Camie and Pappag: the Mermaid Companions of Fish-Man Island

September 2, 2026

The essentials in 30 seconds: Camie is a red thonier mermaid who works as a hairdresser and is rescued from slavery at Sabaody by Luffy and his crew at the last moment. Pappag is her sheep-fish friend, an exceptional stylist, and the owner of Camie’s hair salon on Fishman Island. Together, they embody the quiet but essential friendship linking Sabaody and Fishman Island, two pivotal stages of the New World. Below, discover their complete story, their role in the Fishman Island arc, and a selection of merchandise to extend the adventure.

In the rich world of One Piece, some characters leave a lasting impression without ever joining the Straw Hat crew. Such is the case with Camie and Pappag, an endearing duo introduced during the Sabaody arc and later reunited at Fishman Island. Camie, a young mermaid with a shy nature but a huge heart, and Pappag, her eccentric yet loyal sheep-fish partner, occupy a special place in the manga’s mythology: that of steadfast allies who, without fighting alongside Luffy, nevertheless change the course of his journey.

Their story begins in the prisons of human slavery at Sabaody and continues through the coral streets of Fishman Island, where Camie runs a renowned hair salon. Between gratitude, sacrifice, and sincere friendship, their journey also sheds light on how Eiichiro Oda addresses themes of racism, slavery, and coexistence between humans, mermaids, and fish-men. Let’s dive into the complete portrait of these two companions, too often forgotten in character rankings but essential to understanding the Fishman Island arc. To place these events within the saga’s broader chronology, our guide to the One Piece arcs in chronological order precisely situates Sabaody and Fishman Island within the story.

Who is Camie? A portrait of the Fishman Island mermaid hairdresser

Camie is a red thonier mermaid, recognizable by her scarlet fish tail and large, expressive eyes. Originally from Fishman Island, she works as a hairdresser, a profession she pursues with genuine passion despite her debilitating shyness and unfortunate tendency to burst into tears at the slightest strong emotion.

Her most memorable appearance occurs when she is captured by human slave traders in the Sabaody Archipelago, one of the obligatory passages toward the second half of the Grand Line. Enslaved alongside Pappag, she is rescued by Luffy, who, outraged by the system of human slavery orchestrated by the World Nobles, frees the two companions without hesitation—an act that indirectly triggers one of the series' most violent turning points.

Pappag, the Stylish Sheep with a Big Heart

Pappag is a fish-sheep, a humanoid-looking creature with the ability to speak like a human. A stylist at heart, he trained Camie in the art of hairstyling and runs the Camie Hair Salon with her on Fish-Man Island.

Comical, somewhat dramatic, and often frightened by danger, Pappag nevertheless remains unfailingly loyal to Camie, whom he considers almost like his spiritual daughter. Their duo works on a simple but effective principle: she is gentle and anxious, while he is expressive and theatrical—a contrast that has made generations of readers smile, particularly during the comedic scenes of the Fish-Man Island arc.

Sabaody Archipelago: The Encounter That Changed Everything

Slavery in Sabaody, a Dark Reality of the New World

Before joining the voyage of the Straw Hat crew, Camie and Pappag face one of the hardest trials of their lives. Captured by human slave traders in Sabaody, they are locked in a cage awaiting auction to the World Nobles—those Celestial Dragons who view the lives of other species as mere merchandise. This sequence, one of the manga's harshest up to that point, allows Oda to address the theme of slavery head-on.

Camie's Sacrifice and Luffy's Anger

It is upon seeing Camie humiliated and threatened that Luffy explodes with rage and punches a World Noble square in the face, immediately bringing in a Marine Admiral and triggering one of the story's major turning points: the crew's separation. Shaken by this unexpected sacrifice, Camie develops an infinite gratitude toward Luffy from that moment on—a feeling that would later drive her to risk everything to help him again, two years later, on Fish-Man Island.

One Piece Nico Robin Gigantesco Mano Figurine

Fishman Island: reunion and role in the arc

Camie's hair salon

Two years after Sabaody, the crew arrives on Fishman Island and reunites with Camie, who now runs her own hair salon there with Pappag. She is the one who welcomes Luffy, Zoro, and their companions to this enchanting underwater city, serving as their guide and point of reference among a population wary of humans after centuries of discrimination. This role as a “cultural bridge” between humans and fish-men makes Camie a discreet but structurally important character in the Fishman Island arc.

The fight against Hody Jones and the New Fish-Man Pirates

When Hody Jones and his New Fish-Man Pirates sow chaos to overthrow King Neptune, Camie finds herself caught between two sides: her loyalty to her people and her admiration for the crew that came to help her. Although she does not take part directly in the battles, she actively contributes to logistics, rescue efforts, and mobilizing the inhabitants, proving that heroism is not measured solely by combat strength.

The heartbreaking farewell to the crew

The crew's departure from Fishman Island remains one of the most moving scenes in the series: Camie, in tears, swims after the ship with all her strength, unable to bring herself to say goodbye to those who gave her everything. This scene alone sums up the place Camie and Pappag hold in fans' hearts: secondary characters, certainly, but carriers of genuine and lasting emotion.

Criterion	Camie	Pappag
Species	Red tuna mermaid	Fish-sheep
Occupation	Hairdresser	Stylist / salon manager
First appearance	Sabaody Archipelago arc	Sabaody Archipelago arc
Main character trait	Shyness, sensitivity, loyalty	Theatricality, devotion, sense of style
Connection to the crew	Saved by Luffy, guide on Fishman Island	Loyal ally, Camie's protector

A few key points to remember about this endearing duo:

Camie is one of the few characters to appear as early as the Sabaody Archipelago arc and later return to play an active role on Fishman Island.
His hair salon is a recurring location where several crew members, including Nami and Robin, come to be pampered.
Pappag has a highly developed sense of fashion, which he puts to use especially in Camie's wardrobe.
Their friendship with Luffy perfectly illustrates the central theme of One Piece: loyalty is never limited to the official crew.

Why Camie and Pappag leave such a strong impression on fans

Despite having relatively limited screen time compared with the official members of the Straw Hat crew, Camie and Pappag have earned a lasting place in readers' hearts. Their story works as a mirror of the One Piece universe: it shows that the greatness of a narrative rests not only on its main heroes, but also on the richness of its supporting characters. Through Camie, Oda explores universal themes—the fear, recognition, and quiet courage—while Pappag adds a touch of humor and tenderness essential to the arc's balance.

Their duo has also inspired many merchandise items, from figurines and accessories to collectible cards, such as the Monkey D. Luffy Gear 5 Nika Holo Rare TCG card, the 18-piece premium card pack, and the Pop Chopper figurine in the Wano version, proving that even non-combat characters find an audience among the series' most passionate fans. For the most demanding collectors, our complete guide to the best One Piece figurines to collect in 2026 details the must-have pieces to add to your display cabinet.

Frequently asked questions

Does Camie ever join Luffy's crew?

No, Camie never officially joins the Straw Hat crew. She remains on Fish-Man Island, where she continues to run her hair salon, but her emotional bond with Luffy and his companions remains strong throughout the series.

What is the difference between Camie and Shirahoshi?

Camie is an ordinary fish-man mermaid and a hairdresser by profession, while Shirahoshi is the giant princess of Fish-Man Island, daughter of King Neptune. Both are mermaids, but they play very different roles in the story.

Why is Pappag able to speak like a human?

Pappag belongs to a hybrid sheep-fish species whose distinctive anatomy allows him to speak and maintain a semi-human posture, like other fish-men in the series.

Does Camie reappear after the Fish-Man Island arc?

She makes brief reappearances or is mentioned in certain flashbacks and side scenes, but her main role remains focused on the Sabaody and Fish-Man Island arcs.

Are there official Camie and Pappag figures?

Figures dedicated specifically to this duo are rare compared with those of the main characters, but fans can complete their collection with crew figures and pieces related to the Fish-Man Island arc to recreate the atmosphere of this underwater adventure.

To explore the One Piece universe further

Key takeaways

Camie and Pappag are not fighters or official members of the crew, but they embody one of the finest examples of the legacy Luffy leaves in his wake: sincere and lasting gratitude. From Sabaody to Fishman Island, their journey highlights the richness of the supporting characters in One Piece and reminds us that Luffy's great adventure is also made up of quiet yet unforgettable encounters. To continue exploring, visit our collection of One Piece figures, our selection of official TCG trading cards, or our gift ideas for giving any fan of the series a little of the spirit of Fish-Man Island. You can also find our themed rings, plush toys, and posters to complete your pirate world every day.

Back to blog

Menu

Your cart is empty

Cart • 0 items