Characters Who Could Have Been The Protagonist In One Piece

Summary

• Kine’mon’s journey from bumbling baffoon to Samurai leader would make for a compelling story.
• Law’s thirst for revenge and complex personality would provide an epic tale with captivating arcs.
• Smoker’s divided perspective between Marines and pirates would create memorable moments and story arcs.

Not everyone has what it takes to assume the role of a protagonist. Sure, Monkey D. Luffy, with his endless charisma and passionate personality, has been a ton of fun to follow for over a thousand chapters and episodes, but it really takes a special someone to be able to keep fans interested in their adventure for such a long time. Considering the staggering number of characters that have been introduced to the cast of One Piece though, it’s fair to say there are more than a few who would have performed well if given the spotlight.

Not only would it be interesting to explore these characters in more depth, but depending on their personal motives and ambitions, the entire tone and direction of the story could end up being vastly different from what it has been with Luffy at the helm. With that being said, it’s time to see which of One Piece’s quirky characters would definitely do a good job if they were put the leading role.

8

Kin’emon

Kin’emon Would Be A Fantastic Lead In An Epic Hero’s Journey

• First Appearance: Episode 580

Kin’emon may seem like little more than a bumbling baffoon upon running into the Straw Hats on Punk Hazard, but once he explains his story, it becomes clear there’s much more to him than one might think. After being one of the legendary retainers of Kozuki Oden, Kin’emon becomes determined to rescue his country of Wano from the clutches of Kaido and Orochi, though his cowardice often gets in the way.

Focusing on Kin’emon’s entire journey would showcase his gradual progression from snot-nosed punk to eventually becoming the leader of the Samurai by the time he finally arrives in Wano. It might have sounded crazy to say this guy could take the mantle of protagonist back in Punk Hazard, but after all he’s been through since then, it doesn’t sound anywhere near as outlandish anymore.

7

Trafalgar D. Law

Law’s Complex Personality And Thirst Of Revenge Would Make For An Epic Tale

• First Appearance: Episode 392

Though Law may seem cool, calm and collected at all times on the surface, it becomes apparent not long after he teams with the Straw Hats that he’s a little more complex than he’s letting on. Law’s tragic childhood, which involved being infected by a deadly illness and watching his best friend be murdered, caused him to become obsessed with getting revenge on Doflamingo, which would make for a captivating story to follow.

At the same time, there could also be plenty of scenes showcasing how Law came to form bonds with his crewmates, especially Bepo, who seems to be the complete opposite of Law in terms of their personalities. The cherry on top is that Law also has an excellent design and more than enough charisma to play the leading role.

6

Smoker

Smoker Could Provide A Unique Experience As A Member Of The Marines

• First Appearance: Episode 48

The world of One Piece is split between the Marines and the pirates, with a few other factions thrown into the middle, and while most characters are firmly in one camp or the other, Smoker is a little different. While he is technically a member of the Marines, Smoker tends to help out Luffy and the Straw Hats every so often, so it would be interesting to see this divided perspective if Smoker were the main character.

Seeing the story from any Marine’s point of view would already have been fascinating, but Smoker’s constant back and forth about what’s truly right and wrong in the world would lead to plenty of memorable moments and story arcs for the character to experience.

5

Katakuri

Katakuri Has More Than Enough Intrigue And Backstory To Carry A Story

• First Appearance: Episode 825

Though he is presented as being a villain when Luffy encounters him on Whole Cake Island, Katakuri isn’t actually all that evil, he’s just determined to protect his family at any cost. By the time fans actually get to see Katakuri in the flesh, he’s gained a reputation as a member of the Charlotte family who has never fallen on his back, that is, never lost in a fight.

Seeing him establish this level of respect among his siblings, alongside being able to balance his obsession with doughnuts, could result in a fun adventure that chronicles how he became the sharp and stoic commander that fans know him as. Another reason he would fit as the protagonist of the story is his Observation Haki, which could open up some interesting plot points, considering he is able to see into the future.

4

Enel

Enel’s Personal Adventure Through One Piece Is Fascinating, To Say The Least

• First Appearance: Episode 167

Enel is a rather unusual character in the series. When Luffy first meets him, which is very early on in the story, Enel has already essentially become a god over the Sky Islands, using his Observation Haki and lightning-based Devil Fruit to strike down anyone that tries to challenge his authority. Even after he was defeated, though, Enel then transported himself to the moon, where his story is still ongoing, albeit, off-screen.

Needless to say, this guy is utterly fascinating, and because of how over-the-top he is with his powers, he would make for a great protagonist, especially considering how much of his backstory there would be to explore. Seeing him go up against the Straw Hats would be just one of the many whacky adventures Enel would eventually embark on.

3

Sabo

From Spoiled Noble To Die-Hard Revolutionary, Sabo Has Quite The Story To Tell

• First Appearance: Episode 494

Though Sabo has been appearing a lot more frequently in recent arcs of the One Piece story due to his involvement with the Revolutionary Army, his journey to actually becoming a member of the group hasn’t been all that well documented. Since Sabo was born into wealth, the fact he eventually joins a group whose sole purpose is to take down the World Government makes him a character whose lengthy personal journey would be a great setting for a story.

Of course, just like his brothers, Sabo also has endless amounts of charm to keep audiences interested in what he’s going to get up to in the next episode or chapter. Luffy may be the protagonist in this reality, but if Sabo filled these shoes instead, the story would still likely be just as fun to follow as it is today.

2

Sakazuki Akainu

Watching Akainu’s Rise To Power Would Set A Much Different Tone Compared To The Original Series

• First Appearance: Episode 225

While Akainu may be one of the most hated characters in the fanbase due to his brutality within the series, it’s hard to argue that a story following this vicious commander wouldn’t have still made for a very intriguing watch. Oda has said that if Akainu were the protagonist, the publication of One Piece would last no longer than a year, which would essentially mean his story would be a quick action-packed power-fest where fans get to see Akainu rise through the Marine ranks by any means necessary.

It would have been very intriguing to see how Akainu came to obtain his sense of ‘Absolute Justice’, and how he came to master his devastating Devil Fruit too. While it would be a much darker tone if Akainu was in charge, he’s definitely someone who would excel at being the center of a character study.

1

Whitebeard

A Story Chronicling The Chaotic Life Of Whitebeard Would Be One For The Ages

• First Appearance: Episode 485

When Whitebeard first shows up in the One Piece story, it’s made clear that he’s a man far past his prime. As a result, much of his epic backstory is only told here and there through flashbacks, but considering how much this guy has seen during his long life as a pirate on the open seas, it would make for a truly amazing tale.

Whether it’s his affiliation with the Rocks Pirates, the formation of his ‘family’, or even just his many run-ins with the Marines, there’s certainly no shortage of amazing moments that Whitebeard has been a part of, so being able to come along for the ride would be a real treat. Of course, the story would also have to end with Whitebeard making his final stand at Marineford, but screaming from the top of his lungs that the One Piece exists, giving hope for the next generation of pirates, would still be a memorable note to end his story on.