Who are the Celestial Dragons in One Piece?

The Celestial Dragons are characters as powerful as they are detestable in the manga One Piece. These descendants of the 20 founding kings of the World Government consider themselves living gods, above the laws and humans. With their absolute power and their excessive privileges, they reign as tyrannical masters over the New World.

But their cruelty and arrogance spark growing opposition, embodied by Luffy and his crew. While conflict with the Straw Hats seems inevitable, the origins and secrets of these nobles remain a mystery. Find out everything about these iconic characters!

Who are the Celestial Dragons?

The Celestial Dragons, also known as the World Nobles , are the direct descendants of the 20 founding kings who established the World Government 800 years ago, at the end of the Forgotten Century. Of these 20 royal families, 19 left their kingdoms to settle in Mary Joy, the sacred land of the World Government. Only the Nefertari family remained in Alabasta.

Physically, they are recognizable by their extravagant outfits that resemble space suits. Often white with baroque patterns, they also wear a helmet that allows them to breathe "pure" air. An appearance that clearly shows their desire to stand out from the plebs.

Among the best known, we can mention Rosward , Sharlia or Charlos who are all three part of the same family. Then there are others like Don Quixote Mjosgard who took a different trajectory. And how can we not talk about the 5 Elders ? These evil and particularly powerful beings who lead the World Government.

What are their powers?

Officially, the World Government is supposed to rule the world of One Piece. But in reality, it is the Celestial Dragons who pull all the strings! The Navy, the Cipher Pol, all the elite obey these nobles to the letter. And as descendants of the founders, they benefit from total immunity . Murders, rapes, tortures, nothing can reach them, justice has no power over them. A feeling of impunity that makes them even more arrogant and cruel.

Moreover, they do not hesitate to enslave all those who have the misfortune to cross their path. These poor people are branded with the symbol of the Dragons, like cattle. An abject treatment that shows how much these nobles consider themselves above the rest of humanity.

With the tributes paid to them by the kingdoms, the Celestial Dragons enjoy absolutely insane privileges . While the people starve, they live in a world apart, far from reality and suffering. They are so rich that they can even afford the rarest and most expensive Devil Fruits ! On the other hand, we have never seen a single Celestial Dragon with the powers of a Devil Fruit.

The masters of chaos in their works

It all started in the Sabaody arc , where the Celestial Dragons first appeared. Their cruelty and disregard for others shocked us, like when Saint Charlos shot Hatchan , a fishman friend of the Straw Hats. It was this event that pushed Luffy to lose his temper and hit Charlos, triggering quite a mess.

This unprecedented act of rebellion against the authority of the Celestial Dragons marked a turning point in history. It highlighted the growing opposition between freedom fighters like Luffy and the oppressive system of the World Government. A conflict that reached its peak during the Battle of Marineford, where the nobles ordered the execution of Portgas D. Ace.

But beyond that, the Celestial Dragons also seem to be at the heart of the mysteries about the Forgotten Century and the origins of the World Government. With their direct link to the 20 founding kings, they must necessarily hold crucial information about this hidden period. Revelations that could potentially call into question the legitimacy of their power!

This is why the coming destruction of Marie Joie, their HQ, seems inevitable. The Straw Hats and their allies, bearers of the ideals of freedom, will inevitably have to overthrow them to redistribute the cards. An epic confrontation is looming, which will determine not only the fate of these filthy nobles, but also the future of the entire world!

Are all Celestial Dragons really evil?

There are a few rare exceptions among the Celestial Dragons who have questioned their way of life and ideology. The most famous case is that of Saint Mjosgard. After his meeting with Queen Otohime , this nobleman ended up realizing how cruel his people were. A real shock that completely changed his mentality.

But he is not the only one to have rejected the organization. Before him, Homing , another Celestial Dragon fled Marie Joie with his son Rosinante aka Corazon to escape this life. Moreover, his other son, Don Quixote Doflamingo, also left them. He not only fled the Celestials to become a fearsome pirate then a Grand Corsair before turning against the World Government.

These examples illustrate that, although rare, some Celestial Dragons have been able to free themselves from the dogmas of their caste. Afterwards, given the mentality of these nobles in general, we don't have too many illusions... But who knows, maybe the upcoming fall of Marie Joie will make some of them think?

The coming fall of the Celestial Dragons?

If we had to sum up in one sentence what the Celestial Dragons represent in One Piece, it would be pure injustice. They perfectly embody the themes of oppression and tyranny that the manga denounces. Their entire system is based on hereditary privileges granted at birth.

Their domination has no legitimacy, except that which their noble blood gives them. Their absolute power has made them mad and blind to reality. A drift that Eiichiro Oda strongly denounces through them. The only solution will be to overthrow them by force, but that risks being a hell of a fight...