The Straw Hats in One Piece: A Complete Guide

Discover the complete guide to the Straw Hats in One Piece. Explore the crew’s members and the Straw Hat Grand Fleet.

The Straw Hats in One Piece: A Complete Guide
The Straw Hat Pirates as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece is an expansive world filled with diverse characters, colorful islands, and never-ending adventures. At the heart of this epic tale lies the Straw Hats, Luffy’s pirate crew, who follow him on his thrilling escapades. Due to how rich the lore of the series is, however, it is easy to lose track of the main cast, which is large in its own right.

To provide fans with a refresher on the Straw Hats in One Piece, we have prepared this comprehensive guide for all its members.

Who Are the Straw Hats in One Piece?

The Straw Hats are the main crew in One Piece, brought together by Luffy’s spirit of freedom and enjoyment. Each of them has their own respective goals, but they have been inspired by their leader and help him become the Pirate King. 

Zoro, Chopper, Usopp, Luffy, Nami
The Straw Hat Pirates as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Straw Hats are called by their name due to the signature hat worn by Luffy in the series. This originally belonged to the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, before he passed it onto Shanks. Once Shanks inspired Luffy to become a pirate and protected him from the Sea King, he gave the same hat to the protagonist. 

The Straw Hats come from all walks of life, but their common trait is their unwavering dedication and loyalty towards Luffy. While a few members took longer than others to realize this trust, all of them are willing to lay down their lives to protect him. Their shared passion for saving the weak from oppression is what makes them such a formidable team.

How Did Each Straw Hat Join the Crew?

The Straw Hats are an eclectic crew where each member has a distinct backstory and compelling reason to join Luffy. Here is how each member became part of the Straw Hat Pirates:

Luffy as seen in the anime
Luffy as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)
  • Luffy – As the crew’s captain, Luffy always wished to explore the seas and live in the freest way possible. He drew inspiration from his meeting with the Red Hair Pirates and made a pact with Shanks and Sabo as a child.

  • Zoro – Aiming to become the strongest swordsman in the world, Zoro was initially tied up and set to be executed by the Marines. Impressed by Luffy’s demeanour, he accepts his help to escape and joins his crew.

  • Nami – Nami was originally a cat burglar who joined the Straw Hats in Orange Town after seeing Luffy’s power. However, she only truly entered the crew after Luffy saved her from Arlong later in the series. Freed from the Fish-Man’s tyranny, she follows Luffy as a navigator.

  • Usopp – Usopp joined the crew once the Black Cat Pirates were defeated by the Straw Hats in Syrup Village. Having ensured Kaya’s protection and wishing to become courageous and follow in his father’s footsteps, he joins Luffy’s ranks.

  • Sanji – Originally a cook in the Baratie, Sanji had wished to find the All Blue his entire life. However, he had lost sight of this dream for a long time. Seeing Luffy protect his home from Don Krieg reignited his spirit, and his coworkers persuaded him to join the Straw Hats.

  • Tony Tony Chopper – As a doctor in Drum Island, Chopper was moved by the Straw Hats’ acceptance of him and their defeating Wapol. Initially refusing to join their ranks, he decided to follow them and expand his medical knowledge.

  • Nico Robin – Initially part of Baroque Works, Nico Robin’s ambition was to explore the “Will of D.” and decipher the Poneglyphs. Betrayed by Crocodile and saved by Luffy, she joins his crew to further her archaeological pursuits.

  • Franky – The Straw Hats saved Franky from the CP9 in the Water 7 Arc, leading him to build their current ship, the Thousand Sunny. He joins the crew as their shipwright to ensure the ship travels the world and remains well-maintained.

  • Brook – After the Thriller Bark Arc ,where Gecko Moria was defeated and Brook’s shadow was released, he was able to pursue his dream of meeting Laboon again. Realizing that the Straw Hats had already met the large whale, he joined their crew, dreaming of reuniting with his old friend. 

  • Jinbe – Luffy had a long-standing connection with Jinbe, escaping Impel Down with him and protecting Fish-Man Island. While the former Warlord was invited to join his ranks, he refused due to pre-existing relations with Big Mom. Following the events of the Whole Cake Island Arc, Jinbe severed his connections with the Yonko and joined the Straw Hats. 

Please note that we are not including “symbolic members” of the Straw Hats Pirates, such as Nefertari Vivi and Yamato.

How Strong Are the Straw Hats in One Piece?

The Straw Hats in One Piece: A Complete Guide
The Straw Hat Pirates as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Among the existing pirate crews in One Piece, it is not an overestimation to say that the Straw Hats are one of the strongest. Luffy and his Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, have been powerful enough to defeat the likes of Kaido and face off against Admirals.

The two main fighters of the Straw Hats apart from him are Zoro and Sanji. Zoro is a proficient swordsman whose three-sword style can stand on par with the world’s strongest. Sanji, despite being the cook, is very proficient with his kick attacks, made more powerful with Armament Haki.

Jinbe is a former warlord who is capable of holding his own in battle with Fish-Man Karate, while Franky’s cyborg powers and technological enhancements make him a powerhouse. The adorable Chopper can transform into a destructive creature with his Rumble Balls, while Robin’s strategic mind and Hana Hana no Mi let her sprout body parts and contribute during battle.

Zoro and Sanji as seen in the anime
Zoro and Sanji as seen in the One Piece anime (image via Toei Animation)

Usopp and Nami are arguably the weakest Straw Hats but have still proved themselves with their willpower and unique specialities. Usopp is a talented sniper, while Nami’s Clima-Tact lets her manipulate the weather.

Hence, in a battle between crews, every Straw Hat will be immensely useful, contributing to their special areas. When comparing the other crews in the race for the One Piece currently, the only ones who would match up to them are the Red Hair Pirates, mainly due to Shanks, and the enigmatic Blackbeard Pirates.

What Is the Straw Hat Grand Fleet in One Piece?

The Straw Hat Grand Fleet is a strong group of 7 pirate crews serving Luffy, ready to answer his call. During Dressrosa’s conflict, many pirates were inspired by Luffy’s leadership and chose to follow him to defeat Doflamingo.

Once they had achieved victory, these pirates and their crews promised to support Luffy’s ambitions. While Luffy initially refused, saying it would infringe on his freedom, they remained adamant and represented the Straw Hat Grand Fleet name across the seas. 

The Straw Hat Grand Fleet as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)
The Straw Hat Grand Fleet as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Structure and Members of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet in One Piece

The Straw Hat Grand Fleet follows a very loose structure in One Piece, mainly because Luffy did not accept its creation in the first place. He recognized its members as friends, accepting their aid and promising to help them whenever required.

Despite this, there is an informal understanding of the hierarchy between members. The fleet has 5650 pirates, spread across its different crews. While these crews still operate independently, they proudly recognize themselves to be part of Luffy’s fleet. The members, in terms of importance, include:

  • Senior Captain and Leader of the Fleet:
    • Luffy
  • Senior Officers:
    • Zoro
    • Sanji
    • Nami
    • Usopp
    • Chopper
    • Robin
    • Franky
    • Brook
    • Jinbe
  • Affiliates and their crew strength:
    • Orlumbus – Yonta Maria Grand Fleet (4300)
    • Sai – Happo Navy (1000)
    • Leo – Tontatta Pirates (200)
    • Cavendish – Beautiful Pirates (75)
    • Bartolomeo – Barto Club (56)
    • Hajrudin – New Giant Warrior Pirates (5)
    • Ideo – Ideo Pirates (4)

Conclusion

The Straw Hats represent more than just a group of adventurers; they symbolize dreams, freedom, and resilience. With each member bringing unique talents and a firm commitment to their goals, they continue to inspire fans and dominate the seas of One Piece.


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