huts with tin roofs |
| Sanitation | No clean water or toilets; frequent infections |
| Risks | Fires, landslides, gas explosions, injuries |
Even under such conditions, the residents supported one another, creating a strong sense of solidarity. The people of Smoky Mountain became a symbol of resilience and the will to live, despite overwhelming hardship.
The Harsh Reality of Philippine Society
Smoky Mountain was not merely a landfill — it was a mirror of the Philippines’ economic inequality.
While skyscrapers and international companies thrived in downtown Manila, just a few kilometers away, entire communities lived off waste.
Although the government attempted to redevelop the area by building housing and providing job training, the root causes of poverty remained unresolved.
| Social Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Income Inequality | The top 10% of the population earned about 40% of national income |
| Lack of Education | Many children worked instead of attending school |
| Urban Migration | Rural citizens moved to Manila seeking work |
| Health and Hygiene | Diseases and malnutrition were rampant |
These realities resonate with One Piece’s underlying themes of freedom, justice, and human equality.
The Social Parallels Between Goa Kingdom and Smoky Mountain
In the Goa Kingdom, the contrast between the clean, wealthy city center and the filthy outskirts is striking. The rich live comfortably, while the poor survive among the garbage. This structure mirrors Manila’s real social geography.
| Comparison | Goa Kingdom | Manila (Smoky Mountain) |
|---|---|---|
| City Center | Luxurious homes of nobles | Business districts of the wealthy |
| Outskirts | Dump site and slums | Waste processing zones and squatter areas |
| Social Divide | Class discrimination | Economic and social exclusion |
| Symbolism | Loss of freedom and dignity | Poverty and human suffering |
The Goa Kingdom represents a microcosm of real-world inequality. The reason One Piece feels so powerful is that its fantasy world reflects the pain and injustice of reality.
Aftermath and Redevelopment of Smoky Mountain
Smoky Mountain was officially closed by the government in 1995, following decades of environmental and social crises.
However, many residents relocated to new dump sites, such as the Payatas landfill, where they continued the same struggle.
The Smoky Mountain Housing Project was later launched to redevelop the site. Today, the area includes apartment complexes, schools, and memorial displays showing the site’s history.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970s | Accumulation of urban waste began |
| 1980s | Population increased; settlement expanded |
| 1995 | Official closure by government |
| 2000s | Redevelopment and housing projects launched |
| Present | Residential zone and educational facilities established |
While redevelopment brought improvement, poverty persists in other areas. Nonetheless, the efforts of former residents have gradually transformed the region into a place of hope.
The Message Within One Piece
The Gray Terminal is not just a setting — it is a powerful symbol of human dignity and hope.
Through hardship, Luffy, Ace, and Sabo learned the meaning of freedom and strength.
The story conveys the belief that “a person’s worth is not determined by birth or social status.”
By basing this part of the story on Smoky Mountain, Oda sends a message to readers everywhere:
“No matter how difficult your circumstances, never give up on your dreams.”
This message echoes the resilience of real-life Smoky Mountain residents who fought to live with pride amid despair.
Conclusion
Smoky Mountain stands as a real-world symbol of both poverty and perseverance.
In One Piece, the Gray Terminal draws from this reality to depict a world where freedom, equality, and human bonds define true strength.
The struggles and courage of those who lived among the garbage mirror the core spirit of the Straw Hat Pirates — to face hardship with hope and to never lose sight of one’s dreams.
The connection between the fictional and the real shows us that true freedom lies not in wealth, but in the strength to keep moving forward.
Smoky Mountain continues to remind the world of the enduring meaning of life, dignity, and hope.
