18 Most Hated One Piece Characters, Ranked

One Piece features one of the largest and most memorable casts in anime, but not every character has won over the fanbase. While many have become fan favorites, others are remembered for their cruel actions, frustrating personalities, or disappointing roles in the story. These characters often spark heated debates long after their appearances.

This list highlights the 18 most hated One Piece characters based on their actions, writing, and impact on the series. Some earned fans’ hatred by committing unforgivable crimes, while others drew criticism for being irritating or underwhelming. Whether they are infamous villains or divisive supporting characters, each has left a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons.

18. Higuma

Higuma appears only briefly in One Piece, but he plays a surprisingly important role in the series’ history. As the first villain Luffy ever encounters, he helps shape the dream that eventually leads the young pirate to set sail. Although Higuma is nowhere near the level of later enemies like Crocodile, Doflamingo, or Kaido, fans still remember him because of how cruelly he treated Luffy and the people he admired most. 

Higuma is introduced as a mountain bandit who believes he can intimidate anyone standing in his way. He insults Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates, throws away their drinks, and later kidnaps Luffy without showing any concern for the consequences. His behavior immediately establishes him as someone who relies on fear instead of honor.

He constantly looks down on others and believes violence is the answer to every problem. Unlike many later villains who have complicated motivations, Higuma is simply selfish and arrogant. That simplicity makes him easy to hate.

His greatest mistake is underestimating Shanks. While Shanks refuses to fight over insults, he immediately steps in when Luffy’s life is threatened. This moment teaches Luffy one of the most important lessons of his life. A true pirate knows when to ignore an insult and when to protect the people who matter.

17. Squard

Squard is not remembered as one of One Piece’s strongest pirates, but he is remembered for committing one of the most heartbreaking acts in the Marineford War. During one of the biggest battles in the series, Squard allows himself to be manipulated into believing Whitebeard has betrayed his allies. Acting on that false information, he attacks the very man who treated him like family.

Squard respected Whitebeard and fought alongside his crew. However, Akainu successfully manipulates his emotions by convincing him that Whitebeard secretly planned to sacrifice allied pirates to save Ace. 

The moment he stabs Whitebeard remains one of the most painful scenes in Marineford. Fans were devastated because Whitebeard never responds with hatred or revenge. Instead, he forgives Squard, embraces him, and explains that they are all part of the same family. Whitebeard’s compassion makes Squard’s betrayal feel even worse.

He quickly realizes his mistake and spends the rest of the battle fighting alongside Whitebeard once again. His regret is genuine, and he risks his own life trying to make up for what he has done.

16. Wapol

Wapol is one of the earliest rulers that Luffy fights, and he quickly proves why he deserves to be hated. As the former king of Drum Kingdom, Wapol enjoys wealth and luxury while ignoring the suffering of his own people. Instead of protecting his citizens during difficult times, he abandons them and only returns when he believes it benefits him. 

From his first appearance, Wapol shows little concern for anyone except himself. He constantly complains, acts cowardly when facing danger, and treats loyal followers as disposable. His strange Devil Fruit ability allows him to eat almost anything, but fans remember his personality far more than his powers.

Another reason viewers dislike Wapol is the way he treated the country’s doctors. Rather than allowing everyone access to medical care, he gathered skilled doctors for his own personal use while ordinary citizens suffered. This decision became especially cruel when Drum Kingdom faced serious illness without enough people to provide treatment.

His arrogance also makes his eventual defeat satisfying. Wapol believes his position as king makes him untouchable, but Luffy quickly proves that true leadership comes from protecting others instead of abusing authority.

15. Gecko Moria

Gecko Moria stands out as one of One Piece’s strangest villains. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he possesses an incredibly dangerous Devil Fruit that allows him to steal people’s shadows and use them to create zombie soldiers. The concept is creative, but Moria’s cruel personality and willingness to exploit innocent people make him one of the series’ most disliked antagonists.

During the Thriller Bark arc, Moria steals shadows from countless victims, leaving them unable to survive in sunlight. Instead of caring about the lives he ruins, he views people only as tools for building his undead army. His obsession with creating powerful zombies shows how little value he places on human life.

Unlike villains who become stronger through hard work or determination, Moria prefers forcing others to fight for him. He rarely risks himself unless absolutely necessary, relying on stolen abilities and loyal followers to handle difficult situations. This lazy attitude frustrates many fans because it contrasts sharply with Luffy’s willingness to fight for his crew.

The Thriller Bark storyline also reveals Moria’s tragic past. After losing his original crew in the New World, he becomes terrified of experiencing that pain again. Instead of building stronger friendships, he decides to rely on zombies that can never betray or abandon him.

While this backstory explains some of his decisions, it does not excuse the suffering he causes. His actions continue harming innocent people simply because he refuses to trust others again.

14. Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)

Blackbeard is one of the most hated characters in One Piece, but unlike many others on this list, fans dislike him because he is an outstanding villain. Marshall D. Teach is clever, patient, and willing to betray anyone if it helps him achieve his goals. Every major decision he makes changes the world around him, making him one of the series’ most dangerous pirates.

Blackbeard builds his crew through fear and shared ambition. He carefully waits for the perfect opportunity before making his move, proving that patience can be just as dangerous as raw strength.

His betrayal of Whitebeard’s crew is one of the biggest reasons fans despise him. After spending years pretending to be a loyal subordinate, Teach murders a crewmate to steal the Dark Dark Fruit before beginning his own rise to power. Later, he plays a major role in some of the most heartbreaking moments in One Piece history, making him personally responsible for enormous loss and suffering.

Blackbeard’s personality also adds to his appeal as a villain. He can be cheerful one moment and completely ruthless the next, making it impossible to predict what he will do. That unpredictability keeps readers constantly on edge. Despite his cruelty, Blackbeard remains fascinating because he mirrors Luffy in many ways. Both dream of becoming Pirate King, yet they pursue that dream through completely different methods. Luffy inspires hope, while Blackbeard spreads fear.

13. Arlong

Arlong is one of the first truly unforgettable villains in One Piece. While earlier enemies challenged Luffy physically, Arlong introduced emotional stakes that completely changed the series. His rule over Cocoyasi Village brought years of suffering to Nami, her family, and everyone living under his control. 

As the leader of the Arlong Pirates, he believes Fish-Men are naturally superior to humans. This belief shapes every decision he makes throughout the story. He forces villages to pay heavy taxes, threatens innocent families, and uses fear to maintain control.

Arlong’s treatment of Nami remains one of the most emotional parts of One Piece. After murdering her adoptive mother, Belle-Mère, he forces Nami to work for him by drawing maps while promising to free her village if she collects enough money. Unknown to her, he never intends to keep that promise. This betrayal makes his cruelty even more heartbreaking.

What makes Arlong such an effective villain is that his actions directly affect characters readers have grown to care about. His crimes feel personal rather than distant, making Luffy’s eventual victory incredibly satisfying.

Although later stories reveal the discrimination many Fish-Men experienced, Arlong chooses hatred instead of understanding. Rather than breaking the cycle of prejudice, he continues spreading violence to innocent people.

12. Foxy

Not every disliked One Piece character is hated because they are cruel or dangerous. Foxy earns his place on this list for a completely different reason. Many fans believe he slows down the story during the Long Ring Long Land arc, making an otherwise fun adventure feel much longer than necessary. While Eiichiro Oda clearly intended Foxy to be a comedic rival, many viewers found his jokes repetitive and his challenges more frustrating than entertaining.

Foxy leads the Foxy Pirates and introduces the Davy Back Fight, a competition where pirate crews challenge one another through unusual games instead of traditional battles. The idea itself is creative and expands the pirate culture of the One Piece world. However, many fans feel the arc spends too much time on games that have little impact on the larger story.

His Slow Slow Fruit gives him a unique ability to temporarily slow down anything hit by his special beams. Instead of using this power in exciting ways, Foxy often depends on tricks, cheating, and unfair tactics. His unwillingness to fight honestly makes him more irritating than threatening.

His exaggerated personality also divides viewers. Foxy constantly brags about himself, celebrates minor victories, and reacts dramatically whenever things go wrong. While some fans enjoy his comedy, others feel these jokes quickly become repetitive.

11. Satori

Satori is one of those rare One Piece villains who frustrates fans more because of his role in the story than his actual personality. Introduced during the Skypiea arc as one of Enel’s priests, Satori guards the Ordeal of Balls, a challenge that many viewers remember for testing their patience rather than creating excitement. Although he is not especially cruel compared to later villains, his lengthy battles and unusual fighting style have made him one of the least popular characters in the series.

At first glance, Satori appears almost harmless because of his cheerful smile and playful behavior. However, he quickly proves to be a difficult opponent thanks to his use of Observation Haki and his cleverly placed impact dials. His ability to predict attacks makes him surprisingly challenging for Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp.

The biggest complaint from fans is the pacing surrounding his battle. The Ordeal of Balls lasts much longer than many viewers expected, causing the story to lose momentum during an arc that already receives mixed opinions. Instead of building tension, the repeated traps and slow progression left many people eager to move on.

His constant laughter and exaggerated expressions also became another reason some fans found him annoying. While One Piece often balances serious moments with comedy, Satori’s humor did not appeal to everyone. Even with these criticisms, Satori serves an important purpose by introducing the dangers waiting in Skypiea. His fight helps establish how different battles become when enemies can predict their opponents’ movements.

10. Wanze

Wanze is one of the easiest One Piece characters to forget, yet longtime fans often remember him for the wrong reasons. Appearing during the Sea Train storyline before the Enies Lobby arc, Wanze was intended to provide comic relief while standing in the Straw Hats’ way. Instead, many viewers found his strange personality and unusual fighting style more annoying than entertaining, making him a frequent choice whenever fans discuss the series’ least popular characters.

As a member of CP7, Wanze possesses surprising martial arts skills despite his goofy appearance. His most unusual technique involves using noodles as weapons during battle, creating attacks unlike anything seen elsewhere in One Piece. While the idea certainly fits the series’ imaginative world, many fans felt it crossed the line from creative into ridiculous.

His fight against Sanji highlights the difference between the two characters. Sanji treats cooking as an art that deserves respect, while Wanze uses food in careless and disrespectful ways. This contrast gives Sanji one of his most satisfying victories, as he defeats Wanze while defending his passion for cooking.

Another reason viewers dislike Wanze is his over-the-top behavior. His loud personality and exaggerated reactions often interrupt the tension during an otherwise important section of the story. Fortunately, his appearance is relatively short, allowing the series to quickly move toward the far more emotional events at Enies Lobby. Because of this, Wanze rarely has the chance to become more than a temporary obstacle.

9. Stelly

Stelly may not appear often in One Piece, but every appearance reminds fans why he is so widely disliked. As Sabo’s adoptive brother and later the king of the Goa Kingdom, Stelly represents everything selfish and arrogant about the noble class. His obsession with wealth, power, and social status constantly outweighs any concern for the people around him, making him one of the least sympathetic characters in the series.

Even as a child, Stelly looked down on Sabo despite being welcomed into the same family. Rather than treating him like a brother, he constantly insulted him and believed noble birth made him superior to everyone else. These early scenes immediately established his unpleasant personality.

As an adult, very little changes. After becoming king, Stelly continues chasing greater influence instead of becoming a responsible leader. He dreams of becoming a World Noble, showing that his greatest ambition is gaining privilege rather than helping his kingdom.

Although his screen time is limited, Stelly leaves a lasting negative impression because nearly every decision he makes is driven by selfishness. He rarely learns from his mistakes and never develops into a more compassionate person.

8. Caesar Clown

Caesar Clown is one of the most disturbing villains in One Piece because many of his crimes feel painfully realistic. Unlike enemies who simply want power or treasure, Caesar willingly experiments on innocent children to advance his scientific research. His complete lack of empathy makes him one of the series’ most hated characters and one of the easiest villains to despise.

During the Punk Hazard arc, Caesar secretly performs dangerous experiments while pretending to care about the children under his supervision. He exposes them to harmful substances, manipulates them with addictive drugs, and views them as test subjects rather than human beings. These actions immediately separate him from many other villains in the series.

His personality only makes matters worse. Caesar constantly lies, blames others for his failures, and runs away whenever situations become dangerous. Despite his intelligence, he rarely accepts responsibility for the suffering he causes. His Gas Gas Fruit gives him powerful abilities that make him a dangerous opponent in battle. However, fans rarely discuss his strength because his cruel actions overshadow everything else about his character.

One interesting aspect of Caesar is that he occasionally provides comic relief after his defeat. Even then, many viewers never fully forgive him because of the horrific crimes committed during Punk Hazard. The contrast between his childish personality and his horrifying experiments creates an unsettling combination that leaves a lasting impression.

7. Charlotte Flampe

Living in the enormous Charlotte Family is never easy, but even among Big Mom’s many children, Charlotte Flampe stands out for all the wrong reasons. She quickly became one of the most disliked female characters in One Piece because of her selfish attitude, cruel behavior, and obsession with appearances. Rather than showing loyalty or compassion toward her own family, Flampe enjoys humiliating anyone she considers weak.

Flampe first gains attention during the Whole Cake Island arc while watching the battle between Katakuri and Luffy. At first, she admires Katakuri because she believes he is the perfect older brother who can never make mistakes. However, the moment she discovers he has a small personal flaw, her admiration instantly turns into mockery.

Instead of respecting Katakuri for his incredible strength and dedication, Flampe laughs at him and encourages others to do the same. She even interferes in the fight by secretly attacking Luffy, hoping to help Katakuri win through unfair means. These actions reveal her true personality. Flampe only supports people when they appear flawless and successful. The moment someone shows weakness, she quickly abandons them.

6. Donquixote Doflamingo

Few One Piece villains are as feared or as widely hated as Donquixote Doflamingo. Unlike characters who rely only on brute strength, Doflamingo controls entire nations through manipulation, fear, and carefully planned schemes. His influence stretches far beyond the battlefield, making him one of the most dangerous people Luffy has ever faced.

Doflamingo presents himself as a confident and charismatic leader, but beneath that smile is someone who enjoys watching others suffer. He manipulates King Riku into attacking his own people, destroys families, turns innocent citizens into toys, and erases their existence from everyone’s memories. These actions make Dressrosa one of the darkest story arcs in the series.

His String String Fruit is one of the most versatile Devil Fruit abilities in One Piece. He can create razor-sharp strings capable of slicing through buildings, controlling people like puppets, and trapping entire cities inside his Birdcage. His overwhelming strength makes every battle feel dangerous.

What makes Doflamingo especially memorable is that his cruelty is balanced by excellent writing. His tragic childhood explains why he became so ruthless, but it never excuses the countless crimes he commits. Fans appreciate how complex he is while still wanting to see him defeated.

His fight against Luffy remains one of the most celebrated battles in One Piece because it represents freedom standing against oppression. Watching the people of Dressrosa finally break free from Doflamingo’s rule is one of the most satisfying moments in the series.

5. Akainu (Sakazuki)

Akainu remains one of the most controversial characters in One Piece because his actions permanently changed the series. As Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Sakazuki believes absolute justice is the only way to maintain peace. Unfortunately, his version of justice leaves no room for mercy, compassion, or forgiveness.

During the Marineford War, Akainu becomes responsible for one of the most heartbreaking moments in One Piece history. His actions leave a lasting emotional impact on Luffy and completely change the direction of the story. Many fans still consider this event one of the saddest scenes in anime.

His Magma Magma Fruit makes him one of the strongest fighters in the world. His attacks can melt almost anything in their path, allowing him to overpower even experienced pirates. However, fans rarely discuss his strength without also mentioning his brutal personality.

Akainu believes sacrificing innocent lives is acceptable if it helps eliminate criminals. This extreme philosophy often places him at odds with more compassionate Marines such as Fujitora and Smoker, who value justice without unnecessary cruelty. Unlike villains who openly enjoy causing suffering, Akainu genuinely believes he is protecting the world. This makes him even more dangerous because he never questions whether his methods are morally right.

Despite the hatred directed toward him, Akainu remains an exceptionally well-written character. He constantly challenges readers to think about whether justice without humanity can ever truly be called justice.

4. Saint Charlos

If there is one One Piece character almost every fan agrees to hate, it is Saint Charlos. As a member of the Celestial Dragons, Charlos represents everything wrong with the World Government’s corrupt social system. His arrogance, cruelty, and complete disregard for human life make him one of the easiest characters in the series to despise.

From his first appearance, Charlos treats ordinary people as property rather than human beings. He buys and sells slaves without remorse, insults anyone beneath his social status, and believes the world exists solely to satisfy his desires. Even his own family often behaves the same way, showing how deeply rooted these beliefs have become.

The moment Charlos attempts to capture a mermaid as another slave pushes both the Straw Hats and viewers to their limit. His actions directly lead to one of the most iconic scenes in One Piece when Luffy punches him in front of the entire auction house. Fans continue celebrating that moment because it finally gives Charlos the consequences he deserves.

Unlike many major villains, Charlos has almost no redeeming qualities. He is neither intelligent nor powerful. Instead, he survives only because of the protection provided by the World Government and the privilege of being born a Celestial Dragon.

3. Kurozumi Orochi

Kurozumi Orochi ruled Wano through fear, betrayal, and greed for years, making life miserable for countless innocent people. Although Kaido possessed greater physical strength, many fans consider Orochi the true source of Wano’s suffering because he willingly exploited his own country for personal power. His selfish leadership makes him one of the most hated rulers in the One Piece universe.

Orochi manipulates the people of Wano through lies while working alongside Kaido to control the nation. Under his rule, citizens face hunger, poverty, and constant fear. Entire villages are forced to survive with almost nothing while Orochi enjoys luxury inside his castle.

His treatment of the Kozuki family also fuels fan hatred. Orochi’s betrayal destroys one of Wano’s most respected clans and begins decades of suffering that affect nearly every major character in the arc.

Despite possessing the Snake Snake Fruit, Orochi rarely earns respect through combat. Instead, he hides behind Kaido’s strength and relies on others to protect him whenever danger appears. His cowardice only adds to viewers’ frustration because he constantly abuses authority without taking responsibility.

One of Orochi’s defining traits is his inability to feel sympathy for anyone outside himself. Even when innocent people suffer because of his decisions, he refuses to change or admit any wrongdoing. Watching Wano finally rise against Orochi becomes one of the most satisfying parts of the entire storyline. His downfall represents justice for everyone who endured years of oppression under his rule.

2. Spandam

Spandam proves that someone does not need incredible strength to become one of the most hated characters in One Piece. As the former leader of CP9, he gains authority through political connections rather than skill or bravery. Instead of using that power responsibly, he constantly abuses it to intimidate weaker people and take credit for the achievements of others.

Throughout the Enies Lobby arc, Spandam repeatedly mistreats Nico Robin despite knowing everything she has already suffered. He physically abuses her, threatens her friends, and enjoys watching others struggle. His treatment of Robin remains one of the biggest reasons fans continue to despise him years later.

Unlike Lucci and the other CP9 agents, Spandam lacks confidence in his own abilities. Whenever a fight becomes dangerous, he immediately hides behind stronger allies or attempts to escape. His cowardice stands in sharp contrast to the sacrifices made by the Straw Hats to rescue Robin.

Another reason fans dislike Spandam is his carelessness. His poor decisions repeatedly create unnecessary problems, yet he refuses to accept responsibility for the consequences. Instead, he blames everyone except himself. The emotional climax of Enies Lobby becomes even more satisfying because defeating Spandam symbolizes Robin finally escaping years of fear and manipulation. His downfall feels well deserved after everything he put her through.

1. Kanjuro

Taking the top spot is Kanjuro, a character whose betrayal shocked the entire One Piece community. For years, fans believed he was one of the loyal Nine Red Scabbards fighting to restore the Kozuki family. Instead, Eiichiro Oda revealed that Kanjuro had secretly been working against his closest friends all along. That single twist completely changed how fans viewed every moment he had shared with the heroes.

Kanjuro spends years earning the trust of Kin’emon, Momonosuke, and the rest of the Scabbards while secretly feeding information to Orochi. His betrayal is especially painful because it comes from someone the heroes considered family. Unlike enemies who attack openly, Kanjuro destroys trust from within.

His actions directly contribute to countless tragedies during the Wano arc. Every time the alliance believes it has a chance to succeed, Kanjuro’s secret loyalty places innocent lives at risk. Fans watched beloved characters suffer because of someone they had trusted for years.

What makes the betrayal even more disturbing is Kanjuro’s dedication to his role. He treats his entire life as a performance, pretending to care about people while hiding his true intentions behind a smile. Once his identity is revealed, he abandons every emotional connection without hesitation.