Currently one of the longest-running shonen series, One Piece has given audiences over 1000 chapters and nearly that many episodes worth of time to spend with the Straw Hat crew and company. Through battles and trials, world-altering events, and light-hearted shenanigans, a lot has changed.
While the power level of pretty much every character has gone up and bounties have risen into the billions, many fan-favorites are the same old personalities everyone fell in love with. Even the New World wasn’t enough to shake these stalwart few from their dreams.
10 Zoro Is Just As Driven (& Still Gets Lost)
Luffy’s right-hand man has experienced a lot since he joined the crew back in the East Blue, but nothing has distracted him from his dream of becoming the world’s strongest swordsman. As his strength has increased to ridiculous levels, he hasn’t let it go to his head. In fact, just the opposite is the case. His defeat against Mihawk early on left him with a sense of just how many ferociously strong opponents there were out there, simply increasing his drive. His hotheadedness when around Sanji hasn’t changed a bit either, and audiences can always count on him to get lost at the worst possible time.
9 Shanks Continues To Be A Looming Presence
One of the more mysterious figures in One Piece, Shanks’ position as a ruler in the shadows still holds strong to this day. When he decides to show up, the world changes. His presence alone is enough to shift the war between Whitebeard and the Navy back to a standstill, but of course, this is expected from one of the Yonko. As the Straw Hats press further into the New World, hopefully audiences will get a chance to see Shanks in action once again. Maybe this time he’ll reveal how strong he truly is.
8 Robin Hasn’t Lost Her Love For Examining Poneglyphs
Other than the surprise that was the Enies Lobby arc, Robin has been a fairly unshifting member of the Straw Hat crew.
The abilities she gained over the course of the two-year time skip were great additions to her arsenal, giving her the strength to keep up with the group. However, her (usually) stoic nature and love of examining the minutest details weren’t altered at all over the two-year training period. As the Poneglyphs become more and more important to the main story, Robin’s presence also increases. So it’s possible audiences will get another Nico Robin-focused arc in the near future!
7 Garp’s Fist Is As Solid As His Character
Luffy’s grandfather Garp has been another bastion of strength in the series who audiences haven’t seen fight at full strength. Like the Straw Hat’s captain, Vice Admiral Garp takes his duties with a grain of salt, often acting on how he feels in the moment. This is a fortunate thing for Luffy, as without his leniency, Garp would’ve captured his grandson at the beginning of the Enies Lobby arc. He is still a loyal member of the Navy though, and both this and his personality haven’t changed since viewers first laid eyes on him.
6 Smoker’s Justice Stays Strong
Vice Admiral Smoker has always been a man of action, gruff in his tone, but with a kind heart. Although a strict upholder of the law, Smoker is also a good judge of character and won’t take down good people. His change in attitude towards the Straw Hats during the Punk Hazard arc is due to his recognition of their moral high ground. After all, if saving trapped children and preventing a bio-weapon from running wild is worthy of arrest, then the justice system in One Piece would be even more twisted than it already is.
5 Chopper Is Naive & Caring
While his first adventure with Luffy on Drum Island instilled some confidence in Chopper, his character has since stayed pretty much the same. Even after experiencing the world, the Human-Human reindeer is still a pretty naive little guy.
Usopp’s tales fool him now just as they tricked him back in Skypeia. Chopper’s sweet and good-natured heart has gotten even bigger as well, as showcased on Punk Hazard.
4 Crocodile Always Does What He Wants
Having been humbled by Luffy in Alabasta, Crocodile was sent to Impel Down until, ironically, Luffy showed up and broke him out. His time in the slammer didn’t change him a bit, as after his release, Croc did whatever he felt like, whenever he felt like it. During the war between Whitebeard and the Navy, the former warlord both attempted to kill Whitebeard and helped Luffy get out of a couple pinches. Crocodile’s chaotic yet meticulous nature is something audiences love about the former warlord, so hopefully he’ll appear again soon to spice things up in his own way.
3 Nami Loves Cash & Her Crewmates
While her loyalty to Luffy and the Straw Hat crew has definitely increased since her first appearance, not much else about Nami has. Her love of money still sits first and foremost on her list of priorities. Along with her Navigation skills, Nami acts as a sort of banker for the group, distributing funds on the rare occasion that the pirates actually have any money. She also attempts to be a voice of caution alongside Usopp, which works almost never thanks to Luffy and Zoro. Sort of the ship’s mom, Nami looks to be a personality who’ll stick around until the One Piece is found.
2 Sanji’s Chivalry & Ideals Will Never Fade
The Straw Hat who’s changed the least of all is Sanji. His core tenants consist of: No wasting food, don’t turn away a hungry person, and never hit a woman have held strong throughout the series. Even during the Whole Cake Island arc, where his backstory took center stage, he refused to break from his beliefs.
His love for women is still exactly the same, if not more intense than it was when he’s first introduced. While many fans are hopeful that Sanji will receive more character development before the finale, his sense of chivalry will probably never fade.
1 Buggy’s Still….. Buggy!
Buggy the Clown is the character who has been in the show for the longest time, and yet has somehow not changed a bit. This isn’t a bad thing by any means, as he brings a sense of light-hearted fun with him whenever he appears. His luck is constantly saving him from disaster after disaster, and his innate charisma drawing in loyal followers also keeps Buggy relevant to the overall story. He even becomes a Warlord of the Sea. The man with the red nose is one pirate everyone hopes makes it to the end.
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