One Piece: Defeated Villains, Where Are They Now?

Highlights

Major villains like Arlong and Wapol unlikely to return, while others like Crocodile and Moria have ongoing relevance.
Enel and Hody Jones are unlikely to make a comeback due to their defeats and current situations.
Characters like Caesar Clown and Donquixote Doflamingo may have future plot relevance, potentially joining or forming new alliances.

As a long-time fanatic of the One Piece series, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing some truly epic battles and character arcs that have left me absolutely captivated. Among these, the fates of three formidable adversaries – the Straw Hat Pirate captive, Big Mom, and Kaido – have sparked quite a debate among fans like myself.

In this ongoing tale, One Piece is renowned for its ever-changing roster of adversaries. Frequently, significant villains do not meet their end, instead surviving to possibly impact future events within the narrative. This study aims to examine each major antagonist in the story, their fate post-defeat, and whether they might reappear as crucial elements in the broader plot of the series if they haven’t done so already.

In future installments of the series, it’s unlikely that some main antagonists won’t reappear, while others may have already made a comeback or are destined to resurface in the broader storyline. It’s even possible that these returning villains could encounter the Straw Hat Pirates once more.

12 Arlong

Imprisoned: Location Unclear

One Piece: Defeated Villains, Where Are They Now?

Arlong is a fish-man who leads the Arlong Pirates and serves as the main antagonist during the Arlong Park Arc. Much like some powerful humans harbor racist views against fish-men, Arlong sees his kind as superior to humans. His actions, including the destruction of Nami’s hometown and the kidnapping of her, were particularly noteworthy. The Straw Hat Pirates ultimately defeated him, with each member of his crew either falling to Luffy or one of his companions. Arlong, along with most of his pirate crew, was then apprehended by the authorities. There is no record of him being seen after his arrest, suggesting he may have been imprisoned in a place like Impel Down, given that he had the highest bounty in East Blue at the time of his capture.

Through flashbacks, it is revealed that he had returned, enriching his character. As a young adult, he harbored deep prejudice against humans, even teaching fish-man children to despise them. He served as a crew member under the legendary fish-man pirate, Fisher Tiger, who was once a slave. His contempt for humans intensified when Tiger was betrayed while trying to rescue a human slave girl. This betrayal led to Tiger’s death, and he refused a human blood transfusion, expressing his wish that fish-man children would remain uninfluenced by such negative attitudes towards humans. Arlong was imprisoned for attempting to kill the humans he believed were responsible for Tiger’s demise. He eventually parted ways with Jinbe after their crewmate became a warlord, despite this status being instrumental in his release from prison.

Originally, Hatchan – who was the only member of the crew to successfully evade capture – underwent a transformation into a more compassionate individual. He expressed his regret over the suffering inflicted on Nami by Arlong, and when he encountered the Straw Hat Pirates again, he chose to assist them. At present, it appears that Arlong himself may not reappear.

11 Wapol

On the Run

The former ruler of the Sakura Kingdom, once known as the Drum Kingdom, was infamously recognized for his ruthless behavior, cowardice, and insatiable avarice. He showed these traits by abandoning the kingdom during a pirate assault, and manipulating or expelling its medical professionals to personally reap the benefits of any medical treatments. Wapol’s Devil Fruit, the Baku Baku no Mi, granted him the ability to consume and incorporate almost everything, which might symbolize his ambitions. Eventually, he was vanquished by the Straw Hat Pirates, with his former bodyguard, Dalton, taking over power.

In a turn of events, Wapol was banished from his own kingdom yet again. To cope with his circumstances, he frequently indulged in excessive eating. His life took a downturn, and he became homeless. As he rummaged through garbage for food, it happened that toys accidentally emerged as a byproduct of his actions. This unexpected development eventually grew into a thriving business, culminating in the presentation of a new kingdom to him – the Evil Black Drum Kingdom.

Because he regained his throne, Wapol was given the opportunity to attend the Levely, a gathering of monarchs to discuss World Government policies. Unfortunately, during this visit, he saw the Five Elders murder Nefertari Cobra and learned about Imu, the world’s true ruler. Aware of the peril this knowledge brought him, Wapol fled along with Vivi, currently seeking refuge under “Big News” Morgans.

10 Crocodile

The Secret Emperor

Originally, a pirate with grand ambitions, the crocodile aspired to be the King of Pirates. Instead, he opted for seizing control over Alabasta through a meticulously planned coup. He crafted a reputation as a noble hero in public, but in reality, he was Mr. 0, the clandestine leader of Baroque Works, executing illicit activities to amass power. Despite his intricate scheming, the arrival of the Straw Hat Pirates exposed his plans, eventually leading to the downfall of his organization. Eventually, Nico Robin, his former associate, chose to join Luffy’s crew.

Crocodile was arrested and imprisoned, like many of his former subordinates, but he did not choose to escape when granted the opportunity, at first. He ended up being the first defeated major villain to gain plot relevance after teaming up with Luffy to escape Impel Down, along with his remaining Baroque Works Officers. While Mr. 2 Bon Clay voluntarily stayed behind, Crocodile and the other two officers, Daz Bonez and Galdino, escaped. The three later participated in the War at Marineford and evaded capture.

Following a duration spent journeying alongside Daz, Croc decided to establish the Cross Gang, a heavily armed unit capable of placing bounties on marines, in collaboration with Dracule Mihawk. To facilitate this endeavor, he collaborated with Buggy, another escapee from Impel Down. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding that resulted in Buggy being appointed as the leader of this group, to Croc’s displeasure. Nevertheless, Croc and Mihawk opted to maintain Buggy as a symbolic head of this influential organization. As the Cross Gang is now recognized as one of the four significant pirate groups, they, including Croc, are undeniably crucial to the narrative, which will unfold further in the upcoming chapters.

9 Enel

Man on the Moon

Following the annihilation of his home, Birka, and seizing control of Skypeia, Enel gained the status of a deity. Yet, this divine status was challenged by Luffy, whose abilities from the Devil Fruit made him resistant to Enel’s powers. After his defeat, he restarted the Ark Maxim and embarked on a journey across space in search of the “Fairy Vearth.”

In the end, Enel finds an automated being grieving on the moon’s surface. Later, he recognizes a group of space pirates who had vandalized his “Fairy Vearth,” brutally subdued them, and gained the allegiance of four automatons whose maker perished due to the pirates’ actions. As Enel uncovers more automatons abandoned by the nearly extinct lunarians, he amasses a large following with no real competition. Consequently, Enel effectively rules over the moon, making it unlikely that he will return to Earth again.

8 Rob Lucci

Currently on Egghead

Previously, Lucci was part of Cipher Pol 9, a prominent division of government agents tasked with the mission to capture Nico Robin. They had been stationed temporarily in Water 7, aiming to uncover designs for a potent weapon concealed within the region. However, they were outmaneuvered by the Straw Hat Pirates, leading to their humiliation by the World Government. To add insult to injury, Lucci’s superior, Spandam, ultimately betrayed them.

As a gamer, I’ve been on the run with my team, taking down pirates and marines without mercy. Rumors swirled that we uncovered and foiled a government conspiracy orchestrated by none other than Spandine, father of Spandam. This revelation led to our reinstatement and promotion to Cipher Pol 0. Ever since the timeskip, Lucci has resurfaced in various capacities, but his most notable role so far was crossing paths with the Straw Hat Pirates at Egghead. Alongside my partner, Kaku, we’ve been causing nothing but trouble for them. However, our partnership with Stussy turned sour when he betrayed us, leaving deep wounds during our conflicts.

7 Gecko Moria

Jailed in Hachinosu

Gecko Moria once led the undead pirate crew of Thriller Bark. His original team of living pirates had been killed by Kaido, forcing this change. The Straw Hat Pirates ultimately defeated both Moria and his comrades. Following their defeat, Moria was dismissed for being too feeble. In an attempt to execute him by the government, he miraculously survived and continues to exist, remaining a sight to behold.

He attempted to search Blackbeard’s island, Hachinosu, for his former crewmate, Absalom. Unfortunately, he discovered that Absalom was killed and his Devil Fruit power was stolen by Shiryu, one of Blackbeard’s Ten Titanic Captains. Regardless, Blackbeard offered him a position within his crew. Moria was outraged at his crewmate’s death, and was imprisoned upon refusing to join. Perona, another crewmate, attempted to free him, but the success of this outcome is unknown thus far. Moria will likely reappear again, perhaps as a member of Cross Guild, if not teaming up with anyone who will allow him to get revenge on Blackbeard.

6 Magellan

Demoted to Vice Warden

As a long-time observer of the One Piece universe, I have come to know many characters who embody various traits and quirks. However, few have left as lasting an impression on me as this warden with a devilish face, who is so fiercely loyal to the World Government. His ability to create devastating poisons through his Doku Doku no Mi powers is truly remarkable.

As the one who was demoted from warden to vice warden due to my past failures, I find myself sharing this title with Hannyabal, who has finally achieved his dream of becoming the warden in my stead. Lately, I’ve had a few clandestine chats with an inmate named Donquixote Doflamingo about our shared future plans. There’s a chance that I might regain a more influential role within these walls, perhaps to manage any potential breakouts in the near future given that several formidable villains are currently imprisoned here. However, any return on my part will likely be confined to this facility and not beyond its gates.

5 Hody Jones

Getting Too Old For This

Hody and his companions were part of a group that followed Arlong’s belief system against humans. They mostly resided on Fish-Man Island, which suggests they may not have had direct interactions with humans to form these beliefs. Despite this, Hody harbored a strong dislike for the Ryugyu Kingdom due to their efforts to foster fish-man/human friendships. In an ironic turn of events, Hody was defeated by Luffy and his team, inadvertently strengthening the cause for humans as a result of his actions.

It’s highly unlikely that Hody will participate in any future fights due to his condition. During his battle with Luffy, he excessively used energy steroids, causing him to age rapidly into a frail old man at just 30 years old. Alongside his aged crewmates, Hody was imprisoned in the Ryugyu Kingdom.

4 Caesar Clown

Reconnecting with an Old Friend

Caesar Clown was once a colleague of Dr. Vegapunk who felt envious and wanted to outdo the scientist. Unlike Vegapunk, Caesar didn’t care about the ethical consequences of conducting experiments on children or other evil activities. This made him the main villain during the Punk Hazard storyline. He used his political connections, like Donquixote Doflamingo, to avoid punishment for his actions. Unfortunately for Caesar, both he and his superior were defeated and lost their protection from authorities.

Caesar was, for a time, effectively an unwilling hostage of the Straw Hats, who ended up being forced to aid them in their efforts against Big Mom to regain his heart, which Trafalgar D. Water Law stole from him. After his debt was paid, he escaped. Eventually, Caesar encounters the Vinsmoke siblings on Whole Cake Island, and aids them in fighting against the Charlotte siblings. This led Caesar to meet another former colleague of his, Vinsmoke Judge, the mutually-disowned father of Sanji. Judge and Caesar decide to organize NEO MADS, an intended successor to MADS, a scientist organization the pair were once part of, along with Vegapunk. The extent to which this will affect the central narrative is unclear at present.

3 Donquixote Doflamingo

Captured, But For How Long?

Once a highly-regarded World Noble, this individual suffered the loss of his power at the hands of his own father who severed ties between the immediate family and their ruling authority. Eager to regain control, he amassed a group of followers, orchestrated a rebellion in Dressrosa, and leveraged classified knowledge as a noble to deter the World Government from intervening. Despite these efforts, he was ultimately bested by the Straw Hat Pirates, alongside their multitude of allies, and ended up incarcerated within Impel Down.

Despite being stripped of his power, he appears surprisingly calm about all situations. Though damning evidence against him could be lethal under the government’s control, it might still benefit those who choose to free him. His character has often been compared to Crocodile, leading many to believe he might miraculously escape imprisonment, much like his counterpart did. Some theorize that he may even align himself with Cross Guild, mimicking how he once offered Crocodile a place in his crew before the time skip.

2 Charlotte Linlin

Thrown In A Hole

“Charlotte Linlin, also known as ‘Big Mom’, proved to be a formidable adversary who refused to back down easily. With fear instilling respect in others and an insatiable hunger that fueled her power, she climbed the ranks to become one of the Four Emperors. She has been portrayed as a major antagonist since late into the Fish-Man Island arc. She ruled over Totto Land, a collection of 35 islands, and her army was predominantly made up of her own offspring who were among her most powerful forces. In addition to these forces, she manipulated opposing parties into forming alliances with her, maintaining her power for quite some time. However, in the Wano region, she met her match when a team consisting of Trafalgar D. Water Law and Eustass Kidd, both pirate captains from The Worst Generation, defeated her. After Law neutralized her allies, Kidd fired a massive railgun at her, propelling her into the magma chamber beneath Wano where she fell and an explosion ensued.”

In many instances within this series, a character’s demise would be final. However, Linlin isn’t like most characters in this story. Her ability to withstand damage has been a notable aspect of her character since she was young. Simply making her vulnerable enough to be harmed emotionally and physically was an arduous task. The extent of the fall can be considered both literally and symbolically, but there’s no definitive proof that she’s dead. Some fans believe she may reappear when the story shifts to Elbaf, given her past connections with the kingdom.

1 Kaido

Thrown In The Very Same Hole

Kaido is himself a frightening beast. He managed to take over Wano, leading it to become the pirate-occupied nation it is at present day. His sheer power made other pirate crews choose to be subservient to him, if not forced into that choice. Notably, he partnered with Doflamingo to gain Caesar’s scientific expertise. He utilized this to craft SMILEs, artificial Zoan Devil fruits, which he would use to create an army of Devil Fruit users. The extent of his superior strength is such that he regularly attempts suicide out of frustration of not finding a better foe. He proved unbeatable to Luffy upon their first fight, which led to his subsequent imprisonment. Even after Luffy powered up, an alliance Kaido forged with Big Mom made the two prove all the more frightening. Yet ultimately, Luffy succeeded in defeating the dragon, dumping him in the magma chamber to a presumed death.

Once more, this character is among the toughest antagonists in the show, with his demise leaving room for debate about the cause of his death. While magma may have been responsible, it’s not entirely implausible that he found a way to resurface somehow.

2024-08-18 12:35