Nami, also known as “Cat Burglar” Nami, is the navigator of theStraw Hat Piratesand one of the Senior Officers of theStraw Hat Grand Fleet. She is the third member of the crew and the second to join, afterZoro, during theOrange Town Arc. Raised alongside her adoptive sister,Nojiko, byBell-mère, Nami has had a tumultuous past that shaped her journey toward her dream of creating a map of the entire world.

Initially, Nami was a member of theArlong Pirates, led by the ruthless fish-manArlong, who forced her into a life of piracy to gather money to buy back her village,Cocoyasi Village. She even served as a supporting antagonist during theBaratie Arc, as her main goal at the time was to collect money from theStraw Hatsto further her goal of freeing her village. However, Nami’s deep bond with her village and the Straw Hat crew changed her path. WhenLuffyand the crew defeated Arlong and liberated Cocoyasi Village, she left her past behind and truly joined the Straw Hat Pirates.

Bounties:

Nami’s growing importance in the world of piracy has been reflected in the bounties placed on her head. She first gained a bounty ofBeli16,000,000after the events ofEnies Lobby. Following her key role in theDressrosa Arc, where she helped defeatDonquixote Doflamingo’scriminal empire, her bounty increased toBeli66,000,000. After the Raid onOnigashima, where the Straw Hats faced theBeast PiratesandBig Mom, Nami’s bounty soared toBeli366,000,000, showcasing her significant role in the Straw Hats’ triumphs over powerful adversaries.

Overview
Along with Nico Robin, Usopp, Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, and Franky, Nami is one of the smartest members of the Straw Hat Pirates. According to an SBS from volume 8 (1999), Oda stated that Nami was the third-smartest character in the East Blue, with only Benn Beckman and Captain Kuro ahead of her at the time.[19] However, this should be taken with a grain of salt, as relatively few characters had been introduced or developed at that time.

At the start of the series, Nami despised all pirates, viewing them as universally evil after her traumatic experiences with pirates, especially the Arlong Pirates, who enslaved her and killed her adoptive mother. Despite her negative view of pirates, Nami found herself teaming up with Luffy and the Straw Hats and, over time, learned that not all pirates are evil. Her experiences shaped her into a strong and intelligent character with a mix of pragmatism, bravery, and deep loyalty toward her friends.

In moments of danger, Nami often tries to convince Luffy and the crew to avoid risky islands or dangerous situations, and although she can seem cowardly at times, she has earned a reputation as a “bold woman” due to her bravery in standing up for her friends and what she believes in.[21] She has an awareness of the world’s dangers and is often the voice of reason within the crew, especially when they face powerful figures like the Seven Warlords of the Sea or the Four Emperors.

• Luffy: Nami has a deep trust in Luffy as the captain and often looks to him for emotional support in times of crisis. Despite frequently getting frustrated with his reckless behavior, Nami cares about him deeply and respects his unwavering loyalty to his friends. Luffy, in turn, trusts Nami’s navigational skills and often hands her his treasured Straw Hat for safekeeping during important battles.

• Zoro: Nami and Zoro have a playful but contentious relationship. She often gets annoyed with Zoro’s lazy and reckless behavior, but she respects his strength and depends on him in battle. Zoro, in turn, trusts Nami’s navigational abilities and follows her orders without question while at sea.

• Usopp: Nami and Usopp share a close sibling-like bond, often hiding together in dangerous situations. Their similar personalities and sense of humor make them a strong team, and they frequently rely on each other during battles.

• Sanji: Nami often takes advantage of Sanji’s chivalrous devotion to her, using his affection to get him to do her bidding. Despite finding his flirtatious behavior irritating at times, Nami appreciates Sanji’s loyalty and cares about him deeply, as seen during the Whole Cake Island Arc.

• Chopper: Nami treats Chopper like a younger brother, often comforting him and protecting him in battle. Chopper respects Nami’s navigational skills and medical knowledge, and the two share a close and affectionate bond.

• Robin: Nami and Robin have a sisterly relationship, often spending time together and confiding in each other. Nami respects Robin’s intelligence and values her friendship, frequently relying on her during difficult times.

• Franky: Nami respects Franky’s skills as a shipwright and appreciates his work on the Thousand Sunny. While she gets annoyed with his childish antics, she trusts him in battle and values his contributions to the crew.

• Brook: Nami and Brook have a comedic relationship, with Nami frequently hitting Brook for his perverted remarks. Despite this, Nami trusts Brook as a crewmate and enjoys his musical talents.

• Jinbe: Nami was initially wary of Jinbe due to his connection with Arlong, but she has since forgiven him and grown to trust him as a member of the crew. Jinbe, in turn, is protective of Nami and respects her greatly.

Nami, one of the smartest members of theStraw Hat Pirates, shares this title with Robin, Usopp, Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, and Franky. Early in the series, Nami harbored a deep hatred for pirates due to her traumatic past, particularly her experience withArlong. This animosity diminished as she witnessed Luffy’s selflessness and leadership, eventually seeing him and the crew as family. Nami’s emotional journey, from distrust of pirates to embracing her role in the crew, is shaped by her need to protect her village and her loved ones, especially after her adoptive mother,Bell-mère, was killed by Arlong.

Though intelligent and cunning, Nami has a complex character with insecurities. She initially disbelieves in myths and legends, such as the existence ofDevil FruitsandSkypiea, but her experiences with the crew have slowly opened her eyes to the extraordinary. Nami’s skepticism is often balanced by her keen survival instincts and leadership on the ship. As thenavigator, Nami often takes charge of the crew, showing confidence in her navigation skills and offering strategic advice. However, despite her boldness, Nami is known for her cowardice in the face of danger, a trait she humorously acknowledges herself.

After the two-year timeskip, Nami appears calmer and more confident in her abilities, though she still panics in high-stress situations. She has a heightened sense of danger and a strong attachment to money, often becoming upset when the crew wastes it. This is largely due to her upbringing in poverty and her efforts to buy back her village from Arlong.

Nami’s physical abilities, honed from years of harsh survival experiences, make her deceptively strong. Despite lacking the raw combat prowess of some of her crewmates, she has demonstrated impressive agility, strength, and endurance. For instance, she can leap across large distances between rooftops, as seen in theWater 7 Arc, and can easily carry heavy loads, like large bags and even people, without slowing down. Nami’s agility allows her to dodge swift attacks and avoid danger, making her quite elusive.

Navigation and Cartography Expertise

Nami is one of the mostskilled navigatorsin the world, her ability to read and predict weather patterns is unmatched. Her navigation skills are vital to the Straw Hat crew, especially when traversing the unpredictable seas of theGrand Line. Nami’s cartography is equally impressive; she is highly proficient at drawing maps, as seen with her detailed charts of the ocean and terrain.

Nami has a unique ability to sense weather changes. Even in a high fever, she can accurately predict severe weather patterns, like cyclones, in the Grand Line, a feat almost impossible for regular navigators. This talent, combined with her deep knowledge of cartography, makes her invaluable to the crew’s success in their journey to theNew World. After two years of training inWeatheria, her understanding of theNew World‘s chaotic weather systems has only increased, allowing her to navigate the most treacherous seas with ease.

Skilled Thief and Pickpocket

Financial Expertise and Negotiation

Nami’s love for money has driven her to become thefinancial managerof the Straw Hat Pirates. She is responsible for managing their finances, ensuring that their funds are used wisely. Nami has a sharp memory when it comes to finances and is skilled at negotiating for discounts and deals, as shown in theWater 7 Arc, where she negotiated Beli300,000,000 for the treasure fromSkypiea.

She is also a highly persuasive negotiator, using her charm and intelligence to manipulate people into giving her information or helping her. Nami’s negotiation skills have allowed her to convince enemies to ally with her or provide critical information, as seen when she persuadedZeusto join her or manipulated residents of Weatheria to teach her their advanced weather science.