Best Zombie Characters In One Piece

Highlights

Zombie characters in Thriller Bark Arc were created with unique combinations of corpses and shadows, adding to the story’s intrigue.
Notable zombies like Captain John, Tararan, Jigoro & Inuppe, Kumashi, Lola, and Victoria Cindry stood out for their backstories and abilities.
Oars, the most powerful weapon created by Gecko Moria, brought both threat and comedy to the arc, challenging the Straw Hat Pirates.

As a long-time fan of One Piece, I must say that the Thriller Bark arc is undoubtedly one of my favorites due to its unique blend of horror, comedy, and heartwarming moments. The zombies created by Gecko Moria, each with their own tragic backstory, add an extra layer of depth to this captivating storyline.

In contrast to some other story arcs in One Piece, the Thriller Bark Arc might not be as widely loved, but it’s certainly one of the most intriguing. This is due to its incorporation of horror movie tropes into an already captivating universe, with the standout addition being zombies – these were not ordinary undead creatures, but living corpses brought back to life by Gecko Moria using his devil fruit’s powers, the Kage Kage no Mi.

In the Thriller Bark storyline from One Piece, many key characters are zombies crafted by merging a deceased body with another person’s shadow. These unique characters left lasting impressions, whether they fought against or supported Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. However, it is up for debate who among them stands out as the most exceptional zombie character in One Piece.

8 Captain John

One Of The Most Dangerous Pirates In This World

Upon initial observation, the zombies produced by Gecko Moria might appear as a strange mix of experimental creations and ordinary individuals. However, it was later discovered that he had acquired the bodies of influential figures from every corner of the One Piece universe. Notably among these undead beings is the zombie of Captain John.

As a fervent fan, I’ve noticed that John’s zombie didn’t stand out much during the Thriller Bark Arc. Yet, it was later uncovered that he was once a globally recognized pirate, even serving under the notorious Rocks Pirates crew! This revelation sends shivers down my spine, especially when considering speculations that other nameless zombies might have been created from the remains of fellow Rocks Pirates, such as Ochoku or Silver Axe. It’s a chilling thought indeed!

7 Tararan

A Bizarre But Strong Monster

In Thriller Bark, not all zombies were made using just a single human corpse. Instead, the evil Dr. Hogback fashioned some creatures, similar to the monsters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, by combining parts from various animals. One such creature was Tararan, who served as a barrier on one of the castle’s bridges.

Tararan is essentially a spider monkey in every sense as his physical form is a blend of a massive spider and a large monkey. He exhibited remarkable strength, produced sticky spider silk, and led a troop of Spider-Mice. Despite being a challenging adversary, the joint efforts of Franky, Nico Robin, and notably Brook managed to defeat him.

6 Jigoro & Inuppe

The Wacky Zombie Equivalents Of Zoro & Sanji

When Gecko Moria seized Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, he was cunning enough to manipulate their shadows into creating zombies that matched their strength. However, these undead beings also mirrored the pirates’ character flaws, encompassing every imperfection they possessed. This aspect was evident with Jigoro and Inuppe, who were animated using Zoro and Sanji’s shadows respectively.

These two peculiar zombies, Jigoro and Inuppe, sport unconventional appearances: Jigoro takes on an elderly gentleman dressed in vibrant attire, while Inuppe is a curious blend of dog and penguin. Despite their eccentricities, they proved formidable opponents, thanks to Zoro’s mastery of the sword and Sanji’s combat skills. However, they also revealed aspects of these pirates’ individual personalities: Jigoro adhered to the honor code of a swordsman, while Inuppe demonstrated kindness towards women. What made them particularly amusing was their mutual dislike for each other, often leading to squabbles – mirroring the original owners of their shadows.

5 Kumashi

Perona’s Reluctant Teddy Bear

On Thriller Bark, Perona from the Pirates’ crew, often behaved like an ungrateful child, constantly badgering Doctor Hogback to animate her toy animals. Among them, she particularly cherished a large, human-sized teddy bear named Kumashi. Interestingly, despite being a conscious corpse herself, Perona commanded Kumashi never to speak, maintaining the pretense that he was just a simple stuffed animal.

The dynamic between Kumashi and Perona was quite amusing, as the zombie bear demonstrated unexpected loyalty towards its master, going as far as battling alongside her and acting as the leader of the other Wild Zombies created from animal remains. In response, Perona held a deep affection for Kumashi, attempting to find a replacement for him multiple times following his purification, and even carrying his corpse up until the Wano Arc.

4 Lola

She Would Become One Of Nami’s Closest Friends

In the Thriller Bark Arc, Nami had an incredibly difficult time due to constant disturbances from the loathsome Absalom, who harassed and abducted her. However, fortune favored her when she formed a bond with a zombie boar named Lola, who proved vital not only for this arc but also for the subsequent events of the series.

Lola proved to be robust and adaptable, eventually developing a heartwarming bond with Nami despite some initial disagreements. This connection grew so strong that when they faced Absalom together, Lola provided assistance. Later on, Nami came across Charlotte Lola, the original owner of her shadow, who expressed a feeling of familiarity. Thus, their friendship persisted even after the original zombie boar was purified, suggesting it transcended time and space.

3 Victoria Cindry

The Most Disturbing Backstory In The Arc

In the gruesome narrative of “One Piece,” the character we know as Victoria Cindry takes center stage as a pitiful heroine, known for her tragic story. Once alive, she was an enchanting and renowned actress, captivating the strange affections of Doctor Hogback. Unfortunately, her life ended prematurely in a gruesome accident. In the hands of Dr. Hogback and under the powers of Gecko Moria, Cindry’s corpse was manipulated, transforming her into a zombie by harnessing the shadow of a woman named Margarita.

In a chilling twist, Hogback sought to command the undead form of Victoria Cindry as his servant; however, she persistently showed hostility towards the malevolent doctor and occasionally rose up against him. This resilient character, Victoria Cindry, is a testament to Eiichiro Oda’s exceptional talent for crafting tragic and unsettling horror narratives. Thankfully, when Gecko Moria fell, the zombie was purified, allowing Margarita to regain her shadow, and finally, peace could settle over Victoria Cindry.

2 Oars

Gecko Moria’s Most Powerful Weapon

As a devoted admirer, I’m aware that Monkey D. Luffy is quite formidable in combat. Therefore, Gecko Moria, being the cunning fellow he is, summoned the sole Special Zombie from his ranks, crafted from the remains of Oars – a member of the elusive ancient giant race with a mysterious past. With his colossal strength, striking size, and unexpected agility, this zombie proved to be the most daunting adversary that the Straw Hat Pirates encountered during their journey on Thriller Bark.

Nevertheless, despite possessing dangerous characteristics, Oars surprisingly became a major source of humor within the storyline due to his ability to mirror Luffy’s carefree and forgetful demeanor. However, when Moria started controlling his shadow with the abilities of the Kage Kage no Mi, Oars transformed into an even more formidable adversary. The entire Straw Hat Pirate crew had to join forces to defeat him, and this battle culminated in the creation of Nightmare Luffy – a powerful new form specifically designed to vanquish Oars.

1 Shimotsuki Ryuma

An Honorable Samurai From Wano Who Tested Zoro

In the Thriller Bark storyline, we primarily focus on Brook, a lively skeleton pirate, as he embarks on a mission to reclaim his shadow from Gecko Moria. Moria, an evil Sea Lord, employed it to animate the plundered body of a renowned Wano samurai named Shimotsuki Ryuma. Despite Brook’s impressive swordsmanship, he was unable to vanquish Ryuma, leading the task to be taken up by Zoro instead.

Without Ryuma realizing it, he was in fact a forerunner not only to Zoro but also to the legendary Shimotsuki Ushimaru. This added an extra layer of intrigue to their encounter. It’s worth noting that Ryuma was also the main character in Eiichiro Oda’s popular one-shot, “Monsters,” which he created before “One Piece.” The Wano samurai proved to be a formidable adversary for the young swordsman, but Zoro managed to demonstrate his skills and emerge victorious. Delighted by this turn of events, Ryuma chose to pass on his renowned sword, Shushui, to his descendant. In essence, he was the zombie who had the most substantial influence on the overall narrative of the series.

2024-08-01 12:34