The Most Optimistic Characters In The Series

Key Takeaways

• Bartolomeo is Luffy’s biggest supporter, going to great lengths to help the Straw Hats.
• Akainu’s optimism lies in eradicating pirates to create a safer world.
• Characters like Carrot, Yamato, Vivi, Kinemon, and Luffy exemplify hope and optimism in One Piece’s dark world.

Though it may not seem it on the surface, the world of One Piece can be pretty dark – something fans have come to realize from its many story arcs. When the going gets tough, it always helps when there’s someone who manages to hold out hope that everything will be okay in the end, expressing their optimism to the rest of the group to keep them going when all hope seems to be lost.

One Piece is packed full of characters like this who are always cheering on Luffy and the Straw Hats, or sometimes, villains who show an endless determination to succeed with their evil plans. Either way, optimism is something that is surely needed in One Piece, and there’s certainly no shortage of characters who can provide it, especially the individuals below.

7 Bartolomeo

A Straw Hat Fanboy Who Will Support Their Goals Until The Very End

• First Appearance: Episode 633

Bartolomeo is, without a doubt, Luffy’s number-one fan. When he first shows up in Dressrosa, Bartolomeo can often be seen admiring his hero from afar, but once he comes face to face with the Straw Hat captain, he dedicates himself to keeping him protected. In truth, Bartolomeo is supportive of everything the Straw Hats do, even going as far as to enter a tournament to earn the Mera Mera no Mi fruit, just to give it to Luffy.

Believe it or not, Bartolomeo used to be a prolific criminal in his past life, but nowadays, he’s a member of the Grand Fleet who always expresses full optimism that the Straw Hats will achieve their goal in reaching the one piece. As shown in the cover stories, Bartolomeo can be a little crude in how he shows his support to others, but then again, optimism can show itself in all kinds of forms, even if it’s a little twisted.

6 Akainu

Akainu Has Always Been Hopeful That, One Day, The World Will Be Free Of Pirates

• First Appearance: Episode 278

Akainu may come across as a pretty evil individual within the One Piece story, and there’s certainly no doubt he’s committed his fair share of heinous crimes, but beneath the hard-boiled surface is still an underlying sense of optimism. Akainu is optimistic that he and his fellow marines will succeed in wiping pirates off the face of the planet. While the other admirals can be somewhat conflicted in their feelings towards pirates, Akainu has always been determined to see them perish, believing the world would be a safer place without them.

During Marineford for example, Akainu smiles with glee upon realizing he has the chance to take out Ace, which in turn would lead to the death of Whitebeard. Whether Akainu will be able to see his goal through to the end is unclear as of right now, but one thing is for sure, his hope of a pirate-free world has remained intact ever since his very first appearance in the series.

5 Carrot

Carrot’s Bubbly And Positive Personality Lifts The Spirits Of The Straw Hats

• First Appearance: Episode 753

Carrot may be a little timid for a member of the Mink tribe, but as soon as she realized what the Straw Hats’ goal was, she immediately expressed hope in their plight and became an optimistic temporary-ally of the team. However, there have been a few occasions where her positive outlook on things has been challenged, especially with the death of Pedro during the Whole Cake Island arc.

Even after such a devastating loss though, Carrot was able to push on and continue supporting the Straw Hats, believing in their mission to one day reach the One Piece treasure, while also helping others along the way. It’s hard for the Straw Hats to ever feel down in the dumps when a character as joyous and optimistic as Carrot is aboard the Sunny.

4 Yamato

Oden’s Legacy Fills Yamato With Determination To Open Wano’s Borders

• First Appearance: Episode 983

Being a child of Kaido’s wasn’t easy for Yamato, though she did have one hero who helped her push on through the hard times, and that was Oden. The late legendary samurai would become a huge role model for Yamato and would inspire her to seek out a way to bring peace to the land of Wano, which inevitably led to her teaming up with Luffy to take down her own father.

Yamato’s immense strength and special Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit enable her to play a big part in cleansing Wano of Kaido and Ororchi’s evil, with the inspiration of Oden always lingering in her mind to ensure she never feels like giving up. Just like Luffy, Yamato’s optimism that Wano could once again become a peaceful and respected country drives her to new heights, both in terms of strength and as a person.

3 Princess Vivi

After Reclaiming Alabasta, Vivi Became Assured That The Straw Hats Would Bring Peace To The World

• First Appearance: Episode 62

When Vivi first makes her appearance in the Alabasta Arc, the princess is pretty down on her luck, fearing for her country due to the tyrannical rule of Crocodile. Though she still shows glimmers of hope that Alabasta can be saved, her optimism only grows more and more once she witnesses how far Luffy and his friends are willing to go to save Cobra and the people of her country.

After Crocodile is finally taken down, Vivi raises her hand to the sky while the Straw Hats sail away, highlighting her unwavering belief that they’ll be able to save other countries just like hers, and eventually, find the One Piece. Even years later during the Reverie, Vivi can still be seen talking highly about Luffy, reaffirming her belief that he and the crew are playing their part in making the world a safer place to live.

2 Kinemon

Kinemon Assumes The Role Of A Leader And Spreads His Optimism For Wano’s Future To His Comrades

• First Appearance: Episode 580

Kinemon is another character who gradually becomes more optimistic about the future as the story progresses, but when Luffy stumbles across him in Punk Hazard, he’s distraught. Kinemon, after having parted from Momonosuke, worries about how he will return to his home of Wano, and better yet, how on earth he could ever hope of reclaiming it back from Kaido.

Lucky for him, Luffy is all-in on the plan to take down the ‘unbeatable’ Yonko, and by the time the raid on Onigashima begins, he almost appears to be an entirely different character. Filled with courage, pride, and plenty of optimism, Kinemon takes the role of a leader who is constantly telling his comrades about his hopes for Wano’s future, and his belief in Luffy and the Straw Hats to help make said future a reality.

1 Monkey D. Luffy

No Enemy Or Obstacle Can Ever Stop Luffy From Striving Toward A Better Future

• First Appearance: Episode 1

Luffy undoubtedly has to be one of the most optimistic protagonists in all of anime. No matter what is thrown his way, whether it’s an enemy with twice his strength, a fleet of Marine ships, or even the loss of a loved one, Luffy’s endless ambition to make light of the situation always pulls him through. Admittedly, it can also make him a little hard-headed, since Luffy has been known to rush into dangerous situations without thinking sometimes, but he simply will stop at nothing to make things right and to deliver justice when it’s needed.

The fact Luffy can be defeated by the likes of Crocodile, Enel, and Kaido multiple times, and still believe he has a chance of beating them, is an inspirational level of optimism that simultaneously lifts the spirits of his crew. Luffy’s optimism may get the better of him at times, but it’s still a huge reason why he has become so loved by the fanbase.