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Discover the 8 best One Piece backstories. Explore what makes each of these character’s pasts so great and where they rank.
As one of the most popular anime and manga series of all time, One Piece features a cast of diverse characters. Oda excels at making us feel attached to these figures through emotional storytelling, particularly through masterfully written backstories.
By showcasing the tragic circumstances and inspiring pasts that characters have risen from, fans feel a higher degree of connection to them. Hence, here are the 8 best One Piece backstories, ranked.
8) Luffy and His Brothers
While often overlooked due to the various tragic backstories in One Piece, the pasts of the protagonist and his brothers form a compelling story deserving of appreciation. It followed Luffy, Ace, and Sabo as they lived together and formed a bond thicker than blood.
Despite coming from rough circumstances, the trio enjoyed each other’s presence, getting into all sorts of trouble with Dadan, Garp, and others. Their brotherly pact and vows to set sail and chase their dreams formed the crux of One Piece’s themes.
However, disaster struck through Sabo’s apparent death at the hands of a Celestial Dragon. This only strengthened Ace and Luffy’s resolve as they vowed to get more powerful and conquer the seas. Their relationship was the main emotional narrative in several key One Piece storylines. It added layers of drama to the Marineford War while also resulting in a heartwarming reunion during Dressrosa.
7) Kozuki Oden
Fans may have only known Oden through his backstory, but this was enough for him to leave an indelible mark on their minds. Ever since his birth, Oden never fit into the mold of the traditional Wano samurai. He eventually left his hometown due to his spirit of adventure, sailing with both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates.
His charisma made him a great figure of the seas, even finding the legendary One Piece. Unfortunately, upon returning home, he discovered Orochi and Kaido’s sinister alliance, which was leading an oppressive government.
Enraged, Oden and his retainers led a valiant charge against the villains. Oden himself had an electrifying battle against Kaido, which he would have won if not for Higurashi’s interference. To conclude his tale, he was boiled alive, though holding true to his ideals. As Oden died with a smile, he inspired countless generations ahead of him. His wife, Toki, used her powers to send Momonosuke and the Scabbards to the future, continuing Oden’s fight for justice.
6) Brook
The charismatic musician Brook’s story is one of the most melancholic in One Piece, blending humor with sorrow. It spoke of his time in the Rumbar Pirates, as he enjoyed traveling the Grand Line and struck up a friendship with Laboon.
However, a fatal poison cut short his crew’s adventures. Since Brook had eaten the Yomi Yomi no Mi, only he received a second chance at life.
Promising to carry on the will of his friends and reunite with Laboon, Brook and the Rumbar Pirates played one last joyful tune together before falling one by one. Finally, Brook died, and his soul returned, though he was unable to fulfill his goal since Gecko Moria stole his shadow. This backstory led up to his position as a Straw Hat, serving as a poignant reminder of his loneliness, loyalty, and the power of music.
5) Senor Pink
While originally just a minor antagonist who faced Franky in the Dressrosa Arc, Senor Pink’s backstory took every fan by surprise. It spoke of how he was a loving father and husband but led a double life as a pirate.
Unfortunately, when he was out working, his newborn son died. Later, his wife discovered Pink’s criminal identity but faced an accident when trying to run away. This left her in a vegetative state, causing mental turmoil for the pirate.
Willing to do anything to make his wife smile again, Pink found that she was amused when he wore a baby’s attire. As a result, he continued dressing with a bonnet and a pacifier ever since, trying to atone for his son’s and wife’s tragic circumstances. This was a short yet powerful flashback that displayed the depth behind a seemingly comical character. It made Senor Pink into a beloved figure who stood for undying love.
4) Trafalgar Law
In contrast to Law’s calm and collected demeanor, his backstory is one of unparalleled sadness. Law was a resident of Flevance, a country affected by the deadly White Lead disease. Despite not being contagious, the World Government hid its details. His homeland was eventually destroyed by enemies, with Law personally witnessing the death of everyone he held dear.
Law managed to escape by hiding underneath dead bodies, now holding hatred for the entire world. He ended up joining the Donquixote Pirates, though he only had around three years to live. In the time he spent in this crew, Law formed a bond with Doflamingo’s brother, Corazon.
While initially believed to be an evil man, Corazon soon turned out to be the kindest person in Law’s life. Working as a secretive ally to the Marines, Corazon was determined to find a cure for Law’s disease. He finally found an answer with the Ope Ope no Mi. Regrettably, soon after feeding Law the Devil Fruit, Doflamingo discovered his brother’s betrayal.
He brutally killed Corazon, though the heroic pirate had managed to protect Law right before dying. This motivated Law’s goal of dismantling the Donquixote Pirates, leading to his alliance with Luffy.
3) Nico Robin
Nico Robin’s backstory is one that requires no introduction in One Piece. It is considered among the most iconic and jarring moments in the series, and for good reason. As a child raised in Ohara, Robin was a prodigy who showed interest in deciphering Poneglyphs and learning about the Void Century.
While she enjoyed being in the presence of other researchers, trouble soon came knocking. Given Ohara’s illegal knowledge, the World Government carried out a Buster Call seeking to destroy the entire island. As Robin witnessed the deaths of her loved ones, she continued carrying their spirit.
Jaguar D. Saul allowed the girl to be the sole survivor of the Buster Call, though the World Government soon branded her as the demon child. This backstory gave us a glimpse into the Straw Hats’ archaeologist and her heartbreaking past. It let us know why she was obsessed with the Will of D. and the Poneglyphs, as well as her relentless struggle against the World Government.
2) Bartholomew Kuma
Kuma was always an enigmatic character who was meant to be a villain but had heroic traits. One Piece finally shed light on this figure during the Egghead Arc, and it was just as emotional as most fans expected.
While originally a slave to the Celestial Dragons, Kuma was able to escape with Ginny and Ivankov during the God Valley Incident. His life was a tumultuous journey where he was a priest, a Revolutionary, and even a king.
Unfortunately, at this point, Ginny was forced to become the wife of a World Noble and faced an untimely death due to a disease. Kuma decided to take care of her daughter, Bonney, who had the same symptoms as her mother. While desperately searching for a solution, he discovered a potential cure with Vegapunk.
However, to seek Vegapunk’s services, Kuma was manipulated by the Gorosei into becoming a mindless cyborg. Surprisingly, he accepted without hesitation if it meant he could save Bonney. This eventually resulted in the creation of the Pacifistas, which were based on Kuma. It also led to Kuma and Bonney’s heartwarming meeting in Egghead Arc, where the former still had traces of his past self.
1) Vinsmoke Sanji
Most fans agree that Sanji’s past is the best and most layered in One Piece, particularly because he is the only character with multiple backstories. Originally, Sanji was the abandoned child of the Vinsmoke family from the Germa Kingdom. Facing abuse his entire life, he was eventually cut off from his family and escaped the kingdom with the help of his sister.
Following this, Sanji’s second backstory revealed his meeting with Zeff, where he found himself stranded on an island with the pirate. Initially suspicious that Zeff was hiding food from him, he was shocked to find the truth. Sanji discovered that Zeff had given all the remaining resources to him. The pirate had sustained himself by eating his own leg.
This allowed him to gain a newfound respect for both Zeff and food. Soon after, they were saved and settled in the Baratie. This backstory stunned fans while providing a deeper understanding of Sanji’s character. His desire to stay away from his family and his respect for food and women were a result of his past. They cemented him as one of the best-written characters in the series.
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