Ranking The Straw Hat Pirates - InBetweenDrafts

Let’s get one thing clear immediately. I love all of the Straw Hats. There’s not a single member among the (current) ten that I’d wish to leave. This crew is so immensely lovable that even their most aggravating attributes add up to their abundance of charm. To that point, I like some members of the Straw Hats better, depending on the arc. Franky in Water 7/Enies Lobby and even, to a degree, Dressorasa? Top three-level character and one of the most formidable introductions to any Straw Hat period. He’s a character I’d spend more time with through flashbacks. Franky, in most stories post-time skip aside from Dressrosa? Forgettable.

Usopp’s entire storyline in Syrup Village had me rage-quit the series for months. Now, he’s become a quiet favorite due to his subtle character growth. Nami is a pivotal character who is often forgotten; the less said about Sanji during the Fish-Man Island arc, the better, and his near blood loss was deserved. And yet, I always want to see more of Nami and Sanji, soon after Fish-Man, gets one of the best exploratory arcs of any character period in Whole Cake Island.

The characters of One Piece are fundamentally flawed yet irresistibly lovable — most notably the scrappy yet spirted Straw Hat crew. There’s a reason why people have read well-over 1000 chapters since it’s start or followed along on the rocky path the anime set 25 years ago. Whether you’re reading week-to-week, binge-watching the series on Crunchyroll like I did, or a little bit of both, it’s the characters along with the immense world-building that keep us locked in. And, at its center, the ragtag group of pirates that could. Here’s my very personal list of my 10th favorite Straw Hat to my 1st — opinions are my own and not influenced by any other writers/editors/longtime fans, etc.

Spoilers for current episodes below.

Brook is a fantastically executed character — pardon the joke (yo ho ho ho, am I right.) The weight and gravity of his origin, his emotional ties to Laboon, and the gentleness of his nature exhibited at the end of Thriller Bark highlights why he’s such a perfect addition to the Straw Hat Crew. Here is yet another misfit nursing past regrets and looking towards a brighter, ever-expanding future. And while there are moments and arcs that stick out for the character, from the hilarity of his first appearance to his determination in Whole Cake Island while facing off with Big Mom, he’s the character I’m the least emotionally tethered to beyond the Laboon backstory.

There’s a very real possibility that nothing will quite hit the emotional devastation of his flashback as we watch the lives of his comrades slip through their fingers as they gather and rally for one last song. But it, along with his other best moments, don’t quite add up to a fully formed character. To a degree where it’s almost fitting, a man made up of memory and bones. Unfortunately, however, it’s not that he’s unlovable, just that the others are all the more lovable still.

Chopper has, perhaps, the most emotional introduction of any Straw Hat. His backstory is heartbreaking, and the series takes pains to establish his relationship with Dr. Hiriluk and Dr. Kureha, who were crucial in his formative development. Chopper, like other characters, is best pre-time skip. He’s given more to do as a crew member, but his design is also simply more enjoyable. Pre-time skip Chopper has more to deal with, such as his learning to be a part of the crew and the effects of using the Rumble Balls that force him into his “Monster Point.” His rampage at Sabaody is so effective because it’s just another added layer that highlights how out of their depth the crew is, despite their considerable strengths.

Post time skip Chopper has some highlights and there’s vested interest in Punk Hazard and Wano to try and offer him a bigger storyline. But mainly he works as a supporting player. He, like others, deserves more time to better develop but with the pace that the world expands he isn’t a focal point. However, his dynamic with the crew elevates his position, even if I wish he’d remained his original design rather than the ready-made plush figure he becomes.

Jimbei, during Marienford, is top-notch and does a lot to solidify his place amongst the Straw Hats. Even if, coincidentally, he wasn’t officially part of them yet. But his steadfast determination to get Luffy out alive helped viewers connect instantly to him. His wisdom persists now that he’s an official member, bringing a steady calm that works against the incessant chaos the rest of the crew brings. His backstory and how it ties to the Fish Men lore offers gravitas and history of being one of the Seven Emperors of the Sea.

What’s fun about Jimbei is how much history he had in piracy long before joining Luffy. His persistence in joining and the hurdles he endures make for a long-gestating and wildly fulfilling storyline. It’s just that the emotional connection isn’t quite the same. Even Chopper and Brook, who arguably offer less in terms of narrative these days, would be more devastating to lose. Jimbei joining Luffy feels more like the twilight of his story after an illustrious career. The others, meanwhile, are still striving towards their end goals. That said, it’s worth doubling down on how crucial he is to the crew. Without him, it’s doubtful Luffy would’ve survived past Marineford, both because of his injuries and grief.

Franky, at his best, is one of the most interesting characters in One Piece. His introduction is so rich with textured backstories that it grants us all we need to know about him. He’s so well-written that it’s easy to forget that our introduction to him is as he leads the charge on beating the shit out of Usopp. But his immense charm helps alleviate any lingering doubt about his likability. A character who’s lived his life as part of several makeshift, chosen families, his warmth and compassion is considerable.

There’s a world of stories born from his past interactions with his would-be father figure, Tom, to Iceburg. From his colorful and ever-changing design to the brilliant Japanese voice performance by Kazuki Yao that trills and yelps with fervor and how his past influences his current, he’s a brilliant, lively addition. He is quite literally built into the makeup of the Sunny.

Not to be redundant, but it’s a shame that his character falters so much beyond the time-skip. However, while Brook and Chopper get very little, Franky has a strong story in Dressrosa. It’s not even a storyline but a moment. Luffy offers Franky Ace’s Devil Fruit as he’s about to enter the colosseum. That, in and of itself, is enough to remind us of how excellent and integral Franky is. It’s not just that Luffy offers it to him — but that he turns it down. Not to mention, his allergic reaction to pants is all too relatable.

Nami is crucial to the survivability of the Straw Hats. She is formidable, compassionate, and has strong dynamics with nearly every crew member. And she is easily the hardest character to place on this list. Because as wonderful as Nami is, she’s had some of the most minor character growth and increasingly less to do throughout the story. She gets stronger and develops her ability with her signature weapon of choice, the Clima-Tact. Nami is at her best when she’s playful and part of the chaos, embracing her Cat Burglar roots as she shamelessly seeks riches.

But more than anything, her emotional moments land with such startling sincerity that speak to her greatest attributes. Her saying goodbye to her childhood home is one of the anime’s first tear-inducing moments. Standing her ground against Ulti during Wano demonstrates her considerable willpower and belief in her captain. With such a rich, painful backstory, her character is deeply ingrained in what makes One Piece such a triumph. Someone capable of change when treated with compassion. Nami is a scrappy badass — I just wish the series remembered this more often.

Usopp’s ability to fail upwards is tremendous and often hilarious. From the would-be self-appointed captain of the Going Merry to aspiring warrior of the sea to Sniper King and “God” Usopp, his travels have seen him hit every single low and high a person can reach. At the start of the series, he’s deliberately frustrating, offering a human connection against his formidable crew. His perceived weaknesses afford his character strength, especially as he continues to grow throughout the series. He’s selfish and cowardly. Yet he’s also selfless, empathetic, and steadfast despite his fear. He’s messy, but that’s what makes him human.

It’s what makes his big fight with Luffy work. Because while he’s in the wrong, there’s a keen understanding of how and why he reaches this point. Water 7 through Enies Lobby is integral to Usopps’s growth. He’s Luffy’s true peer, both starting their journeys at 17, with ties to the Red Hair pirates. His comedic ascent to further infamy during Dressrosa solidifies his place on this list, along with his sibling-esque dynamic with Nami. However, more than anything, his character carries with him promise. Despite his contribution to the crew, there’s this inkling of more — from past hints to familial ties and more significant untapped potential. Usopp is a character who I’m most excited to see how he develops next.

Robin’s insurmountable strength and resilience shine first during Enies Lobby. And while her assertion of life and cry to Luffy that she “wants to live” is the pivotal moment for the character, it’s not the only reason she’s this high on this list. The ebbs and flows of her character intrinsically link to the DNA of the storyline through her archaeological nature. From her ability to read the poneglyphs, her history on Ohara, the fact she spent time with the Revolutionary Army the two years the crew was separated, and that she continues to be hunted for her potential knowledge speaks to how much depth Robin has. Her dark sense of humor and view of the world offer a hilarious contrast to what we assume her to be, and her power-up during Wano following her emotionally vital rescue of Sanji shows off just how formidable she is.

But it all circles back to that cry of “I want to live,” embodying part of this series is all about. The refusal of loneliness for a life of camaraderie and the desperate desire for freedom, whatever that entails. From the silly to the profound, Robin’s journey from Demon Child to Straw Hat is one of the most enriching in the series. Joining the crew isn’t the end stage but a new chance at life, embracing Saul’s words that “no one is born to be alone.”

Zoro is the backbone of the Straw Hat crew, making his fall at Sabaody all the more cataclysmic to the devastating sequence. And, to a degree, it’s almost harder to discern Zoro’s changes throughout the series because of his seeming unflappable nature — especially post-time skip. But he is endlessly engaging as a character through his prowess as a swordsman, his consistently terrific fight scenes, and the natural stoicism that, like moths to a flame, has so many fans breathlessly praising his “cool” factor. But it’s not his power that places him so high on this list but his relationship with the crew and how this lone wolf with his dreams grows to be someone who willingly will throw away his life and, greater still, pride for the sake of his crew.

He is a character of constant humbling, and it always comes from his own desires. Zoro offers himself to Kuma and then begs Mihawk to train him. He declares Luffy his best friend and captain in Wano while fighting King and demonstrating his Supreme King Haki. Yes, there’s plenty of intrigue about how his heritage links him to Wano. But it’s his connection to the crew, his shocking bouts of wisdom, and his ability to line up and adjust during battle that makes him such a strong character.

There’s room to miss some of the sillier Zoro moments pre-Sabaody, such as him telling Nami and Vivi to strike a cool pose before being coated in wax at Little Garden or hollering while swinging from vines in Skypiea. But even that divide in personality is engaging. Because, of course, he’s different — the two years change them. No matter how small the failure, he learns from it.

Lightly press me on most days, and I’d argue that Sanji is the best-written character on One Piece — at least in relation to the Straw Hats. In part, we must disregard his obvious flaws (his Fishman Island arc is objectively not awesome, nor is his obsession with the Devil Fruit that offers users invisibility.) But aside from those valid objections you have a character with considerable depth and personality. He gets one of the most electrifying introductions throughout the East Blue, and his theme music is fittingly jaunty and old school, befitting his sleek suits and habitual chain smoking.

But his greatest strength as a character comes from his kindness, something we see immediately as he serves Gin a meal in secret on the Baratie to keep him from starving. It’s a core component to his story and our first introduction to him is made more poignant the more we learn about his backstory.

Every layer that’s peels back from his characterization makes him all the more thoughtfully rendered. He refuses to let people starve, having starved himself. He’s kind because unlikely kindness saved his life. His growth develops further when we visit Whole Cake Island and learn of his abusive upbringing, making his joining the Baratie and the Straw Hats all the more poignant. And him learning that Germa’s engineering has infected him is devastating, not because he’s worried about the powers that come with it, but because it could steal away his humanity. His kindness is so crucial to the character that it bleeds into self-sacrificial moments, even. Here’s a character who beat the odds despite a cruel, heartless upbringing — sans his mother — who found unlikely generosity. The words of his sister are right. “The sea is broad…you’ll definitely meet kind people someday.”

Sunshine boy himself. This would be an easy, maybe even dull, pick if Luffy himself wasn’t such a joyous, deceptively complex character. His spirit is infectious, both towards the crew and readers/viewers, as he seeks his ultimate source of happiness, freedom. His straightforward nature and beliefs about right and wrong could render him as simplistic to specific viewers. However, that bold declaration of intent makes him endlessly winsome, especially at the start. He doesn’t beat around the bush, and there are no secrets. From his light bullying of Koby at the beginning, his assertion to help Nami and acceptance of Usopp back into the crew, to his desperate battle cry for Ace, and, later, his fury at the wasted food by Kaido’s crew in Wano, his emotions are blatant, his motives clear.

What makes him such a powerful protagonist who has set ablaze the hierarchy of the world of One Piece is his emotional intelligence and his brazen affinity towards impulse. He understands those he holds close and utilizes that understanding to bolster more significant connections. He doesn’t seek the hero label and doesn’t seem to believe his actions are radical. And that’s what makes him so charming. It’s also seeing how Luffy subtly changes from childish and naive pre-Marineford to the version of him we meet later.

Yes, he still possesses the same energy and jumps headfirst into adventure. But emotionally and physically scarred, he holds the captain role with more gravitas. By the time Gear 5 reveals itself, it’s no wonder he’s the modern personification of a Sun God. We continuously watch as he casts away the shadows that encase others, penetrating the darkest moments with his jubilant optimism and determination. His heart beats louder, the drums roar, and our attachment to this grinning boy wonder in jorts grows.

Images courtesy of Crunchyroll and Toei Animation.