The character is portrayed as a spirit of the rubber tree, often described with a "merry" or "forward" appearance, playing on the themes of stretching and adventure.
The "Forward" manuscript or initial concept art from 1994, which showcases a different aesthetic for the characters compared to the final 1997 serialization. 1_057.jpg
This draft shows an early, somewhat surreal concept for the character associated with the Going Merry. Early draft/sketch of Merry. The character is portrayed as a spirit of