“One Piece” is this anime that centers around pirates. More often than not, pirates, whether in the real world or pop culture, are not depicted as completely good guys. Well, almost. Look at Captain Hook in Disney’s “Peter Pan” and Captain Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Then, you have the Somali pirates, who are depicted in mass media not entirely on the bright side, depending on the media’s leanings.
Similarly, “One Piece” has a mix of both good and bad pirates. On this website, you’ve learned so much about the good pirates led by Monkey D. Luffy. This time, meet the baddest yet most successful evil pirates in the anime.
1. Donquixote Doflamingo
Doflamingo isn’t someone you want to mess with, but you won’t forget about him even if you are done watching the anime series. Touted as one of the most memorable villains on “One Piece,” his introduction at Punk Hazard was sufficient to send butterflies to your stomach. While in terms of power, Doflamingo won’t be on top of the list, but he is the most ruthless above all. Thus, he’s also the most successful.
To prove, he has committed the most unimaginable things, unforgivable and heinous crimes, as unforgivable as the curses in “Harry Potter.” Like a few prominent personalities in the real world, he killed his father and brother without even showing a tinge of guilt. Plus, he led the rebellion of the people of his own native country against its king. You know what happens next. Yes, he became the king, like Scar in “The Lion King.”
2. Jaygarcia Saturn
First and foremost, he is immortal, and if that isn’t enough to show you his triumph as a villain in “One Piece,” then read on. None of those taught him a shred of humanity, as he excels in bigotry in the story. He has received a lot of scorn reserved for the worst of the worst of the Fleet Admiral Akainu or the Celestial Dragons.
He’s old but never wise. He can absorb damage, disperse this, and mean-mug people around him so hard that this pops their heads without him showing remorse. What’s more, he raises the bar for other Gorosei members and uses magic to conjure a circle that denotes a pentagram. Moreover, using those powers, he can teleport. You also won’t want to mess up with him.
3. Charlotte Katakuri
His profile alone is enough to brand him as a successful evil pirate in “One Piece.” Being among the top executives of the Big Mom Pirates provides him with such immense power and influence that even real-world celebrities will feel threatened by it.
Katakuri is an authentic master of combat and observation. His stoic attitude conceals a deep sense of responsibility toward his family and kin. But, this evil pirate keeps a good heart, nonetheless. He has always wanted to protect his loved ones at all costs.
4. Akainu
If being popular is synonymous with being successful, Akainu would be on top. He is among the most famous characters in the franchise, but let’s start with the term “infamous” for him. He may be a Marine Fleet Admiral, generally a group of good guys, but he does not care about protecting his people and the world from the threat of the more evil pirates.
His mantra leans toward Absolute Justice. Though that looks crooked in itself already, his sense of duty is even more crooked. His only goal is to guarantee that his philosophy and belief in “Absolute Justice” prevails regardless. He is famous, he is booming, and he is strong. As proof, during the Buster call on Ohara, he casually destroys a ship with innocent civilians on it, and he is responsible for killing Portgas D. Ace after manipulating Squard into knifing Whitebeard at Marineford. Yikes.
5. Rocks D. Xebec
Of the villains on this list, Xebec is the most “low-profile,” or nothing much is known about him, except that he is pure evil. Nothing much about his legacy for the world is known except that he managed to ambitiously conquer the worst sails with one of the most formidable crews ever in “One Piece” pirate history. Also, his influence on the story is enormous, and his strength cannot be questioned. Just look at his alliances.
Moreover, three members of his crew went on to become sea emperors as soon as they disbanded, which not even individual members of the K-Pop group BTS can ever do. He stood as the captain who gave them orders. In fact, he is also among the main inspirations for Blackbeard’s plan to either subjugate or destroy the world and commit atrocities that shook the world of pirates in the story.
6. Crocodile
A crocodile of some sort is just a pirate villain’s pet and sidekick in “Peter Pan,” but Crocodile is actually a major, major villain in “One Piece.”
Ruthless and cunning, this ex-member of the Seven Warlords is the criminal group Baroque Works leader. Despite his calm and precise demeanor that yearns for knowledge to further his goals of world domination, there are various reasons not to forget about this character.
7. Kaidou
Kaidou, or Kaido, is another “One Piece” villain you don’t want to mess with, as he is nicknamed the “Strongest Creature in the World.” This Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates and one of the Four Emperors thrives on destruction and chaos. He dreams of starting the greatest war the globe has ever seen. As Scar would sing, he is feared, respected, and saluted in the worst ways in the “One Piece” pirate world.
The rest of the villains who would make it on this list include Figarland Garling, Blackbeard, and Marshall D. Teach.
The number of villains in the story makes them feel as if they’re part of a school section. To be honest, it isn’t easy to choose a winner. More so, many of them have backstories that could overshadow the heroes,’ and others just want the world to burn. Rage is their middle name.
Yet, “One Piece” will never be “One Piece” without the presence of these characters. Catch the stories of these villains now by streaming the anime today. Happy 2025!
