One Piece is widely regarded as having one of the best cast of characters in all of anime. The blend of humor, tragedy, and triumph in their journeys, alongside their unique abilities and bonds of friendship, makes them relatable and unforgettable.
Eichiro Oda has solidified himself as an incredible character designer, creating some of the wackiest and most interesting characters. Giving them a beautiful story, unique laughing styles, and signature tropes, One Piece boasts memorable characters in every sense of the word.
One Piece has won multiple awards, including the Tokyo Anime Award (2002) and the Crunchyroll Anime Awards (2024).
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15 Akainu Is the Cruel Hand of Justice
Debuts in Chapter #397
Sakazuki “Akainu” is one of the best fighters in the world, and received the highest praise from Eichiro Oda, saying that the series would be very short if he was the main character. As the current Fleet Admiral of the Navy, Akainu serves as one of Luffy’s final and most dangerous antagonists, and their showdown will be one for the ages given their history with each other.
Although Akainu hasn’t been a central character since the time skip, his role is surely becoming bigger, and with the secrets of the world being exposed, Akainu is finally back in action. Akainu is a very peculiar character, as he is a keeper of justice, but his ruthless methods and disregard for collateral damage raise questions about the morality of his actions.
14 Hancock Is One Piece’s Favorite Heroine
Debuts in Chapter #516
Boa Hancock, also known as the Snake Empress, is one of One Piece’s strongest female characters and Luffy’s potential love interest, although it is one-sided. She was strong enough for even an Emperor to be wary of her, and she is one of the few characters to possess the Conqueror’s Haki. Despite her initial arrogance and disdain for others, rooted in her traumatic past as a slave of the Celestial Dragons, Boa Hancock still powers on and protects her people from suffering a similar fate.
She was strong enough for even an Emperor to be wary of her
Her leadership of Amazon Lily, her ability to balance her fierce warrior nature with moments of vulnerability, and her evolving relationship with Luffy showcase her depth and growth. Her tragic backstory, coupled with her formidable presence and evolving character, makes Boa Hancock one of the most intriguing and beloved figures in the series.
13 Sanji’s Backstory Made Him As Layered As His Best Dishes
Introduced In Chapter #43
The Baratie is arguably one of the best arcs during One Piece‘s East Blue saga, and it’s an emotional introduction to the fourth Straw Hat member and cook extraordinaire, Sanji. His bond with the legendary former pirate Red-Leg Zeff and his band of headstrong chefs created a compelling debut for the character who’d grow into one of One Piece‘s strongest characters and wing of the future King of the Pirates. Still, after the series time-skip, the Whole Cake Island arc helped Sanji’s character graduate from a good character to a fantastically multi-layered character.
Receiving the entire backstory of Sanji’s tragic childhood provided a lot more insight into his behavior toward women and how it stems from a deep-rooted lack of self-worth. It was tough for fans to keep their eyes dry when he and Luffy had their disagreement and reconciliation in chapter #856. Sanji’s incredible strength and complex character building help make him one of One Piece‘s best characters, and by the series end, he may fly even higher.
12 Buggy Is More than Just Comic Relief
Debuts in Chapter #9
In a series full of the most hilarious characters, such as Luffy and Brook, Buggy The Clown asserts himself as one of the funniest, if not the funniest. He’s also one of the earliest characters and villains, introduced back in the Orange Town arc. Although he invokes smiles and laughs every time he’s on the screen, he is very significant to the story.
He was in Gol D. Roger’s crew, is a “friend” of Shanks, and is currently one of the Four Emperors, making him one of the series’ most important and feared characters. Through sheer luck, charisma, and cunningness, Buggy evolved from a comedic villain and a small-time pirate to one of the most powerful, highlighting just how One Piece can get.
11 Usopp Is The Most Relatable Character In A Sea Of Super-Powered Pirates
Debuted In Chapter #23
Among the incredible Straw Hat Crew, Usopp is often overlooked by fans, even though he’s played a vital role in several of the series’ most perilous arcs and faired exceptionally well in one of One Piece‘s best fights. The world that Eiichiro Oda has been crafting for over twenty-six years is filled with super-powered fighters capable of destroying cities and much worse. Usopp, who has no super-strength or Devil Fruit Powers of his own, is an easy-to-relate character who helps ground the audience to the chaotic action that populates the story.
While Usopp doesn’t wield considerable strength, he’s proven incredibly helpful with his brilliant use of tools and weapons and his world-class Observation Haki skills, which have developed throughout the series. His character proves that even the cowardly can rise to the occasion to help save the day, even if it is sometimes not done intentionally.
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10 Vivi Is the Sweetheart Princess of One Piece
Debuts in Chapter #102
Nefertari Vivi is the embodiment of duty, sacrifice, and courage, infiltrating the dangerous Baroque Works in order to save her kingdom. She journeyed with Luffy, and although not an official member yet, she is a favorite to join the Straw Hat Pirates. She is also more relatable, bringing normalcy to a crew of diverse and absurdly powerful characters.
Vivi’s transformation from a struggling princess to a determined leader showcases her personal growth and resilience, and her emotional depth, marked by sacrifice and loyalty, resonates with audiences. Although Alabasta is in the clear for now, Vivi is still fighting against the oppressive World Government and The Five Elders, and her path will definitely lead her to meet Luffy and the Straw Hats once again.
9 Dracule Mihawk Showed Fans How Big The World Was
Debuts in Chapter #49
Luffy’s goal of becoming King of the Pirates is physically manifested as the task of finding the One Piece, but Zoro’s dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman didn’t have a clear endpoint until Mihawk made a grand entrance in the Baratie arc. The design of his character and ship exudes competence, and the sharpness of his dialogue is matched by the giant blade on his back.
Mihawk’s demonstration of strength against the Kreig Pirates and the naive Zoro showed the young Straw Hats and the audience what level of strength Luffy and his crew would eventually need to reach to rank among the world’s best. It would be some time before One Piece would again show someone of Mihawk’s level, but he’s undoubtedly not done showing off the title of the current greatest swordsman in One Piece‘s world.
8 Blackbeard Is The Dark Version Of Luffy’s Progress
Debuts In Chapter #223
Ever since Marshall D. Teach was introduced, he’d established himself as the opposite of Luffy, and ever since then, his character’s journey and progress have evolved at a similar pace as the Straw Hat Captain. Being a surprisingly knowledgeable student of One Piece‘s histories, Blackbeard has consistently been the wrong person at the right place to trigger some of the storyline’s largest world-shifting events.
The leader of the Blackbeard Pirates has proved more than capable of waiting years for the right time to strike, which is how he acquired the mighty Dark-Dark Fruit that gives him a range of intimidating powers, including the ability to negate other Devil Fruit powers. Several lingering mysteries with his character will surely be unraveled in One Piece‘s final saga, where he plans to become the next King of the World unless Luffy has something to say about that.
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7 Shanks Is the Series’ Most Badass Character
Debuts in Chapter #1
Red Hair Shanks is one of the Four Emperors of the Sea and one of the coolest characters in the series. He consistently places high in the popularity rankings despite having barely any screentime, and his fanbase grew even stronger when he solidified himself as one of the best during the Marineford War arc. He is one of the best Haki users and among the strongest non-Devil Fruit users in the series, and highly respected and feared by even the most powerful.
With One Piece nearing its end, Shanks is finally taking up a more important role, as highlighted by his fight with Kid, and declaring his intent to finally search for the great treasure. The full extent of his power is yet to be displayed, and it is very possible that Shanks will have one of the most anticipated fights soon, as hinted at by Eichiro Oda. What makes Shanks such a great character is his huge impact on the story and Luffy, despite not having that much screen time.
6 Ace Is Luffy’s Fiery, Tragic Brother
Debuts in Chapter #154
Fire Fist Ace is almost a mirror of his younger brother Luffy, and the two’s bond is unbreakable even if they aren’t blood-related. The way he wholeheartedly believes in his brother’s dream, even before Luffy was strong, makes him an exemplary sibling and fans can only respect him for that. His tragic death during the Marineford War while protecting Luffy is a pivotal and emotional moment in the series, highlighting his bravery and cementing his legacy as a hero in the One Piece world.
The son of the former Pirate King, Ace is characterized by his love for his love. Whether it is Garp, Sabo, Luffy, or the man he loves with all his life, Whitebeard, his dedication to the people he holds close is honorable. Furthermore, his motto of living life as freely as possible and with no regrets makes him one of the series’ best pirates, and overall characters.
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5 Doflamingo Is One of One Piece’s Best Villains
Debuts in Chapter #233
There are very few characters in the series as despicable as Donquixotte Doflamingo. He killed the fan favorite Corazon, made Law’s life miserable, and almost killed an entire country. However, despite all his wrongdoings, fans can appreciate how excellent of a villain he was, and how he challenged Luffy, resulting in him attaining an even stronger level of power.
Doflamingo is the whole package: he is a complex, charismatic villain with a tragic backstory and strategic brilliance. His significant plot impact, moral ambiguity, and captivating presence make him a compelling One Piece character. Although it has been quite some time since Doflamingo was in the spotlight, many teases point to his return, and given his extensive knowledge of the World Government, it is likely that he will be present in the end game.
4 Robin Is the Gate to One Piece’s Mysteries
Debuts in Chapter #114
Robin is easily the most important person in Luffy’s dreams of becoming Pirate King, being one of the few people able to decipher the Poneglyphs. She is also fiercely powerful, very funny, has high intelligence, and is extremely loyal to her friends, making her one of the most likable characters in One Piece. Although she is as beautiful as can be, Robin is a beautifully written character and her importance will only increase with the secrets of the world being unveiled.
Although Robin has been loved since she was introduced in the Whisky Peak arc, her tragic backstory and loneliness were revealed in the Enies Lobby arc, and her crying out to her friends was one of the peaks of the series. There is a lot to make her one of the best characters in One Piece, but she will always be remembered for her resilience and thirst for knowledge, even with the world against her.
3 Tony Tony Chopper Is A Pure Soul Redefining The Pirate Life
Debut In Chapter #134
Chopper’s heartbreaking origin story, mascot-level cuteness, and brilliance as the Straw Hat’s (often needed) Doctor make him one of One Piece‘s best characters. The sentient reindeer that can transform himself into several different forms is a fan-favorite to many for his naive nature, which often provides charming comic relief. However, when push comes to shove, Tony Tony Chopper has been able to hold back some powerful foes.
Chopper’s heartbreaking origin story, mascot-level cuteness, and brilliance as the Straw Hat’s (often needed) Doctor make him one of One Piece ‘s best characters.
After the One Piece time-skip, Chopper gained even more knowledge and control over his considerable talents that helped him create life-saving cures for the mad scientist Queen’s highly twisted and contagious viruses during the Wano arc. Even though his innocent soul has seen some of the sea’s most dreadful and deadly situations, Chopper continues to approach new situations and characters with an enduring optimism that’s hard not to love and be envious of.
2 Zoro Is the Next Greatest Swordsman
Debuts in Chapter #3
Roronoa Zoro was the first member of the Straw Hats and the strongest after Luffy (even if Sanji fans will vehemently disagree), making him extremely important as one of the main fighters in the crew. Too many times he saved his companions from a pinch, and his loyalty to his captain is second to none. He also dreams as high as Luffy, with the intent of becoming the strongest swordsman in the world, a dream that he is very close to achieving.
Although Zoro’s backstory and past aren’t as tragic as his other friends, he is just as deep of a character with real complexity. He is also very funny, with his gag of always becoming lost being one of anime’s most iconic. What makes Zoro one of One Piece’s finest is, among other reasons, that despite his stern exterior, he deeply cares for his crewmates and often provides crucial support during their adventures.
1 One Piece Is Nothing Without Luffy
Debuts in Chapter #1
Luffy is easily one of the most beloved characters in fiction, and his joyous personality, grand dreams, morals, and pursuit of freedom place him as One Piece‘s best character. Millions have grown up watching his journey to be a fine pirate, and his goal of becoming the Pirate King has enthralled so many more. Luffy is simply a bundle of joy, and he is made even more interesting when his fun personality switches to a serious and dark one at the flick of a switch.
Luffy’s ability to turn enemies into allies, his dedication to protecting his friends, and his unwavering pursuit of his dreams have made him a beloved and iconic character in One Piece. His unique charisma, never-give-up attitude, and the sheer joy he finds in adventure and freedom endear him to both his crew and fans worldwide.
