The Strongest One Piece Characters

Created in 1997, One Piece has become the most popular anime'>anime franchise in Japan and has [...]

By Megan Peters - January 5, 2017 04:56 pm EST

Created in 1997, One Piece has become the most popular anime">anime franchise in Japan and has spread its reach to hundreds of countries. Creator Eiichiro Oda could have never expected his shonen series to become a worldwide hit, but the Straw Hat crew is not to be overlooked. The strong-willed group of vagabond pirates are as close as family and willing to fight to the death - and fight they do.

The long-running series has housed dozens of over-powered pirates who fight for whatever reason. May it be gold or the One Piece, a slew of characters make themselves known thanks to their supernatural strength and Devil Fruit powers. Seriously, Jack Sparrow and his Caribbean crew have nothing on these guys.

Here at ComicBook.com, we are listing some of the strongest characters from One Piece. So, take a seat and set sail for controversy; here are six of the most powerful characters from the franchise!

one-piece-film-z-screenshot — (Photo: ToeI Animation )

Monkey D Luffy

As the anime's protagonist, there is no way Luffy D. Monkey could not make this list. The raven-haired boy was introduced to fans as a naive swash-buckler who dreamed of becoming the King of Pirates. These days, Luffy is as every bit oblivious and open-minded as he was years ago, but he has gotten some major power boosts. After going head-to-head with Doflamingo in Dressrosa, Luffy is no doubt a force to be reckoned with. The elastic pirate is not only the captain of the Straw Hats, but he is the son of Dragon and brother to the notorious pirate Ace. Luffy has mastered techniques up to Gear Fourth and even Haki which allow him to adopt insane, unnatural fighting techniques. And, with his stubborn heart, Luffy is a shoe-in to become the King of Pirates by the time One Piece ends.

Shanks

Though the laissez-faire pirate may not look like it at first, Shanks is not a man to be messed with. As the captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks is known to have a good laugh, but he will not hesitate to destroy anyone who threatens his close friends. Having been part of the legendary Roger Pirates, Shank may not use her power to seek the One Piece, but he acts as Luffy's undeniable mentor - but that is not surprisingly. Plenty of people would look up to someone who can go against the fearsome pirate Whitebeard and live all for the sake of a little chit-chat.

Whitebeard - Edward Newgate

Speaking of Whitebeard, there is no denying that the older pirate is strong. Edward Newgate was one of the Four Emperors or Yonkos of One Piece, and he led the Whitebeard pirates with an iron fist. The sea-born soldier was unique because of his ability to use all three Haki forms, but it was his Devil Fruit gift that left enemies scared. Having ate the Gura-Gura no Mi, Whitebeard could create insanely strong shockwaves which could prompt all sorts of disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. When the pirate was taken down at Marineford, fans were stunned that the old man could be stopped.

Gura Gura no Mi Infobox — (Photo: Toei Animation )

Blackbeard - Marshall D Teach

Where there is Whitebeard, then Blackbeard is sure to follow. The putrid villain is one of the most memorable of One Piece, and characters in the anime feared saying his name. Blackbeard led a crew of pirates and was eventually named an Emperor after Whitebeard's passing. Gifted with an imposing stature and unbelievable strength, Marshall D. Teach has physical strength, but it was his supernatural powers that made him deadly. The terrifying admiral ate the Devil Fruit called Yami-Yami, and it gave him the power to create gravitational black holes that could crush anything. Not only that, but the pirate can even negate other Devil Fruit gifts and somehow managed to absorb Whitebeard's supernatural powers after the latter died. Seriously, he is a tough guy to beat.

Blackbeard Wake up! — (Photo: Toei Animation )

Kaido of the Beasts

What can you say about Kaido of the Beasts other than he is strong? As one of the Four Emperors, Kaido leads the Beast pirates and even had the all-powerful Doflamingo shaking in his boots. The latter would give Kaido Devil Fruits, and Doflamingo feared what would happen if he ever stopped. Clearly, Kadio and his legion of zombie pirates would take revenge, and that would not be good. Much of Kaido's past is shrouded in mystery, but fans learned more about him after the Dressrosa Saga ended. Kaido has had untold near-death experiences, and he has even failed to kill himself because of how hearty he is. Right now, Kaido seems nigh unbeatable in the world of One Piece.

Kaido Anime Infobox — (Photo: Toei Animation )

Gol D Rogers

Though he may not be alive anymore, there is one figure in One Piece who reigns as the most powerful, and that is none other than Gol D. Roger. The pirate was the original King of Pirates, and he was called such because of his insane power. When it came to battle, Roger was unstoppable and only two others even came close to matching his raw strength: Monkey D. Garp and Whitebeard. Skilled in swordsmanship and sharp-shooting, Roger is said to have taken on entire armies single-handedly and even fought with Shiki's massive pirate fleet during his youth. The only reason Roger died was because he allowed the Marines to capture him, and the Pirate King died a death befitting of his status.

Gol D. Roger Face Obscured — (Photo: Toei Animation )