Straw Hat Pirates: Their Dark Past and Former Crews Revealed!

Summary

One Piece crew members were part of other crews before joining, some under duress, revealing early struggles.
Notable former crews include the Arlong Pirates, the Rumbar Pirates, and Nico Robin’s unnamed groups.
Members like Nami and Robin also had non-canon crew affiliations, showcasing their journey to the Straw Hats.

In both the world of One Piece and beyond it, the Straw Hat Pirates have gained tremendous recognition. What sets them apart is that, as Kizaru once humorously pointed out, every crew member possesses extraordinary skills, a not-so-subtle nod to their exceptional abilities.

Many of Luffy’s crewmates were already renowned before he recruited them, so it’s logical to assume that some of them had pirate backgrounds and joined forces with him later. Here are the crews that once counted a member of the Straw Hat Pirates among their ranks.

9. Arlong Pirates

A Token Human

Nami was this crew’s cartographer.

Arlong is a giant fish-man who harbors strong prejudice against humans. Yet, his bias didn’t stop him from capitalizing on several chances to become wealthy. Following the death of Bell-mère, Nami’s foster mother, Arlong recognized her skill in mapping. He even offered Nami a chance to purchase her own freedom and that of her village at a high cost, after they had been taken captive by him.

Apart from plundering other pirate gangs, including the Buggy Pirates with whom she later fought alongside Luffy and Zoro for an extended duration, Nami was also known to have stolen. This includes the Going Merry after Sanji had joined their crew. Yet, her attempts to buy back her freedom were thwarted by corrupt marines confiscating her funds. The Straw Hat Pirates, initially a four-member team, then took down the Arlong Pirates and demolished Arlong Park. This significant victory marked Nami as an official member of the crew and boosted their reputation.

8. Usopp Pirates

Playing Pirate

Usopp was this crew’s captain.

For quite some time, Usopp has harbored a deep interest in piracy, which stems from his father, Yasopp, joining the notorious Red Hair Pirates. In an attempt to aid his ailing mother, Banchina, who was battling a disease, Usopp concocted tales that suggested the pirate crew would visit their village, Syrup Village. In his past, Usopp even created a “crew” of sorts, though its exploits were largely fictitious. The Usopp Pirates were comprised of three boys, who followed Usopp and willingly helped him propagate his falsehoods. They all seemed to appreciate Usopp and his stories, finding them entertaining.

After the Black Cat Pirates attacked the village and Usopp subsequently joined the Straw Hat Pirates, their original crew essentially disbanded. Yet, the boys persisted in spreading falsehoods. However, Usopp also motivated them to pursue their individual dreams, much like he was doing with his own. Since their captain left, these boys have been seen from time to time discussing Usopp’s adventures in the news, frequently alongside Kaya, another friend of Usopp, who is now studying to become a doctor.

7. Baroque Works

A Crime Syndicate

Nico Robin was the Vice President of this organization. Former Straw Hat, Nefertari D. Vivi, also infiltrated the group for information-gathering purposes.

Baroque Works was essentially a criminal organization that, in name only, wasn’t a pirate crew. The actions they undertook were so similar to those of pirates that it was challenging to tell them apart. The main objective of this group was to enable their leader, Sir Crocodile, to seize the throne of the Alabasta Kingdom. Nico Robin became a part of Baroque Works because Crocodile valued her abilities to decipher ancient symbols (poneglyphs) and her skills in assassination. However, Robin’s primary reasons for joining were protection-oriented: she had been pursued by the government due to her past as an Ohara citizen and a researcher trying to uncover secrets about the Void Century.

Infiltrating the ship’s crew undercover, Nefetari D. Vivi, also known as the Princess of Alabasta, teamed up with Igaram, the head of security in Alabasta. However, their cover was blown, leading Vivi to switch allegiances and join the Straw Hat Pirates. This move ultimately saved her homeland from the grasp of Baroque Works. Robin, after failing to prevent Crocodile’s actions, attempted suicide but was rescued by Luffy. This near-death experience led her to willingly become a member of the Straw Hat Pirates, coincidentally around the same time Vivi chose to leave the crew. Initially, only Luffy agreed to her request, but Vivi soon won over most of her new shipmates using her charm, jewels, and devil fruit abilities.

6. Foxy Pirates

A Temporary Team-Up

Tony Tony Chopper was “won” by the crew in a Davy Back Fight. Non-canonically, Nico Robin also suffered this fate.

The Davy Back Fight is a pirate tactic used in various pirate contests for poaching purposes. So far, only the Foxy Pirates have been observed consistently employing this method, often taking key members from other crews to bolster their own ranks. For instance, Chopper was temporarily taken away from the Straw Hat crew following a defeat in one such contest. Similarly, in the animated series, Robin was chosen after the Straw Hats suffered a loss during an additional challenge added to the adaptation.

Following Luffy’s victory against Foxy in the decisive battle, he regains his team and in return, sketches a shoddy Jolly Roger for the Foxy Pirates, having taken their original one as a trophy. Since their defeat at Luffy’s hands, the Foxy Pirates have suffered significant losses, with many of their crew members departing and their main ship being relinquished. It is plausible that they have frequently lost crew members by challenging more powerful crews in Davy Back Fights.

5. Nico Robin’s Unnamed Former Crew(s)

Uneasy Alliances

Nico Robin was taken in by at least one pirate crew, as well as at least one other, presumably criminal organization.

Nico Robin endured a life marked by sorrow, with her mother often absent and her aunt inflicting abuse at home. Moreover, she faced ridicule and bullying in her hometown because of her unique Devil Fruit abilities. As a result, she felt lonely even in familiar surroundings. Eventually, she gained the title of Scholar from Ohara following an archaeology exam. Unfortunately, the island of Ohara was destroyed by a Buster Call, leaving only Robin alive among its inhabitants.

Sadly, Robin was falsely accused by the government, which forced her into a life of constant movement just to stay alive. At eight years old, she joined her first pirate group, but much like other caregivers, they eventually handed her over due to the marines marking her as a target. Details about any other pirate crews she associated with after that time are unclear, but hinted at, given her character’s alleged trait of betrayal. She chose to depart from the Straw Hat Pirates on her own accord to safeguard them and even considered suicide once more; however, she abandoned that idea when they managed to save her. Ever since then, she has been fully devoted to the Straw Hat Pirates.

4. Franky’s Unnamed Former Pirate Crew

Deadbeat Pirates

Franky’s parents ejected him from their ship when he was 10 years old.

Franky, born as Cutty Flam, spent most of his childhood sailing with his parents who were South Blue Pirates. However, they cast him off their ship at some point, and he was later saved by a fish-man named Tom, a skilled shipwright. Impressed by Franky’s abilities, Tom took him under his wing as an apprentice. During this period, Franky developed a strong dislike for pirates and declined an invitation from Kozuki Oden to join the Roger Pirates.

In time, considerable effort was needed to convince him to join the Straw Hat Pirates, where he ultimately served as their shipbuilder. Details about Franky’s family’s pirate adventures remain a mystery. It is suggested that they could navigate the Grand Line, but no background or motives are clear. Whether their crew comprised anyone other than themselves remains undisclosed.

3. Rumbar Pirates

Lost At Sea

Brook was a musician, as well as the captain, and the eventual sole survivor of the Rumbar Pirates.

As a music-loving enthusiast, I once belonged to the lively troupe known as the Rumbar Pirates. Among our numerous talented members, my role was clear – creating harmonious tunes that echoed across the seas. One unforgettable day, we befriended a young whale named Laboon, with whom we shared our melodies. A special bond formed between me and this gentle giant, making me his closest companion among the crew.

Eventually, we had to part ways with him, entrusting his care to a skilled healer named Crocus, who practiced in the vast expanse of the Grand Line. Fate would have it that Crocus later joined the legendary Roger Pirates. Despite my solemn promise to return, our reunion was never to be.

In the heart of our adventure-laden voyage, I, Brook, found myself stepping up as captain, with Yorki and many others fallen to an inescapable illness. In a bid to safeguard the untouched, we self-isolated, watching our comrades succumb one by one. The Rumbar Pirates faced trials, including foes wielding lethal toxins, who claimed the life of our dear ship’s doctor.

As our numbers dwindled and hope seemed scarce, I suggested we play Binks’ Brew, our cherished melody, for a Tone Dial. For I, Brook, bear the Yomi Yomi no Mi, ensuring my resurrection upon death, and the ability to play the song that could call forth Laboon.

In time, Luffy requested the skeletal pirate Brook to become a part of the Straw Hat Pirates, as they valued musicians highly within their group. The experiences Brook shared with the crew were featured in the news, proving to Laboon that he was still alive and lifting the whale’s spirits considerably. Despite not having met again yet, Brook longs for the day when he can finally reconnect with Laboon.

2. Sun Pirates

Fish-Men and Merfolk

Jimbei was promoted to captain of this crew prior to leaving it, having been a crewmate before.

The Sun Pirates were established by the former slave, Fisher Tiger. Known for liberating numerous slaves, he attracted followers such as Jimbei and the Arlong Pirates due to his noble actions. These fish-men, along with many others, identified themselves with the pirate group’s flag, which served a dual purpose: it signified their unity and concealed the marks of enslavement borne by its members. However, after Tiger met an unfortunate end when slave parents betrayed his location to the marines, leadership shifted to Jimbei. This transition sparked unrest within the group, leading to the Arlong Pirates and Macro Pirates splitting away from the crew during this tumultuous period.

Jimbei transformed into a warlord and established connections with numerous human pirate gangs. During their time at Impel Down, he formed a friendship with Luffy and developed a deep admiration for him. Later, Luffy extended an invitation to Jimbei to join the crew, which he accepted following significant negotiations to ensure his old comrades’ well-being. The Sun Pirates are among the few pirate crews known to have included a future Straw Hat member and continue to be active today.

1. Nami’s Former Crews

A Non-Canon Crewmate

Nami joined the Ganzack Pirates and the Golden Lion Pirates.
Note: Nami’s membership in either crew is non-canon

The initial OVA titled “One Piece – Defeat Him! The Pirate Ganzack” precedes the Toei anime, and it’s less tied to the original comic series. In this story, Nami becomes a member of the Ganzack Pirates, the primary adversaries in the OVA. Eventually, she betrays the Ganzack Pirates, demonstrating her unwavering allegiance to the Straw Hat Pirates once more. Contrastingly, in “Strong World“, she is compelled to join the Golden Lion Pirates after Shiki captures her fellow crew members as hostages.

On another occasion, when presented with a chance to deceive her current crew for the sake of her old comrades, she made what seemed appropriate under the circumstances. These narrative elements seem to echo her past loyalty towards the Arlong Pirates in the original storyline, where they compelled her allegiance because they essentially controlled her and her town as hostages.

2025-04-13 00:55