One Piece: 6 Characters Who Could Join the Straw Hat Pirates After Elbaf

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This article contains spoilers for the One Piece series.

I’m completely hooked on *One Piece* – it’s just an incredible adventure! The story follows Monkey D. Luffy and his amazing crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. It’s been so cool watching the crew grow over the years; they’re now a team of ten! Whenever there’s a hint of a new member joining, I get so hyped, but since the timeskip, only Jinbe has officially joined the Straw Hats, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next addition!

We might see more characters join the story after the Elbaf arc. Some, like Vivi and Loki, are strong possibilities, while others, such as Gunko or Lilith, could also appear, though they’re less likely.

Gunko

A Powerful Holy Knight With a Connection to Brook

I’ve been watching the latest arc of One Piece, and Gunko is a really interesting new character. She showed up at the start of the Elbaf arc as one of the Holy Knights, traveling with Shamrock. It quickly became clear she’s incredibly powerful and doesn’t hesitate to use force. There’s still a lot we don’t know about her, but as things stand, she’s acting as a villain, and she’s proven to be the toughest opponent the Straw Hats have faced yet – it turns out Imu is controlling her body.

Gunko could potentially become an ally later on. There seem to be hints of a relationship between her and Brook, and it’s been revealed she was enslaved and had her mind controlled, which could motivate a change of heart. It’s even possible she could join Luffy’s crew.

Loki

The Accursed Prince of Elbaf

Loki has quickly become a standout character in the Elbaf arc of *One Piece*. Viewers have been aware of him since the Whole Cake Island story, and he’s clearly a powerful presence. He’s incredibly strong – so much so that it took Shanks to restrain him.

Okay, seriously, I think Loki would be an *amazing* addition to the Straw Hats! Luffy already recognized his potential and asked him to join, which says a lot. Honestly, Elbaf just doesn’t feel like the right fit for him at all. He’d be so much more valuable as part of Luffy’s crew – it just makes perfect sense to me!

Vivi

The Princess of Arabasta

Vivi is already considered part of the Straw Hat Pirates and is deeply loved by the crew, despite previously choosing to stay in Arabasta as a princess. Recent events at Reverie have left her with no other options, and she’s returning to the Straw Hats as a permanent member. Fans have been eagerly waiting for her to rejoin them!

Yamato

The Protector of Wano

Yamato was a key ally during the fight against Kaido in Wano Country, first appearing during the Onigashima raid. They are incredibly strong and many fans would love to see them join the Straw Hat Pirates. Although Yamato nearly joined the crew at the end of the Wano arc, they ultimately chose to remain on the island to protect it.

Yamato is Wano’s defender, but will almost certainly fight alongside Luffy in the final battle, and may even become a full member of his crew.

Jewelry Bonney

The Former Captain of the Bonney Pirates

I’ve been watching Jewelry Bonney, one of the powerful members of the Worst Generation, and she’s really become a key player in the current events. She got deeply involved in everything happening at Egghead and has been traveling with Luffy’s crew ever since. Honestly, I think she could easily become a member of the Straw Hat Pirates – she’s definitely got the strength and potential.

She’s a strong and capable fighter. Recently, the author, Oda, shared some early designs of Bonney that showed her wearing clothing associated with the Straw Hat Pirates, hinting she might join their crew.

Lilith/Vegapunk

A Remnant of Vegapunk

The long-awaited reveal of Vegapunk finally happened on Egghead Island, exciting fans who have anticipated his appearance in *One Piece* for over twenty years, ever since the Water 7 arc. During the events on Egghead, Vegapunk’s original body was destroyed, but his consciousness lives on within Lilith, one of his satellites, and in the other surviving satellites.

Lilith has proven to be a valuable asset and is currently traveling with the Straw Hat Pirates. Many fans believe she has the potential to become a full-time crew member if the author decides to add her permanently.

The next chapter of One Piece, Chapter 1162, will be released next week, as usual on Sundays. While it becomes available in Japan at midnight on Monday (JST), most international fans will be able to read it on October 12, 2025. The official release date is October 12th, and it will be available to read for free on Manga Plus.

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2025-10-06 16:35