Oda Reveals The True Second Main Character in One Piece (It’s Not Zoro)

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This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.

Summary

  • Zoro is not the second main character in One Piece like many fans believe.
  • One Piece has different deuteragonists based on each arc, not one consistent character.
  • In the Elbaf arc, the new secondary main character is Loki, not Zoro.

Readers are well aware that the Straw Hat Pirates play a pivotal role in the narrative of One Piece, with Luffy and his companions being the main figures. After all, these pirates have been at the heart of our attention for quite some time, and they will undoubtedly remain so as we move forward into future chapters. Among the Straw Hat Pirates, it’s only fitting that Luffy is always in the spotlight. As captain and the leading character, he takes center stage throughout the storyline.

Actually, it’s quite common among enthusiasts like myself to ponder over who the secondary protagonist of this tale truly is, and many believe that character to be Zoro. Yet, I must clarify that this notion of Zoro being the second main character is more a misconception than fact. His role in the Straw Hat crew isn’t any less significant or important compared to any other member.

Why Some Fans Mistake Zoro To Be The Second Main Character

  • Zoro Is The Number 2 Of Yonko Luffy
  • Zoro Was The First Straw Hat to Join Luffy

In many shonen stories, there’s a primary character and another character who initially takes a supporting role. This dynamic can be seen in series like Naruto, where Naruto Uzumaki is the lead character, while Sasuke often plays a secondary role, or as a key supporting character. However, One Piece buckes this trend. Here, there isn’t a clear-cut protagonist and deuteragonist; instead, multiple characters share significant roles in the storyline.

Taking the head of a number 2 of a Yonko also suffices! — Lucci to Zoro

Observing the passionate fanbase of Naruto and other comparable stories, it seems they often anticipate that Zoro will take on a significant secondary role in One Piece, given he’s the Number 2 of Straw Hat Luffy and the first pirate to join his crew. However, this doesn’t necessarily establish him as the deuteragonist of the story. In truth, Zoro’s significance within the crew is equivalent to that of any other member. Although Zoro may receive more attention than characters like Brook or Jinbe, it doesn’t elevate his overall role above theirs. In One Piece, Eiichiro Oda employs a unique narrative structure, where each character contributes uniquely and significantly to the storyline.

One Piece Has Different Deuteragonists, Based on Each Arc

One Piece Has Had Many Deuteragonists

In the narrative of One Piece, there’s no standalone second main character. Instead, Luffy stands alone as the primary character, with his crew collectively functioning as secondary main characters. However, the definition of individual main characters varies across each story arc.

In different arcs of the series, the secondary main characters changed roles. For example, Zoro was the deuteragonist in Shell’s Town, but Snaji took over this role in Baratie. Nami filled the deuteragonist position in Arlong Park, while Robin did so in Ennies Lobby. During the Paramount War Saga, Ace was the second main character, and so on.

The sequence persists even after the timeskip. For instance, in the Dressrosa saga, Trafalgar Law takes on a significant role as the second lead character. Similarly, in Whole Cake Island, Sanji reappears as the secondary protagonist of the story.

In the Final Saga, the Egghead Storyline distinctly elevated Bonnet to a significant role, making her the secondary lead and captivating viewers with her tale, which was second in significance only to Luffy’s story.

Loki Is The Deuteragonist of The Latest Arc Elbaf

Currently, the storyline in “One Piece” is unfolding within the Elbaf arc, where Oda has introduced a significant new sidekick. In this arc, Loki, who was previously thought to be a villain, will serve as the right-hand man and play a crucial role. He’s expected to become a key ally and a pivotal character for the remainder of the story.

This week, we’ll be getting One Piece Chapter 1151! As with every week, One Piece will be released on Sunday. In Japan, it’s scheduled for 12AM JST on Monday, but the global audience can expect to read it on June 8. That’s also the official release date of the previous chapter, One Piece Chapter 1150, which was published on June 8, 2025. Excitingly, fans can access and read this chapter for free via Manga Plus!

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2025-06-05 01:04