One Piece: Oda Officially Confirms a God Level Female Character

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This article contains spoilers for the One Piece manga.

As a huge One Piece fan, I have to admit the series isn’t perfect. While Oda-sensei has created an incredible world and some truly fantastic characters, the female characters have sometimes felt a little underserved. It’s been a long-running criticism, and honestly, it’s been tough to see so few women demonstrate Conqueror’s Haki – especially with Big Mom now out of the picture after 28 years of story! But I’m getting seriously excited because it looks like Oda is finally addressing this! The latest arc is introducing Saint Gunko, and she’s shaping up to be an unbelievably powerful and complex villain – possibly one of the most dangerous people within the World Government! She’s set to be the main antagonist of the Elbaf arc, and from what we’ve seen, she’s truly a ‘God’s Blade’ – a force to be reckoned with. I think she’s going to be a game-changer!

Gunko is a God-Level Female Character Possibly The Strongest In The Story So Far

From the moment Gunko appeared in the Elbaf arc, she seemed incredibly strong, but fans were surprised by just *how* dangerous she’s become. Shamrock immediately emphasized her power, claiming she could defeat Loki, a pirate with a bounty of 2.6 billion berries. This initial display was impressive, but it quickly became clear Gunko is truly exceptional. Many now believe she’s Imu’s most trusted and powerful ally – essentially their right hand. It appears Imu can only use their abilities through Gunko, for reasons that are currently unknown.

In One Piece chapter 1160, Gunko was called “God’s Blade,” a very interesting designation. During the events on God Valley, people were wagering on her in one-on-one fights, even with incredibly powerful figures like Garling Figarland also competing. Gunko clearly distinguishes herself among the Holy Knights, and appears to be as strong as, or possibly even stronger than, characters like Garling and Shamrock.

One Piece’s Other Powerful Female Characters in the Final Saga

  • Big Mom’s Era is Over
  • Boa Hancock, Yamato, and Shirahoshi Will Show Their True Power

While Gunko is a powerful character, fans shouldn’t overlook other strong women in the final part of *One Piece*. Boa Hancock, in particular, is likely to be very important, as Oda has already established her significance and her strength surpasses that of characters like Gloriosa and Shakky. Yamato is also expected to participate in the final battle and demonstrate her abilities.

Following Charlotte Linlin’s defeat, Yamato and Hancock remain the only two known female characters who possess Conqueror’s Haki. Meanwhile, Shirahoshi, though often underestimated, has the potential to become incredibly powerful. As Poseidon, an ancient weapon, she’s destined to master control over the Sea Kings before the end of the *One Piece* story.

As a child, I dreamed of creating a manga with an incredibly exciting climax. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off! Now, after 25 years, we’re nearing the end of the Wano arc and everything is almost ready. You can jump into the story here if you like, because from this point on… it’s going to be the grand adventure of ONE PIECE! I’m going to reveal all the secrets of this world – it’s going to be a thrilling ride! So buckle up and please stick with me a little longer! – Eiichiro Oda, Author of One Piece, 2022

The next chapter of One Piece, Chapter 1161, will be released next week, as usual on Sundays. While it becomes available in Japan at midnight on Monday, most international fans will be able to read it on September 28th, 2025. The chapter will be available for free on Manga Plus.

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2025-09-24 01:34