10 One Piece side characters that deserve their own series

2 weeks ago 11

We’ve been following the Straw Hat Pirates’ exploits for decades now. As we watch them sail from one island to another, we’ve not only seen their characters develop, but we’ve also seen the world of One Piece expand. Alongside the introduction of new environments is the debut of numerous side characters. Following this development, One Piece has accrued more than a thousand named characters.

While others may argue that that is already far too many characters and that the series is already too long, fans will (likely) agree that there isn’t enough One Piece to consume. We always want more, especially since there are still many angles to cover. To support that argument, here are 10 One Piece side characters that deserve their own spin-off series.

The Pirate King Gol D. Roger

When it comes to eventful adventures, then the Pirate King himself cannot be excluded. He is, after all, the first to discover the titular treasure. Even so, he didn’t keep the treasure for himself, and we still don’t know the reason why. His greatest feat is single-handedly insinuating the Great Pirate Era. It’s no exaggeration to say that without him, then Luffy and Co. would likely not be sailing as the Straw Hat Pirates.

However, Roger is more than just his feats. His journey is arguably far more perilous than Luffy’s. He has numerous rivals, both pirates and the government alike. His brief showdown with Whitebeard during Oden’s flashback alone was intense enough to excite fans, so what about his legendary exploits like the God Valley Incident?

The Hero of the Marines Monkey D. Garp

Roger’s Marine counterpart just as much deserves to have his own spin-off series in his name. While Roger made his name known as a legendary pirate, Garp became a legend of the Marines. Even though they were on opposite sides of the law, their rivalry is reminiscent of just any other Shonen series. They even joined hands to put a stop to the Rocks Pirates’ evil operations. Similar to Roger, Garp also faced a number of formidable foes, including Don Chinjao and Shiki the Golden Lion.

Unlike what we are familiar with, having Garp as a protagonist will breathe fresh air into the narrative. This time, we will be on the side of so-called justice. In addition, it’s also interesting to see how Garp will handle the corruption within the system, especially with Imu, the Five Elders, and the Celestial Dragons.

The mythical Joyboy

If Gol D. Roger was the first pirate to discover the mythical One Piece, Joyboy was the being who left it there. However, he wasn’t just a simple adventure-seeking lad. He was a chaos-inducing criminal who fought the World Government and its predecessors. Should a spin-off series be based on this badass, then action-packed scenes are already guaranteed.

However, Joyboy is more than just a One Piece side character who fights a lot, especially since he is deeply tied to the mysteries of the Void Century. His legacy is intertwined with the Poneglyphs, the Ancient Weapons, and even the people of Skypiea, Fish-Man Island, and Wano. A series centered on Joyboy could explore the rise of the Ancient Kingdom, the origins of the World Government, and the events that led to the great war that reshaped the world.

Montblanc Noland, the so-called liar

Mont Blanc Noland is one of the most tragic yet fascinating side characters in the One Piece world. Remembered as a liar in history but revered as a hero by the people of Jaya, Noland’s story is one of misunderstood honor and unyielding courage. A spin-off series about him could expand on his life as a brave adventurer and scientist, exploring his daring journey that ultimately led to his interactions with the Shandians.

While Noland’s final moments were fully explored during the Skypiea Arc, his prior adventures were merely mentioned in passing. Given his exceptional work as a botanist, the series could further explore and expound on the diverse biomes that exist in different islands, including the Boin Archipelago, where Usopp trained.

Bartolomeo the Cannibal

Bartolomeo, the self-proclaimed “biggest fan” of the Straw Hat Pirates, leads a rather unique pirate group. His journey began with being a small-time thug who decided to form a pirate crew and set sail in pursuit of his idols. However, since his crew consists of his fellow gang members, they have almost zero knowledge of actual sailing. They simply follow one of their crewmates’ grandmother’s advice every time they experience a hiccup in their journey.

These unorthodox solutions could be the main attraction of a possible spin-off series. It could be a semi-gag manga exploring how this ragtag bunch of hoodlums overcame the harsh seas of the New World.

Tashigi, the sword enthusiast

Following dreams and ideals is one recurring theme in One Piece, and side characters are no exception. Captain Tashigi of the Marines is one with an interesting goal. She’s an enthusiast of named swords and aims to reclaim the legendary blades from “unworthy” hands, which also sets up the perfect premise for a spin-off series.

In a spin-off focused on Tashigi, we could follow her journey as she embarks on a personal mission to track down and recover these famous swords, traveling across the Grand Line and New World. Each sword she seeks could have its own storied history, tied to legendary figures, forgotten battles, or ancient mysteries. Her pursuit would naturally put her in conflict with powerful pirates, mercenaries, and even corrupt Marines who wield these blades.

The notorious Big Mom

Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom, is undeniably one of the most fearsome characters in the series. After all, she ruled the seas as one of the Four Emperors. But more than her military prowess, she has another interesting angle that can be further explored — her big family.

Big Mom has this obsession with having a big family. To be exact, she wants her biological family to include every race in the series. As such, the spin-off series revolving around her can further expound on what little we know about the world’s diverse demographics. Furthermore, it can reveal how she managed to amass her army of children, as well as her relationship with each of them.

Rocks D. Xebec

Rocks D. Xebec is known as a mighty pirate comparable to Gol D. Roger himself. He was the captain of the infamous Rocks Pirates, who gathered notorious figures like Big Mom, Kaido, Whitebeard, and Shiki. But despite his legacy, little is known about him. In fact, we don’t even know what he actually looks like.

Should a spin-off series revolving around him ever happen, then it should happen in an alternate universe. In that way, the series can have darker undertones, following the point of view of a villain. We could then get to see how he charmed his mighty crewmates into joining him, as well as how he would have taken down the world should Roger and Garp fail to stop him.

Foxy the pirate collector

Foxy may be a comedic and less threatening figure compared to other side characters, but his charisma and creativity make him a great candidate for a lighthearted spin-off. His Davy Back Fights are the perfect premise for episodic adventures, where he travels the seas challenging other pirate crews to absurd competitions to grow his own crew.

Since we’ve never heard of Foxy again after his loss to the Straw Hat Pirates, it just makes the spin-off more possible. For maximum comedic effect, he may even be matched up with Buggy and his men or even a rematch with Luffy and Co. for the finale.

Hatchan, the adorable octopus Fish-Man

Hatchan, the former officer of Arlong’s crew, has one of the most compelling redemptions among all side characters in One Piece. A spin-off about Hatchan could follow his life after leaving Arlong Park, showcasing his struggles to make amends for his past actions and find his own path. His adventures as a takoyaki vendor alongside Camie and Pappag could serve as a fun and unique premise, blending slice-of-life elements with One Piece’s trademark action and humor.

The series could also explore Hatchan’s efforts to navigate the tensions between Fish-Men and humans, shedding light on the racial conflicts that One Piece often addresses.

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