One Piece Villains: Who’s Closest to Retirement?

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Summary

  • Older villains in One Piece like Katakuri, Perospero, and Kizaru stay sharp and pose a great threat to Luffy.
  • Their advanced age doesn’t slow down their strength and capabilities in battles.
  • Characters like Caesar Clown, Gecko Moria, and Big Mom have rich, intriguing backstories that enhance their dangerous personas.

In the world of One Piece, both young and old characters possess significant power, with Luffy and his crew encountering a variety of older adversaries during their numerous journeys. Interestingly, age doesn’t seem to hinder these characters much in One Piece; instead, they often become even stronger as they live longer, particularly the antagonists, who have had ample time to accumulate power and emerge as formidable threats for Luffy to face off against.

Let’s explore the oldest One Piece villains now, focusing on those nearing retirement, examining their past experiences as depicted in the storyline. Keep in mind that we’ll only look at character ages post-timeskip; any characters without confirmed ages (like Imu and the Five Elders) won’t be included.

9. Katakuri

Age: 48

  • First Appearance: Episode 825

Charlotte Katakuri is a formidable member of Big Mom’s pirate crew who tests Luffy to the utmost during their clash towards the end of Whole Cake Island. This powerhouse, referred to as a monster by Bege, has spent his entire life refining his strength and skills, reaching a stage where his Observation Haki allows him glimpses into the imminent future.

Among a small number of characters, he is the one who figured out how to activate his Devil Fruit ability, transforming the surroundings into Mochi and granting him total dominion over the arena. Although Katakuri is significantly older than Luffy, he managed to match Luffy’s speed without much effort and came extremely close to defeating him. However, in the end, after glimpsing into the future one last time, the fight concluded with Katakuri conceding victory to the future pirate king.

8. Aokiji

Age: 49

  • First Appearance: Episode 225

In the narrative, Aokiji stands out as an unusual villain due to his tendency to steer clear of confrontations with the Straw Hat Pirates, often choosing a laid-back approach to justice instead. Nevertheless, he has had multiple encounters with Luffy’s crew, even after giving up his rank as Vice Admiral. Given that Aokiji is now part of Blackbeard’s team, he functions more as an adversary for the Straw Hats than a potential ally.

At a young age, Aokiji pursued Garp with the intention of training and gaining the strength required to serve in the Marines one day. Swiftly establishing a reputation upon joining, he was particularly recognized for his lethal Hie Hie no Mi ability that enables ice manipulation. Over time, this laid-back former marine has been refining his skills, which makes him a formidable adversary, difficult not only to wound but also to eliminate.

7. Perospero

Age: 50

  • First Appearance: Episode 795

On various occasions across Whole Cake Island and Wano, the pirate Perospero, a dedicated member of Big Mom’s crew, makes appearances. His annoying ability to manipulate candies with his Devil Fruit often hinders the progress of the Straw Hats. Being one of Big Mom’s oldest children, he is frequently favored and is often seen accompanying her during significant events such as the Tea Party.

Over an extended period with Big Mom serving as his guardian, Perospero developed a strong loyalty towards her, and occasionally displays a touch of snobbishness towards other children. However, it’s clear that regardless of his age, he remains as immature as ever, and maintains his unwavering affection for sweets.

6. Gecko Moria

Age: 50

  • First Appearance: Episode 343

Observing from afar, I can’t help but notice the enigmatic figure known as Gecko Moria, a formidable yet lethargic member of the Shichibukai. His life, quite frankly, seems to be a whirlwind of chaos. Though it’s not explicitly stated in Thriller Bark, it becomes clear later on that he once engaged in a fierce battle with Kaido and his crew during his younger years. Regrettably, this epic clash ended disastrously for Moria and his entire pirate band, who were unfortunately wiped out in the struggle.

This is why the massive, horror-inspired member of the Shichibukai comes across as so troubled and distorted when he enters the main plot, as his mind has been further corrupted following Kaido’s actions against him. Although Moria was previously depicted as a capable fighter, he predominantly uses his shadow-stealing abilities to inflict damage in later stages of his life, which aligns with his growing laziness in character.

5. Akainu Sakazuki

Age: 55

  • First Appearance: Episode 225

It’s not revealed much about Akainu’s background, but it’s evident that his ruthless behavior during his military career is what earned him his dreadful reputation. This brutal side of his is most evident when he gave the order for a Buster Call, which resulted in the devastating destruction of Ohara, taking the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, including Robin, narrowly escaping death herself.

Through his extensive experience and steadfast allegiance to the World Government, Akainu rose to the rank of Vice Admiral, eventually becoming the commander of the entire Navy after a time jump. Despite having fought in numerous battles over the years, Akainu’s age has not hindered him in the least; the stern-faced commander remains as formidable and violent as ever.

4. Caesar Clown

Age: 55

  • First Appearance: Episode 581

Caesar Clown, a character with a penchant for violence and brutality, occasionally surfaces throughout the narrative. Initially, his debut was as the primary adversary during the Punk Hazard storyline. Contrary to expectations, he reveals little about his past, despite possessing an intriguing life history prior to his introduction. This includes his association with the influential MADS group, where he shared ties with Vegapunk.

When Luffy encounters Caesar, it’s discovered that he employs his scientific knowledge in appalling manners, such as attempting to conduct gruesome experiments on children with the aim of producing artificial giants. Despite being cowardly and shy, Caesar’s wealth of scientific expertise poses a formidable threat to the Straw Hats due to the vast experience he has accumulated over time.

3. Kizaru

Age: 58

  • First Appearance: Episode 398

In the story, there’s some disagreement about whether Fujitora fits the mold of a “villain,” but Kizaru generally plays the part of a conventional adversary. Interestingly, although Kizaru is significantly older than many marines we see in the series, he has an advantage: he owns the Pika Pika no Mi Fruit, which allows him to instantly transport himself to any location without needing to physically move.

One thing that hasn’t faded with age for Kizaru is his flair for elegance, evident in his consistent choice of sophisticated and formal clothing, reflecting his high-ranking position within the Marines. Much like an elegant older gent who has experienced many adventures and battles, yet maintains the lively spirit associated with him since his younger days.

2. Kaido

Age: 59

  • First Appearance: Episode 736

Initially, when spectators witness Kaido leaping from a Sky Island, it sparks curiosity about what circumstances led this colossal figure to his current state. In reality, Kaido has been a pirate for far longer than numerous characters in the series have existed, even being part of the Rocks Pirates at one point. This association granted him the opportunity to engage with countless powerful adversaries, such as Gol D. Roger and Garp.

Eventually, Kaido grew disenchanted when he recognized his immense power made him virtually indestructible. Consequently, he has spent most of his existence either terrorizing Wano, drowning his sorrows in drink, or plummeting from the heavens to seek some form of pain. Despite some fans desiring more depth in Kaido’s background, there is still a wealth of information provided to portray this beast’s lengthy and notorious career as a pirate.

1. Big Mom

Age: 68

  • First Appearance: Episode 571

Initially, Big Mom may appear as just a jovial and laid-back grandmother, but this image is far from accurate. In the realm of One Piece, Big Mom has been a terrifying figure for over six decades. Her fearsome reputation stems from her childhood, where she was already recognized as a menacing character due to her insatiable hunger. Over time, her distinctive powers and immense strength earned her a place alongside the Rocks Pirates, followed by the formation of her own pirate crew, all of whom are her offspring.

Since Big Mom has a vast team of loyal followers, including many Homies, it implies that her advanced age hasn’t diminished her threat level, as she can rely on her numerous servants to handle combat for her. Interestingly, despite being almost seventy years old, this Yonko isn’t hesitant to engage in direct conflict with her adversaries when necessary, though she often prefers taking a nap or savoring another delicious cake instead.

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2025-02-04 07:35