I haven't seen any thread like this and it seemed too specific to go under the INSPIRATION thread, but maybe it can be merged?
But here we can discuss all the mythological references from different cultures that Oda has incorporated into One Piece. If you've noticed something that everyone else hasn't, then feel free to mention it.
Also, if somebody has a list of mythological references in One Piece that would be great to add.
To start this thread, I found this interesting bit.
Impel Down is obviously based on the hell in Dante's Divine Comedy, you can also see the similarity with the appearance of the entrance of hell in Inferno and Impel Down.
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Update 1/1/13
To renew interest in this thread, I'm going to start a series of blog-like posts going through many key points and story arcs in the One Piece story and explore mythological influences and references in the story and how they have contributed to the overall story.
These will be the posts in order:
•Mythology Of East Blue Saga
•Mythology Of Baroque Works Saga(Reverse Mountain/Whiskey Peak/Little Garden/Drum Island/Alabasta)
•Mythology Of Skypiea Saga(Jaya/Skypiea)
•Mythology Of CP9 Saga(Davy Back Fight/Water 7/Enies Lobby)
•Mythology Of Whitebeard War Saga(Thriller Bark/Sabaody/Amazon Lily/Impel Down/Marineford)
•Mythology Of New World Saga(Fishman Island/Punk Hazard/Ongoing)