Strongest One Piece Characters Right Now (September 2025)

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This article contains spoilers for the One Piece manga.

The story of *One Piece* is moving quickly now that the Elbaf arc has begun. As the author, Oda, predicted, there’s been a lot of action and upheaval, including an attack on Elbaf by the Holy Knights and the introduction of Imu as the arc’s primary villain. Fans are also learning the mysteries of God Valley, and as a result, getting a better understanding of who the strongest characters in *One Piece* are, such as Imu and Shanks.

Mihawk

The World’s Greatest Swordsman

Mihawk is widely considered the world’s greatest swordsman in the One Piece universe. He’s an exceptionally strong fighter who hasn’t even shown his full potential yet. Fans have seen him battle Shanks on equal footing, proving just how powerful he is.

Rayleigh

The Right Wing of the Pirate King

Silvers Rayleigh was the first mate to the late Pirate King, Roger. Though past his prime, Rayleigh remains incredibly powerful. He’s mastered all three types of Haki and has demonstrated the ability to fight an Admiral and even force a Yonko to retreat.

Gaban

The Left Wing of the Pirate King

Gaban, like Rayleigh, is quite elderly in *One Piece*, but he remains a powerful fighter, as demonstrated in Elbaf. He impressively defeated a Holy Knight with a single blow, showing that even seemingly immortal beings can be overcome. Gaban is considered Rayleigh’s equal and a peer to Roger, and fans are eager to see more of his abilities. He believes he was the second strongest member of the Roger Pirates, after Roger himself.

Blackbeard

A Powerful Yonko of the Sea

Blackbeard is a powerful and unique character in the world of *One Piece*, recognized as one of the Four Emperors (Yonko). His background is noteworthy, as he’s a descendant of both Davy D. Jones and Xebec, inheriting their powerful legacies. He stands out due to his ability to wield the powers of two Devil Fruits, combined with exceptional Haki.

Akainu

The Fleet Admiral of the Marines

Akainu is widely considered one of the most powerful characters in the Marines. He demonstrated his incredible strength by defeating Aokiji and subsequently becoming Fleet Admiral, placing him among the highest-ranking officials in the world of *One Piece*. His Devil Fruit, the Magu Magu no Mi, gives him the ability to control magma, making him a formidable opponent. Many fans are eagerly anticipating a future storyline where Akainu plays a central role.

Dragon

The Leader of the Revolutionary Army

Monkey D. Dragon, who leads the Revolutionary Army, is incredibly powerful, though fans haven’t seen him fight yet. His abilities are currently unknown, but the events unfolding in God Valley may soon reveal them. It’s clear he’s a force to be reckoned with, on par with the strongest pirates – the Yonko.

Luffy

The Nika of The Third World

Monkey D. Luffy, the main character of One Piece, has become much stronger throughout the recent story arcs. Currently, his most significant power boost is Gear 5, a transformation he achieved during his fight with Kaido. He’s also mastered all three types of advanced Haki, making him incredibly powerful. While he’s still developing, Luffy is already one of the strongest fighters in the series.

Gorosei

The World Government’s Most Powerful Force

The Gorosei, or Five Elders, are among the most formidable villains in *One Piece*. Ranking second only to Imu within the World Government, their power is undeniable. They possess immortality, combined with potent Yokai abilities and mastery of all forms of Haki, making them virtually unstoppable in battle.

Imu

The Secret Sovereign of the World

When discussing the most powerful characters in *One Piece*, Imu Nerona is a name that always comes up – and they might be the strongest character in the series. Imu possesses mastery of all forms of Haki and a formidable Devil Fruit ability. They secretly control the world of *One Piece*, and have recently appeared on Elbaf through Gunko, showcasing incredibly impressive powers.

Shanks

Red Haired Yonko

When it comes to the Four Emperors in *One Piece*, most fans agree that Shanks is the strongest. As the only remaining Emperor from the previous generation, he’s consistently demonstrated immense power, making him one of the series’ most formidable characters. Despite not possessing a Devil Fruit, Shanks is considered the most skilled Haki user currently, and arguably one of the greatest of all time.

I’m so hyped! One Piece Chapter 1161 is coming out this week, as always on Sundays. For those in Japan, it’ll be available at midnight on Monday, but the rest of us internationally can expect it on September 28th! That’s the official release date, and the best part is, you can read it for free on Manga Plus. Can’t wait!

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2025-09-27 05:35