When Eiichiro Oda launched One Piece , he created a real maritime world with pirates, each more striking than the last. Among them, Monkey D. Luffy , the captain with the straw hat whose dream is to become the Pirate King. But the universe of One Piece is not limited to the main character . It is full of characters with unique powers and personalities. Between friendships, betrayals and legendary battles that have fascinated fans for more than 20 years.
Cartoon Toi invites you to discover the most emblematic characters of the manga One Piece . We will present not only the heroes but also those who, in the shadow of Luffy, play crucial roles. You can tell us in the comments who is your favorite character in the series!
The main characters
Monkey D. Luffy: The Future Pirate King
Monkey D. Luffy is the charismatic main character of One Piece, with the all-consuming dream of becoming the Pirate King . What makes him so unique is his enormous determination and boundless optimism, which inspires those around him and attracts many allies to his cause. He is also the bearer of the Will of D , which makes him even more mysterious.
Luffy possesses the power of the Gomu Gomu fruit , which makes his body elastic, allowing him to extend his limbs and increase his strength to overcome physical obstacles and formidable opponents. Along with the Mugiwara, they form the most feared pirate crew in the New World.
His empathetic nature drives him to defend the oppressed and fight against injustice , making him a hero at heart. Throughout his adventures, Luffy never loses sight of his goal. He is a true role model of perseverance who teaches young viewers the importance of following your dreams, no matter the challenges.
Roronoa Zoro: The Pirate Hunter
Roronoa Zoro, nicknamed the Pirate Hunter , was the first to join Monkey D. Luffy's adventure. As Luffy's right-hand man, Zoro is not only a pillar of physical strength, but also a strong symbol of loyalty and honor. His exceptional mastery of the three-sword fighting style, a technique he has perfected over the course of battles, makes him a formidable opponent.
His duels, often against formidable foes, are among the most memorable moments in the series. Zoro aspires to become the world's greatest swordsman , a goal that drives him to overcome nearly insurmountable odds. This proves his incredible determination and strict sense of personal honor.
Nami: The Thief Cat
Nami, the Straw Hat Pirates' talented navigator , plays an indispensable role in the success of the group's sea voyages. Highly intelligent, she has a talent for cartography and meteorology , making her able to read the weather and the seas like no one else. Nami is not only a skilled strategist, she is also a character rich in emotions, due to her turbulent past.
Nami is very smart, so she is very useful when it comes to negotiating or resolving conflicts . She therefore helps the crew a lot with her strategic ideas. Her evolution from thief to outstanding navigator shows how intelligent and important she is in the story.
Usopp: The King of Snipers
Usopp, the Straw Hat Pirates' sniper , is a character who embodies personal development and courage... against all odds. Initially introduced as a compulsive liar and a coward , Usopp evolves throughout the series. His creativity and ingenuity in the manufacture and use of various projectiles make him indispensable during tactical confrontations.
His courage is marked by moments when, despite fear, he stands up to defend his friends and his beliefs. This development highlights not only his personal growth but also his role in the crew. Usopp brings a touch of humor to the pirates' adventures.
Sanji: The Black Leg
Sanji, the crew's charismatic cook , has a much bigger role than just preparing meals. His world-class culinary skills ensure the crew's well-being and stamina, crucial to their survival at sea. But Sanji is also an excellent fighter , using his legs primarily to deliver powerful blows... saving his hands for cooking.
His moral code, which forbids him from hitting a woman under any circumstances, and his dedication to his friends show a man of honor and principle . And with his irresistible charm, Sanji is indispensable as the moral and physical pillar of the crew.
Tony Tony Chopper: The Blue-Nosed Reindeer
Tony Tony Chopper, the Straw Hat Pirates' lovable and dedicated doctor , is a reindeer who ate the Hito Hito fruit . This gave him human abilities and the ability to communicate and interact like a human. Chopper is not only the heartthrob of the crew, he is also a caregiver whose medical skills have saved his friends on numerous occasions .
His journey from ostracized reindeer to respected doctor shows his vital importance to the crew, even if it wasn't a given at first. His curiosity about medicine and innocent nature make him even more determined against his opponents.
Nico Robin: The Demon's Child
Nico Robin, the crew's mysterious and intelligent archaeologist , plays an important role in Luffy's quest. As the only person capable of reading the Poneglyphs (the ancient artifacts that hold the secrets of the world's history), her very existence is a threat to the World Government .
Robin doesn't just seek to uncover the world's buried secrets to satisfy her own curiosity. She is determined to reveal the true story , a quest that could change the world. Her integrity, high intelligence, and the mystery surrounding her make her a central character in One Piece, with her revelations often defying expectations.
Luffy's Allies and Crew
Portgas D. Ace: Ace of the Fiery Points
Portgas D. Ace is the spiritual brother of Monkey D. Luffy and the true son of Gol D. Roger, the legendary Pirate King. Proud and charismatic, Ace has crossed the seas in search of his own path, making him a respected commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd Division. He is dedicated to protecting his loved ones and pursuing his beliefs despite the risks involved.
The Marineford Arc, in which he sacrifices himself, is a pivotal moment in One Piece but above all teaches the importance of family, whether chosen or biological. Ace, with his confident smile and protective nature, remains a central character, whose legacy inspires Luffy and many other characters.
Brook: The Humming One
Brook is the musician and second swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates. He is a living skeleton capable of detaching himself and reviving his soul. As a musician, he plays the violin and sings, earning him the nickname Soul King after the timeskip. But he also wields swordsmanship with skill, using a two-sword style.
Although shy and polite, Brook can be a bit of a pushover, especially when asking women to show him their underwear. His dream is to revisit the kingdom of Laboon , a whale he met before his death.
Franky: The Cyborg
Franky Shogun is a carpenter , former leader of the Franky Family in Water 7. He was rebuilt into a cyborg after being crushed by a Navy train. A genius engineer, he designed the Thousand Sunny . Despite his imposing appearance, Franky is a sensitive man who does not hesitate to cry. He has a deep respect for his mentor Tom and the "men of the sea".
Proud and determined, Franky is not short of nerve, as when he confronts Luffy at Enies Lobby to convince him to let him join the crew. His sense of honor and loyalty make him an essential member.
Jinbe: The Paladin of the Seas
Jinbe is a character of the red fish-men species. A former member of the Great Corsairs , he joined the Straw Hat crew after the war at Marineford Summit. He is a formidable martial arts master who possesses colossal strength and can project jets of water at very high pressure.
Jinbe renounced his title of Shichibukai in protest of the oppression of fishmen by the Celestial Dragons . He later joined Big Mom's Pirates before betraying her. Jinbe is a man of honor who places justice and protecting the weak above all else. His dream is to allow peaceful coexistence between humans, fishmen, and other races.
Boa Hancock: The Snake Princess
Boa Hancock is the Empress of the Amazon Kingdom in Amazon Lily . She is a stunningly beautiful woman, capable of petrifying men with her Mero Mero Devil Fruit. A former Shichibukai, she joined the Revolutionaries after the Marineford War. Hancock has a fierce hatred for men due to her tragic past, but makes an exception for Luffy after he saves her.
Despite her cold appearance, she is deeply in love and helped Luffy escape from the ultra-secure prison of Impel Down. A formidable fighter, she masters the techniques of Armament Haki and Observation Haki .
Trafalgar Law: The Surgeon of Death
Trafalgar Law is the captain of the Heart crew. A user of the Opera-Opera , he can create a "Room" and manipulate anything in it. His formidable techniques such as "Mes" and "Counter Shock" make him a formidable opponent. He temporarily joined the Straw Hats to defeat Doflamingo in Dressrosa.
Cold and calculating, he does not hesitate to sacrifice lives to achieve his goals. But Law remains loyal to his allies and respects Luffy more than anything. He too dreams of discovering the legendary treasure left by the Pirate King, the One Piece. After the timeskip, Law becomes one of the Four Emperors .
Shanks: The Redhead
Shanks the Red is also one of the Four Emperors who reign over the seas of the New World. A former member of Gol D. Roger's crew, he saved Luffy's life as a child and bequeathed him his precious straw hat. He even lost his left arm to protect him from a sea monster... He is a courageous and powerful pirate, mastering Haki. He is now captain of the crew of the Red .
His intervention during the Marineford Summit War, where he played a key role in ending the conflict, proves his influence. Today, Shanks continues to watch over Luffy's progress from afar, confirming his role as a benevolent and protective mentor despite their separation.
Sabo: The Revolutionary
Sabo is a former nobleman who joined the Revolutionary Army after being saved by Monkey D. Dragon. The brother of Luffy and Ace, he was presumed dead after an incident in his childhood. He masters the Logia Mera Mera no Mi , once held by Ace. Thanks to his Devil Fruit, he can transform into flames and use devastating techniques such as the Hiken.
Sabo is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and also wields a metal bo. Determined to change the world, he became the chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army after the timeskip. His dream is to bring freedom to all those oppressed by the World Government.
Nefertari Vivi: Miss Wednesday
Nefertari Vivi is the princess of the Alabasta Kingdom . She secretly joined Baroque Works under the codename Miss Wednesday. She was able to infiltrate the organization and stop Crocodile's plan to take over the island of Alabasta.
Vivi traveled with Luffy's crew during the Alabasta arc and developed a strong bond with them. Although gentle and compassionate, she is willing to fight to protect her kingdom and her friends. After defeating Crocodile, Vivi decides to stay on her island but remains very close to the Straw Hats . Her dream is to lead her people to prosperity as their future queen.
The antagonists
Baggy the Clown
Buggy the Clown is a villainous pirate from the first part of One Piece. A former member of Gol D. Roger's crew, he ate the Bara Bara Devil Fruit, allowing him to separate his body parts. Despite his ridiculous appearance, Buggy is a tough opponent who does not hesitate to betray his allies. He maintains a rivalry with Red Shanks and the Straw Hats.
Don Quixote Doflamingo
Doflamingo was a cruel and merciless Grand Corsair, captain of the Donquixote Family. User of the Ito Ito Devil Fruit, he could create and control indestructible threads. He ruled as a tyrant over Dressrosa for years before being defeated by Luffy and Law.
Power-hungry, he dreamed of destroying the world to recreate it in his image. Despite his power, Doflamingo was betrayed by his second Corazon , who saved Law's life as a child... His arrogance and cruelty ultimately caused his downfall.
Blackbeard
Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard, is the captain of his own crew and one of the Four Emperors. A user of the Yami Yami and Gura Gura devil fruits, he is extremely powerful. Blackbeard is a cruel and ambitious pirate who does not hesitate to betray his allies, he notably assassinated Whitebeard to seize his power. His ultimate goal is to conquer the world by becoming the Pirate King.
Big Mom
Captain of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin possesses monstrous strength thanks to her Soul Soul devil fruit. She can extract and manipulate living souls, granting her near-immortality. Despite her gentle appearance, she is cruel and does not hesitate to sacrifice her own children. Her obsessive dream is to recover the legendary souls to create the most powerful army .
Akainu
Sakazuki Akainu is the Admiral-in-Chief of the Navy who represents the dark and corrupt side of the World Government. A user of the Magma Magma Devil Fruit, he can transform his body into lava and project masses of devastating magma. Akainu is a cruel and ruthless man , ready to do anything to eliminate the pirates. He seriously injured Luffy and killed Ace at the Marineford Summit.
Crocodile
Sir Crocodile was a former Shichibukai and the main antagonist of the Alabasta arc. Crocodile plotted to take control of Alabasta in order to revive the Ancient Kingdom . Despite his power, his arrogance led to his defeat at the hands of Luffy. He later joined the Prisoners of Impel Down before being freed by Marshall D. Teach.
Rob Lucci
Rob Lucci was the most powerful agent of the Cipher Pol , the World Government's spy organization. A master of the Rokushiki , a fearsome martial art, Lucci also ate the Neko Neko devil fruit, allowing him to transform into a leopard. He violently clashed with the Straw Hats at Enies Lobby in an attempt to capture Nico Robin but was defeated. His fanatical devotion to the World Government makes him one of the most feared antagonists in the series.
Dracule Mihawk
Nicknamed Hawkeye, Dracule Mihawk is the greatest swordsman in the world . A former rival of Red Shanks, he became a Shichibukai in the service of the World Government. Cold and stoic, he easily defeated Roronoa Zoro with a sword before training him for two years. Mihawk represents the ideal to achieve for Zoro in his quest to become the greatest swordsman.
Imu
Imu is the mysterious supreme ruler of the World Government in One Piece. Although his identity remains unknown, Imu seems to have absolute authority, even over the Five Elders. Some theories suggest that Imu is an immortal being created by the Ancient Kingdom. Imu seeks to eliminate Luffy and preserve the secrets of the Forgotten Ages, making him the major antagonist of One Piece.
The 5 Elders (Gorosei)
The Five Elders, also known as the Gorosei , are the highest leaders of the World Government. They are rarely seen, meeting in Mary Geoise to discuss threats to their power, such as pirates or revolutionaries. Their loyalty to the World Government is absolute, and they are willing to sacrifice the lives of others to achieve their goals. Their main goal is to maintain order and suppress any rebellion, even using ancient weapons.
Which One Piece character are you?
In this article, we introduced you to the key characters of the One Piece anime , each playing a vital role in the evolution of the story. Whether through the adversities posed by the antagonists or the support of the allies, each character enriches the quest of Luffy and his crew. And you, which character left the biggest impression on you and why? Tell us everything in the comments 😊