One Piece Characters Whose Reputation Has Changed Drastically Over The Years

Summary

One Piece characters are slowly recontextualized across decades, with reveals that repeatedly flipped fan perceptions.
Some prominent characters gained heroism (like Roger, Usopp or Franky), which made them significantly more popular.
Bartholomew Kuma and Rocks D. Xebec were initially introduced as antagonists, but their reputation changed drastically after their backstories were revealed.

With over 1,159 manga chapters and 1,142 anime episodes, One Piece is easily one of the longest stories ever told. Because the series has been running for more than twenty-eight years, the way fans view some of its most famous characters has changed a lot over time.

Eiichiro Oda, the creator of *One Piece*, is known for cleverly misleading readers about his characters. He often presents them initially as enigmatic, frightening, or even villainous, but then reveals important details about their past or has them perform heroic acts much later in the story. This completely changes how fans view them. Throughout the series, this has happened with many characters, but these eight are the most famous examples.

Gol D. Roger

From Mysterious Historic Figure To Heroic Pirate Captain

Debut:Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)

Gol D. Roger, the first Pirate King and the one who set the entire story of *One Piece* in motion, is a great example of a character whose image changed a lot over time. When he was first introduced in the series, he was presented as a mysterious figure – almost completely unknown, with no details about his past or who he was as a person.

Roger’s image began to shift as details about his history and connections to famous pirates like Shiki and Whitebeard surfaced during the Marineford Arc. However, his reputation truly transformed during the Wano Country Arc, particularly in the flashback featuring Kouzuki Oden. This extended sequence showed Roger as a surprisingly cheerful and fun-loving, yet immensely strong, pirate captain who had a close and friendly relationship with his crew-much like Monkey D. Luffy.

Usopp

From Lying Coward To Courageous Sniper

Debut:Chapter 23 (Manga) Episode 8 (Anime)

Okay, so I’ve been a huge *One Piece* fan for years, and honestly? A lot of us didn’t get Usopp at first. His introduction in the Syrup Village arc… well, it’s kind of known as one of the slower parts of the series. And his whole thing – being a bit of a scaredy-cat who constantly tells tall tales – it wore thin pretty quickly for a lot of us. It just didn’t really click right away!

For much of the story, Usopp was a consistently likable character, but fans’ opinions of him shifted significantly during the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs. These arcs revealed a more serious, brave, and self-assured side of Usopp, highlighted by his fight with Luffy and his defiant act of burning the World Government flag. Even those who previously criticized Usopp acknowledge he became a truly compelling character during those arcs, and he continued to have strong moments later on, such as defeating Sugar in Dressrosa.

Smoker

From Respected Marine Captain To Someone Who Can’t Keep Up With The New World

Debut:Chapter 97 (Manga) Episode 48 (Anime)

While many characters have seen their popularity grow, Smoker is a notable exception. He was initially very well-liked, particularly during the Loguetown and Arabasta arcs, where he was portrayed as a strong, principled marine captain who opposed corruption within the World Government. He also made a big impact as the first character introduced who possessed a Logia-type Devil Fruit ability, allowing him to go head-to-head with formidable opponents like Ace, Luffy, and Boa Hancock.

Things took a downturn for Smoker after the time-skip. Despite his promotion to Vice-Admiral and learning Haki, he started losing battles, particularly during the Punk Hazard arc. Consecutive defeats against opponents like Law, Caesar Clown, Vergo, and Doflamingo led many *One Piece* fans to view him as a weak character who wasn’t suited for the New World. However, recent developments suggest Smoker may become important again, and he could potentially regain his strength and popularity in the future.

Nico Robin

From Murderous Femme Fatale To Beloved Member Of The Straw Hats

Debut:Chapter 114 (Manga) Episode 67 (Anime)

Nico Robin, like many popular characters in *One Piece*, started out as a villain. When she was first introduced as Miss All Sunday, she was a key member of the Baroque Works organization and was even believed to have murdered Igaram. Because of this, most fans initially saw her as a cold and ruthless character.

Despite initially seeming villainous during the Arabasta Arc, Robin consistently demonstrated her goodness. She rescued Luffy after his defeat by Crocodile and was later proven innocent of Igaram’s supposed murder. Even after joining the Straw Hat Pirates, she remained enigmatic, but her crucial role and heartbreaking story in the Enies Lobby Arc solidified her as a beloved character. Today, she’s consistently ranked among the most popular characters in *One Piece*.

Bartholomew Kuma

From Terrifying Warlord Of The Sea To The Best Father In The Series

Debut:Chapter 233 (Manga) Episode 151 (Anime)

Bartholomew Kuma is a character in *One Piece* whose image has dramatically evolved. He first appeared as a powerful Warlord of the Sea, similar to Crocodile and Doflamingo, and was feared as the “Tyrant of Sorbet Kingdom.” His robotic body parts and unique Devil Fruit ability made him incredibly strong. However, viewers began to see him differently when he risked everything to protect the Straw Hat Pirates from Kizaru during the Sabaody Archipelago Arc.

For decades, Kuma’s history and what drove him remained a puzzle. Then, during the Egghead Arc, we finally got to see his story, along with his daughter Jewelry Bonney, in a dedicated flashback. It was incredibly moving to learn that beneath his intimidating exterior, Kuma was a genuinely kind and selfless person. He’d endured so much hardship, yet still prioritized helping others, ultimately making the devastating choice to give up his humanity to save Bonney. In a surprisingly short amount of time, Kuma went from being a shadowy figure to one of the most sympathetic, tragic, and respected characters in the whole series.

Franky

From Despicable Gangster To Lovable Cyborg

Debut:Chapter 329 (Manga) Episode 233 (Anime)

Like Nico Robin, Franky was first presented as an enemy, but his introduction was even more shocking. He led the Franky Family, a group known for dismantling ships and collecting bounties, and they initially attacked Usopp, stealing all his money. Even though he looked unusual, Franky acted like a tough criminal for much of the Water 7 and Enies Lobby storylines, continuing this behavior even after joining forces with the Straw Hats to fight against CP9.

Initially reserved, Franky gradually became more comfortable with the Straw Hat Pirates. By the time the crew reunited after their two-year separation, he’d mostly abandoned his tough exterior. Now, he’s known for being his genuine self – a playful, humorous, and clever cyborg shipwright who’s great with children, but fiercely determined when facing opponents. This transformation has made him a fan favorite and a truly beloved member of the Straw Hat crew.

Doctor Vegapunk

From Mad Scientist To Goofy Genius Who Wants To Change The World

Debut:Chapter 1061 (Manga) Episode 1090 (Anime)

For decades, people both within the story and in the real world have heard rumors about Doctor Vegapunk, a brilliant scientist working for the World Government. Though largely unknown, he’s believed to be responsible for many of the biggest technological breakthroughs in the *One Piece* world, including creating objects that can use Devil Fruit powers, the Pacifista robots, and the special Seastone used on Marine ships.

I, like many others, initially saw Doctor Vegapunk as a cold, villainous scientist happily serving the World Government. But when he finally appeared in the Egghead Arc, I was surprised! He’s actually quite goofy and kind, and it turns out his goal is to provide free energy to everyone. He continues to work with the World Government simply because they’re the only ones who can finance his incredibly ambitious projects. Honestly, in just one arc, Vegapunk won over a lot of fans and quickly became one of the most compelling characters in *One Piece*.

Rocks D. Xebec

From The Most Evil Pirate In History To Ambitious Freedom Fighter

Debut:Chapter 957 (Manga) Episode 958 (Anime)

Rocks D. Xebec was first presented as the captain of the incredibly dangerous Rocks Pirates, a crew that once included powerful figures like Big Mom, Kaido, and Whitebeard. He was so strong that it took both Roger and Garp working together to defeat him at the God Valley Incident. For a long time, fans believed this and saw Rocks as one of the most villainous characters in the series.

Recently, the Elbaf Arc has allowed manga readers to form their own opinions about Rocks D. Xebec through a detailed flashback that’s currently unfolding. Surprisingly, this flashback has shown Rocks to be a character who, despite being violent and ruthless, deeply cared for his friends and family. It’s also revealed he knew about Imu and actively tried to overthrow the World Government. While it’s possible he still committed actions that led to his infamous reputation, fans now view Rocks D. Xebec in a completely new and more sympathetic way.

2025-09-14 16:36