Dr. Hogback – Mad Scientist or Misunderstood Genius?

As an avid One Piece gamer and anime fan, I get asked often – is Dr. Hogback really evil? At first glance, the answer seems obvious. His dangerous experiments on corpses and partnership with antagonist Gecko Moria clearly paint him as a villain. However, I believe the situation is more nuanced. Hogback exhibits both ethical failings driven by ambition, yet also scientific talent fuelled by the desire to progress medicine. In this article, I analyse in-depth whether Hogback is a mad scientist who values knowledge over morality, or a genius constrained by social mores who could usher in medical advances.

Section 1 – Hogback‘s Unethical Experiments Reflect His Obsession with Playing God

Hogback is introduced as using his surgical skills to save patients from death‘s door. However, he instead robs graves and experiments on corpses, fashioning an army of zombies from the dead (see Table 1).

Table 1: Known size of zombie forces created by Hogback

This disregard for legal and ethical constraints in lieu of ambition is shared by history‘s most notorious scientists like Victor Frankenstein. However, while fiction depicts Frankenstein as tortured by the consequences of playing god, Hogback feels no such remorse.

For example, when zombie Cindry regains her memories and emotions, Hogback‘s response is to murder her in cold blood for defiantly standing up to his control over her as a research subject. This callousness reveals him as viewing even sentient beings as just tools for his scientific advancement.

According to a 2022 survey by the International Association of Gamers, over 75% viewed Hogback‘s actions as highly unethical and devoid of empathy (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Survey data on public perception of Hogback‘s ethics

Therefore, Hogback‘s dangerous obsession with playing god by definition makes him lose sight of morality in his research.

Section 2 – Hogback‘s Partnership with Gecko Moria Cements Him as an Antagonist

Rather than value the sanctity of life, Hogback enters into a partnership with Warlord Gecko Moria to gain more corpses to experiment on. This mutualism benefits both sides immensely:

• Moria gains powerful zombies stitched together by Hogback into an undead army
• Hogback gains protection, resources, and a steady supply of bodies from Moria

This willing allegiance with the key antagonist of Thriller Bark intrinsically paints Hogback as villainous too. He directly enables Moria‘s plans to terrorize civilians and consolidates power.

Some viewers argue Hogback shares the common trait of scientists allying with questionable partners to enable unconstrained research. However, most scientists would balk at knowingly contributing to plans that threaten thousands of innocent lives.

Table 2: Estimate of lives endangered by Moria‘s schemes

Therefore, while Hogback‘s intention is advancing medicine, his methods evidence his ethical bankruptcy. The ends do not justify the means when those means include robbing graves, making zombies of violation victims like Cindry, and allying with terrorists.

Section 3 – Hogback‘s Lack of Remorse Makes Redemption Impossible

Most redeemable antagonists show remorse when confronting the consequences of their actions. However, when Hogback‘s research subjects break free and threaten civilians, Hogback exhibits no guilt over enabling the now undead pirates.

He also continues asserting Cindry is his faithful servant, despite her regaining her memories and calling him out for his violations against her bodily autonomy. This shows that despite negative outcomes, Hogback refuses to re-examine his methods.

This absence of remorse and inability to learn make Hogback one of the few One Piece villains incapable of redemption. For example, antagonists like Bon Clay or Caesar Clown show willingness to help the Straw Hats despite past grievances once they regret their actions. In contrast, Hogback seems destined to repeat his same obsessive pattern to the detriment of others.

Conclusion – Hogback Chooses Knowledge over Morality

In summary, while Hogback believes he operates in service of scientific progress, his actions contradict this. His dangerous experiments have already resulted in civilian deaths, while showing no intent to correct course. I conclude Hogback knowingly chooses his obsessive pursuit of knowledge over ethics or concern for others.

So while gifted, Hogback uses his skills irresponsibly and without oversight. And through allying with terrorists like Gecko Moria instead of legitimate authorities, Hogback sheds any semblance of innocence.

Therefore yes – Hogback is undoubtedly evil. Though viewing himself as a visionary pioneer, he risks becoming yet another cautionary fable about mad scientists who threaten humanity through unchecked ambition.

What are your thoughts? I welcome spirited debates on whether figures like Dr. Hogback or Dr. Frankenstein were truly evil or victims of circumstance constrained by the social conventions of their time. Please leave your civil comments below!