One of the best things about the world of One Piece is how it is populated with a vibrant cast of characters. It’s hard to classify anyone in One Piece as a “Hero” or a “Villain”, given the flawed justice system. Let’s look at the Top One Piece villains that fans absolutely loved.
Top One Piece villains that fans absolutely loved
10. Borsalino
The enigma of the Admirals, Borsalino aka Kizaru is one of the most laid-back, absent-minded, and carefree characters in One Piece. Every single one of his appearances showcases how calm and composed he is, never losing his cool and temper.
9. Bentham
Bentham aka Bon Clay was introduced as an antagonist during the Alabasta Saga. However, his actions during the Summit War Saga, especially from Impel Down arc and beyond have cemented him as a fan-favorite character, alongside forming a wholesome bond with Luffy.
8. Ishho
While most fans don’t like the World Government and its agents, Isshoi aka Fujitora is Admiral who is respected by a lot of them. Ishho cares about justice deeply and is one of the very few Marines who actually wants to uphold Justice. Contradictory to the government’s ways, he prioritizes the safety of the people over punishing criminals.
7. Smoker
Smoker was introduced as a formidable Logia fruit user who never got tired of attempting to track Luffy down and catch him. His dynamic with Luffy is what earned him this spot on this list and many fans speculate that in the future he and Luffy might share a relationship similar to Roger and Garp.
6. Enel
Enel was the first truly terrifying enemy faced by the Straw Hats. Normally, every Straw Hat will have its own role to play in an arc and an antagonist to deal with. But in Skypiea, every single Straw Hat except Luffy had to stay away from Enel due to his power. If it wasn’t for his rubber body, even Luffy would’ve been defeated.
5. Charlotte Katakuri
Charlotte Katakuri is widely considered to be the ‘Rival’ of Luffy by the fandom. He was the one who truly pushed Luffy to his limits, lingering even his newly acquired Gear Fourth useless. Katakuri’s personality, his past, and his dynamic with Luffy land him in the fifth spot.
4. Marshal D. Teach
No one in One Piece does the role of “Villain” better than Blackbeard. He is a true and diabolical personification of the term ‘Villain’. Blackbeard is shown to be cunning and devious, taking fights only when he knows he’s got an advantage. He is calculative and power-hungry and will not stop until his desires are achieved.
3. Kuzan
Kuzan has been a fan favorite since his introduction. He was the first one to make Luffy feel truly hopeless and weak, which later leads to him creating Gear Second. He values justice highly, going as far as competing for the fleet admiral position. However, the recent manga events left fans confused about his true intentions as he joined the Blackbeard Pirates.
2. Sir Crocodile
Sir Crocodile is an icon within the One Piece world. He is the first Warlord faced by Luffy. He is the one who made Luffy realize how powerful Logias can be, and he was also the first ‘true’ villain of the series. His demeanor and swag make him one of the most memorable villains in the series.
1. Donquixote Doflamingo
Doflamingo is the perfect villain in One Piece. Every frame he shows up in is instantly filled with terror and intimidation. Apart from his power, his goals, motivations, and connections to the government and the criminal underworld of One Piece are all very influential, which makes him one of the most significant villains in One Piece.
Conclusion
Villains in One Piece are defined by how much of a hurdle they pose to Luffy and his friend’s rather than how ‘Evil’ they actually are, but still, both those qualities often coincide. Do mention your favorite villains in the comments below and for more such interesting lists, stay with Spiel Anime.