The Most Influential Pirates In One Piece

Key Takeaways

Whitebeard acted as a “father” to his crew, influencing Blackbeard and others significantly.
Shanks, an influential mentor, inspired Luffy and indirectly influenced Bartolomeo and others.
Fisher Tiger’s leadership influenced the Sun Pirates and other Fish-Men to join and form separate crews.

As a historian delving into the rich tapestry of One Piece lore, I can confidently say that among these iconic pirates, none have left a more indelible mark than Gol D. Roger. His life was not just an epic tale of adventure and treasure-hunting, but a catalyst that set the stage for a new era in the world of piracy.

In the world of One Piece, it’s evident that piracy doesn’t operate in isolation. While desires for wealth and power certainly entice numerous sailors to embark on their voyages, a less frequently discussed aspect is the pirates themselves. Regardless of their objectives, it has been repeatedly shown that even the most formidable pirate captains harbor sources of inspiration, whether they openly admit it or not.

Some pirates served as inspirations for the next wave to continue the trade, while others merely made an impact through their deeds. Many of these influential pirates are no longer present in the One Piece storyline, but each one has indelibly marked the annals of pirate lore and the series’ overall narrative.

5 Whitebeard

Roger’s Rival

The Most Influential Pirates In One Piece

First Appearance: Episode 95 (Silhouette), Episode 151 (Full)

Edward “Whitebeard,” known as Whitebeard, showed little fascination for the conventional aspirations typical of a pirate. Instead, his past as an orphan ignited within him a yearning for family connections. To fulfill this longing, he amassed numerous other pirates under his wing, serving as a guiding figure and fatherly presence to them. His crew was so expansive that it required division into subgroups. Many pirate captains, including those who were once part of his team, swore allegiance to him along with their own crews. He also governed over numerous territories, which seemed to serve as a protective measure. Before his demise, he held the title of Emperor – a nickname given to the most formidable pirate captains in the eyes of the government.

As a devotee of the legendary sea rover Whitebeard, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant impact he’s had on one man in particular – Marshall D. Teach, better known as Blackbeard. This audacious pirate took more than just a name from Whitebeard; he appropriated his territories, Devil Fruit powers, and even structured his crew in a similar fashion. Interestingly, he promoted some of his earlier crew members to the rank of captain to accommodate what seems to be an enormous following he commands. There are rumors swirling that Teach’s influence is on the rise.

4 Shanks

Luffy’s Mentor

First Appearance: Episode 4

As a dedicated One Piece fan, I’d say it’s clear that among all pirates in the series, Shanks holds the most significant influence, being an early comrade of Luffy. His lifestyle was a blend of hedonism and heroism, a pattern that Luffy seems to have picked up. I’ve seen him enjoying life with his crew, but also standing strong against bandits. Remarkably, during one such encounter, Shanks even sacrificed an arm to shield Luffy from a Sea Monster. His playful yet noble demeanor is something I see mirrored in Luffy himself. Plus, he gifted Luffy the straw hat, a hat that was once owned by Gol D. Roger, his own former captain, making it a symbol of great legacy.

Shanks, being a current Emperor, is mainly focused on safeguarding numerous territories and assisting weaker pirate gangs that serve under him. Notably, Luffy has been gradually gaining influence, causing Bartolomeo to adopt the pirate lifestyle after witnessing Luffy’s miraculous escape from execution. Shanks later had an unfavorable encounter with Bartolomeo, which resulted in setbacks for his crew. Moreover, crews like the Barto Club and others joining the Straw Hat Grand Fleet were inspired by Luffy following their rescue by him and his team, indirectly reflecting Shanks’ impact as well.

3 Fisher Tiger

The Fish-Man Pirate

First Appearance: Episdeo 415

In any pirate gang consisting of Fish-Men, this particular captain, Fisher Tiger, is invariably connected. Known for his rebellious past that freed numerous others, Fisher Tiger was also the commander of the Sun Pirates. The Sun Pirates were the group that Arlong and his associates eventually joined. Although the Arlong Pirates existed before them, it can be debated that their tenure as Sun Pirates significantly contributed to their transformation into a more formidable crew upon their split. This major shift was largely triggered by Tiger’s demise.

Despite most of its original members having moved on, the Sun Pirates continue their activities today, remaining steadfast in their mission for the freedom and assimilation of Fish-Man kind. A splinter group, the Macro Pirates, emerged from the main crew, founded by three freshwater Fish-Men who, unlike their counterparts, engage in the slave trade, though it seems they have had limited success so far.

As a gamer, I’ve joined the new crew known as the Fish-Man Pirates, led by Hody Jones, an apprentice of Arlong. Despite going against Tiger’s principles, this crew was formed. Initially, we shared Tiger’s disdain for humans, but our hatred wasn’t born from the same experiences. However, upon learning about Tiger’s wish for peace with humans, we chose a different path. While not all Fish-Man Pirates align with his beliefs, many of us started our pirating careers under Fisher Tiger.

2 Rocks D. Xebec

Gone, But Also Forgotten

First Appearance: Episode 958

The name Rocks D. Xebec is largely forgotten in history. This is primarily because of the wicked actions he chose to take, such as delving into forbidden areas of research, sanctioned by the World Government. He was known for his brutality, showing no mercy when it came to killing world nobles and having little concern if their slaves were also killed in the process. It is rumored that the combined strength of both Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp was necessary to ultimately defeat him.

Even if Xebec is a somewhat unremarkable name in present times, he had an clear eye for talent. Many noteworthy pirates, including three future Emperors, sailed with Xebec as members of the Rocks Pirates, before going on to make names of their own. Big Mom, Whitebeard, and Kaido all viewed the experience of sailing with Xebec as unpleasant, but were still among many future stars in the world of piracy to have graced his crew. Whitebeard noted that the crew was full of people who weren’t the type to take orders, which likely contributed to its dissolution.

There’s a strong possibility that the impact of Captain Xebec persists through Teach, given that he named his main vessel, the Saber, after the deceased pirate captain, and he has sailed alongside Whitebeard, who was once part of Xebec’s crew.

1 Gol D. Roger

Ushered In a New Era

First Appearance: Episode 1

Gol D. Roger is not generally acknowledged by many active pirates as their inspiration, yet he doesn’t require this recognition to be influential. His execution, intended to discourage piracy, ironically sparked an interest in the profession among numerous individuals, fueled by the prospect of treasure; namely, the legendary One Piece, a treasure that only Roger and his crew have ever seen.

Besides this detail, it’s worth noting that three of the current emperors share some connection with him. Previously, Shanks and Buggy served under his command as cabin boys. Despite their contrasting pirate styles, both seem to hold a certain level of respect for their former captain. Regrettably, they were among a select few in his crew who didn’t witness the One Piece, as Buggy was sick, and Shanks stayed to aid him during recovery.

Luffy, a follower of Shanks, holds the title of Emperor as well. Shanks has pointed out that he recognizes much of his old captain in Luffy, which is part of the reason he passed on the legendary straw hat to the young pirate. It’s plausible that many of Luffy’s behaviors stem from Shanks, who had originally learned them from their previous captain, Roger. It’s obvious that numerous famous pirates, along with countless others, may have never ventured into piracy without his influence.

2024-11-11 03:05