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One Piece is one of the longest-running anime shows of all time. They have already surpassed 1000 episodes and chapters, and they are aiming for more. Yet because of this, it can be quite intimidating to watch. There are a lot of things to remember. Sometimes, even avid fans of the series forget about some important details. One of those is the characters in the show. There is a lot to remember in the vast world of One Piece.
If you want to watch One Piece but you do not know who these people are, this guide is for you. If you have been watching the show and you forgot about some characters, this guide is also for you.
If you decided on taking a break from watching it and you are now trying to catch up, you have come to the right place. This is a concise guide of the beloved characters in One Piece. If you are an anime watcher only, be warned though that there may be manga spoilers.
What is One Piece?
One Piece is a Japanese manga series in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine with an anime adaptation and several movies. Eiichiro Oda is its author and illustrator, and it first began in July 1997. As of December 2021, it has garnered 101 volumes.
The story takes place several years after the death of Gol D. Roger, an influential pirate known as the Pirate King. He influenced a lot of people to go out into the sea to search for his massive wealth, the One Piece.
Monkey D. Luffy is one of those individuals who got inspired by the Pirate King’s words. He sets off as a pirate in search of One Piece. Along his journey, he finds several allies to join him in his quest.
He also acquires a boat to use so that he can travel the rough seas. His journeys take him far and wide. He meets strong opponents as he ventures forth. Every time he faces them, he gets stronger as well.
Straw Hat Pirates
The Straw Hat Pirates are the main focus of the show. This is the pirate crew of the main protagonist, Luffy. Together, they help each other out with their different abilities to surpass greater threats.
Their name comes from the hat that Luffy always wears. It is the signature straw hat that his mentor Shanks gave to him. As of now, it is Chapter 1035, and there are ten members of the crew, including the captain.
Monkey D. Luffy
“I’m going to be the Pirate King!”
- Epithet: Straw Hat
- Role in the crew: Captain
- Bounty: 1.5 Billion
- Devil Fruit: Gomu Gomu no Mi
- Sea of origin: East Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 1; Episode 1
Luffy is the main protagonist of the show. He has black shaggy hair under his iconic straw hat that he always wears. He has a scar under his left eye, as well as a huge “X” scar on his chest. He is the captain and founder of the Straw Hat Pirates. He is driven to become the Pirate King and find the One Piece.
He was born in Foosha Village in East Blue. When he was seven, he accidentally ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi, a devil fruit that transformed his entire body into rubber.
He received the straw hat from “Red-Haired” Shanks, who he promised to meet at sea one day as a powerful pirate. He has two sworn brothers, the late “Fire Fist” Portgas D. Ace and the Revolutionary Chief-of-Staff Sabo.
He is the son of the Revolutionary leader Monkey D. Dragon and the grandson of the Marine hero and veteran Monkey D. Garp. When he turned 17, he set sail to sea to find a strong crew. He did, and together they faced and overcame strong threats.
Roronoa Zoro
“I’m going to be the world’s greatest swordsman!”
- Epithet: Pirate Hunter
- Role in the crew: Swordsman
- Bounty: 320 Million
- Sea of origin: East Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 3; Episode 1
Zoro is the first member to join Luffy’s pirate crew. When he is seriously fighting against an opponent, he gives off a strong and stern aura. He has green hair and a large scar across his chest. He is a swordsman who uses three swords. He holds one on each hand while gritting the third sword with his teeth.
Zoro is from Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue. Before joining the crew, he worked as a bounty hunter, hence his epithet. He is one of the three strongest fighters on the crew.
Because of his strength and bounty, he is part of the twelve pirates named the “Worst Generation.” His goal is to be the greatest swordsman in the world to fulfill his promise to his captain and his late childhood friend.
Nami
“I’ll have mapped out the entire world!”
- Epithet: Cat Burglar
- Role in the crew: Navigator
- Bounty: 66 Million
- Sea of origin: East Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 8; Episode 1
Nami is the second member to join Luffy’s pirate crew. Her hair is iconically orange, and she has a slim figure. She serves as the navigator of the ship. With her expertise in cartography, navigation, and the weather, the Thousand Sunny is in good hands. When she was a child, the infamous pirate Arlong and his crew invaded her home island.
He murdered Nami’s foster mother and forced Nami to make maps for him. He then made a false promise to her. He would free the island once she could acquire a large sum of money. So, she began stealing. This turned into her expertise. Thanks to Luffy’s actions, he defeated Arlong and freed Nami’s island.
Usopp
“I’m the fearsome sniper of the Straw Hat crew!”
- Epithet: God; King of Snipers
- Role in the crew: Sniper
- Bounty: 200 Million
- Sea of origin: East Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 23; Episode 8
Usopp is the third member to join Luffy’s pirate crew. He has an iconic long nose and curly black hair that protrudes from his head. His lips are also noticeable. He is a skilled sniper who can shoot targets at an extremely long distance. He wields a huge slingshot and dons a bag full of various ammo.
Usopp is well-known as a liar. He can even bluff his opponents to earn a victory in battle. Before he joined Luffy, he spent his time in his home island with his close yet sickly friend Kaya. His father is Yasopp, the sniper of the Red Hair Pirates. His goal is to become a brave warrior of the sea like his father.
Vinsmoke Sanji
“I’ll find the All Blue!”
- Epithet: Black Leg
- Role in the crew: Cook
- Bounty: 330 Million
- Sea of origin: North Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 43; Episode 20
Sanji is the fourth member to join Luffy’s pirate crew. His distinguishable looks are his curly eyebrows and his yellow hair. He is fond of smoking, and the food he makes is extremely delicious.
He learned how to cook from his foster father Zeff, the head chef of the Baratie. He originally came from a royal family but left home after being abused. However, his passion for cooking was there from the start.
Much like Zoro, Sanji is one of the strongest fighters in the crew. He fights through his kicks, as he believes his hands are meant for cooking. His goal is to find the legendary All Blue, a paradise where all the seas meet.
Tony Tony Chopper
“I’ll become a doctor that can cure anything!”
- Epithet: Cotton Candy Lover
- Role in the crew: Doctor
- Bounty: 100
- Devil Fruit: Hito Hito no Mi
- Sea of origin: Grand Line
- First appearance: Chapter 135; Episode 81
Chopper is the fifth member to join Luffy’s pirate crew and is a reindeer who ate the Hito Hito no Mi. It is a devil fruit that grants its user the ability to transform into a human or a human hybrid. He was taught medicine by Dr. Hiriluk and Dr. Kureha, the only people who accepted him in his home island.
He has an iconic blue nose and a big hat. Before the time skip, it was a red top hat. Now, a blue cap covers it. His horns stick out from his hat. Because of his appearance, many mistake him for a raccoon dog. His goal is to become a skilled doctor that can cure any illness or disease.
Nico Robin
“When all I want is to learn [about] history, there are too many enemies within my dream.”
- Epithet: Devil Child
- Role in the crew: Archeologist
- Bounty: 130 Million
- Devil Fruit: Hana Hana no Mi
- Sea of origin: West Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 114; Episode 67
Robin is the sixth member to join Luffy’s pirate crew and is the sole survivor of the Ohara genocide. The World Government annihilated her home island because they were scholars studying forbidden history. Now, Robin carries the torch of uncovering the past that the World Government is trying to hide.
She has black, long hair and a slim figure. Her nose is long, thin, and defined. Even when she was a child, the World Government wanted her dead or captured. Her devil fruit allows her to sprout her body parts on any surface.
Before joining Luffy, she partnered with the ex-Warlord Crocodile. When Cipher Pol 9 found her, she sacrificed herself to save the crew. Instead, Luffy and the gang saved her.
Franky
“No matter what kind of weapon you hold, just existing can’t be a crime!”
- Epithet: Iron Man
- Role in the crew: Shipwright
- Bounty: 94 Million
- Sea of origin: South Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 329; Episode 233
Franky is the seventh member to join Luffy’s pirate crew. After an incident that damaged his body, he turned himself into a cyborg to survive. His birth name is Cutty Flam, but he abandoned it after his partner Iceburg requested to hide his identity. When they first met with Luffy’s crew, they were enemies. Franky’s subordinates robbed and beat up Usopp.
When CP9 discovered that he had the blueprints to Pluton, they captured him along with Robin. After Luffy’s crew saved both of them, he made the Thousand Sunny for the crew. Eventually, they persuaded him to join them. His goal is to make a ship that can travel around the world.
Brook
“What keeps me alive in this world is neither bodily organs nor muscles. It’s my soul.”
- Epithet: Soul King; Humming Brook
- Role in the crew: Musician
- Bounty: 83 Million
- Devil fruit: Yomi Yomi no Mi
- Sea of origin: South Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 329; Episode 233
Brook is the eighth member to join Luffy’s pirate crew. He is a tall skeleton kept alive because of his devil fruit, Yomi Yomi no Mi. It allows him to live a second life after death.
He was originally part of the Rumbar Pirates. However, their crew died while in the Florian Triangle. It took a long time for his soul to return to his body. When it did, time reduced his body to a skeleton. Luckily, his afro was still intact.
He is the musician of the crew. He plays many instruments including an electric guitar and a violin, and he is also a skilled swordsman. His goal is to meet with the whale Laboon once more at Reverse Mountain.
Jinbei
“There’s no way a man that intends to join the crew of the future Pirate King will cower at a mere Yonkou!”
- Epithet: Knight of the Sea
- Role in the crew: Helmsman
- Bounty: 438 Million
- Sea of origin: Grand Line
- First appearance: Chapter 528; Episode 430
Jinbei is the ninth member to join Luffy’s pirate crew. He is a whale shark fish-man and a Fish-Man Karate master and has blue skin and a tattoo of the Sun Pirates’ emblem on his chest. He became a Warlord of the Sea but quit during the Summit War of Marineford. He joined Luffy’s efforts in escaping the Impel Down prison. He aided him in saving Ace and rescuing Luffy from the war.
He first held off Luffy’s invitation to join his crew because of his ties with the Yonkou Big Mom. Eventually, he did so and became an official member of the crew. His goal is to sever the barrier hindering human and fish-man coexistence.
Former Straw Hat Pirates
- Nefertari Vivi: She is the princess of Alabasta. At first, she was a villain to the straw hats as she tried to infiltrate Crocodile’s Baroque Works. Then, she joined with them to save her kingdom. Luffy and the crew were able to save Alabasta. Since she is a princess, she cannot come with them.
Four Emperors
The Four Emperors, also known as the Yonkou, are four extremely powerful pirates that make one of the Three Great Powers. Their strength and influence are top-notch. Only one of them or the combined forces of the marines can go toe-to-toe with them. During the later half of the story, they have become the lurking greater threat of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Charlotte Linlin
“Stay, or Life?”
- Epithet: Big Mom
- Pirate crew: Big Mom Pirates
- Bounty: 4.388 Billion
- Devil fruit: Soru Soru no Mi
- Sea of origin: Grand Line
- First appearance: Chapter 651; Episode 571
Big Mom is one of the Four Emperors that the Straw Hat Pirates have faced off against. She has many children which constitute most of the Big Mom Pirates. She has the Soru Soru no Mi, which allows her to extract and manipulate people’s souls.
She always has three homies with her made from her soul: Napoleon, Hera (formerly Zeus), and Prometheus. She is an obese and extremely large old woman. Her main drive for everything is sweets as she loves and craves for them. She even kills people for them. She has pink hair and a long beak-like nose. She has an amazingly strong body as she can resist most attacks.
Kaidou
“Let this dreary world be destroyed! Let’s start the greatest war this planet has ever seen!”
- Epithet: Kaidou of the Beasts
- Pirate crew: Beasts Pirates
- Bounty: 4.6111 Billion
- Devil fruit: Uo Uo no Mi Moderu “Seiryū”
- Sea of origin: Grand Line
- First appearance: Chapter 651; Episode 571
Kaidou is one of the greatest threats to Luffy’s goal. Luffy and Trafalgar Law teamed up with each other to defeat him. He is an extremely large man with large white horns coming out from his head.
He has a Fu Manchu mustache and a black unruly goatee across his chin. His devil fruit allows him to transform into an azure dragon which grants him the power of flight, fire breathing, and more.
He occupies the country of Wano and has made it a weapon factory. He has tried to kill himself multiple times, yet nothing can kill him. He is so strong that there is an old saying about him. If Kaidou is in a 1v1, always bet on him.
Shanks
“I’ve come to end this war!”
- Epithet: Red Hair
- Pirate crew: Red Hair Pirates
- Bounty: 4.0489 Billion
- Sea of origin: West Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 1; Episode 4
Shanks is an extremely powerful emperor. Unlike other emperors, he has no devil fruit, and he only has one arm. A sea monster ate his other arm while saving Luffy from drowning. Yet his presence alone was enough to stop a full-fledged war. He was even a part of the Pirate King’s crew when he was young.
cIt was Shanks who inspired Luffy to become a pirate. Luffy’s straw hat comes from him, which in turn comes from the Pirate King himself. He gave it to Luffy and promised that Luffy must return it someday. He has red hair and a scar across his left eye resembling three claws.
Marshall D. Teach
“A man’s dream…will never die!”
- Epithet: Blackbeard
- Pirate crew: Blackbeard Pirates
- Bounty: 2.2476 Billion
- Devil fruit: Yami Yami no Mi; Gura Gura no Mi
- Sea of origin: Grand Line
- First appearance: Chapter 223; Episode 146
Blackbeard is also one of the main antagonists of the show. He is responsible for capturing Luffy’s sworn brother Ace to the World Government. He killed the former emperor Whitebeard. He is also extremely powerful. He is currently the only known person to wield two devil fruits: the Yami Yami no Mi and the Gura Gura no Mi.
The Yami Yami no Mi allows him to create and control darkness. Meanwhile, the Gura Gura no Mi allows him to make powerful tremors. This power used to belong to Whitebeard. However, Blackbeard managed to steal it from him when he died. Blackbeard is a tall yet round man. He has missing teeth and an iconic black beard.
Former Emperors
- Edward Newgate: He was also known as Whitebeard. He was the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. He is known as the “Strongest Man in the World.” When the Pirate King died, he gained another title: “Man Closest to One Piece.” When the World Government sentenced Ace to death, he declared war on the marines to save him. However, he was not successful, and he died on the battlefield.
Marines
The Marines are a naval military faction of the world government. They are responsible for many things, such as law enforcement, military actions, and the like. They are part of the Three Great Powers. Pirates are lawbreakers, and so they are the enemies of the Marines. They also serve as the antagonists for the Straw Hat Pirates.
Monkey D. Garp
“I have no sympathy for criminals but for my family, I do.”
- Epithet: Garp the Fist; Hero of the Marines
- Position: Instructor; Vice Admiral
- Sea of origin: East Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 92; Episode 68
Garp is a powerful vice admiral and a major figure of the old era. He is the grandfather of Luffy and the father of the Revolutionary leader Dragon. He is famous because of his immense strength and his role in saving people’s lives a lot. He even clashed with the Pirate King numerous times.
When Luffy, Ace, and Sabo were young, he wanted to incorporate them into the marines. However, the trio had already planned on being pirates. This would often get on Garp’s nerves. He is a tall and muscular elder with a gray beard and a scar over his left eye. He often wears a dog mask.
Sakazuki
“The Navy has no use for soldiers who aren’t righteous!”
- Alias: Akainu
- Position: Fleet Admiral; Admiral (former); Vice Admiral (former)
- Sea of origin: North Blue
- Devil Fruit: Magu Magu no Mi
- First appearance: Chapter 397; Episode 278
Akainu is currently the fleet admiral. He used to be an admiral when he was first introduced. He is tall and muscular with short black hair. After the time skip, he now has a mustache and a goatee. His clothes have a red motif, relevant to his power. His devil fruit grants him the ability to transform, create, and control magma.
He is an extreme follower of the principle “Absolute Justice.” He believes that everything must be done to eradicate evil, even if it means doing immoral actions. Because of his extreme principles, he even fought fellow admiral Aokiji who opposed his promotion to fleet admiral. He killed Luffy’s sworn brother Ace during the War of Marineford.
Koby
“We shouldn’t worry about being able to achieve our dreams, as long as we have the desire to do it!”
- Alias: N/A
- Position: Marine Captain
- Sea of origin: East Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 2; Episode 1
Koby is the first person that Luffy befriends in his pirate journey. He used to be enslaved by the Alvida Pirates until Luffy freed him. His dream has always been to become a marine. However, at first, he was too cowardly and weak to do so. When he met Luffy, he found the courage to become better. Now, he is a marine captain. He still admires Luffy’s strength, even though he is a marine.
Koby has pink hair and round glasses. At first, he used to be a small and chubby boy. When he went under training with Garp, Luffy’s grandfather, he became thinner and taller. He has a notable scar on his forehead.
Other Notable Marines
- Kizaru (Borsalino): He is an admiral with the Pika Pika no Mi devil fruit. It allows him to transform, create, and control light. He is responsible for breaking up the Straw Hat Pirates in the Sabaody Archipelago, prompting them to train separately during the time skip.
- Fujitora (Issho): He is an admiral with the Zushi Zushi no Mi devil fruit. It allows him to control gravity. He was assigned to apprehend the Straw Hat Pirates in Dressrosa. He became an admiral after the World Government promoted Akainu and Aokiji resigned. He is a proponent of the principle “Moral Justice”.
- Smoker: He is a vice admiral and currently the commander of the Marine Base, G-5. He was a captain when he first appeared in Loguetown. After meeting Luffy, he made it his mission to capture him. He has been chasing the young pirate ever since.
Former Marines
- Aokiji (Kuzan): He used to be an admiral alongside Kizaru and Akainu. He has the power of the devil fruit Hie Hie no Mi. It grants him the ability to transform, create, and control ice. After the World Government gave Akainu the promotion to fleet admiral, he challenged him to a duel for it. However, he lost. Thus, he resigned.
Worst Generation
The Worst Generation consists of twelve pirates who have bounties of over 100 million upon their arrival at the Sabaody Archipelago before the Summit War of Marineford. Luffy and Zoro are part of these, as they had a bounty of 300 Million and 120 Million respectively. They have had a massive impact on Luffy’s journey.
Trafalgar D. Water Law
“You can’t see the whole picture until you look at it from the outside.”
- Alias: Surgeon of Death
- Pirate crew: Heart Pirates
- Bounty: 500 Million
- Devil fruit: Ope Ope no Mi
- Sea of origin: North Blue
- First appearance: Chapter 498; Episode 392
Law is the captain and the doctor of the Heart Pirates. During the time skip, he became part of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. His devil fruit grants him the power to create a spherical space. This space is where he can manipulate the physical configuration of anything and anyone within. He teamed up with Luffy to take down the emperor Kaidou.
He is a slim and tall man with faint shadows under his eyes. His most notable feature is the hat he always wears. It is a white fur hat with black spots in a spotted pattern. At the back of each of his fingers are letters that spell “Death”.
FAQs
Question: Where are One Piece Characters From?
Answer: They are situated in a world entirely different from Earth. However, the show’s author Oda has indicated where various characters would have been if they were on Earth. For example, Luffy would have been from Brazil. Zoro would have been from Japan. Nami would have been from Sweden.
Question: Which One Piece Characters Die?
Answer: Numerous characters in One Piece have died. Ace is the most notable character. He is Luffy’s sworn brother and is the main reason for the Summit War in Marineford. Other notable ones are Pedro, Yasuie, Oden, and Whitebeard.
Question: How Strong are One Piece Characters?
Answer: Their strength varies from character to character. For example, Kaidou is an emperor, which means he is immensely strong compared to most characters. Furthermore, because of the powers of devil fruits, their abilities are further strengthened. They can use the devil fruit’s abilities to become more powerful.
One Piece Characters Guide: Conclusion
There are still a lot of characters that have not been mentioned here, such as Ace, Eustass Kid, and more. There is a lot to choose from in terms of favorites. My personal favorite is Luffy.
I admire his goofy nature yet strong resilience throughout the story. Who is your favorite? Be sure to watch the series and love it as I have. Do not be intimidated by the length of the show. It is a ton of fun!