One Piece: 8 Characters Who Could’ve Killed Luffy

Monkey D. Luffy is the main character in the One Piece series. He usually wins his battles, but there have been times when opponents were much stronger and almost defeated him. Though it doesn’t happen often, a few characters in One Piece have come very close to killing Luffy. Luckily, whether through chance or help from others, he’s always managed to survive.

8. Charlotte Katakuri

Devil Fruit: Mochi Mochi no Mi
Affiliation: Big Mom Pirates

Charlotte Katakuri is a very popular villain in the One Piece series. He was a powerful opponent for Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates during the Whole Island arc, serving as the strongest of the Sweet Commanders under Big Mom. Luffy fought Katakuri in the Mirror World to allow his crew to escape and continue their journey.

It quickly became clear that Luffy was initially no match for Katakuri, who had several chances to defeat him. Luffy was even forced to kidnap Brulee just to escape and regain his strength – without that, Katakuri would have certainly won. Interestingly, even though Katakuri could have continued fighting at the end, he chose to stop and let Luffy go, showing a newfound respect for him.

7. Sir Crocodile

Image via Toei Animation.

Devil Fruit: Suna Suna no Mi
Affiliation: Baroque Works (Formerly), Cross Guild

Sir Crocodile was one of the earliest and most significant villains in the One Piece series, serving as the primary antagonist during the Arabasta Saga. Luffy and Crocodile clashed several times throughout the Arabasta arc – a total of three times. Until their final battle, Crocodile repeatedly had a chance to defeat Luffy.

Luffy actually needed Nico Robin to save him during their first encounter. Even after their third battle, he had to cleverly use his own blood to gain the upper hand against Crocodile. Before the two-year timeskip, fighting opponents like Crocodile, who possess a Logia Devil Fruit, was incredibly difficult.

6. Rob Lucci

Devil Fruit: Fruit Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Leopard
Affiliation: CP9 (Formerly), CP0, World Government

Rob Lucci was a strong opponent for Luffy during the Straw Hat Pirates’ mission to save Nico Robin at Enies Lobby. As a member of CP9, Lucci had the power of the Leopard Zoan Devil Fruit, allowing him to transform into a leopard.

Luffy had a really tough time defeating Lucci, even with his Six Powers. He was actually on the verge of losing – and even dying – but Usopp’s encouraging words gave him the strength to get back up and keep fighting.

5. Buggy

Devil Fruit: Bara Bara no Mi
Affiliation: Buggy Pirates (Formerly), Cross Guild

Buggy is introduced to One Piece fans near the beginning of the series. Initially, he wasn’t very strong and didn’t make a big impression. Characters like Luffy could easily defeat him, as demonstrated during the Orange Town storyline.

You won’t believe what happened when Buggy showed up back in Logue Town! He actually managed to capture Luffy! Can you imagine? Luffy was right there on the execution platform – the same one where Gol D. Roger died – and Buggy nearly ended his pirate journey right then and there. Honestly, if Luffy’s dad, Monkey D. Dragon, hadn’t stepped in with this incredible blast of power, Luffy would have been done for! He seriously got so lucky; it was a really close call!

4. Big Mom

Devil Fruit: Soru Soru no Mi
Affiliation: Big Mom Pirates

Big Mom was a powerful leader in the world of One Piece, ranking among the Four Emperors. While she initially appeared briefly in the Fishman Island story, she became the central villain in the Whole Cake Island arc.

By the time of the Whole Cake Island arc, Luffy was already a powerful fighter with abilities like Gear 4. However, even that wouldn’t have been enough to win against Big Mom. They did fight briefly, but Luffy was quickly overpowered. The only way for Luffy and the Straw Hats to survive on Whole Cake Island was to escape from Big Mom.

Even after Luffy’s tough battle with Katakuri, they only managed to get away because the Fishman Pirates and Germa 66 put themselves at risk to help them.

3. Kaido

Image via Toei Animation.

Devil Fruit: Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu
Affiliation: Beast Pirates

Kaido, one of the strongest pirates known as an Emperor of the Sea, was a major threat to Luffy’s journey. He served as the primary villain in the Wano Country arc, and Luffy had to defeat him. Early in the Wano arc, Luffy underestimated Kaido and recklessly attacked. Kaido swiftly defeated him, and while he had the chance to kill Luffy then and there, he chose instead to imprison him, hoping to crush his spirit.

I watched as Kaido actually managed to defeat Luffy during their fight on Onigashima. It happened on the rooftop, and CP0 even got involved. It really looked like Luffy was gone, but then something incredible happened – his Devil Fruit awakened, granting him Gear 5, and somehow, his heart started beating again. Honestly, without that awakening, Luffy would have been finished. It was only after he unlocked Gear 5 that he was able to turn the tables and finally beat Kaido.

2. Blackbeard

Image by Toei Animation

Devil Fruit: Gura Gura no Mi, Yami Yami no Mi
Affiliation: Blackbeard Pirates

From what I’ve seen in One Piece, Blackbeard is shaping up to be Luffy’s ultimate enemy. Their history runs deep – Blackbeard is really the one responsible for Ace’s death, and that’s something Luffy will never forget.

Blackbeard was a dangerous opponent even before he ate the Gura Gura no Mi, strong enough to potentially defeat Luffy. Their fight in Impel Down showed this – without Jinbe stopping them, Blackbeard could have killed Luffy then. Even today, a rematch would likely see Blackbeard as the victor, and Luffy’s life would be at risk.

1. Magellan

Devil Fruit: Doku Doku no Mi
Affiliation: World Government

Okay, so Magellan? Seriously terrifying! As far as enemies go in the Impel Down arc, he was the one Luffy and the crew absolutely had to steer clear of. He’s the Warden, and his Devil Fruit, the Doku Doku no Mi, is just brutal. If you get touched by his venom, you’re pretty much finished – it’s that dangerous!

Magellan’s poison nearly killed Luffy, and he only survived because of a fortunate combination of Bon Clay’s sacrifice and the healing powers of Ivankov’s Horu Horu no Mi. However, surviving came at a great cost – Luffy significantly shortened his lifespan to overcome the poison’s effects.

2026-02-16 01:35