One Piece: 8 Characters Who Completely Ruined the Series

The characters in One Piece are quite diverse. Some are incredibly well-developed and elevate the story, while others unfortunately detract from it, even frustrating longtime fans. This can be due to unlikeable personalities, poor choices, insignificant roles, or simply irritating quirks that slow down the plot.

Although Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are the most popular characters in One Piece, some others aren’t as well-received by fans. Instead of enhancing the story, these weaker characters actually detract from the enjoyment and connection people feel with the series.

Captain Kuro

Kuro, once known as “Kuro of a Hundred Plans,” had a grand scheme to reclaim Kaya’s fortune in Syrup Village and retire to a quiet life. However, the plan took three years to execute – a long time for such a small payoff. He spent those years disguised as Kaya’s butler, pretending to be dead, only to be defeated by Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Nami, and even Usopp’s young crewmates.

Despite all of Kuro’s careful planning, everything fell apart, and he ended up with no one left. He was meant to be a serious threat to Luffy’s crew, but defeating him proved surprisingly easy. While his Pussyfoot Maneuver was impressive, Luffy quickly found a way to overcome it. If Kuro had simply stayed on as Kaya’s butler, he could have achieved his goals.

Pell

When it comes to characters Eiichiro Oda should have killed off during the Alabasta arc of One Piece, Pell is often at the top of fans’ lists. He was originally intended to die a hero, saving Alubarna from Crocodile’s bomb, but Oda unexpectedly decided to let him live. This last-minute change diminished the emotional impact of Pell’s sacrifice, leaving fans feeling disappointed rather than deeply moved by his bravery.

If Oda hadn’t decided to keep Pell alive, he could have become one of the most memorable heroes in One Piece. While it’s good that Pell survived for Vivi and her kingdom, his survival unfortunately took away a potentially powerful and moving sacrifice within the Alabasta storyline.

Kin’emon

Kin’emon is a remarkably well-developed character in One Piece. He seemed destined to become a legendary, selfless hero, much like Pell, when he bravely shielded Momonosuke from Kaido’s powerful attacks. However, surviving those attacks unexpectedly lessened the dramatic tension of the Wano Arc for a significant period.

Many fans found Oda’s explanation for keeping Kin’emon alive unconvincing. After being so severely injured, his survival didn’t make much sense, and it felt like an unnecessary fake-out death, a common trope in One Piece, which left viewers frustrated.

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Ace

Ace is a very popular character in One Piece, but he still receives criticism from fans. His death during the Marineford Arc remains a controversial topic; some see it as a moving and impactful moment, while others believe it could have been prevented. These fans argue that if Ace hadn’t reacted to Akainu’s taunts and had simply kept running, he might have survived.

Many fans feel Ace’s death was pointless and actually damaged the Marineford arc. They argue that Luffy and Whitebeard’s crew went through so much to rescue him, only for him to die along with Whitebeard anyway. While Ace ultimately protected Luffy from Akainu’s attack, his initial actions were what led to Luffy being in danger in the first place.

Spandam

Honestly, Spandam is a character I love to hate in One Piece! It’s so clear Eiichiro Oda created him specifically to be unlikeable. I really think the Enies Lobby arc would have been just as strong, maybe even better, without him. He’s supposed to be the main villain, but he just ends up being frustrating instead of creating any real tension – he’s more annoying than suspenseful, if you know what I mean!

Fans overwhelmingly dislike Spandam due to his annoying voice, lack of ability, and self-centeredness, compounded by the fact that he achieved his position through family connections. His actions towards Robin, Franky, and Tom are considered unforgivable, solidifying his role as a character designed to provoke frustration and anger in viewers.

Rosward Charlos

Despite a near-fatal encounter with Zoro and a powerful blow from Luffy, Rosward Charlos hasn’t changed. He’s still a thoroughly unpleasant, spoiled noble with no positive traits. Fans often found him irritating – from his over-the-top appearance to his demanding behavior and constant complaining – making him a difficult character to watch in One Piece.

I can definitely see why Rosward Charlos is so unpopular with fans. Honestly, his constant arrogance is just irritating, and it has a way of ruining otherwise serious moments, making them feel flat and disappointing. He’s definitely the Celestial Dragon everyone seems to dislike the most, at least from what I’ve seen.

Absalom

The Thriller Bark storyline is known for having villains that many fans dislike, and Absalom is a prime example. His actions, using his Devil Fruit power to invade women’s privacy, are particularly disturbing and make him the most unsettling character in that arc.

Absalom also took advantage of Sanji’s flirtatious nature, damaging Sanji’s normally cool, heroic reputation. Many fans felt the Thriller Bark arc already had plenty of humor, so Absalom’s actions felt over the top. This not only made Sanji seem less impressive, but also weakened the arc as a whole.

Dragon

Fans have high hopes for Dragon, Monkey D. Luffy’s father, and eagerly await a bigger part for him in the story of One Piece. However, he often underwhelms, usually appearing only to stare off into the distance and say a few words, despite being known as the most dangerous criminal in the world.

Many fans feel Dragon, a major character in the story, hasn’t had enough impactful moments shown on screen, even after so many chapters. This lack of visible action and a somewhat distant relationship with Luffy leave some questioning his reputation as a legendary figure. It would be great if the author showed more of Dragon’s power and abilities directly, rather than just talking about them.

2026-02-21 02:05