Eiichiro Oda has done a fantastic job of keeping One Piece fresh and entertaining throughout the last decade. During this, One Piece became one of the longest-running anime and the best-selling manga of all time.
As the Straw Hat Pirates have explored the seas, we’ve met one of the most expansive collections of characters ever seen in any anime. And it’s not just for the sake of it, One Piece is full of well-written, engaging characters that all have pools of fans.
Veterans who have been following One Piece from the start will know the roster all too well. But the freshers might have a hard time keeping up.
So, we’ve prepared a One Piece characters guide that shows who’s who in the pirate world.
And it’s not just for newcomers.
With One Piece nearing its end, this guide will be equally helpful to the old-timers as we might see sensational returns of some long-forgotten characters.
So, stick around, and let’s get started.
Recommended Read: All One Piece Fillers: Arcs & Episodes That Don’t Matter
How many characters are in One Piece?
An Adventure/Shonen anime with a main protagonist who travels the world over is bound to have loads of characters. Every Arc within every saga introduces us to new places and new characters.
No one knows that exact count, but even by a rough estimate, there are 1000+ One Piece characters in the anime. As for the manga which is always a few chapters ahead, the number is even higher.
Now, there’s no point in listing the 1000+ characters as not all of them are important. Moreover, quite a few of them are arrested or hugging the bottom of the sea.
So, our guide only includes the important ones, the so-called canon One Piece characters. And by the end, you’ll know about all the pirates ruling the seas, looking for the One Piece, and all the forces trying to stop them.
The Straw Hat Pirates
- Origins: East Blue
- Ship: Going Merry(Former) / Thousand Sunny
- Total Bounty: 4,661,000,100

The Straw Hat Pirates are the most popular One Piece characters not just because they are the primary protagonists but also because of who they are as individuals.
At first glance, this pirate crew looks like a gang of misfits, but as they come together and grow, we see them become one of the best pirate crews of One Piece.
- Monkey D. Luffy – Captain
- Roronoa Zoro
- Nami
- Usopp
- Sanji
- Tony Tony Chopper
- Nico Robin
- Franky
- Brook
- Jimbei
Black Cat Pirates
- Origins: East Blue
- Ship: Bezan Black
- Bounty: 7,000,000

We meet Kuro and the crew in the Syrup Village arc of the East Blue Saga. Kuro was a cunning villain who plotted and conspired for 3 years to get the peaceful life he always wanted.
For Kuro, his crew is expandable. And as he tries to take the Syrup Village, he nearly slaughters his own crew as well.
- Kuro – Captain
- Shaam
- Nugire Yainu
- Buchi
- Jango
Red Hair Pirates
- Origins: –
- Ship: Red Force
- Bounty: 4,142,900,000

One of the strongest and most feared pirate crews, including some of the coolest One Piece characters, like fan-favorite Shanks.
The Red Hair Pirates are a mysterious group. We met Shanks at the very start of the series, and then he just disappeared.
But the One Piece Film: Red has brought them into the light. Plus, Shanks is also going for the One Piece as the anime begins its journey to the end.
- Shanks – Captain
- Yasopp
- Lucky Roux
- Ben Beckman
- Limejuice
- Monster
- Hongo
- Bonk Punch
- Howling Gab
- Building Snake
Bellamy Pirates
- Origins: North Blue
- Ship: New Witch’s Tongue
- Bounty: 93,000,000

The Bellamy Pirates are one of the weakest crews that Luffy fights. However, they are the main antagonists of the Jaya Arc. As usual, Luffy defeats Bellamy with relative ease during their fight at Mock Town.
After that, Donquixote Doflamingo dismisses the whole crew and takes Bellamy under his wing. So, although most of the crew is done, Bellamy is now a New World pirate.
- Bellamy – Captain
- Lily
- Muret
- Eddie
- Ross
- Hewitt
- Mani
- Rivers
Foxy Pirates
- Origins: –
- Ship: Sexy Foxy
- Bounty: 24,000,000

The antagonists of one of the most hated One Piece arcs, Foxy Pirates got the “boring” label early on.
Instead of fighting, Foxy Pirates use Davy Back Fight to settle the score. Yes, they cheat, and yes it gets a bit boring sometimes, but the whole Foxy Pirate arc was about character development for the Straw Hat Pirates.
Even though fans didn’t love the Foxy Pirates, they reappeared in a One Piece filler arc titled Foxy’s Return.
- Foxy the Silver Fox – Captain
- Porche
- Hamburg
- Big Pan
- Pickles
- Monda
- Itomimizu
- Capote
- Chunchun
- Chiqicheetah
- Rokuroshi
- Jube
- Girarin
- Mashikaku
Donquixote Pirates
- Origins: Dressrosa
- Ship: Numancia Flamingo
- Bounty: 813,000,000

The Donquixote Pirates are one of the strongest pirate crews of One Piece that antagonize the whole Dressrosa Saga.
With the whole family in it, the Donquixote Pirates are more of an organization with 3 armies (Trebol, Diamante, and Pica) and 3 different ships. Their captain and first mate were originally World Nobles, but various circumstances led them to a life of piracy.
- Donquixote Doflamingo – Captain
- Donquixote Rosinante
- Trebol
- Diamante
- Pica
- Violet
- Sugar
- Jora
- Lao G
- Machvise
- Senor Pink
- Dellinger
- Buffalo
- Baby 5
- Gladius
Thriller Bark Pirates
- Origins: Florian Triangle
- Ship: Thriller Bark
- Bounty: 320,000,000

Operating out of the Florian Triangle, the Thriller Bark Pirates are a crew of the undead. Gecko Moriah and his lieutenants have reanimated nearly 900 crew members that are near-invincible zombies.
The Thriller Bark Pirates also captured the Straw Hat Pirates during the Thriller Bark arc.
Gecko Moriah, captain of Thriller Bark Pirates, is also one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
- Gecko Moriah – Captain
- Perona
- Hogback
- Absalom
- Lola
- Oars
- Inuppe
- Kumacy
- Taralan
- Victoria Cindry
- Jigoro
- Shimotsuki Ryuma
Krieg Pirates
- Origins: East Blue
- Ship: Dreadnaught Sabre
- Bounty: 29,000,000

The Krieg Pirates are one of the biggest and most feared pirate crews in all of East Blue. Don Krieg captains a crew of nearly 5000 pirates who sail on 50+ ships. However, the Don and his fleet were exposed and brutally destroyed during their face-off with Dracule Mihawk.
After losing 49 of his ships, Krieg and his main crew were again defeated by the Straw Hats during the Baratie Arc.
- Krieg – Captain
- Gin
- Pearl
- Ideaman
Sun Pirates
- Origins: –
- Ship: Snapper Head
- Bounty: 438,000,000+

The Sun Pirates were created by the Fisher Tiger, a Fish-Man, who had the likes of Jinbe and Arlong working for him before they became captains of their own crew.
After Fisher’s death, Jinbe became captain of the Sun Pirates and Arlong started his own crew by the name of Arlong Pirates. Another member of the Sun Pirates, Macro, also started his own crew.
Both Jinbe and Arlong play a huge part in the Star Hat Pirates’ journey with Jinbe eventually joining Luffy.
- Aladine – Captain
- Jinbe
- Arlong
- Macro
- Wadatsumi
- Charlotte Praline
- Hatchan
- Chew
- Kuroobi
Arlong Pirates
- Origins: –
- Ship: Shark Superb
- Bounty: 42,500,000

The Arlong Pirates, the first Fish-Man we meet in One Piece, were also the first real test for Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates.
Before the Arlong Arc began, all we’d seen was some run-of-the-mill villains, but Arlong and his crew were different. The ruthless captain beats an already injured Zoro with zero remorse.
Luffy did defeat Arlong, but it was a tough test for the rubber boy.
- Arlong – Captain
- Hatchan
- Kuroobi
- Choo
- Pisaro
- Kaneshiro
- Take
Revolutionary Army
- Origins: Island Of Baltigo
- Ship: Wind Granma
- Bounty: 2,564,000,000

The Revolutionary Army in One Piece is the only force meeting the World Government head-on, something even the Yonko aren’t too eager on.
Led by Luffy’s father, Monkey D. Dragon, and his brother-in-arms, Sabo, the Revolutionary Army wants to destroy the corrupt World Nobles.
With 5 armies at their helm and Sabo becoming the Flame Emperor, the army has the World Government worried.
- Monkey D. Dragon – Supreme Commander
- Sabo – Chief of Staff
- Karasu
- Emporio Ivankov
- Morley
- Belo Betty
- Lindbergh
- Bartholomew Kuma
Eleven Supernovas

Also known as Worst Generation, the Eleven Supernovas are the 11 most infamous rookie pirates who started the New Age after the Summit War of Marineford. Blackbeard (Marshal D. Teach) also entered this list after defeating Portgas D. Ace.
So, now the Eleven Supernovas have 12 members. And all of these combined have a bounty of over 13,257,600,000.
- Monkey D. Luffy
- Roronoa Zoro
- Basil Hawkins
- Capone Bege
- Eustass Kid
- Killer
- Jewelry Bonney
- Scratchmen Apoo
- Trafalgar Law
- X. Drake
- Uroge
- Marshal D. Teach
Four Emperors

The Four Emperors are the 4 most wanted pirates in the New World. They are neither a grand fleet nor do they work together. It’s just a label by the World Government.
Edward D. Teach (Whitebeard), Charlotte Linlin(Big Mom), Shanks, and Kaidou were the original Four Emperors. But after Whitebeard’s death his brother, Edward D. Teach(Blackbeard) took his place.
Later, Luffy and Buggy the Clown replaced Big Mom and Kaidou after defeating them together.
- Edward D. Teach – Former
- Kaidou – Former
- Charlotte Linlin – Former
- Shanks – Current
- Marshal D. Teach – Current
- Monkey D. Luffy – Current
- Buggy the Clown – Current
Seven Warlords of the Sea

The World Government chose the strongest of pirate crews, pardoned their crimes, and rescinded their bounties to essentially buy them out. These Warlords would be free to go and do whatever they want, as long as they carry out the Marines’ orders.
In other words, the Marines and the World Government decided to use pirates to fight pirates.
But after some of them started abusing the World Government’s protection, the Seven Warlords of the Sea were dissolved.
Here’s a list of every pirate captain who’s ever been a Warlord.
- Dracule Mihawk
- Crocodile
- Donquixote Doflamingo
- Bartholomew Kuma
- Gecko Moriah
- Boa Hancock
- Jimbei
- Marshall D. Teach
- Buggy the Clown
- Trafalgar Law
- Edward Weevil
World Nobles

The World Nobles are the descendants of the 20 kings who established the current World Government.
Also known as Celestial Dragons, these individuals think very highly of themselves. They practically own everything and have the power to do whatever they want without the fear of consequences.
So far, we’ve only seen the second-tier World Nobles, mainly the Donquixote Family. But the strongest of the World Nobles, the Five Elders, are yet to be revealed.
- Saint Rosward
- Saint Charlos
- Saint Shalria
- Saint Mjosgard
- Saint Jalmack
- Saint Homing
The Navy

The Navy is the naval force of the World Government and one of the Three Great Powers of the sea. Most commonly referred to as the Marines, these are the law enforcement in the New World.
Their ranks include Fleet Admiral, Admiral, Vice Admiral, and so on. The Fleet Admiral is the highest rank and only answerable to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
Luffy’s grandfather, Monkey D. Garp was also a Fleet Admiral and one of the strongest Marines in history along with Sengoku.
- Monkey D. Garp
- Sengoku
- Sakazuki
- Akainu
- Kizaru
- Ryokugyu
- Fujitora
- Aokiji
- Smoker
- Sentomaru
- Kong
- Onigumo
- Momonga
- Momousagi
Now you know the Pirates and the Pirate Hunters. We’ve left out a lot of secondary One Piece characters, but we also left out some legends that you should discover on your own as you watch the show.
Now, let’s move on and introduce you to the best characters in One Piece.
Best One Piece Characters – 20 Characters That We Love (Male and Female)
We’ve seen hundreds of characters come and go during the decade-long run-time of One Piece. Every character is unique in its own right, and selecting the best is hard. In the end, it’s a very subjective choice.
So, we’ve gone with 10 male and 10 female One Piece characters. These 20 characters have been headlining the series for a long time, and they have our hearts.
10 Best One Piece Male Characters
1. Monkey D. Luffy

- Age: 19
- Bounty: 3,000,000,000
Monkey D. Luffy is getting the best anime character shouts, so how could anyone top the list of the best One Piece characters other than the silly pirate himself?
Luffy doesn’t fit the bill, but he is one of the most wanted Pirates- mainly because he’s stubborn and he’s got a crew just as crazy as he is.
2. Roronoa Zoro

- Age: 21
- Bounty: 320,000,000
While Luffy tops our list, Zoro is also one of the most popular One Piece characters. Some fans even like him more than the protagonist; dare we say it’s justified.
All Zoro wants is to become the strongest swordsman in the world, and he isn’t too far off.
3. Shanks

- Age: 39
- Bounty: 4,084,900,000
Shanks is one of the Four Emperors, captain of the Red Hair Pirates, and Luffy’s savior. He saved Luffy from a sea monster and lost his arm in the process when Luffy was just a child.
Because of his allure and his insane swordsmanship that we only saw glimpses of, Shanks is one of the coolest One Piece characters who’ll have a big say in the finale.
4. Usopp

- Age: 19
- Bounty: 200,000,000
Not exactly a fan favorite, but Usopp still is one of the best One Piece characters for us. And that’s because he is highly relatable. Usopp is the only character in One Piece who behaves the way any normal human would after encountering danger.
But now he’s become stronger, more dependable, and actually funny.
5. Sanji

- Age: 21
- Bounty: 330,000,000
Because of his complex development arc, Sanji is among the most popular One Piece characters among OP fans. Yes, him simping over the ladies is annoying, but he is also their savior.
6. Portgas D. Ace

- Age: 20
- Bounty: 550,000,000
Ace was the son of former Pirate King Gol D. Roger and Luffy’s brother. Akainu killed him during the Marineford Arc, but he remains a memorable One Piece character.
Fans would have loved to see more of the Fire Fist Ace, but instead, we got one of the saddest deaths in One Piece anime.
7. Trafalgar D. Water Law

- Age: 26
- Bounty: 3,000,000,000
The Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law was one of the Warlords but lost his privileges for helping the Straw Hat Pirates.
Law is the resident badass and one of the strongest Straw Hat allies. But his Devil Fruit takes the cake. With Ope Ope no Mi, Law becomes one of the strongest One Piece characters.
8. Brook

- Age: 90
- Bounty: 83,000,000
Brook is the only One Piece character to have immortality, technically. The musician is a skeleton who can only be killed if someone can extract his soul. And no one in One Piece can do that, yet. It’s all because of the Yomi-Yomi Fruit.
9. Tony Tony Chopper

- Age: 17
- Bounty: 100
Chopper was a reindeer before he got human-like traits because of his Hito Hito no Mi Devil Fruit. He is the medical expert of the Straw Hat Pirates and became a favorite the moment he saved Zoro. If it wasn’t for Tony, Zoro would have died at the hands of Bartholomew Kuma.
10. Marshall D. Teach

- Age: 40
- Bounty: 2,247,600,000
Blackbeard is one of the strongest Yonko and the only One Piece characters to wield 2 devil fruits simultaneously, Yami Yami no Mi and Gura Gura no Mi. He was the one who killed Whitebeard during the Summit War of Marineford and took his place as one of the Four Emperors.
10 Best One Piece Female Characters
1. Nico Robin

- Age: 30
- Bounty: 130,000,000
An archeologist by profession, Nico joins the Straw Hat Pirates in hopes to find the Rio Poneglyph. She is the only person alive who can read Poneglyphs, and the World Government wants her gone for this reason.
2. Charlotte Linlin

- Age: 68
- Bounty: 4,388,000,000
Charlotte Linlin, more commonly known as Big Mom, is one of the strongest pirates in One Piece. She’s the strongest female character in One Piece and wields the Soru Soru no Mi Devil Fruit. She’s also a former Emperor of the Sea.
3. Yamato

- Age: 28
- Bounty: –
Yamato is the Oni Princess and the daughter of Kaidou, although everyone calls her Kaidou’s son for some reason. She’s an honorable samurai and she wants to join the Straw Hat Pirates to end her father’s reign over Wano.
4. Nami

- Age: 20
- Bounty: 66,000,000
Nami is a navigator who joined the Straw Hat Pirates as Arlong’s spy but stayed to fulfill her own dream. Now, she helps the Straw Hat Pirates navigate through the world as she prepares her own World Map.
5. Boa Hancock

- Age: 31
- Bounty: 80,000,000
Boa was the only female Warlord of the Sea and that should tell you everything about her. She’s basically the Wonder Woman of One Piece who rules an all-women tribe – called Kuja Tribe – on the Amazon Lily island.
6. Carrot

- Age: 15
- Bounty: –
Carrot is an Inuarashi Musketeer and a rabbit mink which means she has rabbit-like traits. She becomes an ally of the Straw Hat Pirates because of Sanji, who saved her whole tribe after the Beast pirates attacked Zou. She repaid Sanji by rescuing him.
7. Nefertari Vivi

- Age: 18
- Bounty: –
Vivi is a bounty hunter and the princess of the Kingdom of Arabasta. She joined the Straw Hat Pirates and defeated the Baroque Works. After her father’s death, she went back to her kingdom, but she might be coming back soon to avenge him.
8. Vinsmoke Reiju

- Age: 24
- Bounty: –
The Princess of the Germa Kingdom also known as Poison Pink, Reiju is the commander of the Germa 66 army. In the Whole Cake Arc, Reiju teams up with the Straw Hat Pirates and even saves Luffy by sucking out the poison.
9. Perona

- Age: 25
- Bounty: –
With the Horo Horo no Mi devil fruit, Perona is one of the strongest female characters in One Piece. Her Devil Fruit grants her powers over ghosts who can hollow out a victim’s spirit. It’s a good thing she’s an ally of the Straw Hats.
10. Jewelry Bonney

- Age: 24
- Bounty: 140,000,000
Jewelry Bonney is the captain of the Bonney Pirates and a full-on glutton. She’s like a black hole for snacks and is often seen eating pizza during fights as well. But, she’s a strong pirate who’s much smarter than she comes across.
And that brings our guide to a close.
Do let us know what changes you’ll make to our picks and who are your favorite One Piece characters!