Who is the strongest character in One Piece in 2026?
Who are the strongest characters in One Piece? In 2026, in the midst of the Elbaf arc, the power hierarchy has never been clearer. Imu is the most powerful being in the universe due to their capacity for destruction, capable of erasing entire islands from the map, while Monkey D. Luffy in Gear 5 has become the strongest active fighter ever shown in action. Between them and the rest of the world lies an entire hierarchy: the Emperors, the legends of the golden age like the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates, the Marine Admirals, and the fearsome Holy Knights. Here is our complete tier list of the strongest One Piece characters, ranked from S+ to C, backed by feats from the manga.
Key takeaways
- Tier S+: Imu, alone at the absolute summit, above any known power scale.
- Tier S: The Emperor level — Roger, Whitebeard, Rocks, Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, Blackbeard, Luffy Gear 5, and Prince Loki.
- "All-time" ranking: This includes deceased legends (Roger's crew, Rocks pirates) to compare power levels at their prime.
- Four criteria: Haki mastery, Devil Fruit, feats, and reputation.
- Over 45 characters ranked and illustrated, updated as of the Elbaf arc (chapter 1178).
The One Piece tier list in pictures
| S+ |  Imu |
| S |
 Roger Whitebeard Rocks Kaido Big Mom Shanks Blackbeard Luffy G5 Loki
|
| A+ |
 Rayleigh Garp Sengoku Dragon Oden Shiki Mihawk Akainu Kizaru Aokiji Fujitora Ryokugyu Gaban Garling Shamrock
|
| A |
 Marco Ace King Katakuri Yamato Zoro Law Kid Sabo Doflamingo Crocodile Boa Hancock Jinbe
|
| B |
 Sanji Kuma Moria Buggy Smoker Rob Lucci Weevil
|
| C |
 Coby Killer X Drake
|
Complete tier list ranking the strongest One Piece characters, updated through the Elbaf arc (2026). Tier-by-tier details and justifications below.
Table of Contents
- The tier list in images
- Criteria for evaluating power
- Tier S+: The absolute peak
- Tier S: Emperor level
- Tier A+: Legends, Admirals, and Holy Knights
- Tier A: The elite
- Tiers B and C
- Frequently Asked Questions
Criteria for evaluating power in One Piece
Ranking One Piece characters isn't just about comparing bounties. A bounty rewards how dangerous someone is to the World Government, not just raw strength: Buggy is living proof of that. Our tier list is therefore based on four combined criteria, summarized below.
| Criterion | What it measures |
| Haki Mastery | Armament, Observation, and especially Advanced Conqueror's Haki, the hallmark of the very best |
| Devil Fruit | Power and versatility of the ability: Mythical Zoan, Logia, or Awakening |
| Feats | What the character has actually accomplished on-screen or in the manga |
| Reputation & Bounty | Status in the world, aura, and testimonials from other characters |
Methodological note: this ranking mixes current characters with legends of history, in order to include the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates. As the manga is still ongoing, certain placements — such as Loki's — remain subject to change and will be readjusted as new chapters are released.
Tier S+: The absolute peak
Imu occupies Tier S+ alone, and for good reason. The secret ruler of the World Government seated on the Empty Throne, Imu has reigned from the shadows for eight centuries and gives orders to the Five Elders themselves. Their ability to erase entire islands from the map using an Ancient Weapon places them outside any classic combat scale: this is not a swordsman or a powerhouse, but a political and destructive force without equal. As of 2026, there is no evidence to suggest an equal exists. They are the most powerful character in One Piece. Fans of the character can find them on our One Piece Imu & Xebec iPhone Case.
Tier S: Emperor level
The heart of the ranking gathers Yonko-level fighters, both historical and current, capable of shaking the world with a single gesture.
Gol D. Roger remains the absolute benchmark. The only man to have conquered the Grand Line and reached Laugh Tale, master of all three forms of Haki, he rivaled Whitebeard with his bare hands during their legendary clashes. The Pirate King is the reference to whom everyone is still compared.
Edward Newgate (Whitebeard) was the "world's strongest man" after Roger's death. His Gura Gura fruit could literally shatter space and cause tsunamis. Even dying at Marineford, riddled with wounds, he remained standing — without a single scar on his back. Discover our Whitebeard Summit War Figure.
Rocks D. Xebec led the only crew to have brought together Kaido, Big Mom, Shiki, and a young Whitebeard. His legend of God Valley and his ambition to dominate the world make him one of the greatest dangers history has ever known. The clash that pitted him against Roger and Garp on God Valley Island has never been fully shown: this is precisely the subject of the One Piece God Valley movie, announced for 2027.
Kaido, the "world's strongest creature," possesses a nearly indestructible body and a devastating dragon form. A former member of the Rocks Pirates, he was only defeated after a collective raid on Onigashima.
Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom), the only female Emperor, combines monstrous endurance with three terrifying homies — Prometheus, Zeus, and Napoleon. She also comes from the Rocks crew.
Shanks the Red is considered the strongest of all current mortals. The son of Figarland Garling and a former apprentice of Roger, he stops wars with a simple glance thanks to a Conqueror's Haki that forces entire fleets to bow. Our Shanks the Red Emperor 24.5cm Figure pays tribute to him. As for his resin statue, it sold out instantly upon release: it is featured in our file on the rarest One Piece figures.
Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) is the only one to possess two Devil Fruits, the Yami Yami and the Gura Gura. Chaotic, opportunistic, and structurally unfair, he doesn't fight like a legend: he fights like a problem, exploiting every weakness. Available on our One Piece Blackbeard iPhone Case.
Monkey D. Luffy in Gear 5 is the strongest active fighter ever shown in action. His awakened Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, coupled with advanced Conqueror's Haki, allows him to rival divine beings and bend reality itself. The future Pirate King exists in several versions with us, including the Luffy Gear 5 & Full Moon Figure.
Loki, the cursed prince of Elbaf, concludes this tier. The son of King Harald, he proclaims himself the "Sun God" and combines a mythical dragon Zoan fruit (Nidhogg), the legendary hammer Ragnir which masters ice, fire, and lightning, advanced Conqueror's Haki rivaling Shanks, and the blood of ancient Giants. In chapter 1178, he appeared as impressive as Luffy Gear 5 facing Imu. Follow his ascent with our One Piece Loki of Elbaf iPhone Case.
Tier A+: Legends, Admirals, and Holy Knights
Just below the Emperors stands an elite capable of turning the tide of a war: the sacred monsters of the older generation, the Marine Admirals, and the new Holy Knights.
On the Roger Pirates' side, Silvers Rayleigh, the "Dark King," remains formidable despite his retirement; Kozuki Oden was the only one to scar Kaido; and Scopper Gaban, the legendary first mate, has just reappeared in Elbaf. On the Marine side, Monkey D. Garp, the hero who cornered Roger and Rocks, and the former Fleet Admiral Sengoku embody the old guard.
The five Admirals form a nearly impassable defensive wall: Akainu (Admiral Akainu 34 cm figure) and his devastating magma, Kizaru and his light-speed, Aokiji (Aokiji Kuzan 31 cm figure) and his ice, the blind judge Fujitora and his gravity control, and the mysterious Ryokugyu. At their side are Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army and the most wanted man in the world, Shiki the Golden Lion, and Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman with a bounty of 3.59 billion berries — to be found on our Hawk-Eye Mihawk 30 cm figure.
Finally, the Holy Knights are the major revelation of the final saga. At their head is Figarland Garling, the supreme commander who became an Elder after Saturn's death, and his son Figarland Shamrock, captain of the Knights and older twin brother of Shanks — an adversary whose power promises to be colossal. They rely on elite fighters such as Gunko, Shepherd Sommers, Rimoshifu Killingham, Manmayer Gurou, and Satchels Maffey.
Tier A: The Elite
Tier A brings together Yonko crew commanders, the best Supernovas, and former Warlords of the Sea — a level where the outcome of a battle is already decided.
Among the commanders are Marco the Phoenix and his regenerative flames, King, Kaido's right-hand man, Charlotte Katakuri (Katakuri 44 cm figure) and his near-prophetic Observation Haki, and Yamato (Yamato 20 cm figure), Kaido's child. As for the Straw Hats and Supernovas, there is Roronoa Zoro (Zoro Ashura figure), the future greatest swordsman, Portgas D. Ace (Ace with deployed flames 28 cm figure), Trafalgar Law (Law Wano 20 cm figure) and his Op-Op Fruit, Eustass Kid, and Sabo, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. Finally, the former Warlords of the Sea: Donquixote Doflamingo, Sir Crocodile (Crocodile Alabasta 29 cm figure), Boa Hancock (Boa Hancock 26.5 cm figure), and Jinbe (Jinbe figure), the crew's helmsman.
Tiers B and C: Proven Fighters and the Next Generation
Tier B — solid fighters capable of feats against those stronger than them: Sanji (Sanji blue flames 25 cm figure) and his Diable Jambe, Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria and his army of shadows, Smoker, Rob Lucci (Rob Lucci CP9 figure), Edward Weevil, and the unclassifiable Buggy (Buggy the Clown 24 cm figure), whose reputation as an Emperor far exceeds his actual strength — the best illustration of the difference between bounty and power.
Tier C — the promising next generation, expected to rise in the upcoming arcs: Coby, the Marine with immense potential, Killer, and X Drake. Names to watch closely.
Who is officially the strongest character?
The answer depends on the exact question asked. The most powerful character in terms of destructive capacity is Imu, whose means exceed everything we know. But the strongest fighter shown in action remains Monkey D. Luffy in Gear 5, alongside Shanks among mortals. That is the whole subtlety of the One Piece final saga: the cold power of a hidden god versus the overflowing energy of a pirate who refuses to lose. The debate among fans, however, is far from over — and that is exactly why we love it.
The Great Debates of the One Piece Tier List
No One Piece power ranking is universally agreed upon, and that is precisely what makes the exercise exciting. Some placements fuel endless discussions in the community, and they are worth looking into.
The case of Dracule Mihawk is the most iconic. As the world's best swordsman, undefeated, he has nonetheless never had a serious fight on screen: his power rests on his reputation and his colossal 3.59 billion bounty. Many fans would gladly place him at the level of the Admirals, or even above — but without clear feats, it is difficult to decide. The same ambiguity surrounds Monkey D. Dragon, whose exact power remains unknown despite his title as the world's most dangerous man.
Another major debate: Is Shanks really the strongest of all mortals? His one-shot feats, his ability to end the Marineford War with a word, and his lineage with Figarland Garling argue in his favor. Facing him, Blackbeard grows in power with every appearance: with two Devil Fruits and a limitless thirst for power, he could very well end up surpassing him. Their announced clash is one of the most anticipated in the entire saga.
The Elbaf arc also reshuffles the deck. The Five Elders, long decorative, finally fought at Egghead and revealed mythical Zoan powers and near-total regeneration — which pushed the entire top of the ranking up. The entry of Figarland Garling among them and the arrival of Loki at the Yonko level show that Oda is densifying the very top tier as the conclusion approaches. Expect to see this tier list evolve further before the end of One Piece.
Finally, a word on "fake strong" and "hidden true strong" characters. Buggy holds the rank of Emperor without having the slightest bit of power, while fighters like Jinbe or Sabo are often underestimated even though they stand up to opponents of higher tiers. That is the richness of Eiichiro Oda's universe: raw strength is never the only criterion that matters. And if these hierarchy debates fascinate you beyond the Grand Line, our ranking of the nine Hashira applies the same analytical framework to the swordsmen of Demon Slayer.
The blades from this ranking exist as replicas: Zoro's Wado Ichimonji — whose history for each of his swords we trace — and Law's Kikoku, in our collection of One Piece katanas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the strongest One Piece character in 2026?
Imu is the most powerful being in One Piece due to their destructive capacity, while Monkey D. Luffy in Gear 5 is the strongest active fighter shown in action in the manga.
Is Loki really Yonko level?
Yes. Prince Loki of Elbaf combines a mythical dragon Zoan fruit, the hammer Ragnir, and advanced Conqueror's Haki that rivals Shanks. As of chapter 1178 (2026), he has shown himself to be as impressive as Luffy Gear 5, which justifies his place in tier S.
Why are Roger and Whitebeard still ranked?
This ranking is "all-time": it includes the legends of One Piece history, such as the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates, even if they are deceased, to compare power levels at their peak.
Who are the Holy Knights?
The Holy Knights (God's Knights) are the elite unit of Mary Geoise, led by Figarland Garling, now an Elder. Their captain, Figarland Shamrock, is Shanks' older twin brother. They also include Gunko, Shepherd Sommers, Rimoshifu Killingham, Manmayer Gurou, and Satchels Maffey.
Why is Buggy ranked so low despite his status as an Emperor?
Because his bounty and title of Emperor rest on a series of misunderstandings and the Cross Guild, not on his actual strength. It is the best example of the difference between reputation and power in One Piece.
Will this ranking change?
Yes, One Piece is still ongoing. The Elbaf arc reveals new characters and new feats every month: we update this tier list as the chapters are released.
Where can I find figures of the strongest characters?
You can find most of these characters in our One Piece figure collection: Luffy, Shanks, Mihawk, Akainu, Zoro, Law, Katakuri, Crocodile, Boa Hancock, and many others.
Who are the 10 strongest characters in One Piece?
According to our tier list: Imu, alone in S+, then the Emperor level — Gol D. Roger, Whitebeard, Rocks D. Xebec, Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, Blackbeard, Luffy in Gear 5, and Prince Loki. An "all-time" top 10, comparing each at their peak; the details and criteria are in the body of the article.
Who are the 20 most powerful characters in One Piece?
In addition to the ten above, there is our tier A+ — the legends of the Roger era, the Marine Admirals, and the Holy Knights of Elbaf — followed by the top of tier A. The exact names and their order are in the article's table, with the criteria that distinguish them: Haki, Devil Fruit, feats, and reputation.
Build your dream crew
Now that you know the strongest characters in One Piece, all that is left is to display them at home. Browse our One Piece figure collection, and to go deeper into the saga, read our guide All One Piece arcs and sagas in order or explore our One Piece world map.
Ranking established based on feats from the One Piece manga updated as of July 2026 (Elbaf arc). As power scaling debates are part of the fun, some placements remain open to discussion.
