It is unknown to many fans that some One Piece characters are based on real pirates. More casual viewers might never have put two and two together.
Some One Piece fans may be unaware that many characters are based on real-life pirates or other nautical figures. Casual One Piece fans especially may not be aware of the real-life inspirations. Fans who have gone in depth on the series and looked into details carefully, however, probably have an idea.
Creator Eiichiro Oda has based several characters on real-life figures and many of them are pirates. To find out who’s based on who, a lot of research needs to be done. Oda has used his skills brilliantly to bring the legends of these characters into One Piece. Many historical pirates and explorers have served as inspirations for Oda’s wide cast of pirate characters.
Updated March 19th, 2023, by Kara Ketchum: The impact One Piece has had on pop culture is undeniable. As the story continues to grow and influence its millions of fans around the world, it’s always interesting to look at the inspirations behind the characters. While the anime is about pirates, there are plenty of other historical figures who lend their names or likeness to these beloved characters.
22Gol D. Roger Is Inspired By Olivier Levasseur
Gol D. Roger is the entire reason that One Piece even has a story to tell. After all, he’s the legendary Pirate King who dared future pirates to locate his sizeable One Piece treasure and claim it for themselves.
Roger is likely based on the real-life pirate Olivier Levasseur, who likewise challenged others to find his legendary treasure. To this day, it still hasn’t been found. Another inspiration is Henry Every, a 1600s pirate whose deeds earned him the title “King of Pirates” and inspired figures such as Blackbeard.
21Alvida Is Inspired By Awilda
Alvida is both the first female pirate encountered in the series and also the first known female Devil Fruit user. Her Devil Fruit, the Sube Sube no Mi, gave Alvida a dramatic physical transformation that made her skin very smooth and slippery.
Alvida is likely based on the legendary figure Awilda, who’s believed to have been a pirate who became the Queen of Denmark. Many historians question the veracity of Awilda’s story, as such, she’s widely considered a legend rather than a historical person.
20Bartolomeo Is Based On Bartolomeu Dias & Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts
Bartolomeo the Cannibal became a fan-favorite One Piece character, in part because he is Luffy’s #1 fan. A fearsome pirate in his own right, Bartolomeo is likely a blend of two historical figures – a pirate and an explorer.
First, he shares his occupation with Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts, a Welsh pirate, considered to be the most successful pirate of all time, capturing 400 ships. Second, his name is closer to Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese explorer. Dias was the first European to ship around the southern tip of Africa.
19Cavendish Is Inspired By Thomas Cavendish
Although he was initially antagonistic to the Straw Hat Pirates, Cavendish eventually changed sides and became a supporter of Luffy’s goals. Cavendish can come off as overly prideful and arrogant, but he’s a beautiful man with an alter named Hakuba.
Cavendish’s inspiration is likely Sir Thomas Cavendish, a famous English explorer and privateer who became known as “The Navigator.” Thomas Cavendish earned a reputation as one of the early navigators who successfully circumnavigated the globe in the late 1500s, an expedition that made him rich from captured goods.
18Yorki Is Inspired By Calico Jack
Yorki is a famous pirate from before the events of One Piece. Fans know him through Brook, who was once part of Yorki’s crew. Yorki was the captain of the Rumbar Pirates and went by the nickname “Calico” Yorki. The “Calico” part of his nickname likely refers to Calico Jack.
Born as John Rackham, Calico Jack was an English pirate captain who was active during the early 18th century. He mostly operated in the Bahamas and around Cuba, where he amassed his pirate fortune. Notably, he also met the pirate Anne Bonny.
17Zeff Is Inspired By “Red Legs” Greaves
He may have given up his pirate days to become the head chef of Baratie, but Zeff was nevertheless known as “Red-Leg” while he was the captain of the Cook Pirates. Zeff is Sanji’s mentor who taught him everything he knows about cooking.
Zeff’s inspiration likely comes from “Red Legs” Greaves, a Scottish buccaneer who was active in the Caribbean and West Indies during the 1670s. Greaves was considered a successful pirate during his time, but a lack of historical records suggests he may have been fictional.
16Yamato Is Based On Yamato Takeru
When Yamato was introduced, he immediately became a fan favorite due to his design and synergy with the heroes of One Piece. Yamato is based on the historical figure-turned-legend Yamato Takeru, the 12th Emperor of Japan.
Also known as Prince Ousu, Yamato Takeru was the son of a fearsome father, sent away to make him stronger. Both Yamato’s stories deal with themes like the subversion of gender and forging relationships with swordsmen.
15Blackbeard Is Inspired By Edward Teach
Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, is the captain of the Blackbeard Pirates in One Piece. He is the newest member of the Yonko. He became a Yonko after he defeated the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Marshall D. Teach was inspired by the most famous real-life pirate, who was named Blackbeard. However, the name of the real-life Blackbeard was Edward Teach. So, Oda used the last name of the real-life pirate for Blackbeard in One Piece. This gave rise to Marshall D. Teach instead of Edward Teach.
14Roronoa Zoro Is Inspired By François l’Olonnais
One of the members of the Worst Generation, Roronoa Zoro is also one of the most popular characters in the series. Zoro was the first person to join Luffy on his adventure of becoming the Pirate King. Zoro has the dream of achieving the title of the World’s Strongest Swordsman.
Surprisingly, Zoro is also based on a real-life pirate named François l’Olonais. Zoro’s surname is based on the Japanese pronunciation of the pirate captain. François l’Olonais was a famous pirate who was active during the 1660s.
13Capone Bege Is Based On Al Capone
Capone “Gang” Bege is a mobster-turned-pirate who is part of the “Worst Generation.” Capone’s name and design are heavily based on real-life gangster, Al “Scarface” Capone.
Al Capone is likely the most well-known mobster, making a name for himself during Prohibition. Capone’s reign of terror only ended with his imprisonment in 1933.
12Charlotte “Big Mom” Linlin Is Based On Charlotte Badger & Charlotte de Berry
Charlotte “Big Mom” Linlin is the captain of the Big Mom Pirates. Big Mom used to be a member of the Rocks Pirates, which is one of the strongest crews in One Piece’s history.
Charlotte Linlin possesses the Soru Soru no Mi, which allows her to take the souls of other people. She currently boasts of a bounty of 4,388,000,000 beris. Her name has been taken from two real-life pirates, Charlotte Badger, and Charlotte de Berry.
11Jewelry Bonney Is Inspired By Anne Bonny
Jewelry Bonney is one of the more mysterious characters in One Piece. She is a member of the Worst Generation and the leader of Bonney Pirates. Her Devil Fruit allows her to alter the age of a person she touches.
Neither the name nor the true power of this Devil Fruit has been revealed yet. Bonney is based on the real-life pirate Anne Bonny. Anne Bonny was a famous female pirate who was active during the 18th century. Although she was born a noblewoman, she died as a pirate.
10The Five Elders Are Based On World Leaders
The Five Elders was an early seed in One Piece that is just now coming to fruition. With theories surrounding their nomenclature, it’s possible their names will be based on rock stars and planets. So far, Jaygarcia Saturn is the only named Elder, but his design seems to be a mix between the communist Karl Marx and Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi.
The unnamed Elders are also likely based on different historical figures. The tall blond one is a blend of American presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. The Elder with long white hair and pointed facial hair is based on Count Itagaki Taisuke, the founder of Japan’s first political party. Next, the elder with a bald head and large mustache is based on the final leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev. Lastly, the bald Elder with glasses is likely a blend between pacifist Mahatma Gandhi and Japanese dictator, Hideki Tojo.
9Edward Newgate Is Also Inspired By Edward Teach
A former Yonko, Edward Newgate was known throughout the world as Whitebeard, the Strongest Man in the World, and the King of the Seas. There’s no doubt that Whitebeard was among the strongest characters until the very end. He had the Gura Gura no Mi Devil Fruit, which allowed him to create quakes.
Whitebeard’s first name has been taken from Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard). His last name is from the famous Newgate Prison, which was a notorious prison in London known for imprisoning many infamous pirates during the historical Golden Age of Piracy.
8Shura Is Based On Salvador Dalí
“Sky Rider” Shura is one of the four priests who protects Eneru’s Upper Yard. While his clothing is based on 1900s aviators, his face is based on the famed surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. With trimmed hair and a comically pointed mustache, it’s easy to see the resemblance.
Shura’s theme is also woven with religious subtext, much like Dali’s work. He created many pieces surrounding angels, and an early piece from 1933 “Hands and string” features Shura’s trademark power.
7Lafitte Is Inspired By Jean Lafitte
Lafitte is one of Blackbeard’s most trusted crew mates. He was originally a sheriff in a town in West Blue, but he was imprisoned for being too violent. After that, Lafitte joined the Blackbeard Pirates. Currently, he’s the captain of the fifth ship of the Blackbeard Pirates.
RELATED:All Blackbeard Pirate Crew Devil Fruits In One Piece, Ranked By Strength
Lafitte is based on Jean Lafitte, who used to be a protector of the law at one point in his life. However, he couldn’t contain his hunger for action and money, so he decided to become a pirate. Jean Lafitte was active during the 1800s.
6Eustass Kid Is Inspired By William “Captain” Kidd
Eustass Kid is among the most notorious pirates in One Piece. Like Bonney, he too was a part of the Worst Generation. Eustass Kid is the captain of the Kid Pirates, and he is among the strongest Supernovas. Kid was even able to injure a Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates.
Eustass Kid’s surname has been taken from Eustace the Monk, a French pirate \known as a mercenary. The name “Kid” was inspired by a Scottish pirate known as William “Captain” Kidd, who was executed for his piracy.
5Captain Morgan Is Based On Henry Morgan
Captain Morgan is the first Marine of significant rank encountered by Luffy. His style of justice is absolute and totalitarian. His name comes from Henry Morgan, but that’s about where their similarities end.
Henry Morgan was a pirate turned plantation owner turned governor of Jamaica. Henry Morgan is most known by his nickname, Captain Morgan, which is also the name of a popular rum.
4Basil Hawkins Is Inspired By Basil Ringrose & John Hawkins
Basil Hawkins was the captain of Hawkins Pirates who eventually joined Kaido, the King of Beasts, and became a headliner of the Beasts Pirates. Hawkins possesses the Wara Wara no Mi, which gives him the unique ability to control straw. He’s very skilled with his Devil Fruit powers and can even create voodoo dolls to absorb damage.
“Basil” likely comes from Basil Ringrose, an English buccaneer, and author. “Hawkins” can be linked to John Hawkins, a 17th-century British naval commander. It’s also related to the protagonist of the famous fictional pirate tale, Treasure Island.
3Silvers Rayleigh Is Based On Sir Walter Raleigh
Silvers Rayleigh used to be a part of one of the strongest crews to ever sail the Grand Line. Despite having no Devil Fruit power, Rayleigh remains one of the strongest characters in the series. Rayleigh’s abilities have deteriorated with age, but he can go up against a Navy Admiral.
Rayleigh is very likely based on the Englishman Sir Walter Rayleigh, who is known for his efforts to bring tobacco usage into the mainstream in English society. He’s also reminiscent of John Silver from Treasure Island.
2Urouge Is Based On Oruç Reis
Urouge the Mad Monk, is a pirate hailing from the Sky Islands and captain of the Fallen Monk Pirates. He is one of twelve pirates grouped into the troublesome “Worst Generation.”
Urouge is based on the Turkish corsair Oruç Reis, who became known for transporting large numbers of Muslim and Jewish refugees from Spain to Northern Africa. The tales of his life warped into folklore, and he eventually became known as Barbarossa or Redbeard.
1X Drake Is Based On Sir Francis Drake
X Drake is a member of the Beasts Pirates and one of the Tobi Roppo, who are the six strongest Beasts Pirates crew mates. He possesses an ancient mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit known as Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Allosaurus.
X Drake has good control over his Devil Fruit, considering he stands among the top six strongest crew mates. Drake can also use Armament Haki. He is very likely based on Sir Francis Drake, who was an English pirate and a well-known explorer of the Elizabethan era
