One Piece plays host to some of the most compelling characters in anime. There are over one thousand amazing characters to choose from, but a few characters stand out as the best and most lovable in this entire pirate saga. When it comes to fan-favorites, anime lovers often look beyond power and importance within the story. Still, there’s no denying that many of One Piece‘s most popular characters play a major role in both the anime and manga.
Whether it’s their style and flair, their charisma and personality, or simply the way they interact with the characters around them, many of One Piece‘s most outstanding characters leave a lasting impression. Whether they be tall-tale-telling underdogs like Usopp or rugged, emotionally distant warriors like Zoro, these characters resonate with fans, and many of them have stood out among their peers since the anime’s earliest days.
Updated on June 10, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: Now that the One Piece anime is airing again, fans are eager to see where the next leg of the Straw Hats’ journey takes them. New characters frequently appear, although the series’ most beloved fan-favorites tend to be those with the most screen time. As such, this article was updated with more of the most beloved characters from the series and to reflect CBR’s current style guide.
20 Captain Blackbeard Is the Villain Fans Love to Hate
First Appearance: Episode 146, "Quit Dreaming! Mock Town, the Town of Ridicule!"
Captain Blackbeard is one of the main antagonists in One Piece. Many fans theorize that Luffy will fight Blackbeard for the One Piece at the end of the series. Either way, Blackbeard is one of the most powerful villains in the series and is shrouded in mystery. Somehow, Blackbeard can use multiple devil fruits at one time, which definitely helps set him apart from other equally dangerous antagonists.
Captain Blackbeard is popular not because he’s sympathetic, but because he is a colorful and flamboyant villain who feels right at home in One Piece. He is delightfully dramatic and wicked, allowing Blackbeard to steal any scene with his ruthless ways and disruptive antics as a captain who holds nothing sacred. That would make Blackbeard annoying and tiresome in other anime, but One Piece has a different style, one that makes Blackbeard fun, memorable, and villainous all at once.
19 Usopp Is One of the Most Underrated Anime Underdogs
First Appearance: Episode 9, "The Honorable Liar? Captain Usopp!"
From the moment he joined the Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp has been adored by fans, although he’s also called «the liar» because of his habit of stretching the truth. Lies or not, Usopp’s heart and dedication quickly caught the attention of One Piece fans. Usopp dreams of becoming a brave warrior of the sea, and fans are eager to watch him complete his journey.
Usopp’s character is meant to show how anyone can follow their dreams, even people who are perceived as weak. Throughout the series, Usopp has proven time and time again why he is a member of the Straw Hats. Though many of his enemies underestimate him, Usopp somehow always gains the upper hand in battle. Usopp is a brilliant sniper and has earned his role in the Straw Hat crew, all while driving some of the best comedy. Overall, it’s Usopp’s underdog narrative that makes him so likable.
18 Yamato Continues the Legacy of Kozuki Oden
Debut: Episode 972, "The End of the Battle! Oden vs. Kaidou!"
Born initially to Kaido as a daughter, Yamato was burdened with the responsibility of succeeding his father, Kaido. Much to the villain’s displeasure, however, Yamato discovered how supremely cool Kozuki Oden was. Upon personally witnessing Oden’s heroic sacrifice, Yamato vowed to become Oden, effectively referring to himself as such. Regardless of gender and nomenclature, Yamato soon proved to be a phenomenally noble character and one of the strongest to boot.
Fans were awed when Yamato went toe-to-toe with his father, although Kaido may have been holding back against his son. Further, the fact that Yamato knew and cared about Ace was even more endearing to the fandom. Luffy immediately recognized Yamato as a friend and ally, and the Straw Hats soon followed suit. Yamato hasn’t appeared much since the end of the Wano arc, but he’s likely to reappear when the stakes call for it.
17 Monkey D. Garp Is Both Luffy's Mirror and Foil
First Appearance: Episode 68, "Try Hard, Koby! Diary of Koby-Meppo's Marine Struggles"
Luffy’s grandfather Monkey D. Garp is appealing for a few reasons, including his mixed thematic and personal bond with Luffy himself. Interestingly, Garp is both Luffy’s opposite and totally the same, being a strong, down-to-earth fighter with a wacky sense of humor. It’s easy to remember and like Garp if he’s paradoxically just like Luffy and also his mortal enemy as a Navy man.
Also, Garp is liked by the fandom because he fulfills one of anime’s most amusing archetypes: the «tough old man» trope. Characters like Garp only get stronger and cooler as they age, combining gray hair with unbelievable strength and astonishing physical feats anime fans would expect from much younger men. One example was how Garp casually threw cannonballs at Luffy’s ship with his bare hands, equalling the force of a cannonball shot from a proper cannon.
16 Jinbe Is a Blend of Serious Wisdom & Kindly Mentorship
Debut: Episode 430, "A Warlord in Prison! Jinbe the Knight of the Sea"
Every shonen anime needs a wise mentor, and Jinbe fulfills that role for Luffy as well as the other Straw Hats. As the last member to join the crew, Jinbe refused to break faith with Big Mom before accepting Luffy’s offer, highlighting his unquestionable honor. One of the central contentions within the One Piece world is the prejudice faced by non-human creatures, such as the Fish-Men, and Jinbe desires to build a society where everyone is equal.
Jinbe held one of the most prestigious positions in the World Government, but he never once thought himself superior because he was a Warlord of the Sea. Despite his overwhelming raw power and Fish-Man Karate skills, Jinbe is arguably the most humble character in One Piece, serving as the Straw Hats’ helmsman. While Jinbe played a relatively minor role in the Egghead Arc, it’s clear that the First Knight of the Sea will take the spotlight soon enough.
15 Kozuki Oden Risks Everything to Protect His People
First Appearance: Episode 910, "A Legendary Samurai! The Man Who Roger Admired!"
Even though Kozuki Oden only appeared in flashbacks in the Wano story arc, by One Piece standards, he has already become immensely popular. Oden risked everything to protect Wano from Kaido, even humiliating himself in public. Unfortunately, due to outside interference, Oden was defeated. He then saved all of his friends from execution, by boiling in their place.
Oden saving his friends is one of the most emotionally moving moments in the series. Before fighting Kaido, Oden traveled the world with pirates Whitebeard and Gold Roger, the two most important pirates in history. Oden’s deep ties to the story and his dedication to his friends are just some of the reasons he is beloved by fans. Despite his honorable death, Kozuki Oden lives on through Yamato.
14 Sabo Glowed Up as a Revolutionary Hero
First Appearance: Episode 494, "Enter Sabo! The Boy From Gray Terminal"
Sabo is popular for similar reasons as characters like Nico Robin: he moved past his difficult circumstances thanks to the goodness in his heart and sheer will. Sabo could have ended up as yet another arrogant and abusive noble, but he joined Luffy and Ace as their foster brother, proving that friendship is thicker than blood, even noble blood.
Sabo had all the makings of a shonen hero with his brash attitude, his desire to do good for others, and his courage, but he seemingly died before he could make something of himself. Then, Sabo returned as a heroic young man in the Dressrosa saga, a glorious and heartfelt return that secured his position as one of the most popular One Piece characters. Surprise comebacks like these tend to make a character more memorable and fun, especially with the emotional impact of Luffy seeing a friend return from the dead.
13 Captain Whitebeard's Death Is Crucial for Starting a New Era
First Appearance: Episode 151, "100 Million Man! World's Greatest Power and Pirate Black Beard!"
Captain Whitebeard is one of the most powerful characters in One Piece. During the Marineford arc, Whitebeard staged an attack on Navy headquarters to free Portgas D. Ace, and although he was ultimately unsuccessful, Whitebeard’s war against Marineford is a big reason fans adore him. The Strongest Man in the World bravely took on the entire Navy in an epic battle and risked his life just to save one imperiled crewmate, which is highly commendable.
When he realized he was going to die at Marineford, Whitebeard announced that the One Piece was real and not a myth as many believe. Whitebeard then died standing, a testament to his immense power. This classic One Piece moment is one of the many reasons that Whitebeard is loved by fans. Just having one attention-grabbing, ultra-dramatic moment like that is sometimes enough to make someone a popular character in their anime.
12 Sanji Is a Kicking Chef With a Punk Attitude
First Appearance: Episode 20, "The Famous Cook! Sanji of the Floating Restaurant"
Vinsmoke Sanji is popular for more reasons than his membership in the «monster trio» in Luffy’s crew or his ample screen time in One Piece. To begin with, Sanji’s personal arc is a heartfelt one, with him fleeing his cruel father Judge and cooking alongside Chef Zeff as a foster father/son duo. That helped define not just Sanji’s strong arc, but also the Baratie and Whole Cake story arcs, too.
That serious side of Sanji’s arc is nicely balanced by his humorous side, although his exaggerated obsession with women verges on problematic territory. He may get carried away at times, but fans find most of his antics funny. Also, Sanji stands out thanks to his kick-based fighting style, a welcome break from all the punches and swords used in the anime. It’s for a good reason: so Sanji the chef doesn’t injure the hands he uses for cooking.
11 Jewelry Bonney Has Recently Become a Fan-Favorite
Debut: Episode 392, "New Rivals Gather! The 11 Supernovas"
Big Eater Jewelry Bonney is probably the only character in One Piece capable of devouring food at the same elite level as Luffy. Both of them have seemingly endless gullets and insatiable gullets. Considering the general lack of female representation in anime, however, it initially seemed like Bonney was a diversity addition. On the contrary, she has turned out to be a remarkably complex character with a backstory as powerful as her Devil Fruit.
Anime-only fans are currently watching Bonney’s heroism on Egghead Island, with the most recent episodes showing her past with Bartholomew Kuma, another fan-favorite character. Fans who only liked Bonney began to love her character after seeing the overwhelming powers at her disposal. Unlike any other Devil Fruit in One Piece, Bonney’s Age-Age Fruit can transcend reality and common sense. There’s no limit to how far she can go, and Bonney’s only 12 years old.
