One Piece is one of the most popular and longest running manga and anime series of all time. Created by Eiichiro Oda, it follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore the vast ocean in search of the legendary treasure known as “One Piece” in order to become the next Pirate King.
With over 1000 chapters of the manga released, 23 years of anime episodes, movies, games, and more, One Piece has introduced readers and viewers to a massive world filled with amazing characters and epic adventures on the high seas. Many notorious and powerful pirates sail the seas of the One Piece world, but one question has long been on fans’ minds – just who is the number 1 pirate in One Piece?
What Makes a Great Pirate in One Piece?
In the world of One Piece, pirates come in many shapes and sizes, with a wide range of abilities, reputations and crew sizes. However, there are a few key factors that are commonly associated with the most legendary and successful pirates in the series:
– Having a high bounty – Bounties are issued by the Marines against notorious pirates and criminals, with the amount reflecting the level of threat or difficulty in defeating them. The highest bounties typically belong to the most “wanted” pirates.
– Possessing great strength and fighting skills – To survive on the high seas, pirate captains and their crews need to be able to hold their own in battles and fights. The strongest pirates are often master fighters and have incredible endurance.
– Having a powerful Devil Fruit ability – Many pirates in One Piece gain extraordinary abilities by eating Devil Fruits. The most powerful pirates usually have especially strong and useful Devil Fruit powers.
– Being recognized as an Emperor – The Four Emperors rule over the New World region of the sea as the most notorious pirates. Becoming an Emperor requires having tremendous levels of power and influence.
– Having territories and allies – Truly great pirates in One Piece are able to amass fleets and followers, as well as claim territory and islands under their protection and control.
– Seeking the One Piece – The closest rivals for the title of Pirate King are typically pirates who are actively in pursuit of the legendary One Piece treasure and the title it brings.
Yonko/Four Emperors
In the world of One Piece, the Yonko, or Four Emperors, are considered the most powerful and notorious pirates sailing the New World region of the sea. They have tremendous influence, resources, and fighting power that puts them well above the average pirate crew. The Four Emperors thus could all be considered candidates for the title of “number 1 pirate”. The Yonko are:
- Red-Haired Shanks
- Kaido
- Big Mom
- Blackbeard
Let’s take a closer look at each Yonko and their case for being number 1:
Red-Haired Shanks
– Former member of Gol D. Roger’s crew
– Leader of the Red-Haired Pirates
– Stopped Kaido from attacking Whitebeard
– Ended the Paramount War
– Once fought on par with Mihawk
– No confirmed Devil Fruit powers
Pros:
– Well respected by other major pirates like Whitebeard
– Connected to the Pirate King Gol D. Roger
– Stormed Mariejois and negotiated with the Gorosei
– Portrayed as a mentor to Luffy
Cons:
– Smaller crew compared to other Yonko
– Limited shown activity in the New World compared to other Yonko
Kaido
– Captain of the Beasts Pirates
– Strongest creature in the world
– Has immense physical strength and endurance
– Possesses a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit power
– Building an army of Devil Fruit users
– Former Rocks Pirates member
Pros:
– Called “the strongest creature in the world”
– Has never been defeated in a 1v1 fight
– Massive crew and resources as an Emperor
– Seeking to amass the greatest pirate army
Cons:
– Routinely gets drunk and depressed
– Lacks the ambition of other top pirates
Big Mom
– Captain of the Big Mom Pirates
– Possesses a Paramecia Devil Fruit power
– Can take lifespan from others
– Established Totto Land as her territory
– Former member of the Rocks Pirates
– Pursuing the One Piece
Pros:
– Lived up to her era’s hype as a member of the Rocks Pirates
– Large and powerful crew
– Strategic political marriages for power
– Actively seeking One Piece and Pirate King title
Cons:
– Prone to rampages when hungry
– Not always taken seriously by other pirates
Blackbeard
– Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates
– Former member of Whitebeard’s crew
– Only known user of two Devil Fruits
– Usurped Whitebeard’s seat as a Yonko
– Assembled a crew of Level 6 Impel Down prisoners
– Killed Whitebeard and stole his Gura Gura powers
Pros:
– Unprecedented feat of having two Devil Fruits
– Cunning and strategic in his long-term planning
– Rapidly rose from rookie to Yonko in 2 years
– Hungry for power and position
Cons:
– Newer Yonko compared to the more experienced ones
– Smaller crew size compared to other Yonko
Yonko Crews
While each Yonko captain is incredibly powerful in their own right, much of their power and influence comes from their massive pirate crews. Here is an overview of the key members of each Yonko crew:
Red-Haired Pirates
- Benn Beckman – First Mate, likely the smartest man in East Blue
- Lucky Roux – Marksman with excellent speed and precision
- Yasopp – Ace sniper, Usopp’s father
Beasts Pirates
- Queen – All-Star, transforms to hybrid dinosaur form, viruses
- Jack – All-Star, Fishman, high endurance and recovery
- King – All-Star, Lunarian race, wildfire powers
Big Mom Pirates
- Katakuri – First Son, Special Paramecia powers, Future Sight
- Smoothie – Second Daughter, juice extraction and manipulation
- Cracker – Tenth Son, Special Paramecia biscuit armor
Blackbeard Pirates
- Shiryu – Former Head Jailer, acquired invisible Devil Fruit
- Avalo Pizarro – Captain of the Corrupt Royal Armada
- Sanjuan Wolf – Largest Giant, size of Marineford
The crew members help carry out the Yonko’s will and enforce their authority. While the Four Emperors stand at the top, they rely on their crew’s strength to maintain their power and position.
Shichibukai/Seven Warlords of the Sea
While not pirates per say, the Shichibukai are 7 powerful pirates allied with the World Government. They have very high bounties of 300,000,000 and up. Several have been considered for the top pirate spot at various points in the story.
Mihawk
– World’s greatest swordsman
– Rival of Red-Haired Shanks
– Sought strong opponents to duel with
Doflamingo
– Former Celestial Dragon turned pirate
– Trafficked weapons and artificial Devil Fruits
– Took over an entire kingdom (Dressrosa)
Kuma
– Former revolutionary modified into a cyborg
– Had one of the highest pre-timeskip bounties
– Single tap can send people flying for days
Hancock
– Has powerful Love Love Paramecia Devil Fruit ability
– Charismatic captain of the Kuja Pirates
– Found love in Luffy
Legendary Pirates
A few other pirates stand out as particularly strong candidates for the title of number 1, though they do not belong to other established groups like the Yonko or Shichibukai:
Dragon
– World’s most wanted man
– Leader of the Revolutionary Army
– Luffy’s father
– Mortal enemy of the World Government
– Powers and abilities still unknown
Kozuki Oden
– Former Shogun of Wano Country
– Only person in One Piece known to could hurt Kaido
– Traveled on ships of both Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger
– Left a great legacy in Wano Country
Rayleigh
– Right hand of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger
– Extremely powerful armament Haki abilities
– Retired from pirating for decades
– Lived peacefully as a ship coater
Pirate King Gol D. Roger
The benchmark for the greatest pirate in the One Piece world is undoubtedly Gol D. Roger, known as the Pirate King. As captain of the Roger Pirates, he achieved feats no other pirate has matched:
– Reached Laugh Tale and obtained the One Piece treasure
– Circumnavigated the Grand Line twice over
– Gained worldwide infamy upon his execution
– The only known person to hear the Void Century’s true history
While Roger passed away before the start of the main story, characters like Whitebeard, Sengoku, and Rayleigh have implied Roger was a cut above the other powerful pirates at the time. Being the first and so far only Pirate King solidifies his claim as number 1.
Monkey D. Luffy
While still a rookie by Yonko standards, Monkey D. Luffy has demonstrated incredible potential that makes him a fast rising candidate for the title of number 1 pirate. He has gained notoriety incredibly fast by accomplishing feats like:
– Defeating the Shichibukai Crocodile and Gecko Moria
– Taking down two of the Seven Warlords (Doflamingo and Kuma)
– Punching World Nobles and breaking into Impel Down
– Participating and surviving the Summit War
– Forming the Straw Hat Grand Fleet
– Showing ability to use all 3 types of Haki
– Defeating Kaido in a 1v1 fight
Luffy has inherited the Will of D and is considered by many to be a serious contender to become the next Pirate King and find the One Piece. With his rapid growth, incredible charisma, and world-shaking actions, Luffy is shaping up to be a top candidate for the most powerful pirate.
Conclusion
There are certainly many powerful and influential pirates in the world of One Piece that could have a claim at being number 1. However, looking at their influence, achievements, capabilities, and portrayal within the story, the top candidates are:
- Gol D. Roger – The benchmark for pirates as the only King of the Pirates
- Whitebeard – Considered equal to Roger, called the Strongest Man
- Kaido – Formerly hyped as the strongest creature alive
- Big Mom – One of the most durable characters shown
- Shanks – Maintains respect and influence on par with top pirates
There is no definitive ranking, since many of the contenders have yet to display the upper limits of their strength. Characters like Dragon and Blackbeard have potential to rise up as dark horse candidates as well. Within the next few arcs of One Piece, Luffy or another pirate may emerge to solidify themselves as number 1 through their accomplishments. For now, Roger remains the benchmark while pirates like Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and Shanks seem to have the best combination of feats, reputation, power, and portrayal to round out the top spots.