Top 10 Shocking One Piece Deaths

The death of a monarch is a momentous event, even if that monarch is a mermaid. Queen Otohime has long championed for her fellow fishy citizens of Fishman Island to better integrate with humans. While collecting signatures to join the international community, Otohime’s ballot box is set on fire and in the chaos, she’s assassinated. However, even as she lays dying, the queen forswears revenge and urges her tearful children not to hate whomever is responsible. Two of her sons being forced to sing and dance as Otohime dies to cheer up their sister Shirahoshi - to prevent her abilities from running wild and killing them all - only adds an extra layer of tragedy.

This jaguar mink may only travel with the Straw Hats to Whole Cake Island, but he comes in clutch for their first strike against an Emperor. When the Thousand Sunny is trapped by Persopero’s candy, Pedro stays behind to fight the big-tongued pirate. Although he’s pinned down by Perospero, Pedro holds tight, reaffirming that the Straw Hats will bring about the Dawn of the World - the change that he believes in. Lighting the bombs he has wrapped under his shirt, Pedro blows himself up, freeing the Straw Hats and letting them set sail. Pedro may not live to see the Dawn, but his sacrifice is one beautiful “sunset.”

Found family crops up a lot in “One Piece,” and Nami’s adopted mom Bell-mère is an absolute boss. Despite being a poor ex-Marine and having some friction with Nami, Bell-mère cares for the Straw Hats’ future navigator and her sister, Nojiko. When Arlong and his Fishmen arrive at their village, demanding tribute money for both children and adults or death, the family are in a tight spot. They only have enough money for either Bell-mère or her children. Although Bell-mère tries to fight at first and has an option to deny her girls are hers, she refuses - family is family. Bell-mère may die here, but her spunky, daring attitude lives on in Nami and her sister.

Every Straw Hats’ backstory tends to feature at least one death. But only Brook actually dies in his. Before he was a living skeleton, Brook and his crew of music-loving pirates got stuck in the Florian Triangle. Poisoned in battle and with no hope of recovery or escape, the crew decides to play their favorite song, “Binks’ Sake,” one last time. The scenes of the Rumbar Pirates’ end are interlaced with Brook playing for the Straw Hats in the present. Yet in the past, the Rumbar Pirates dwindle, until only Brook is left playing on the piano. “Binks’ Sake” is a song for any occasion, but this occasion is unquestionably a sad one.

Legendary samurai Kozuki Oden meets his end in quite the epic fashion. He and his retainers are sentenced to execution by the corrupt shogun Orochi and the Emperor Kaido. Orochi’s twisted method of killing Oden involves boiling them alive, like Oden’s namesake food. However, Oden manages to extract a promise to save his men should he survive an hour. And survive he does, all while holding his samurai over his head! His beastliness is solidified as everything he’s done for the people of Wano is laid bare. Kaido may gun Oden down, but the hot-blooded samurai lived a life so incredible, that we share his final smile - even if it’s through tears.

A fraud of a doctor he may be, but “Dr.” Hiriluk is one hell of a man! Despite lacking medical know-how, Hiriluk does all he can to heal his home country of Drum Kingdom, while also raising Chopper like a son. Dying of disease, Hiriluk eats a poison mushroom Chopper brings him, after seeing how much he went through to get it. Hiriluk even rushes into a trap set by the corrupt king to find any remaining doctors, but he isn’t sad - he’s just glad no one’s sick! As he succumbs to the poison, Hiriluk decides to cut his life short, so Chopper isn’t the one who kills him. A man only dies when he’s forgotten, and Hiriluk’s legacy is great indeed!

His brother Doflamingo is a monster, and yet Rosinante, better known as Corazon, is a kind-hearted man. Corazon does everything in his power to help a young Trafalgar Law heal from his Amber Lead poisoning. When Doflamingo finally catches up with them, Corazon is beaten and bloodied with Law hiding silently in a chest behind him. Although his brother kills him, Corazon is able to fool Doflamingo and keep Law hidden. His depth of care and generosity have a deep impact on not only Law, but viewers as well. Law certainly isn’t the only one crying!

Wealth. Fame. Power. The Pirate King Gol D. Roger had all of these and more. However, “One Piece” begins with the execution of “Gold” Roger. Already dying from disease, Roger gives himself up - but he doesn’t go quietly. His death begins both the series and the Golden Age of Piracy, as his last words about the One Piece sends every would-be pirate in search of the fabled treasure. That’s including a certain young rubber man, of course. While his death doesn’t hit as hard emotionally, the first time anyway, there’s no denying the impact Roger’s death had on his world and ours.

Speaking of veteran pirates, Roger’s greatest rival, Edward Newgate, meets quite the incredible end himself! After sustaining many injuries during the Summit War, Whitebeard finally dies after being shot by his former crewman, Blackbeard, and his new crew. But he doesn’t die right away. Whitebeard uses his final words to belt out a confirmation to the world that the One Piece does really exist, reigniting the passion of pirates everywhere. And when he finally does die, Whitebeard does so not only while still standing, but also without a single wound on his back! All Whitebeard ever wanted in life was a family. Through his crew, he achieved his dream. And in death, Whitebeard became even more of a legend than he already was!

This young pirate was always destined for an epic conclusion - they run in his family. Roger’s son (and Whitebeard’s adopted one), and Luffy’s foster brother, Ace is at the center of the Summit War. Despite his family and fellow pirates doing everything they can to save him from execution, Ace does ultimately die anyway. Unwilling to stomach insults to Whitebeard, Ace faces Admiral Akainu in battle. Although he’s outmatched in the fight, Ace’s undoing occurs when Akainu takes aim at Luffy, causing Ace to jump in the way. The death of Ace left not only Luffy shook, it also rocked the “One Piece” community. His tragic end is a pivotal moment in the story, and one that never fails to make us cry!


Is there a “One Piece” death we forgot? Make your “merry” way down to the comments - and tell us which one hit you the hardest.