Top 10 One Piece Character Introductions

Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 “One Piece” character introductions.

The first person the Straw Hats meet in the Grand Line is Crocus. The elderly man has hair like his flowery namesake, and some surprising connections to major characters. When most of the crew is swallowed by a whale, they’re startled to find Crocus relaxing on an island inside the great beast. His intense staredowns with the crew, as well as his blithe, comedic responses to their questions about who he is and where they are, are the stuff of comedic gold! Crocus knows how to use a good running gag to its fullest potential!

While every member of the Straw Hats gets a great introduction, few of them are quite as unique as Brook’s. The crew is in the spooky Florian Triangle, which is full of ghost ships. When they come across a singing skeleton with an afro, they’re instantly unnerved (except for Luffy of course). Upon meeting him though, Brook proves to be a cheerful, if perverted, member of the undead. In addition to whether he can poop, Luffy has a very important question for Brook - will he join Luffy’s crew? Brook’s nonchalant acceptance is almost as hilarious as everyone else’s reaction to the news. Of course, Brook joining wasn’t that simple, but right from the jump he proves that he belongs with the Straw Hats.

While Ace makes a brief appearance during the Drum Island arc, his first proper introduction is in a bar in Alabasta. This scene is first comedic, as Ace seems to have died, but is merely asleep in his food. Then things turn serious when Smoker shows up, revealing Ace’s connection to Whitebeard and that he’s Luffy’s older brother. Finally, it’s funny again, when Luffy makes a dramatic and hilarious entrance. Ace then has a reunion with his little bro, reveals his fiery devil fruit powers, and gets to meet Luffy’s crew. As far as first introductions go, this one has a little bit of everything and firmly establishes Ace as an entertaining and cool character.

You never know who the Straw Hats will run into on their journey. One of the most surprising is when the lanky lazy guy they encounter napping. Turns out, he’s Marine Admiral Aokiji, whose real name is Kuzan. Aokiji immediately terrifies the nigh-unflappable Robin, and the rest of the crew soon learns why. The Admiral’s ice powers are enough to freeze a whole section of ocean, and he soon proves invulnerable to the attacks of every member of the crew. After freezing Robin solid, he easily hands Luffy one of his only complete defeats! While the Marines are a threat throughout “One Piece,” Aokiji is the first major indication of how terrifying they can be!

The Straw Hat Pirates aren’t the only big names making their mark in the Grand Line. When the crew reaches Sabaody Archipelago, they’re informed that 9 of their peers have also attained bounties over 100 million and are at the same location too. We’re treated to a rapid fire introduction of these powerful rookie pirates. Seeing their bounties, unique designs, and some of their abilities is a real treat, but it’s the way they all showcase their personalities and bounce off each other that makes their collective introduction truly fantastic! Some of their interactions in these little snippets have big payoffs later down the road. It’s tough to make a flood of new characters work this well, but “One Piece” pulls it off beautifully.

Dracule “Hawk Eyes” Mihawk is the strongest swordsman in the world. Built up as a man Zoro is searching for, Mihawk debuts when he is responsible for destroying Don Krieg’s pirate fleet - because he was bored. Mihawk pursues Krieg to East Blue and slices up his enormous flagship like it’s nothing! Zoro challenges “Hawk Eyes” to a duel, and the Warlord further cements his incredible skill and power by toying with East Blue’s best swordsman. Although Zoro’s resolve impresses Mihawk, he also gives him a horrendous scar as well. Mihawk sets the bar high for the Seven Warlords, as well as for Grand Line characters in general. He gives us a taste of the peak of “One Piece” power, and it’s incredible even now.

After the Straw Hats meet Shakky, the bartender hypes up the Supernovas plenty. But then, she claims her man Rayleigh is a hundred times stronger than all of them. And if anything, she was downplaying that figure! Soon afterwards, when Camie is captured, one of her captors is knocked out by a then-mysterious force. We pan over to see an old man drinking in a cell next to a giant, the latter of whom accuses the other of using Haki. While the old guy claims to just be an old coating mechanic, the caption that appears reveals that he’s Silver Rayleigh - former first mate to the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger! What a legendary way to introduce this living legend!

At a bar on Jaya, Luffy sits next to a large, unshaven man, whom he quickly finds himself comedically at odds with. Both have the exact opposite tastes in food and drink. While a fight nearly breaks out, it’s soon diffused. Luffy does get into a fight with another pirate, but outside, Teach gives Luffy a rousing speech about pursuing your dreams. Later, after learning how much Luffy is worth, we learn the truth. This seemingly random guy is Blackbeard, the pirate Luffy’s brother Ace has been pursuing. Not only that, other background characters from around town are part of his crew too! It’s an incredibly creative way of introducing one of the series’ main villains - with humor, inspiration, and a crazy twist!

Out of all the Marines, Borsalino, or Kizaru, has the best introduction. Another one of the 3 Admirals, Kizaru is called in to resolve an incident at Sabaody instigated by Luffy. To start, Kizaru rides in on a cannonball like a boss! Then, he illustrates his incredibly powerful light powers by destroying one of the massive mangroves of the archipelago with a single kick! Finally, he makes short work of four of the Supernovas gathered there! Kizaru’s slow speech pattern and absentmindedness are hilarious, but also contrast perfectly with his frightening speed and power. It’s a phenomenal antagonist introduction - but not quite “One Piece”’s best.

All these character debuts leave an impact, but only Kaido’s does it literally! First seen as a shadowed figure on a sky island, Kaido leaps off of it as the narrator describes his desire to die, as well as the highlights of his life. How every attempt to kill him has failed. That he has been captured by the Marines many times, yet always escaped. And as he picks himself up out of the Kaido shaped crater and towers over 3 Supernovas, we learn that Kaido is considered the strongest creature on earth - on land, sea, or in the air! This personification of strength on steroids, this unstoppable, unbeatable monster...Luffy picked a fight with him! Oh crap!