Straw Hats Versus Blackbeard Matchup Theories, Explained

Key Takeaways

• Speculation over potential Straw Hat vs. Blackbeard Pirates matchups adds excitement, despite no guarantees.
• Luffy vs. Blackbeard faces Captain vs. Captain clash, emphasizing ideological differences.
• Imagining potential Straw Hat vs. Blackbeard Pirates showdowns offers fans thrilling fight scenarios.

As is the case with every arc in One Piece, fight matchups are one of the most speculated parts of each new finale. When presented with an enemy crew of pirates, trying to guess which Straw Hat fights which opponents is always a fun experience. Although sometimes it can create unrealistic expectations, with One Piece’s Straw Hat members often being benched and never given their own 1v1, it’s impossible not to speculate a little when it comes to matchups.

One of the most speculated matchups in all of One Piece is the face-off between the Straw Hat Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates. With each crew being an inverted version of the other, many fans have already picked out which Straw Hats they would like to see fight each Blackbeard Titanic Captain. Seeing each of these crew members clash both physically and ideologically, however, would be amazing to see, creating what could be some of the best fights in all of One Piece.

The Emperors Will Clash in the Final Saga of One Piece

Straw Hats Versus Blackbeard

As it stands, none of these matchups between One Piece’s Blackbeard Pirates and the Straw Hats are set in stone. In fact, a fight between these pirate groups may not even happen in the future of One Piece. However, something like this is still fun to speculate about, despite nothing being guaranteed.

Luffy Versus Blackbeard

Captain Versus Captain

As many could have guessed, in a fight between the Blackbeards and Straw Hats, Luffy is almost certainly going to fight One Piece’s most notorious villain, Blackbeard himself. Outside of being the classic, captain versus captain fight, the very concepts of the characters clash very well. Being opposite sides of the same coin, Blackbeard and Luffy are more similar than most protagonists and villains are. Plus, seeing the Sun God Nika face off against darkness itself will create what could be one of the best-animated fight scenes of all time.

A man’s dream will never die! – Blackbeard

Zoro Versus Shiryu

The Mandatory Swordfight

Zoro, of course, would have to face off against the designated swordsman of the Blackbeard pirates, the ex-warden Shiryu of the Rain. Outside of being a classic sword fight, Shiryu is also a man who enjoys murdering others, something Zoro, an honorable swordsman, is vehemently against. Perhaps during the fight, we could see the philosophies about sword fighting of the two clashes. While one views it as a means to get stronger, the other uses it as a means of killing.

Sanji Versus Jesus Burgess

Close-Quarters Combat

Although there is no cook in the Blackbeard Pirates for Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates to face off against, most likely, the chef would fight Jesus Burgess. Being one of Blackbeard’s original crew members, Burgess possesses the Strength-Strength Fruit which makes him incredibly strong, so strong that it may take one of the stronger Straw Hats to take him down. Additionally, seeing a physical brawl between the two close combatant fighters would be a treat for fans.

Usopp Versus Van Augur

The Fight to Decide the Sniper King

The next obvious matchup would have to be One Piece’s cowardly sniper, Usopp, facing off against the sniper of the Blackbeard Pirates, Van Augur. Possessing the Warp-Warp Fruit, Van Augur would prove to be an interesting challenge for Usopp. A fight like this may even cause Usopp to awaken his Advanced Observation Haki, giving him future sight to catch Van Augur off guard. Usopp needs a good fight in post-time skip One Piece and this matchup may be it.

All things in this world are cogs that move in tune to strong desires. – Van Augur

Nami Versus Laffitte

Navigating the Battlefield

Nami, similar to Usopp and Zoro, would have to face off against the navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates, Laffitte. Not much is known about the mysterious figure Laffitte, including his currently unknown Devil Fruit. Despite this, Oda has revealed that Laffitte can fly and charm others, powers that would be interesting to see Nami counter. With her lightning-based attacks, she could hit the Demon Sheriff from the sky or attack a crowd of memorized pirates.

Chopper Versus Doc Q

Truly Fighting Diseases

The Straw Hats mascot, Chopper, as is the case with many of these other theoretical matchups, would face off against the doctor of the Black Beard Pirates, Doc Q. In this fight, it would be amazing to see Chopper quickly research and cure the diseases that the Blackbeard doctor would create with his Sick-Sick Fruit. Plus, seeing the ideological clash between someone who wants to cure all diseases and someone who constantly creates more would be fun to see.

Robin Versus Catarina Devon

Robin Better Hide Her Head

Next, Robin would probably face off against Catarina Devon, the wielder of the Dog-Dog Fruit: Model Nine-Tailed Fox. While not much is especially known about the full extent of this power, save for its ability to disguise Devon as others, it could be an interesting matchup with Robin’s Flower-Flower Fruit. Additionally, Devon is obsessed with collecting the heads of beautiful women, so she may seek out Robin herself for the fight.

Her head will make a wonderful trophy after I wring her neck… – Catarina Devon

Franky Versus Sanjuan Wolf

An Epic Battleship Fight

Next is another easy matchup between the Straw Hat Pirates shipwright Franky, and the Colossal Battleship himself, Sanjuan Wolf. Possessing the Huge-Huge Fruit, Sanjuan Wolf is absolutely massive and can fully wade through the ocean itself, despite being a Devil Fruit user. Seeing a massive battle between the Thousand Sunny and Sanjuan Wolf at his largest size in the ocean may make for one of the greatest fights for Franky in the series.

Brook Versus Vasco Shot

A Potentially Hilarious Fight

As for Brooke, the musician of the Straw Hat crew would most likely face off against Vasco Shot, the possessor of the Glug-Glug Fruit. While not much is known about Vasco’s fighting capabilities, the fight between the two might be a hilarious moment in the Final Saga of One Piece. With Vasco’s drunkenness and Brook’s puns, a fight between these two may be as funny as it is epic.

Jinbei Versus Pizarro

Fighting An Island

Finally, the last matchup would have to be Jinbei versus Pizarro. Pizarro, who possesses the Isle-Isle Fruit, making him a living island, may take an extremely strong Straw Hat to take down. Jinbei fits the bill and could use the surrounding ocean water to great effect against him. Additionally, Pizarro seems to be one of the most tame members of the Blackbeard Pirates, similar to Jinbei’s role on the crew.

Don’t underestimate my Isle-Isle Fruit power-meow – Pizarro

In the end, while these fights may never happen in the show directly, it’s fun to speculate just what matchups may happen in the future of One Piece. Although the final arcs of One Piece are fast approaching, it seems like more and more mysteries are appearing every day. Hopefully, by the end, Oda will wrap up One Piece with some satisfying resolutions and amazing fight scenes.