corazon: maybe once in a while you’ll think of me….. but now you can be free <3 ✌🏻
law:
law: anyways these tattoos are for corazon and we’re going to be called the heart pirates for corazon and my jacket is going to have the name corazon on it and I’m going to get strong enough to finally take doflamingo down for corazon and
when doflamingo said law could have anything he wanted in the world in exchange for him using the ope ope fruit on him & law asked him to bring cora back
An Exhaustive Examination of Corazon's Pre-Appearance Mentions and References
As most of us know, Donquixote "Corazon" Rosinante first appears at the start of Trafalgar Law's backstory chapters in the One Piece manga—chapter 761 to be precise. But Cora also has several mentions and references prior to 761.
Let's take a closer look at them! ♡ ︎
Pre-Timeskip - The Heart Pirates
Trafalgar Law’s crew name and association with hearts can be easily connected to Corazon, though at the time of Law’s introduction, there is no indication that this theme was inspired by another character. Oda likely didn't have Law’s exact history in mind way back in Sabaody (he did admit to designing all of the new supernova pirates in a rush, and was later surprised by Law’s overall popularity). Some kind of connection to Donquixote Doflamingo was plausible, at least, given the similarities of his and Law's Jolly Rogers.
♡ ︎
Chapter 666 - "I'm free to go wherever I wish."
This statement from Law during the Punk Hazard arc could be considered a very early reference to Corazon, the person Law credits for giving him such freedom. Oda probably didn’t have Corazon’s character or role fleshed out at this point, but it’s clear that Law is keenly aware of his independence and values it greatly. On re-read, this panel serves as a subtle foreshadowing of Law's cherished savior.
♡ ︎
Chapter 690 - Law's Trauma
In this scene, Doflamingo mocks Law for his Vergo-related trauma. It is not even hinted that a third party was involved in this incident, so we still can’t say if Oda had Corazon in mind yet. At this stage, readers can deduce that Law won his freedom from the Donquixote pirates and doesn’t intend to return to them. The “heart seat" having been saved for Law is also mentioned near the end of the Punk Hazard arc, casting Law as someone Doflamingo may see as a wayward son. Earlier discussion between Doflamingo and Vergo imply that Vergo and Law possessed a deeper familiarity than what is eventually written for Law's backstory. Interestingly, the traumatic incident Doflamingo alludes to ends up being directly related to Corazon. Thus, on the re-read, this line becomes another early reference.
♡ ︎
Chapter 704 SBS - Heart-themed tattoos
The Dressrosa arc is where Law’s distinctive chest tattoo makes its first canonical appearance. In the SBS (the manga's Q&A segment), Oda acknowledges the heart theme while playfully hinting at a deeper meaning. Corazon's role has likely been determined at this point, and Oda will now be gradually working toward the character's reveal, nearly sixty chapters later!
♡
Chapter 705 and on - The Corazon Jacket
Similar to Law's chest tattoo, his iconic Corazon jacket also makes its first appearance early in the Dressrosa arc. Oda acknowledges in SBS 768 that the jacket was custom-made as a tribute to Corazon.
♡
Chapter 724 - "Thirteen years ago"
A little further into the arc, it is revealed that Law actually seeks revenge on Doflamingo for a specific incident from thirteen years ago. A third party is not yet mentioned, but we now have a more specific time frame.
♡
Chapter 725 - "Someone's long-held desire"
Though he is not mentioned by name, Law finally makes a direct (and quite passionate) mention of the person whose goal he is trying to fulfill.
♡
Chapter 729 - "'The D will always cause another storm'!!!"
Near the end of Law and Doflamingo's battle on the bridge, Doflamingo asks why Law puts so much trust in the Straw Hat pirates, with whom Law has since formed an alliance. While Law's interest in the D initial is obvious (and could offer motivation for saving Monkey D. Luffy during the Marineford war), the words he imparts to Doflamingo are cryptic. It remains unclear what Law's personal connection to "D" is (in the manga, it has not yet been revealed that Law is a "D" himself) or who exactly he is quoting.
♡
Chapter 729 - "Cora-san...!!"
The first mention of Corazon by name comes in the form of Law's presumed dying thoughts after being shot by Doflamingo. Though, it is not the literal name "Corazon" but rather the nickname Law uses for him: Cora-san (the official English translation omits the honorific).
♡
Chapter 749 - "someone that I loved!!"
Twenty chapters after "Cora-san", more description is finally revealed. Law describes Cora as someone that he loved who was murdered by Doflamingo (explaining his motive for revenge), drops the codename "Corazon" (the same word that has been emblazoned on his jacket all this time), and divulges that Cora was a member of the Donquixote Family. Not only that, but he was even Doflamingo's younger brother!
♡
Chapter 752 - "I was saved!!"
In this scene, Law emphatically defends himself as Doflamingo insults his character. This is one of the first mentions of Law being "saved" by Corazon (after Law telling Luffy that Corazon "gave him his life"), as well as the first utterance of Corazon's name by Doflamingo.
♡
Chapter 760 - Doflamingo's memory
At the end of chapter 760, shortly before Law's backstory chapters begin, Doflamingo monologues about his early hardships. During this brief insight into his past, a panel that depicts the day of his mother's death is shown. On the bed, the silhouette of a small boy can be seen mourning. While not his true first appearance, it's the first official glimpse of Corazon!
♡
Chapter 761 - "The reason I'm alive"
A couple of panels before the backstory chapters begin, Law makes one more mention of his savior, stating that the reason he is alive now is because of Cora-san.
♡
Chapter 761 - Corazon's entrance (and what an entrance it was!)
And there you have it! I believe I found all the early references and mentions of Corazon in the manga, but if I missed anything, please let me know. Thank you for reading!! ♡♡♡
Prompts for CoraLaw Week 2026 are here! Just choose one of the three for any day you wish to participate. Art, fic, and more are welcome, and don't forget the hashtag #CoraLawWeek2026 💞
Posting for the event will run from July 15th to July 21st. More info at coralawweek.carrd.co 🤍
HAVE FUN!! ❤️🔥🐯❤️🔥
Text version of the Prompts for copy/pasting:
July 15th; Caretaker - Snow - Nostalgia
July 16th; Omegaverse - Meet cute - Makeup
July 17th; Reunion - Hurt/comfort - Bodyguard
July 18th; Aphrodisiacs - Bathing - Suit and tie
July 19th; Little Law - Trauma - Cigarettes
July 20th; Apology - Inexperience - Bookstore/Cafe
July 21st; Water - Pirate crew - Promise
Midterm results for the One Piece World Top 100 poll are here and Cora-san is currently ranked at 13th place! Congratulations!
Rewards for high-ranking characters include: new Oda art with "special outfit" that will be featured in upcoming merch (top 30) and an animated eyecatcher that will be featured in a later season of the One Piece anime (top 15)!
Want to help Cora retain his spot? Click HERE to vote! ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Midterm results for the One Piece World Top 100 poll are here and Cora-san is currently ranked at 13th place! Congratulations!
Rewards for high-ranking characters include: new Oda art with "special outfit" that will be featured in upcoming merch (top 30) and an animated eyecatcher that will be featured in a later season of the One Piece anime (top 15)!
Want to help Cora retain his spot? Click HERE to vote! ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
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