One Piece began as a manga in 1997 before transitioning into an anime in 1999. Both have been going strong since the 90s, with the creator, Eiichiro Oda, saying the end is in sight. The day One Piece ends will be legendary, as it’s one of the longest Shonen Jump series of all time.
Between the anime and manga, Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates have come across a lot of allies and villains. Choosing ten for a favorites list seems daunting since there are literally hundreds of characters to sift through. However, across decades, these are the ones who have stuck out. They will be ranked based on likability and how they have affected One Piece.
Nefertari Vivi
A Temporary Straw Hat
Vivi first appears as Miss Wednesday during the Reverse Mountain Arc as an antagonist. However, like many villains in the anime, Vivi befriends the Straw Hat Pirates and also becomes one for a long time. It starts in season two and lasts up until season four.
She’s the Princess of Alabasta, and Luffy promises to help her out. Even though Vivi isn’t much of a fighter, she is an important honorary crew member who helped the Straw Hat Pirates out more than once.
Kizaru
A Menacing Marine
Kizaru is one of the strongest fighters within the Marines. He first appeared in his biggest role around the Sabaody Archipelago Arc, showcasing his light-based powers. With the help of the Pika Pika no Mi Devil Fruit, Kizaru can turn his body into light and weaponize it. He also had major roles in the Marineford Arc and is currently in the Egghead Arc.
His power and nonchalant attitude towards his opponents are what make him stand out in a crowd of antagonists.
Gecko Moria
Watch Your Back, Peter Pan
Gecko Moria is the major villain within the Thriller Bark Saga and a bigger villain within the Marineford Arc too. He’s a giant, balloon-like vampire who leads the Thriller Bark Pirates and controls shadows thanks to his Kage Kage no Mi Devil Fruit.
This is also the arc where Brook is introduced, another Straw Hat Pirate, and it is a memorable arc overall, thanks to all of the gruesome monsters, as if it were inspired by a Tim Burton movie. Gecko Moria is strong and pure evil, making him a fan favorite thanks to his infectious laugh.
Foxy
Wario, In Anime Form
Foxy is one of the funniest minor villains within One Piece, whose major role was in the Long Ring Long Land Arc. Foxy leads the Foxy Pirates, who, like the Straw Hat Pirates, just want to have a good time. He challenges Luffy’s crew to a series of events in exchange for crew members.
Foxy’s powers are derived from the Noro Noro no Mi Devil Fruit, which can slow down the moves of opponents, allowing Foxy to get an edge. He has appeared in a few filler arcs within the anime, but this was his one major role within the canon. Still, he left a big impression thanks to his Wario-like design and goofy antics.
Dracule Mihawk
A Foreboding Foe
Zoro is great, but he is not the greatest swordsman in the manga/anime yet. Dracule Mihawk is still thought to be the best swordsman in the land, and he has proven himself more than once just how strong he is. Mihawk first appeared in the Baratie Arc and has shown up as an antagonist several times after.
Even though he is thought to be a villain, he sees potential in Zoro as a student and takes him under his wing briefly. Mihawk has this debonair, mysterious energy that makes him such an attractive character to study every time he enters a scene.
Bentham
Attack Of The Clones
Bentham appears during the Alabasta Arc, first as someone who needs help and later as one of Crocodile’s Baroque Works agents. His power is derived from the Mane Mane no Mi Devil Fruit, which allows him to clone whomever he touches. He can’t fight as the cloned individual, but it’s a great spy ability.
After getting his large rump handed to him, Bentham becomes an ally of the Straw Hat Pirates and appears many times, most prominently during the Impel Down Arc, wherein he helps cure Luffy with the help of Emporio Ivankov. Like Foxy, Bentham has a goofy energy to him, but is more important to the story than Foxy hands down.
Smoker
Luffy’s Main Antagonist
The Straw Hat Pirates have a lot of rivals and villains chasing them down, but as far as antagonists go, Smoker is the best one. He’s practically obsessed with bringing Luffy and the others to justice, but isn’t cruel while doing it, as Smoker respects his crew even though he looks a bit gruff. Smoker first appeared in the Loguetown Arc and demonstrated his Moku Moku no Mi Devil Fruit, which allows him to control smoke.
Smoker is to Luffy as Zenigata is to Lupin the 3rd, and anime fans will know exactly how important that is. The thing is, Smoker is a lot more competent than Zenigata, and one day, perhaps Smoker will get his man.
Luffy
A Stretchy Himbo
Luffy is the star of the anime and rightfully deserves a spot on the list. He’s powerful thanks to his stretchy Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, outgoing, loves adventure, and, more so than anything, he has a good heart.
He’s not the brightest bulb in the box as he lets his hunger for food and fist fighting do all the reasoning, but when someone is in trouble, be it a stranger or friend, Luffy will be there. There would not be a series without him, as he is the glue that binds everything.
Nami
More Than Just A Navigator
Nami is the trusty navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates and one of the earliest members. Like Usopp, Nami is not a strong member of the group physically, as she uses tools to do her work for her. That said, she always manages to win in a fight against the right foe.
What makes her a top-tier character beyond her minor battling roles is her realistic ambitions in life. Nami knows what she wants and will do anything to get it while not betraying her friends in the process. It’s also refreshing seeing a female character who isn’t just boy hungry or a damsel in distress.
Zoro
Simply Too Cool
Luffy, Nami, and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates have their qualities, but Zoro is by far the most badass. At first, it seems goofy that he wields swords in his mouth, but he manages to do it well that after a while, it’s easy to look past.
Zoro wants to become the strongest swordsman in the world, not a pirate, and only becomes a crew member because he appreciates Luffy so much. Luffy may be the heart of the crew, but Zoro is definitely the muscle and the cool guy that every strong anime cast needs.
