One Piece: 8 Characters Oda Should’ve Killed Off

This article contains spoilers for One Piece.

Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, rarely lets characters stay dead. Instead of permanent deaths, he often uses fake-outs. No matter how final or sad a character’s apparent demise, Oda always finds a surprising way to bring them back.

Because the main characters in One Piece almost always survive, even when facing danger, many powerful and moving moments have lost their impact on viewers. The story would have been stronger if Eiichiro Oda had been willing to let some characters die, rather than always keeping them alive.

Butler Merry

Klahadore should have killed Merry.

Merry, the butler of Kaya from Syrup Village, narrowly survived a dangerous attack by Captain Kuro, also known as Klahadore, of the Black Cat Pirates. Had he not survived, Usopp, Kaya, and the Straw Hat Pirates would have been in much greater danger.

Merry designed the Straw Hat Pirates’ first ship, and letting him die would have given the Going Merry and all of Luffy’s adventures more emotional weight. However, the One Piece live-action series addressed this by giving Merry a proper farewell, unlike the original manga where he survived an attack he should have succumbed to.

Hogback

Hogback should have been killed by Oars.

Despite being stepped on by a giant, Hogback, the eccentric doctor from the Thriller Bark saga, somehow survived, shocking viewers. Just when everyone believed he was defeated, he unexpectedly returned, escaping on a boat with Moria and Absalom.

Hogback’s return to life demonstrates that characters in One Piece can survive even the most unbelievable situations, and that defeat isn’t always permanent. Despite suffering what appeared to be a fatal injury from Oars, he recovered and returned, heavily bandaged, to his unsettling work of turning corpses into zombies as if nothing had happened.

Pell

Pell should have been killed in the bomb explosion.

Many One Piece fans believe Pell is the character who deserved to die a permanent death. His heroic actions and apparent final moments during the Alabasta arc were so moving that his sacrifice for the kingdom deeply resonated with viewers.

Pell flew high above Alubarna, carrying the large bomb Sir Crocodile had set, fully prepared to sacrifice himself to protect the city. The bomb detonated as Crocodile intended, but incredibly, Pell survived with injuries that weren’t life-threatening.

Because Pell lived, the dramatic climax in Alubarna lost some of its impact, making a potentially unforgettable scene feel less powerful.

Pekoms

Pekoms should have been killed by Capone Bege.

Among fans of One Piece, there’s a running joke about characters whose names begin with the letter ‘P’. It’s said they have a “Will of P,” meaning they consistently survive even the most dangerous situations. Pekoms fits this pattern perfectly, repeatedly escaping death while interacting with Capone Bege.

Honestly, I was shocked when Bege just straight-up shot Pekoms in the back! And then, to order his crew to throw the minkmen into shark-infested waters expecting them to survive? It was insane! A lot of fans think that means Pekoms is basically untouchable because the story needs him to live, but I think it might actually be explained by his Devil Fruit power. Being able to fully transform into a turtle, or a turtle-mink hybrid, could explain how he keeps pulling through these impossible situations!

Pagaya

Pagaya should have been killed by Enel’s lightning.

For a Skypiean to survive Enel’s lightning attack – the same one that completely destroyed Pagaya – is remarkable. It should have been instantly fatal, but Eiichiro Oda, like with other characters, lets Pagaya live without giving a clear reason why.

Pagaya’s survival in that scene was a missed opportunity for a powerful, emotional moment for Conis. Had he died, it would have been a strong catalyst for her development. Instead, his continued presence felt anticlimactic and undermined the potential impact on her character. It was especially strange to see him join the celebration so quickly after being seriously injured, as if nothing had happened.

Kumadori

Kumadori should have been killed by Monster Point Chopper.

Kumadori, a member of CP9, is incredibly durable. He survived a relentless beating from Chopper in his monstrous form, an attack that would have defeated most fighters. Chopper not only pounded him into the ground, but also launched him towards the courthouse with immense force, treating him like an insignificant object.

While being tortured, Kumadori remained completely still, unable to defend himself against Chopper’s Monster Point form. If Kumadori had died during the Enies Lobby arc, it would have been a very impactful moment for the Straw Hat crew, particularly for Chopper, who was just starting to demonstrate his full fighting strength.

Kin’emon

Kin’emon should have been killed by Kaido.

Kin’emon’s survival after being hit by Kaido in the Wano arc would likely impress Pell. Many viewers believed Kin’emon was defeated after taking such a powerful blow while shielding Momonosuke, as the Wano arc was known for its high stakes and danger in One Piece. However, Oda, the author, used a somewhat weak explanation to bring Kin’emon back into the story.

While everyone was relieved Kin’emon survived, his unexpected escape actually made things less exciting in the Wano Arc. Seeing that moment in One Piece episode 1035 didn’t feel as powerful because the danger felt lessened. It was a major letdown for many fans, and as long as Kin’emon remains alive, that disappointment is likely to continue.

Jaguar D. Saul

Saul should have been killed in Ohara.

I was completely floored to learn that Jaguar D. Saul was actually alive! For years, we all thought he was gone, but it turns out he’s been living in Elbaf, and of all things, he’s become a history teacher. It’s easily one of the biggest surprises Eiichiro Oda has thrown at us in One Piece.

It’s positive that Robin is reunited with Saul after everything she endured with Aokiji’s attack and the destruction of Ohara, but his continued survival undermines the impact of her tragic past. Many fans feel it’s gone too far, as character deaths in One Piece don’t feel meaningful anymore if Saul can survive. To make matters worse, Oda didn’t foreshadow or properly set up Saul’s return, making it feel abrupt and unconvincing.

2026-02-19 04:36