25 Strongest Characters in 'One Piece', Ranked (2024)

The debate and anticipation surrounding the most powerful characters are always on, and the One Piece series is not exempt from it. Since the release of its first episode in 1999, One Piece characters have been featured in series, movies, and Manga. Over time, creator Eiichiro Oda introduced viewers and readers to many memorable characters.

Some of these characters are feeble and endearing, like Nami, while others are incredibly enduring and threatening, like Kaido and Big Mom - and they retain the most potent devil fruits. One Piece boasts a plethora of formidable personalities who hold the potential to defeat an entire fleet of armies. However, there are still some characters who are exponentially stronger than the others.

One Piece

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Super Power

Where to Watch

• stream
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Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

October 20, 1999

Creator(s)

Eiichiro Oda

Cast

Mayumi Tanaka , Kazuya Nakai , Akemi Okamura , Kappei Yamaguchi , Hiroaki Hirata , Ikue Ôtani , Yuriko Yamaguchi , Kazuki Yao , Chō

Seasons

20

25 Queen

Voiced by Hiroki Takahashi

The New World has treacherous waters where strength reigns supreme. That’s why it’s not surprising to see Queen the Plague emerge as a formidable figure. A member of the strong One Piece crew Beasts Pirates and one of Kaido's All-Stars, Queen's flamboyant personality belies a truly dangerous nature. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew first encountered Queen during their daring raid on Onigashima, where his chaotic presence and deadly inventions posed a significant threat to their mission.

The Queen's jovial demeanor is a cover for his raw strength and strategic cunning. His Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit allows him to transform into a Brachiosaurus, granting him immense physical power and unmatched durability. But Queen is more than just a brute — he’s also a scientific genius who can augment his abilities with advanced technology, creating a fighting style that is as unpredictable as it is deadly.

24 Boa Hancock

Voiced by Kotono Mitsuishi

A member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a group of powerful pirates sanctioned by the World Government, is the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock. Hancock's reign over Amazon Lily and her unwavering loyalty to her people stems from a tragic past — a past she desperately seeks to protect from the prying eyes of the World Government. However, her eventual encounter with Luffy has challenged her perception of the world and ultimately pushed her to defy the very system that once granted her protection.

The Pirate Empress is not just a title, but rather a reflection of Boa’s formidable strength. Her Devil Fruit, the Mero Mero no Mi, gives her the power to turn those captivated by her beauty to stone. This ability, combined with her mastery of Haki, makes her a truly dangerous person to face on the battlefield.

23 Jinbe

Voiced by Katsuhisa Hōki

The title of Warlord of the Sea is reserved for the most powerful pirates, but few embody the true spirit of a warrior like Jinbe. What sets him apart from the other warlords is his unwavering loyalty and sense of justice, as shown by his refusal to participate in the war against Whitebeard. Jinbe's journey is one of courage and conviction, from his early days fighting for the rights of fish-men to his pivotal role in some of the best arcs of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Jinbe has also earned the Knight of the Sea title, which he earned through countless battles. He has mastered Fish-Man Karate, an art that allows him to control water skillfully. He can create powerful currents, launch water projectiles with incredible force, and even drain the water from his opponents' bodies, leaving them weakened and vulnerable.

22 King

Voiced by Makoto Tamura

One of Kaido’s most trusted commanders is King the Conflagration. His very existence is a mystery as he’s a member of the near-extinct Lunarian race, which has been feared for its incredible power. Similar to the other Lunarians, King has black wings, white hair, and brown skin. King's allegiance to Kaido runs deep, as they have shared trauma from the World Government.

The Conflagration lives up to his name as he can wield the power of fire with devastating effect. His Lunarian heritage allows him incredible control over flames, which permits him to engulf his opponents in scorching infernos and launch fiery projectiles with pinpoint accuracy. But King's power is not limited to his fire manipulation, since his Pteranodon form grants him unmatched aerial superiority, swooping down on his enemies with incredible speed and ferocity.

21 Charlotte Katakuri

Voiced by Tomokazu Sugita

The Whole Cake Island arc introduced viewers to a host of intriguing characters, but few were as captivating as Charlotte Katakuri. As one of Big Mom's Sweet Commanders, Katakuri's reputation preceded him — his name was whispered with a mix of fear and respect. His mastery of observation Haki, which allowed him to glimpse the future, made him seem almost invincible. But beneath that seemingly impenetrable exterior lay a man driven by a profound sense of duty and a desire to protect his family.

Katakuri’s epic confrontation with Luffy showcased his incredible power, especially his mastery of the Mochi Mochi no Mi allows him to transform into and manipulate mochi with dexterity, turning his body into a weapon and creating a myriad of attacks. He can trap his opponents in sticky mochi prisons, launch devastating punches that stretch across the battlefield, and even create massive waves of mochi to overwhelm his enemies. While some think that his devil fruit is weak, he’s a skilled fighter and can peer into the future with his advanced Observation Haki.

20 Trafalgar Law

Voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya

Trafalgar Law, also known as the Surgeon of Death, is a cunning strategist and a notable pirate in the One Piece universe. Captain of the Heart Pirates and a member of the prestigious Eleven Supernovas, Law's influence is undeniable. His past is woven into the fabric of the story, from his tactical alliance with Luffy to take down Doflamingo, to his emotional connection with Corazon.

Law's Devil Fruit, the Ope Ope no Mi, grants him a formidable ability: surgical control over anything within his designated domain, allowing him to manipulate, swap, and dissect with surgical precision. His strategic brilliance combined with raw power makes him a formidable opponent, which can be seen in his clash with Smoker and Vergo on Punk Hazard.

19 Eustass Kid

Voiced by Daisuke Namikawa

Eustass Kid, the fiery captain of the Kid Pirates, shouldn’t be underestimated. His journey on the Grand Line is fueled by a calculated hunger for power and a willingness to embrace chaos for his own ends. Kid's Devil Fruit, the Jiki Jiki no Mi, grants him tactical mastery over magnetism. He can manipulate metal with devastating effects, crafting colossal weapons from his surroundings and dominating the battlefield.

Eustass Kid is a complex character in One Piece, driven by ambition and possesses an indomitable spirit. His clash with Kaido alongside Luffy and Law solidified his reputation as a force to be reckoned with. There’s also that rivalry between Kid and Luff, which adds another layer of intrigue as both are vying for the Pirate King title.

18 Marco

Voiced by Masakazu Morita

Marco the Phoenix is the respected leader of the Whitebeard Pirates. More than just a powerful fighter in One Piece, Marco is also a symbol of unwavering loyalty and resilience. His mythical Zoan Devil Fruit allows him to transform into a majestic phoenix, capable of healing himself and his allies. Soaring through the air in his phoenix or hybrid form, Marco possesses incredible speed that allows him to outmaneuver opponents and launch surprise attacks.

His Devil Fruit ability, along with his resolute spirit, made him a vital asset during One Piece's Marineford Arc where he defended his captain and crew with unwavering dedication. In the show, Marco’s clashes with figures like the Admirals showcased his strategic mind and unmatched combat skills. Fans of the show surely admire his enduring spirit and formidable powers, cementing his place as one of the strongest and most beloved characters in One Piece.

17 Ryokugyu

Voiced by Shuichi Ikeda

The enigmatic Admiral Ryogukyu, also known as Green Bull, is a mysterious character in the show. His introduction during the Dressrosa Arc has captivated fans, leaving them eager to learn more about his shrouded past and the full potential of his unknown Devil Fruit. Not much is known about his Devil Fruit, but it allows him to control plant life, turning the environment into a weaponized extension of his will and transforming into a terrifying plant giant.

His battle with the Beast Pirates showcased not only his overwhelming strength and strategic mind. He also has the ability to survive without food for years, which may be closely tied to his plant-based powers as plants rely on the sun for their energy. Ryokugyu's true potential remains unknown, though it is sure that he’s a villain that one should watch out for.

16 Fujitora

Voiced by Ikuya Sawaki

A breath of fresh air in the Marines, Admiral Fujitora, also known as Issho, brings a unique depth to the organization. Despite not being able to see, Fujitora is far from helpless. His Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, the Zushi Zushi no Mi, grants him dominion over gravity. With a flick of his sword, Fujitora can unleash devastating gravitational forces, solidifying his place as a formidable opponent.

It is obvious that the battle for Dressrosa is more than just about pirate glory, but is a fight for justice. Admiral Fujitora takes center stage in the battle with the help of his Devil Fruit. While he dominated the battlefield, his true strength shone through when he challenged the corrupt system within the World Government. Fujitora's decision to expose the Marines' failures and advocate for change has made him a morally driven force in the series.

15 Kuzan

Voiced by Akio Otsuka

A former Marine Admiral, Kuzan has always had a strong sense of justice. Despite that, he has always maintained a laid-back demeanor. Because of his perseverance, he has risen through the ranks to become an Admiral and played a key role in events such as the battle at Marineford and the encounter with the Straw Hat Pirates at Punk Hazard.

What makes Kuzan a formidable figure in One Piece is his Hie Hie no Mi devil fruit, which allows him to manipulate ice. What’s more, he’s also incredibly proficient in all three types of Haki, so much so that he can bypass certain devil fruit defenses and throw powerful blows. This can be seen in his fight against Sakazuki at Punk Hazard, which supposedly lasted for ten days and transformed the island of Punk Hazard.

14 Borsalino

Voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue

As a high-ranking Marine Admiral, Borsalino should be more proactive in enforcing justice in the One Piece universe. But despite his position, Borsalino has a somewhat lazy attitude, with his indifference to pressing situations and penchant for lounging around. However, that shouldn’t fool anyone as he’s incredibly skilled in combat and has a dauntingly powerful devil fruit.

With his Pika PIka no Mi devil fruit, he can control, manipulate, and even create light. He demonstrates this ability by moving at the speed of light, crushing enemies before they’re even aware of it. He can even shoot powerful laser beams and manipulate light-based projections to gather information about his enemies. His battle against Basil Hawkins on the Sabody Archipelago just shows that he’s an individual who will still uphold the interests of the World Government and should be feared despite his carefree attitude.

13 Sakazuki

Voiced by Akio Ohtsuka

While Enel is considered the strongest villain in One Piece, Sakazuki, also known as Akainu, is one antagonist who has constantly kept the Straw Hat Pirates on their toes. As the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, he has a non-negotiable sense of justice. This can be seen in his role in executing Ace, as well as his fight with the Whitebeard pirates during the Marineford War. Perhaps even, Sakazuki’s actions have the most profound impact on the story of One Piece’s protagonists.

His fighting skills are fueled by the Magu Magu no Mi Devil Fruit, which allows him to turn into Magma. His immense destructive capabilities even extend to the landscape around him, as he can melt the ground and structures around him, altering the terrain to his advantage.

12 Sabo

Voiced by Junpei Morita

The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo certainly has the strategic prowess and leadership skills to be considered as a powerful character in One Piece. He’s an incredibly proficient Haki user and he is particularly adepts at using the Busoshoku Haki, imbuing it into his fighting style and enhancing his defense and attacks.

What’s more, the training by the Revolutionary Army makes him a skilled fighter. Opposite of Kuzan, Sabo wields the Mera Mera no Mi devil fruit, which allows him to control fire. One of his most memorable fights was during the Dressroa Arc, where he faced Admiral Fujitora. Despite Fujitora’s gravity-based attacks, Sabo was able to keep the Admiral at bay and help Luffy and Law escape.

11 Silvers Rayleigh

Voiced by Kenyuu Horie

Serving as the right-hand man of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, is an incredible feat achieved by Silvers Rayleigh. Also known as the Dark King, Silvers, was initially involved with the Roger Pirates where he was instrumental in their discoveries and adventures. After the crew’s disbandment, Silvers lived a peaceful life and worked as a coating mechanic at the Sabaody Archipelago.

However, Silvers has retained his incredible fighting skills with his incredible mastery over all the types of Haki. He was able to wield the Haoshoku Haki, which is a rare form of Haki that allows him to force his willpower over others, subduing those who are weaker-willed. He even trained Luffy in Haki, which gave the beloved protagonist a huge power bump. Because of his closeness to Luffy, as well as his knowledge of the “void century”, many fans theorize that Silvers is one of the characters in One Piece who are fated to die.

10 Monkey D. Luffy

Voiced by Mayumi Tanaka and Urara Takano

It might be shocking to witness the main protagonist of the series at the bottom of the list, but in fact, there are other characters who can subjugate Luffy. Actually, Luffy is 20 years old and has just begun his life as a pirate, and will eventually get stronger, climbing the ladder of this list.

With the awakening of his Gomu Gomu no Mi Devil Fruit, Luffy has managed to overpower most of the characters. In recent episodes, Luffy is apprised as a reincarnation of Joyboy, the one who created One Piece and is able to undergo an impressive transformation as a Sun God. Some fan theories state that Luffy is not the only one with the God transformation, there exist other two gods - Weather and Fire.

9 Blackbeard

Voiced by Akio Ōtsuka and Fukushi Ochiai

One of the strongest Yonko, Marshall D. Teach or Blackbeard, really defines the very meaning of Pirate. He boasts all the qualities that a pirate should have. He waited for years in Whitebeard's crew until he got his hands on Yami Yami no Mi devil fruit, which negates all devil fruit powers within his range.

Yami Yami no Mi is among the few devil fruits that allow its users to ingest more than one devil fruit capacity. It is the recent development in the story, that this devil fruit from One Piece can even extract other devil fruits. For instance, Blackbeard extracted Law's Ope Ope no Mi and Whitebeard's Gura Gura no Mi.

8 Dracule Mihawk

Voiced by Takeshi Aono and Hirohiko Kakegawa

Dracule Mihawk or Mihawk Hawkeye is currently the strongest Swordsman, who wields the Yoru Sword (with his fight sequences comparable to some of the best movie sword fights). Yoru is one of the 12 strongest swords in One Piece, and is aptly called the All-Black Sword. Unlike other swords where the wielder has to infuse Haki, Mihawk's blade is continuously coated with the armament.

Mihawk, the formal Warlord of Sea, in the Baratie Arc, wiped out the entire fleet of 50 ships. Mihawk's swordsman skills can be ascertained by his feat of defeating Zoro effortlessly in the same arc. Currently, Mihawk sees Shanks as the only potential enemy to confront, as only their strengths truly match each other's, making their rivalry an exciting part of the series..

7 Shanks

Voiced by Shūichi Ikeda and Nobunaga Shimazaki

Shanks, one of the strongest Emperors of the Sea, has merely aired in 18 episodes and still has managed to remain a formidable character. As the chief of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks is commonly known as just "Red Hair," and is also one of the New World's ruling Four Emperors. He was also the one to inspire Luffy to embrace his pirate career.

Unlike other Emperors, Shanks does not possess any Devil Fruit powers, which means he manifests his true strength from his physical resilience. The scene of Shanks' entry in the Marineford War to stop the war demonstrates how fearsome he is. It is rumored that his Conqueror's Haki can even knock down a Fleet Admiral. Meanwhile, some fan theories speculate Shanks is a Celestial Dragon.

6 Monkey D. Dragon

Voiced by Hidekatsu Shibata

The most wanted criminal and the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, also known as the "Rebellious Dragon," is the most mysterious rarely-seen figure in the entire series, with hardly airing in any episode. Once part of the Marines, he eventually left after being disillusioned and questioning the group's idea of justice.

Even though One Piece viewers have not glimpsed Monkey D. Dragon in any clash yet, Dragon might be enclosing some rare Devil Fruit capabilities. The fight between Smoker and Luffy was the initial shot where spectators caught the attention of Dragon. As Dragon heads the Revolutionary Army, which openly defies the World Government authority, he might have the highest bounty on his head (his bounty is not disclosed yet).