4 One Piece Characters Who Are Not What They Seem (& 4 Who Are Exactly As They Appear)

Discover 4 One Piece characters who are not what they seem like and 4 others who are exactly as they appear.

4 One Piece Characters Who Are Not What They Seem (& 4 Who Are Exactly As They Appear)
Pudding and Sanji as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece has a cast of colorful characters, every one of whom has a distinctive presence in the series. While some have straightforward development, which lets us know everything about them, others often subvert expectations through their complex pasts and hidden motives.

Hence, here are 4 One Piece characters who are different from how they seem at first glance and 4 who do not put up a facade.

4 One Piece Characters Who Are Not What They Seem

One Piece excels at creating layered characters who draw the intrigue of fans through their actions. These figures can never be easily predicted, either due to their backstories or defining events throughout the series. 4 One Piece characters who are not what they seem are:

1) Aokiji 

Aokiji as seen in One Piece
Aokiji as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Kuzan, better known as Aokiji, is one of the most confusing characters in One Piece. Despite having appeared in the series several times, fans are still unable to get a proper reading on this figure. This can mainly be attributed to his tumultuous life.

During his introduction, Aokiji seemed to be a dedicated Marine who had his own moral code. Much like Garp, he did not believe that all pirates were evil, allowing Robin to escape Ohara and even letting Luffy escape later in the series. Shockingly, he left his post as an Admiral soon after losing his battle against Akainu.

Following this, fans were stunned to find that Aokiji joined Blackbeard as one of his Ten Titanic Captains. He claimed to be following his own path to freedom but assisted in the capture of Garp. Hence, his ambiguous role in the series makes him a highly unpredictable figure.

2) Senor Pink 

4 One Piece Characters Who Are Not What They Seem
Senor Pink as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Senor Pink is one of the most beloved antagonists in One Piece, completely overturning the opinions of fans through his story. Originally, his baby-like dressing sense and loyalty towards Doflamingo made many feel unsure about him.

However, they soon found the reason for his flamboyant persona. Pink’s past was ridden with tragedy, having lost his child when away on a mission. Making matters worse, his wife fell into a vegetative coma, only responding when Pink wore a baby’s bonnet. 

This sense of affection and regret displayed the depth of his character. Franky recognized this during their battle, showcasing respect for his opponent. This made their confrontation the highlight of the Dressrosa Arc

3) Charlotte Pudding 

Sanji and Pudding as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Sanji and Pudding as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

As Big Mom’s daughter, Pudding is a complex individual with multiple personas. This was seen in the Whole Cake Island Arc, where she seemed to be an innocent and charming girl marrying Sanji.

However, we soon found that Pudding had a deep inferiority complex stemming from her being bullied as a child. She also had a more extreme version of her personality, which enjoyed tormenting others and was sadistic.

Nevertheless, Sanji’s kindness eventually won her over, and she helped him escape. Pudding’s character arc is a testament to how One Piece often subverts expectations, making her one of the most deceptive characters in the series.

4) Kuma

Kuma as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Kuma as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Bartholomew Kuma is a character who was hated for a long time but has ended up becoming a fan favorite. Fans had always known Kuma to be an apathetic individual who was immensely loyal to the World Government. He was brutal and had a lot of power, though there were hints of compassion that seemed to leak out. This was seen when he allowed the Straw Hats to escape from Thriller Bark.

Finally, we discovered his true personality in the Egghead Arc. Kuma was originally a pacifistic individual living in happiness with Bonney. However, to cure her rare condition, he approached Vegapunk. At this point, he was manipulated by the Gorosei to lose his consciousness and become an emotionless robot for their sake. Kuma happily agreed if it meant Bonney would be saved.

Hence, Kuma’s eventual turn to a fearsome antagonist was due to his extremely compassionate nature. Thankfully, he has shown signs of returning back to his old self since Vegapunk didn’t completely erase his consciousness.

4 One Piece Characters Who Are Exactly As They Appear

In contrast to the characters who could never be judged at first glance, there are far more simple ones who remain true to their initial portrayal. They always display their core nature, never attempting to deceive fans or those around them. 4 One Piece characters who are exactly as they appear include:

1) Luffy 

One Piece
Luffy as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The protagonist Luffy is a candid and uncomplicated individual who has stayed true to his values right from his introduction. He is a carefree and adventurous person who values freedom above all else. 

Over the course of his journey, Luffy has never hesitated to express his wish to become Pirate King. He is honest with all those around him, rushing to protect any innocent people in danger. Throughout the series, Luffy’s unwavering sense of loyalty and sense of justice have never faltered. The alignment between his thoughts, words, and actions is the reason why he is so beloved.

2) Zoro 

4 One Piece Characters Who Are Exactly As They Appear
Zoro as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Luffy’s most trusted soldier, Zoro, is another character who is exactly as he appears. Ever since he first appeared, Zoro has been a dedicated swordsman who wishes to reach the pinnacle of mastery.

Along with this, he is extremely loyal to Luffy, protecting him from all danger and also assisting him in becoming the ideal captain. Zoro has never developed any hidden motives despite possessing great strength. He is steadfast in his path towards defeating Mihawk while helping Luffy become the Pirate King. As a result, while he may be predictable, he is also a compelling addition to One Piece.

3) Kaido 

One Piece
Kaido as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The strongest creature in the world, Kaido, though being a terrifying antagonist, is very easy to read. Even at first glance, fans could tell that Kaido was a man who only cared about power and fighting. He upheld the honor of battle, caring little about all else.

Unlike other villains such as Crocodile and Doflamingo, who used their intellect and manipulative tactics to achieve victory, Kaido relies solely upon brute strength. Even when fighting a losing battle against Oden, he took it as a mark of shame when the Beasts Pirates intervened. Hence, though he may be detestable for his actions in Wano, it is very easy to understand why he did them.

4) Blackbeard

4 One Piece Characters Who Are Exactly As They Appear
Blackbeard as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

While a great deal about Blackbeard, his lineage, and his powers may be enigmatic, his personality has stayed consistent ever since he was first seen in the series. Blackbeard, much like Luffy, is a man who chases freedom.

However, this is of a twisted form, where he is extremely selfish and betrays anyone for his goals. In line with this, Blackbeard killed Thatch for his Devil Fruit and even stole Whitebeard’s powers during the Marineford War.

Every action taken by this antagonist has furthered his path of gaining fame and power, where viewers can always trust in his nature to be cunning.


Looking For More?

Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!