One Piece: The Yonko Are Strong, But Oda Reveals A Class Of Pirates Even More Overpowered

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

In the realm of One Piece, the Yonko are recognized as the mightiest pirates, in essence. They represent the cream of the crop, the most powerful individuals who have emerged during the current era. To break it down, the Yonko can be likened to sea emperors, ruling over the New World, the perilous and formidable part of the Grand Line, as absolute monarchs would rule their kingdoms.

The Yonko wield unquestionable power and authority, and it’s rare to find anyone who dares oppose them. In other words, they are nearly synonymous with the legendary “One Piece,” as they persistently seek out the Poneglyphs and possess extraordinary might. However, despite their seemingly indomitable status among pirates, there exists another elite group that surpasses them in rank.

The Yonko Reign Supreme As The Strongest Class Of Pirates Right Now

  • The Yonko Are The Kings Of New World
  • They Are Stronger Than Marine Admirals

Among the Yonko, fans recognize that they are exceptionally tough to defeat. These four pirates are among the strongest in the series, sometimes even considered the strongest globally. Initially, the first set of Yonko, observed by fans before the time jump, consisted of Whitebeard, Big Mom, Shanks, and Kaido. During the Paramount War, Whitebeard passed away, paving the way for Blackbeard to take his place. Similarly, Big Mom and Kaido also fell during the Wano Country Arc. At present, only Shanks remains from the original Yonko crew.

They rule the New World like Kings. The Government calls them the Yonko of the Sea. — Garp

Of greater significance is that the former Yonko positions have been filled by new pirates. Now, it’s Buggy, Luffy, Blackbeard, and Shanks who occupy those high-ranking roles within the pirate community.

The Pirate King Stands Above The Yonko

Oda Has Already Shown A Few Pirate King Level Characters

In the world of One Piece, though the Pirate King is renowned for his elite status and exceptional strength, there are some pirates who surpass even him. For instance, there were those known as Pirate King Level individuals who matched Roger in power. Rocks D. Xebec was rumored to be Roger’s greatest foe and he clearly transcended the typical Yonko rank. Similarly, Whitebeard is another notable example. Despite being a Yonko, Whitebeard was far superior to his peers and possessed the ability to obliterate the world itself. Lastly, Joy Boy is another confirmed pirate who demonstrated extraordinary strength.

Only Haki can conquer all such obstacles! — Kaido

A Few Pirate King Level Candidates

Oda has previously created the Pirate King class, but very few possess the ability to attain such a rank. Currently, even Luffy, our protagonist, hasn’t reached that stage yet; he still needs additional time and practice to do so.

As a devoted fan of One Piece, I have no doubt that we’ll encounter more characters reaching the Pirate King level. Two potential candidates are Shanks and Blackbeard. Given that Shanks is Roger’s successor, it’s only natural he’d be around a similar level. On the other hand, Blackbeard possesses Rocks’ will, making it seem effortless for him to surpass the average Yonko. However, only time will reveal the truth, but it appears this era of pirates is set to outshine the strength of eras past.

In just a few days, we’ll get our hands on One Piece Chapter 1156! Typically, new chapters of this popular manga are released every Sunday. For Japanese readers, the chapter will be out at midnight Japan Standard Time (JST) on Monday. But for most international fans, the chapter will become available on August 3rd. That’s right, mark your calendars for August 3, 2025! Excitingly, you can read One Piece Chapter 1156 for free on Manga Plus. Enjoy the adventure and stay tuned for more updates!

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2025-07-28 23:26