One Piece is a Japanese manga series written by Eiichiro Oda that has been serialized since 1997 in Weekly Shōnen Jump. It follows Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they explore the Grand Line in search of the legendary treasure “One Piece” to become the next Pirate King. The series has expanded into a media franchise, with an anime adaptation by Toei Animation, films, video games, and merchandise. It holds the Guinness World Record for the most published copies by a single author, with over 516.6 million copies in circulation worldwide as of 2022, making it the best-selling manga and comic series in book form. Praised for its storytelling, world-building, and characters, One Piece has broken several publishing records.
The world of One Piece features various races and is governed by the authoritarian World Government, with the Navy as its military arm. The series emphasizes moral ambiguity, with pirates challenging the government’s control. Supernatural elements such as Devil Fruits and Haki give characters extraordinary abilities. The world is divided into four seas by the Red Line mountain range and the Grand Line, a dangerous sea filled with pirates and mysteries, making travel between regions difficult.
One Piece Key Characters
- Monkey D. Luffy – Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, aiming to become the Pirate King.
- Roronoa Zoro – Swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, dreams of being the world’s greatest swordsman.
- Nami – Navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates, skilled in cartography and weather manipulation.
- Usopp – Sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates, known for his lies and sharpshooting skills.
- Sanji – Cook of the Straw Hat Pirates, skilled in martial arts, particularly with his legs.
- Tony Tony Chopper – Doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates, a reindeer with human abilities.
- Nico Robin – Archaeologist of the Straw Hat Pirates, seeking the truth about the Void Century.
- Franky – Shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates, a cyborg with incredible strength.
- Brook – Musician of the Straw Hat Pirates, a skeleton with the power of the Revive-Revive Fruit.
- Jinbe – Helmsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, a fish-man and master of Fish-Man Karate.
- Shanks – One of the Four Emperors, a legendary pirate and Luffy’s role model.
- Portgas D. Ace – Luffy’s adopted brother, former commander of Whitebeard’s second division.
- Gol D. Roger – The former Pirate King, the man who started the Great Pirate Era.
- Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) – One of the Four Emperors, a ruthless pirate and major antagonist.
- Edward Newgate (Whitebeard) – Former Emperor and one of the strongest pirates ever, father figure to his crew.
- Trafalgar D. Water Law – Captain of the Heart Pirates, an ally of Luffy and user of the Op-Op Fruit.
- Boa Hancock – Pirate Empress, captain of the Kuja Pirates, and one of the Seven Warlords.
- Donquixote Doflamingo – Former Warlord and major antagonist, controls strings with his Devil Fruit.
- Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom) – One of the Four Emperors, a powerful pirate with control over souls.
- Kaido – One of the Four Emperors, known as the world’s strongest creature.
- Sabo – Luffy’s brother and Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army.
- Kuzan (Aokiji) – Former Marine Admiral, now a pirate with the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit.
- Sakazuki (Akainu) – Fleet Admiral of the Marines, known for his strict justice.
- Borsalino (Kizaru) – Marine Admiral, wields the power of the Light-Light Fruit.
- Monkey D. Garp – Luffy’s grandfather, a legendary Marine hero.
- Dracule Mihawk – The world’s greatest swordsman and former Warlord of the Sea.
- Buggy the Clown – Former member of Roger’s crew, now a pirate with the power to split his body.
- Crocodile – Former Warlord, controls sand with the Sand-Sand Fruit.
- Nefertari Vivi – Princess of Alabasta and former member of the Straw Hats.
- Bartholomew Kuma – Former Warlord and revolutionary, now a cyborg controlled by the World Government.
- Enel – Former God of Skypiea, controls lightning with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
- Rob Lucci – CP0 member, former CP9 leader and one of Luffy’s toughest opponents.
- Koby – Marine officer, once trained with Luffy, now a rising star in the Marines.
- Helmeppo – Marine officer, son of Captain Morgan, and Koby’s partner.
- Smoker – Marine vice admiral, constantly pursuing Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates.
- Tashigi – Marine captain and swordsman, often paired with Smoker.
- Vinsmoke Judge – Leader of Germa 66 and Sanji’s father, a major antagonist during the Whole Cake Island arc.
- Charlotte Katakuri – Big Mom’s son, one of the Sweet Commanders, and a formidable opponent for Luffy.
- Shirahoshi – The giant mermaid princess of the Ryugu Kingdom and an Ancient Weapon, Poseidon.
- Pudding – Big Mom’s daughter, has the power to manipulate memories.
- Kin’emon – Samurai of Wano and a retainer of the Kozuki family.
- Kozuki Oden – Legendary samurai, former leader of Wano, and key figure in the story’s backstory.
- Yamato – Kaido’s child, self-identifies as Kozuki Oden, and an ally to Luffy.
- Perona – Former crew member of Gecko Moria, controls ghosts with the Hollow-Hollow Fruit.
- Gecko Moria – Former Warlord, controls shadows with the Shadow-Shadow Fruit.
- Shiryu – Blackbeard’s second-in-command, a former head jailer of Impel Down.
- Cavendish – Captain of the Beautiful Pirates and ally of Luffy.
- Bartolomeo – Captain of the Barto Club and a huge fan of Luffy.
- Hody Jones – Main antagonist of the Fish-Man Island arc, leader of the New Fish-Man Pirates.
- Caesar Clown – A scientist who worked for Doflamingo, controls gas with the Gas-Gas Fruit.