One Piece: Fans Are Turning On This Legendary Character

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Right from the start of *One Piece*, the author, Oda, made it clear how incredibly important Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, is. As the only pirate ever to hold that title, Roger is likely the most significant character in the series. He’s the one who kicked off the entire Great Pirate Era, famously announcing it with his final words while being executed.

For a long time, the story of Roger has consistently portrayed him as a hugely important character. But recently, as the flashback to the past began in the Elbaf arc of *One Piece*, some fans have started to favor another legendary figure from that time period, believing *they* deserve the recognition Roger has received. Let’s explore the reasons behind this shift in perspective.

Fans Have Seen A Different Side To Roger In The Elbaf Flashback

A Different Pirate King

First Appearance One Piece, Chapter 1, “Romance Dawn – The Dawn of Adventure”
Story Arc Romance Dawn

Fans have been eagerly waiting for a flashback exploring the early days of *One Piece*, featuring legendary characters like Roger, Garp, and Whitebeard at the height of their power. This long-awaited flashback finally started during the Elbaf arc, showing these powerful figures in their prime and revealing what the world was like back then.

A major point of disagreement among fans centers around a recent flashback featuring Roger. In Chapter 1156, we saw Roger’s first appearance in this flashback, which highlighted Shakky and the Kuja Pirates. The portrayal showed Roger as a lovestruck and somewhat naive young man, clearly infatuated with Shakky, who didn’t reciprocate his feelings. While intended as humor, and successful in that regard, many fans believe this diminished the powerful and imposing image of Roger that had been established earlier in the series.

When *One Piece* begins, Roger is presented as a legendary figure – both admired and feared – because he was the first and only Pirate King, and his power was unmatched. However, some fans now feel Oda has written him too similarly to Luffy, portraying him as a cheerful, easygoing pirate. This has led many to view Roger differently than they did initially.

Later, in chapter 1156, Roger and Garp had a fight. Although both were injured, many fans believed Garp’s punch to Roger’s face was particularly damaging and embarrassing, leading them to view Roger in a new light. The story continued to reveal that Roger still deeply loved Shakky, but she rejected him, ultimately ending up with his close friend.

This is where Roger, Garp, and Rocks – legendary figures from the early days of the Pirate Era – first fought as young men!

A recent shift in how fans view this character has led them to re-examine his earlier scenes. Many are now noticing what they see as flaws in his behavior. Specifically, fans are jokingly criticizing the Pirate King and his crew for possessing crucial knowledge about the world’s biggest threats, yet choosing to leave those problems for future generations to handle. There’s also a lot of discussion about how legendary figures died fighting the World Government, while Roger’s death was comparatively peaceful.

While it’s an exaggeration to call him a fraud, criticisms of Roger’s fighting ability are valid. Despite being known as incredibly strong, he often needed help or luck to win. He required Garp’s assistance to beat Xebec, never managed to defeat Whitebeard, won against Shiki only due to a freak storm, and even had to sneak around Big Mom instead of confronting her directly. These instances are leading some to question how strong Roger actually was.

Fans Think There’s Someone Else Who Deserves The Pirate King Title

The Greatest Pirate Of All Time

  • Xebec is generally considered the greatest pirate in history.

Davy D. Xebec embodies the classic image of a pirate more than anyone else. Despite fading from historical record, his actions in a short time have established him as a complex and incredibly powerful figure. He’s known for killing an Admiral, gathering the most formidable crew ever seen, and being the first to directly challenge the World Government.

Initially driven by a desire for ultimate power, he became a more well-rounded person after starting a family. This personal growth was actually the primary reason he ventured to God Valley, highlighting his complex and compelling character. Many fans believe that, considering his immense strength, bold personality, and lasting legacy, Davy D. Xebec deserves the title of the First Pirate King more than anyone else.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-09-27 19:50