One Piece’s main narrative revolves around the adventures of pirates racing to claim the world’s most precious treasure. While its story primarily focuses on individuals coming together as a crew to pursue a shared goal, it also embodies the idea of freedom from societal constraints. Yet, throughout its long run, One Piece has consistently woven in elements that ground these pirates in familiar human experiences, most notably, family. In particular, the series places a strong emphasis on fatherhood and the impact fathers have on their children’s lives.
Videos by ComicBook.com
One Piece has no shortage of fathers, depicted in diverse and memorable ways, even though it isn’t the series’ central focus. Even in the current arc, the story continues to introduce fathers that fans never expected to see. Over time, the series has reached new heights in portraying father figures, and with that in mind, here are the 10 best dads in One Piece.
10) Rocks D. Xebec
Rocks D. Xebec, long described as the most nefarious pirate in recent history, is finally receiving a full reveal in One Piece through a flashback. While the story initially paints him as a villain, he quickly proves to be very different from what fans expected. Though rowdy, he holds deeper motives that stand in opposition to the World Government’s ideology. However, the latest revelations retcon the God Valley incident, implying that Rocks is not truly a villain but also a devoted husband and father.
As everyone heads toward God Valley to rescue Shakky, Rocks goes there to save his wife and child, Marshall D. Teach. Since it is already revealed that this is where he will meet his demise, it suggests that he dies protecting his family. For this twist, Rocks deserves recognition, and with more revelations, he may prove to be an even greater father and person than fans ever imagined.
9) Senior Pink
Not every father in One Piece gets to live with their child and partner. Some are very different, like Senor Pink, a minor antagonist from the Dressrosa Arc who left a striking impact on fans because of his actions as a father and husband. His story is tragic; he lied to his wife about being a pirate to keep her safe, but everything fell apart when their newborn child died of illness, leaving his wife in a vegetative state.
In an effort to make her smile again, Senor Pink began dressing as a baby, a habit he continued even after her passing. His actions show the strength of a man willing to do anything to bring joy to his wife, proving himself a devoted husband. At the same time, his choice to keep wearing the baby outfit reveals that he has never moved past his child’s death, using his attire as a way to cope with the tragedy. This implies that Senor Pink could have been one of the best fathers in One Piece had he been given the chance.
8) Scopper Gaban
Scopper Gaban, the left hand of the Pirate King, also received some screentime at the start of the Elbaf arc, where it became clear that Gaban embodies the kind of father anyone would hope for. The Elbaf arc sets up a looming threat in which Gaban single-handedly proves he is still capable of taking on formidable enemies, yet his greatest weakness is revealed to be his child, Colon.
Colon was among the children kidnapped by the God Knights, and in his attempt to rescue them, Gaban could have prevailed in battle, but chose instead to take the attack upon himself to protect his child. This is exactly the kind of action expected from a true father, and given how often One Piece has portrayed poor examples of dads, Gaban deserves recognition for fulfilling the role so well.
7) Shimotsuki Yasuie
Shimotsuki Yasuie, one of the most underrated characters from One Piece’s Wano arc, also stands out as one of the best fathers. He adopted his daughter, Toko, who was abandoned by her birth parents, and gave her the best shelter he could while also standing up against Kaido and Orochi’s tyranny. His greatness as a father lies not only in adopting Toko but also in the sacrifice he made for her.
When Toko ate the SMILE devil fruit out of hunger, losing the ability to express true emotions, Yasuie also ate the fruit so that his daughter would not feel alone. This act turned into an unparalleled depiction of parental love in the series, one of the most powerful moments in its own right.
6) Kyros
Kyros’s actions as a father are unlike those of any other character on this list. While others could openly serve as father figures to their children, Kyros, after being turned into a toy, fulfilled his role for ten years without ever being recognized for it.
For a decade, he watched over his daughter Rebecca, guiding her growth and protecting her from the shadows, an act unmatched by any other father in One Piece. That’s why it is so satisfying to see Kyros finally restored to human form, able to live peacefully with his daughter just as he had always wished.
5) Nefertari Cobra
Nefertari Cobra’s portrayal in the series is clearly that of a father, even though he is also the king of a great nation. While he fulfills his duty as a king, his true identity lies in his role as a father to Vivi, especially when compared to other royal fathers like Sabo’s, who only displayed selfishness.
What makes Cobra stand out is his ability to empower Vivi, unlike King Neptune, who tended to overprotect his daughter. Cobra gives off the aura of a cool dad who is always rooting for his child, which is why Vivi has grown into such a bold and strong person.
4) Whitebeard
Whitebeard, whose real name is Edward Newgate, is perhaps the most unique and kind-hearted pirate in One Piece, as his main motive for becoming a pirate was to create a family and give them the parental love he never had. An orphan himself, Whitebeard offered a home to many others, including Marco and Portgas D. Ace, even going so far as to start a war against the Navy to save the latter.
The fact that so many notable pirates called him “Father” and were willing to die for him shows the immense fatherly role Whitebeard played. His most defining moment came during the Marineford War when Squard betrayed him out of fear, only for Whitebeard to console him like a son and forgive him. His actions during Marineford cement Whitebeard as one of the greatest father figures in the series.
3) Zeff
Zeff from One Piece is one of the first true father figures fans encounter, and his role in shaping Sanji has made him one of the favorite characters. The “Red-Leg” pirate is initially portrayed as a harsh, heartless chef who demands nothing but perfection from his crew, especially Sanji. However, his flashback reveals that Zeff became the father Sanji never had, making the ultimate sacrifice by eating his own leg to survive on a remote island while giving all the food to Sanji.
Zeff also reignites the passion Sanji had nearly lost due to feeling deeply indebted to him for saving his life. Through tough love, Zeff fulfills the role of a great father, and his sacrifice stands as one of the most powerful in the series, fully deserving such a high rank.
2) Dr. Hiriluk
Dr. Hiriluk from One Piece is yet another example of how to be a great father; one doesn’t need to be biologically related, but the drive must come from within. Hiriluk, the father figure to Tony Tony Chopper, is essentially the person who shaped what fans love about the adorable human reindeer. While everyone else saw Chopper as a monster, Hiriluk embraced him as his own and taught him the craft of medicine, setting him on the path to save others.
His greatest act, however, came after accidentally eating the poisonous mushroom Chopper had given him. Hiriluk turned that tragedy into one of the saddest yet most meaningful moments of the series, leaving behind lasting wisdom. Though his role in the story was brief, his impact as a father remains powerful, and thankfully, fans will get to experience this moment again in the upcoming One Piece Season 2.
1) Bartholomew Kuma
Bartholomew Kuma is not only the best dad in One Piece but also one of the greatest fathers the anime industry has ever seen. The impact of his devotion to his daughter is undeniable, and a testament to this is how fans worldwide celebrated Kuma’s role as a father figure by recreating the dance he shares with Jewelry Bonney. It is clear why Kuma secures the title of the best dad; his unwavering devotion and willingness to go to any length to protect his child is a sentiment any father or parent could resonate with.
What makes Kuma an even greater father is that he isn’t Bonney’s biological parent, once again proving that it isn’t blood that defines a father, but their actions. Despite knowing nothing but hardship throughout his life, Kuma chose to give a vulnerable child a better future. No other father in One Piece comes close to the way Kuma embraced this role, cementing him as the best dad in the series.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Want to stay up to date on the biggest geek entertainment news? Add us as a preferred source in Google – HERE.
Most Viewed
-
Image Courtesy of Ufotable -
Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics
