Oda doesn’t like killing off characters, especially villains. When he does, however, he makes sure it becomes a defining moment in the story.

One Piece is an incredible story that follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy as he sails to become the King of the Pirates. With nearly three decades of published material, there is no shortage of adventures involving the Straw Hat Pirates. As they sail the Grand Line, the group of heroes leaves their mark on virtually every island that they touch, resulting in numerous great story arcs for fans to enjoy. However, for all these great moments, there have been plenty of losses along the way.

As with any story, One Piece has its fair share of highs and lows. These moments combine to make the iconic journey that fans have fallen in love with, providing scene after scene to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Although some characters may no longer be alive to exert their influence, their impact on the series will always be remembered.

Updated on March 22, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Like with most Shonen anime, deaths aren’t a common occurrence in One Piece. At the same time, many of these deaths are painful to bear, both for the characters and the audience. That said, it’s important to note that certain characters like Kaido and Big Mom are currently missing and certainly not officially dead. As such, we’ve updated this article with some more relevant information.

14Gol D. Roger’s Death Ushered In The Great Age of Pirates

Origins
Loguetown (East Blue)

Age
53

Debut
Episode 1 “I’m Luffy! The Man Who Will Become the Pirate King!”

Death

There are many special moves used in Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, like Genkishin and Omori Karyudon, making some foes formidable even for Luffy.

Out of the many deaths in One Piece, arguably one the most important is that of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger. After conquering the seas and finding the One Piece, Roger turned himself into the Marines. This was the only possible way because the Pirate King was effectively invincible in a fight. As a result of his actions, he was executed in Loguetown 24 years before the events of the story.

Roger’s death ushered the Great Age of Pirates and inspired millions of people to set out to sea in search of the One Piece. His accomplishments and words of encouragement shaped multiple generations of pirates and, as seen throughout the series, his name still carries as much weight as ever. That said, Roger left behind a highly volatile legacy, one that would put his unborn son in the crosshairs of the World Government.

13Kuina Should Have Played A Much Bigger Role In One Piece’s Story

Origins
Shimotsuki Village (East Blue)

Age
11

Debut

Episode 2 “The Great Swordsman Appears! Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro”

Death
Episode 19 “Past of the Three Swords! The Promise Between Zoro and Kuina!”

Few One Piece deaths are as surprising as Kuina’s, Roronoa Zoro’s childhood rival. While the green-haired swordsman doesn’t lose many fights during the events of the series, Kuina handed him defeat after defeat during their youth, proving that her goal of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman was not impossible. Zoro returned the favor by convincing her to keep fighting, claiming that they would both only get stronger.

In a devastating turn of events, it is revealed that Kuina passed away after falling down the stairs in the basement of her father’s dojo. Her premature death spawns the intense determination that characterizes Roronoa Zoro, forever leaving her mark upon the series. In fact, Zoro has always kept the Wado Ichimonji as a tribute to his dead friend and sparring partner.

12Bell-mère’s Death Led Nami Down A Long & Painful Path

Origins
Conomi Islands (East Blue)

Age
30

Debut
Episode 32 “The Witch of Cocoyasi Village, Arlong’s Female Officer”

Death
Episode 36 “Survive! The Mother Bell-mère and Nami’s Family!”

During the East Blue Saga, the Straw Hat Pirates chase after a rogue Nami, eventually leading them to her hometown, Cocoyasi Village. Here they learn her tragic backstory and the role that Arlong, the tyrannical Fish-Man, played in the death of Nami’s mother, Bell-mère. Bell-mère had willingly retired from the Marines in order to raise Nami and Nojiko, two orphan girls she found on a battlefield.

Unfortunately, their time together was cut short when the Arlong Pirates invaded and took over the Conomi Islands. Most of the Cocoyasi villagers managed to pay them tribute, buying them some time, but Bell-mère chose to use her 100,000 Belly savings to protect her beloved foster children. As a result, Arlong gleefully shot her. Bell-mère’s death would go on to shape Nami’s character arc in a profound way.

11Dr. Hiriluk Taught Chopper About The Reason For Being A Doctor

Origins
Drum Kingdom (Grand Line)

Age
68

Debut
Episode 85 “Dream of the Outcasts! The Quack Doctor Hiriluk”

Death
Episode 86 “Hiriluk’s Cherry Blossoms and Inherited Will!”

Nami and Nico Robin aren’t the only amazing women One Piece has to offer; other female characters, like Perona and Dr. Kureha, also deserve some love.

After the Straw Hat Pirates arrive at Drum Island, they are eventually introduced to their future crewmate, Tony Tony Chopper. Through their interactions with the talking reindeer, they learn about Dr. Hiriluk — the eccentric doctor who inspired Tony Tony Chopper to pursue studying medicine. In fact, it was Hiriluk who saved the severely injured Chopper, not to mention nurturing the humanoid reindeer back to health.

While on Drum Island, the circumstances of Hiriluk’s death are shown. He suffered from a terminal illness, but in a beautiful act of selflessness, he spent his final days affirming Chopper’s value as a doctor and standing up to Wapol for the sake of the nation’s people. Although there were no more sakura trees on Drum Island, Hiriluk’s secret powder created the visual effect of falling cherry blossoms.

10Mont Blanc Noland Deserved Better Than Being Labeled A Fraud

Origins
North Blue

Age
39

Debut
Episode 187 “Guidance from the Sound of a Bell! The Great Warrior and Tales of an Explorer”

Death
Episode 189 “Eternal Friendship! The Bell of Oath Echoes Throughout the Giant Ocean!!”

Death in One Piece is almost never an uplifting affair, but in the case of Mont Blanc Noland, his death was particularly disheartening. 400 years before the events of the series, Noland sailed across the Grand Line, leaving a positive impact on every island that he was able to reach. While visiting Jaya, Mont Blanc Noland encountered the Shandorians, befriending their populace and returning to his homeland with news of their prosperous nature.

However, before he could return, the Shandorians were launched into the sky by the Knock Up Stream, hiding them from the rest of the world. Noland was never able to reunite with his beloved acquaintances. What’s worse, his own people thought that he had made up the existence of Shandor. As a result, Noland was executed as a liar while his former companions and acquaintances mocked him.

9Going Merry’s Final Moments Are Among The Saddest In The Series

Origins
Syrup Village (East Blue)

Debut
Episode 17 “Completely Infuriated! Kuro vs. Luffy, Final Battle!”

Death
Episode 312 “Thank You Merry! The Sea of Separation in the Snow”

The Going Merry was the first ship that the Straw Hat Pirates sailed on their journey. After receiving it from Kaya in Syrup Village, the ship sailed the tough waters of the Grand Line for quite a long time, even traveling through the Knock Up Stream to reach Sky Island. The Going Merry even developed a Klabautermann, a spirit that represents the life of a well-loved ship, showing how much the Straw Hats cared for it.

Having been on countless adventures without a shipwright, Merry’s strength faded with time. By the time Luffy and his crew reached Water 7, its condition was terrible. The Going Merry did manage to save the Straw Hats in the end, but they ultimately had to let it go. Luffy and the crew gave their friend a proper burial at sea, making for one of the most heartbreaking scenes in One Piece.

8Portgas D. Rouge Gave Up Her Life To Protect Her Child

Origins
Unknown

Age
Unknown

Debut
One Piece Film Strong World: Episode 0

Death
Episode 460 “An Enormous Fleet Appears – Invasion! The Whitebeard Pirates”

Monkey D. Luffy has encountered dozens of villains during his adventures, including a few who should have joined the Straw Hat Pirates.

As the romantic partner of Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Rouge is one of the most influential characters in all of One Piece. She carried Roger’s child, Ace, but due to the pirate’s infamy, Rouge could not let anyone know about her baby and his connection to the King of Pirates. Thanks to her willpower, she managed to keep Ace in her womb for 20 months.

However, this was too much for her body to handle, and she passed away shortly after giving birth and naming her son Ace. Monkey D. Garp took the child under his wing as a final gift to his archrival, Gol D. Roger, and raised him alongside Monkey D. Luffy as one of his own. For his part, Ace rejected the Gol name due to having no personal connection with his father, explaining why he decided to take the Portgas name instead.

7Portgas D. Ace Protected His Little Brother Until His Final Moments

Origins
Baterilla (South Blue)

Age
20

Debut
Episode 91 “Farewell, Drum Island! I’m Going Out to Sea!”

Death
Episode 483 “Looking for the Answer – Fire Fist Ace Dies on the Battlefield”

The son of Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Ace joined the Whitebeard Pirates and made a great name for himself as the Second Division Commander of the crew. After Marshall D. Teach’s murder of Thatch, Ace looked for him to dish out punishment. Despite being a highly accomplished pirate and the wielder of the Flame-Flame Fruit, Ace was defeated by the future Emperor of the Sea.

Being handed over to the Navy, Ace faced execution and the Whitebeard Pirates waged war to rescue him, producing one of the best storylines in One Piece. Ace was rescued after enormous difficulty and multiple attempts. However, he ended up giving his life to protect Luffy from Akainu. Despite everything, Ace died free of regrets, and the fact that he finally knew that it was good to be born meant that he had lived a fulfilling life.

6Whitebeard Only Died After Confirming The One Piece’s Existence

Origins
Grand Line

Age
72

Debut
Episode 151 “The 100,000,000 Man! The World’s Highest Authority and the Pirate Blackbeard”

Death
Episode 485 “Settling the Score – Whitebeard vs. The Blackbeard Pirates”

Whitebeard waged war against the Navy to save one of his many children, Portgas D. Ace, from execution. Despite being sick, old, and injured, Whitebeard fought with all his might, nearly destroying Marineford with his Tremor-Tremor Fruit. In fact, the old man continued getting up after experiencing hundreds of attacks — Whitebeard was stabbed 267 times, shot 152 times, and struck by cannons 46 times over the course of the battle.

However, despite this unbelievable amount of damage, his back remained unblemished, having never received a single scar for running away from a fight. He effortlessly crushed Akainu, defeating the Admiral in a battle of pure strength. Unfortunately for Whitebeard, Blackbeard would end up causing his demise. However, the Emperor of the Sea died a legend’s death by declaring the One Piece’s existence in his final moments.

5Fisher Tiger Stood Against The Discrimination Facing His People

Origins
Fish-Man Island (Grand Line)

Debut
Episode 415 “Hancock’s Confession – The Sisters’ Disgusting Past”

Death
Episode 543 “The Hero’s Last Moments – The Shocking Truth of Tiger”

There are many potential romantic couplings between One Piece’s characters, such as Luffy x Nami and Zoro x Robin.

A legendary figure in the One Piece world, Tiger was one of the very few people who stood up against the discrimination that Fish-Men faced. After one of his many voyages, he freed the slaves from Mariejois and created the Sun Pirates to protect his fellow fish-men slaves. In fact, this act of heroism would indirectly spark the flames of rebellion around the world.

Tiger rescued people regardless of their race, and 12 years before the current storyline, he even saved Koala — a human slave. After delivering her safely to her home, Tiger’s location was given away by humans and the Marines riddled him with countless bullets. Tiger could’ve survived had he accepted a human blood transfusion. However, he couldn’t bear to be tainted by the blood of humans who hated his people.

4Donquixote Rosinante Sacrificed Himself For The Sake Of Trafalgar D. Law

Origins
Mary Geoise (Red Line)

Debut
Episode 686 “A Shocking Confession! Law’s Soulful Vow!”

Death
Episode 706 “Advance, Law – The Kindhearted Man’s Final Fight!”

Trafalgar D. Water Law has been at the center of multiple key events in One Piece post-timeskip. However, none of his actions would have been possible were it not for the sacrifices made by his mentor and benefactor, Donquixote Rosinante. Although this character had initially seemed to be a villain, Rosinante turned out to be extremely honorable and trustworthy.

In an attempt to prevent Donquixote Doflamingo from acquiring the Ope Ope no Mi Devil Fruit, Rosinante infiltrated his brother’s crew. While doing so, he was able to secure the Devil Fruit and feed it to Trafalgar D. Law. As a consequence, however, he compromised his position as a double agent for the World Government. Doflamingo punished him accordingly, marking the most notable case of fratricide in One Piece history.

3Pedro Sacrificed Himself To Help The Sanji Retrieval Team Escape

Origins
Momoko Dukedom (Grand Line)

Debut
Episode 754 “A Battle Begins – Luffy vs. the Mink Tribe!”

Death
Episode 849 “Before the Dawn – Pedro, the Captain of the Guardians”

As one of the Minks, Pedro was first introduced to One Piece during the events of the Zou arc. At this point, he had already made a name for himself with a whopping 382 million Belly bounty. Pedro would later sail with the Straw Hat Pirates to save Sanji and steal Big Mom’s Poneglyphs. After succeeding in doing both, he and the Sanji Retrieval Team found themselves in a life-or-death struggle to escape from the grasp of Big Mom.

Due to Perospero’s abilities, the retrieval team was unable to escape from Whole Cake Island. In an effort to disrupt the Minister of Candy’s abilities, Pedro blew himself up with a large amount of dynamite. Although he didn’t succeed in killing Perospero, he did buy his allies enough time to escape the island. Pedro’s sacrifice was probably one of the most intense death scenes in One Piece.

2Kozuki Oden Passed On His Will To The Samurai Of Wano

Origins
Wano Country (Grand Line)

Debut
Episode 910 “A Legendary Samurai – The Man Who Roger Admired!”

Death
Episode 974 “Oden Wouldn’t Be Oden If It Wasn’t Boiled”

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Kozuki Oden was one of the greatest fighters in the history of One Piece. He was a samurai who managed to charm the likes of Gol D. Roger and Edward Newgate, earning a place on both their ships. In fact, he was with Roger when the latter discovered the Island of Laugh Tale and the One Piece. About 20 years before the story, Oden ended up fighting against Kaido, one of the Four Emperors of the Sea.

In a sad turn of events, Oden and his men lost to Kaido. As a result, Oden ended up being executed by Kurozumi Orochi. Although he was sentenced to be boiled to death in a huge cauldron of oil, Oden heroically tolerated the increasing temperature until his samurai could escape. As such, Oden passed on his will to his samurai, sowing the seeds of revolution that would sprout up in Wano many years later.

1Shimotsuki Yasuie Was Executed By Kurozumi Orochi In The Flower Capital

Origins
Wano Country (Grand Line)

Debut
Episode 916 “A Living Hell – Luffy, Humiliated in the Great Mine”

Death
Episode 940 “Zoro’s Fury – The Truth About the SMILE!”

The Wano Country arc is the most significant event to occur since the start of One Piece, and it has already resulted in consequences that split the seas apart. The arc follows many of Kozuki Oden’s attempts to free Wano Country, but it also focuses on quality side characters like Shimotsuki Yasuie. Yasuie was one of the Daimyo of Wano Country before Orochi took over, later becoming a member of Oden’s retinue.

Yasuie gave up his life to save the rebellion by covering up for his allies in the Kozuki Family. For doing so, Yasuie was executed by Kurozumi Orochi in the Flower Capital, further establishing the heinous nature of Wano’s current shogun. His death was not in vain, however, as Yasuie’s quick thinking allowed the heroes to actually reach Onigashima.