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Discover the complete guide to all the Marine ranks in One Piece. Additionally, explore the role of the Marines in the series.
One Piece majorly follows the conflict between two groups – the Pirates and the Marines. As the naval arm of the World Government, they play a crucial role in the series while also having frequent run-ins with the Straw Hat Pirates.
The organization might often get overshadowed due to the monstrous pirates in One Piece, but it follows its own set of strict rules and rankings. As the rankings go higher, so does the capability of each officer to face off against the strongest figures in the storyline. To get a better idea of this, we will be exploring a comprehensive guide to all the Marine ranks in One Piece.
Who Are the Marines in One Piece?
The Marines in One Piece are an organized military force that prevents piracy and maintains law and order in the seas. They obey orders of the World Government while their base of operations is in the Marine Headquarters. They are also considered as one of the “Three Great Powers” in the series.
The Marines have a presence all throughout One Piece, often serving as minor antagonists in arcs. Their major highlight was shown in the Marineford Arc, where they came out in great force to face Whitebeard and his allies. This eventually led to the death of Ace.
While they do carry out their duties faithfully, the mode of execution often makes them morally ambiguous. Many Marines sincerely believe in justice, whereas others are shown to abuse their power or ignore corruption within the ranks.
List of All Marine Ranks in One Piece
The Marine hierarchy is clearly laid out in One Piece, where one is able to climb the ranks through their accomplishments. The Marine Ranks in One Piece from highest to lowest are:
- Commissioned Officers:
- Fleet Admiral
- Admiral
- Vice Admiral
- Rear Admiral
- Commodore
- Captain
- Commander
- Lieutenant Commander
- Lieutenant
- Lieutenant Junior Grade
- Ensign
- Enlisted and Non-Commissioned Officers:
- Warrant Officer
- Master Chief Petty Officer
- Petty Officer
- Seaman First Class
- Seaman Apprentice
- Seaman Recruit
- Chore Boy
- Support Staff:
- Base Commander
- Inspector General
- Instructor
- Shipwright
- Custodian
- Cook
- Doctor
- Scientist
- Special Positions:
- Captain of the Science Unit
- Director of Marine Bureau of Investigation
- Base Commander
- Captain of SWORD
- Non-Canon Positions:
- Special Operations Advisor
- Special Inspector
- Fleet Commodore
- Commodore
- Chief
Most Notable Marines in One Piece
The Marines are a powerful force who host great numbers in One Piece. Among these, there are important characters who have left an indelible mark on the series. These include:
- Monkey D. Garp: Known as the Hero of the Marines, Garp is a Vice Admiral celebrated for his achievements in God Valley.
- Akainu: The current Fleet Admiral of the Marines, known for his ruthlessness and having killed Ace with his Magma abilities.
- Sengoku: The former Fleet Admiral, known for his strategic prowess and transformation into a Golden Buddha. He became an inspector general after the Marineford War.
- Kizaru: A laid-back, carefree Admiral who fought Luffy in the Egghead Arc. He has the Glint-Glint Fruit and can use light powers.
- Fujitora: A blind Admiral who detests evil and has a strong sense of justice. He displayed his Press-Press Fruit’s gravitational powers in Dressrosa.
- Ryokugyu: Also called Green Bull, Ryokugyu is the most mysterious Admiral who is very dedicated to the World Government. He controls plants with his Woods-Woods Fruit.
- Smoker: A Vice Admiral who was one of the first to oppose Luffy in One Piece. He is merciless against pirates but not unnecessarily evil.
- Koby: A friend of Luffy’s who becomes a Marine Captain and is trained by Garp. He is a rising star who was captured by the Blackbeard Pirates but saved after Garp’s interference.
Are the Marines Villains?
A major question most One Piece fans have is whether the Marines are the bad guys. As we have already briefly seen earlier, the answer to this is far from black-and-white. It is easy to think of the Marines as evil since they get in the way of the main characters in every arc. However, it is a huge oversimplification to label them as the villains for this.
The Marines serve the World Government, a hugely corrupt organization. These ruling powers do not hesitate to destroy kingdoms such as Lulusia and enact Buster Calls on innocent people as seen in Ohara. As the Marines come under them, they are often the ones on the ground carrying out their orders. The darker side of their doctrine is perfectly showcased through Akainu, who carries out any orders regardless of moral implications.
At the same time, there are also several Marines who strive for genuine justice and join the organization to work towards a brighter future. Characters such as Garp realize the flaws of the Marines but still believe them to be a necessary existence. He is also not motivated by any selfish desires and works for the public good. Similarly, Koby is the best example of a new joiner who perfectly embodies the ideals of justice. Even in the face of danger against the Blackbeard Pirates, he refused to back down.
Hence, the Marines in One Piece are a mixed bag. While there are very noble individuals within their ranks, many also find themselves in compromising positions since the superiors they serve are far from good.
Conclusion
The level of detail that goes behind the structure of the Marine ranks as well as the development of the Marines themselves shows why Oda is so highly acclaimed among fans. The organization is a cornerstone in the world of One Piece, taking part in crucial world-changing events. As the story progresses to its final arcs, the relevance of the Marines is going to be higher than ever.
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