Have you ever wondered how many characters have appeared in One Piece?
With over 1000 episodes in both manga and anime, the list of characters in One Piece is long. For that reason is not strange to think that not many of them would have the time to develop . However, that is not the case thanks to Eiichiro Oda’s genius. Over the last twenty years, he has given us masterclass after masterclass on how to create the most organic and beautifully written characters in media.
All of this is accompanied by a drawing style that may seem childish at first glance. However, Oda’s strange and fun style allows him to create the most bizarre and unique designs. Although it also makes you wonder "what was he thinking?". For that reason, I have made a list of the top 10 best characters from One Piece.
Spoiler Alert, if you are not up to date with One Piece this probably contains spoilers.
10) Edward Newgate.
Whitebeard and Roger clashing with all their power.
Commonly known as Whitebeard, although he has a mustache, this 70-years-old man is so powerful that Oda had to introduce him past his prime. With the ability to cause quakes and generate incredibly powerful shockwaves he earned the title of The Strongest Man in the World, it’s even said once that he had the power to destroy it.
A long-time rival of the King of the Pirates, Gold Roger, and one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, yet what Edward Newgate always wanted was a family. And so he found it on his crew. All of his crewmates were like his children, and rightfully they called him “Pops”. He’s such a loving father that he even went to war with the whole navy for one of his children.
During the war, we get to understand why he was called The Strongest Man. It took the whole navy and the main antagonist of the series to take him down! This is no exaggeration. After his death we’re told the following:
“Even in death, even with half of his face blown clean away, his body refuses to yield. His mighty figure, cutting swathes through his foes, was truly monstrous. Throughout his battles, he received a full 267 blade wounds. The bullets he endured total 152. And the cannonballs he has withstood amount to 46”. All of this at the age of 72 and being sick.
Whitebeard also gave us one of the greatest moments in One Piece when, with his last breath, he yelled to the world the treasure existed, creating a whole new wave of people sailing to the sea and turning the world upside down.
9) Soul King Brook:
Brook taking on Big Mom with the power of music
You’d think a 9’1” talking skeleton would be closer to the top. However, that doesn’t diminish Brook’s awesomeness. Despite constantly being associated with being a comic relief (okay, granted, he’s not afraid to ask an Emperor of the Sea to let him see her panties), Brook is one of the most loveable members of the Straw Hat crew with several moments that are just an exhibition of coolness.
Brook is the protagonist of one of the saddest scenes in One Piece. When his first crew, a group of musicians, was attacked by enemies with poison in their weapons, killing their doctor, Brook then suggested singing for the last time their favorite song: The Bink’s Sake. Thus we see how one by one the musicians fall, Brook being the last one while playing the piano.
The weight of the scene increases when we discover that after this Brook spent 50 years alone at sea, with the second life thanks to the ability granted by his devil fruit, which allowed his soul to return to his body. Although due to the fog, Brook got lost and it took him a full year to find his body which by then was only a pile of bones and his wonderful afro.
With a past filled with tragedy and pain, Brook demonstrates an emotional strength out of this world and maintains a sense of humor that soothes his companions in the worst of times. He is always one of the first to sacrifice himself, even though he’s already dead yohohoho, and with an incredible loyalty to his friends. All this with one of Oda’s best designs and a style that no other character has been able to match.
8) God Usopp
The new Wanted poster of the great God Usopp
Usopp is, in my opinion, one of the best-written members of the Straw Hats. Being of the few who is not an absolute monster, Oda has a lot to play with when writing. While it is true that he was initially a comic relief within the crew, as the story progresses, Oda gradually shows you the nuances of his character.
He was no longer just a parallel to Pinocchio or the tale of Peter and the wolf. His dream is to be a great sea warrior, but he is weak and a coward. And yet, what is to be brave if not the act of facing fear?
Usopp is Human. That is the richest thing about him. His reactions and decisions are those that many of us would make if we were part of the world of One Piece. Thankfully he described his mindset very well recently in the mana. In chapter 1036, he said this to the Wano samurais:
“I cling to life with snot running from my nose, if I have to. I don’t care if it looks pathetic! I survive- It’s what I do! And it’s the entire reason I’m standing here alive today!”
Usopp is amazing. Besides, kudos to Oda, all of Usopp's lies at the beginning of the series came true eventually.
7) Kozuki Oden
Oden trying to survive in boiling oil
Honestly, Oden is just a badass.
Ode was once a division commander of Whitebeard’s crew and an important companion of Gold Roger during his last voyage. Without him, they would not have found the island where the One Piece is. The events that happened in the Country of Wano during Oden's absence, and his late death, were the trigger for the events currently in the story.
Oden attracted people with his strong will and charisma. Oden was to be the Shogun of Wano. However, his desire to go out to sea cost him all that. Yet his death, one of the most devastating moments in One Piece, still haunts those who betrayed him.
His death has also been one of Oda’s famous foreshadows. Oden had a catchphrase: “Oden wouldn’t be oden if it wasn’t boiling”. Referring to the fact that his name was the same as a dish.
Well, Oden was sentenced to die in boiling oil. But I told you that Oden was a badass. In front of the inhabitants of Wano, he asked that if he could survive one hour they would let his retainers go. So Oden, with his nine samurai on a board over his shoulders, survived.
Only to be betrayed again by Orochi at the last second.
The Nine Red Scabbard escaped to avenge their lord, and Oden died at the hand of Kaido who, perhaps by way of respect, put a bullet in his forehead. But his will and memory lived on in the people of Wano.
6) Kaido
Kaido vs. the Supernovas after falling from an island in the sky
If Whitebeard was the strongest man, Kaido is the Strongest Creature. The Oni is the face behind the weapon’s black market, leader of the Beast Pirates, one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, and the shadow over the Country of Wano.
Oda hasn’t told us much about him, but his introduction alone is an epic One Piece moment. Landing like a meteorite after launching himself from an island in the sky, attempting to take his own life, we learn that Kaido simply cannot die. Such is his strength. He’s ferocious, merciless, and only respects strength.
However, despite everything, as the current events progress, we realize that Kaido is depressed. Oda shows him full of apathy, drunk, with little to no interest in the world around him. This makes him long for chaos. This also is the reason for his various suicide attempts.
One thing has become clear though: Kaido undoubtedly deserves the title of the Strongest Creature.
Throughout the entire Onigashima raid, he has been the MVP. Carrying on his shoulders, literally and figuratively, the entire battle. He has faced Luffy (on three occasions), Zoro, Kidd, Law, Killer, and the Nine Red Scabbard, and all of this while holding the island in the sky with his powers. He’s an absolute beast.
5) Charlotte Katakuri
Katakuri finally acknowledges Luffy's strength
There’s something about this loving and respected older brother that puts him above almost every other antagonist in the series. Normally villains underestimate Luffy, they don’t respect him, and likewise, Luffy despite being the underdog always manages to defeat them.
However, the First Commander, and son of Big Mom, is different. Although he did not recognize Luffy at first, this was not out of arrogance. Charlotte Katakuri knew that his strength was superior. Even so, Luffy continued to fight, eventually being almost on par with Katakuri, thus earning his recognition.
The son of Big Mom is a stoic man, but as the battle continues we discover the burden he carries. That he has to be this invincible and perfect older brother who protects them all. The man who has never lain on his back. We discover the love Katakuri has for all his siblings and those he must protect.
Yet, even though Luffy was weaker, Katakuri eventually admits that his will is greater. That Luffy will continue to rise again and again. So, with a smile that he dared not show before, he ends up giving up and falls on his back. Not before asking Luffy if he will return to defeat Big Mom, hoping to face him again.
Besides, Katakuri loves donuts. How could you not love him?
4) Roronoa Zoro
Zoro about to completely destroy Kamazo
For many people, Zoro not being in the top 3 is sacrilege. Don’t get me wrong, he is my favorite character in all of One Piece, but I have to be objective. Anyway, let’s talk about the coolest swordsman in the entire history of the anime industry: The second in command of the Straw Hats and, as he said in the last few chapters, King of the Hell.
Zoro is the favorite of many and not without reason. He was the first to join Luffy's crew, has starred in many incredible moments, and his loyalty, and therefore demand, towards his captain, are second to none. This is on top of the fact that Zoro’s design is just wonderful. I mean, HE FIGHTS USING THREE SWORDS!! How cool is that?
Zoro’s dream is to be the best swordsman in the world, a promise he made to his childhood friend Kuina, whom he couldn't beat once, and continued after her sudden death. A promise to which was added the one he made to Luffy, after losing against the, in fact, best swordsman in the world, about not losing again until he became the best.
That is undoubtedly one of One Piece's best moments. After all Mihawk’s words to Zoro give you chills:
“My name is Dracule Mihawk! It’s too soon for you to die. Discover yourself, see the world! And grow strong, Zoro! However long it may take… I shall await you at the top. Strive with your whole heart and mind to best this blade, fierce one! Strive to surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!!”
3) Vismonke Sanji
Sanji's burning passion transforms into the Diable Jambe
Sanji could easily be number one on this list. It’s impossible not to appreciate the genius with which the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates is written.
Full of compassion, Sanji is always there for ready to protect others. Multiple times Sanji has put his life on the line for his friends and has even been willing to leave his dreams and happiness behind for them. He has risked his life for a family that abused and despised him as a child. He forgave people that planned to kill him.
Sanji has suffered greatly, yet his heart has not hardened. There is room there to feel compassion for others and no matter what he has never denied a plate of food to someone hungry because he knows what true hunger is. His development throughout the story is somewhat spectacular.
All of this added to the fact that Sanji also has one of Oda’s best designs. Not only is his fighting style amazing, using only his feet since his hands only make food, but Sanji can also light his feet on fire due to his “passion” and walk in the air. That’s extremely cool if you ask me.
2) Donquixote Doflamingo
Doflamingo and family: Diamante, Pica and Trebol
Some villains are so amazing that you can’t help but love them. Doflamingo isn’t one of them. He is amazingly written and you will love him, and Oda, because of how much you hate his guts.
Doflamingo is merciless and full of hatred for everything and everyone he considers inferior. Not only did he kill his father for abandoning his title and dragging him into a world along with beings inferior to him, and subsequently killing his brother, but he stars in one of the cruelest moments in all of One Piece.
With the abilities of his devil fruit, he controlled the King of Desdrossa to kill his subjects so that he could pass himself off as the savior of the kingdom. Once he became king, he turned his enemies into slave toys, erasing from the memory of the inhabitants of Desdrossa the memories of those who were transformed.
Even so, Doflamino has also given us incredible dialogues like the following one during the Marineford arc:
“Pirates are evil? The Marines are righteous? These terms have always changed throughout the course of history! Kids who have never seen peace and kids who have never seen war have different values! Those who stand at the top determine what’s wrong and what’s right! This very place is neutral ground! Justice will prevail, you say? But of course, it will! Whoever wins this war becomes justice!”
That’s a real villain.
1) Monkey D. Luffy
Classic Luffy on the verge of becoming the MVP of the arc
Luffy is surely one of the most underrated protagonists in anime. This is because he is a static character. People often think that he is just another shonen protagonist, similar to Goku. Nothing could be further from the truth. This silly rubber pirate is one of the most interesting characters in the industry.
Simple-minded, with zero intelligence and professed love for meat, Luffy is somehow a man who attracts other people to follow him. And what happens is that, behind that simplicity, there is great emotional intelligence and an ability to understand people that surprise even One Piece fans.
Despite being a static character, Luffy goes through moments that make him grow and learn from his own mistakes. He comes to understand that there are things he cannot do and that is why he needs others, he discovers what he must do to protect what is precious to him.
This maturity, which many do not expect, has made him overcome wall after wall in his adventure. His will, the ability to turn the world upside down and have others look up to him, is what will make Luffy the King of Pirates. And it’s what makes One Piece one of the greatest works ever written.
He also is a great singer.
