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Eiichiro Oda's One Piece story has captured the interest of countless fans around the world, metaphorically taking them on an emotion-packed journey to explore the seas alongside Monkey D. Luffy and his comrades. As the Straw Hats continue their quest to claim the One Piece treasure, fans are immersed in an ever-evolving fictional universe packed with humor and mystery.
Like One Piece, the iconic Pokémon franchise has also enthralled entire generations of people. Much like Oda's pirate-themed story, Pokémon has been riding high for nearly three decades, continuously introducing new video games, animated movies and series, card games, and, of course, new eye-catching creatures within the franchise's fictional universe.
Each in its own way, both One Piece and Pokémon have become a staple of modern-day pop culture. Therefore, it's interesting to see how some of One Piece's most famous characters can be paired up with the creatures that populate the Pokémon media franchise, depending on their personality, fighting style, and trademark features.
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40 iconic One Piece characters and their Pokémon counterparts, types, and movesets
1) Monkey D. Luffy
As a relentless physical brawler, Monkey D. Luffy would be a great Fighting-type Pokémon. More specifically, Luffy would be either a Fighting/Ground type—in One Piece he has immunity to electricity, resistance to poison, and, due to being a Devil Fruit user, a blatant weakness to water—or a Fighting/Fire type, given his fire-based techniques and his narrative connection with “Sun God” Nika.
If a Fighting/Fire type, Luffy would have the Lightning Rod ability to gain immunity to all Electric-type moves. Otherwise, Luffy’s ability may be Guts, given his insane endurance and willpower. When using his Gear 5 transformation, Luffy would become a Fighting/Fairy type due to the form’s unreal, almost supernatural powers. Luffy’s Pokémon moveset may include Bulk Up, Agility, Mach Punch, and Fire Punch.
The Pokémon that best suits Luffy is probably Ambipom. Infernape also fits the “Monkey” in Luffy’s name and is characterized by fiery punches and a burning fighting spirit, much like One Piece’s main protagonist. However, Aipom and its evolution Ambipom look goofier, which fits Luffy's character better, while also being monkeys as well. Ambipom also has extendable limbs, which is another trait it shares with Luffy.
2) Roronoa Zoro
A master swordsman who strives to become the World’s Strongest, Roronoa Zoro is Luffy's loyal right-hand man. As a Pokémon, Zoro would be either a Steel/Fighting type due to his harsh physical training or a Steel/Dark type due to his fearsome Haki powers, intimidating aura, and recurring demonic imagery. In Pokémon, however, Dark type is associated with dirty tactics and an evil spirit, so Zoro could also be a Steel/Psychic or Steel/Ghost type.
In One Piece, Zoro can neutralize every fire-based attack by cutting through it with a specific technique. Thus, his Pokémon ability would be Flash Fire, making him immune to Fire-type attacks. Other interesting options are Sharpness, Intrepid Sword, and Guts. As for Zoro’s Pokémon moveset, it may include Sacred Sword, Behemoth Blade, Air Slash, and Night Slash.
If Zoro were a Pokémon, he may be Sceptile or Scyther. Both are green in color and perform fast slicing attacks like him. With its green hair and three blades, Gallade is also reminiscent of Zoro’s appearance and signature Three Sword Style. Perhaps the Pokémon best suited to Zoro is Crowned Sword form Zacian, who holds a sword in its mouth and is said to be able to cut through anything.
3) Nami
Nami is the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates. In combat, she uses her knowledge of the weather to replicate meteorological phenomena through her special Clima-Tact weapon. Needless to say, this makes Castform the perfect Pokémon for her. Depending on the weather, Castform can transform itself into a blazing sun, a rain cloud, or a freezing snow cloud.
Castform changes appearance and abilities based on the weather, borrowing the power of nature much like Nami does with her weather-based techniques. That said, Nami may be a Normal type, like Castform, or an Electric/Water type, according to his moves. Her Pokémon moveset would include Weather Ball, Rain Dance, Thunder, and Double Team.
Funnily enough, other than Castform’s Forecast, Nami’s Pokémon ability may be Pickpocket or Pickup, based on her similarities to the cunning Pokémon cat Meowth. After all, Nami is known as the “Cat Burglar.” She also loves shiny jewels, much like Meowth.
4) Usopp
If Usopp were a Pokémon, he would likely be a Grass type, given his fighting style based on the Pop Greens, special seeds that can grow into full-sized plants. Given that Usopp is a sniper, it only makes sense that his Pokémon ability would be Sniper, which increases the damage done by critical hits. With its long, pointy nose, Nuzleaf is the perfect Pokémon to match Usopp’s character.
Nuzleaf is a Grass/Dark type, which is also perfect as it recalls both Usopp’s Pop Greens and his dirty fighting style. The parallels don’t stop there, as Nuzleaf and its evolution, Shiftry, often provoke their opponents, much like Usopp does. A fitting Pokémon moveset for Usopp would include Lock-On, Seed Bomb, Leech Seed, and Fire Blast.
5) Sanji
Sanji fights exclusively with his legs, which makes him the One Piece version of Hitmonlee, the kicking Pokémon. What’s more, Sanji can also ignite his legs, combining heat with blunt force to maximize his power output. Considering this, another Pokémon that fits Sanji’s character quite well is Blaziken. Sanji’s Pokémon moveset would include Bounce, High Jump Kick, Blaze Kick, and Mega Kick.
No matter what the situation, Sanji refuses to hurt women. He also gets particularly upset when someone harms a woman in front of him. With this in mind, his Pokémon ability would be Rivalry, which makes him deal more damage to Pokémon of the same gender and less damage to those of the opposite gender.
6) Chopper
A running gag of One Piece is that the World Government mistakes Chopper for the Straw Hat crew’s pet because of his cute, soft-looking appearance. Taking this into account, if Chopper were a Pokémon, he might be Eevee, who is a similarly fluffy-looking creature. Eevee can take on a variety of different evolutions, which also matches Chopper’s ability to undergo different transformations depending on the Rumble Ball used.
Chopper was born a reindeer. So, another Pokémon that fits him perfectly is Stantler, a creature that looks like a cross between a reindeer and a deer. Given Chopper’s role as the doctor of the Straw Hat crew, the most befitting Pokémon abilities for him would probably be Healer, Regenerator, or Poison Heal. His moveset would include Horn Attack, Heal Bell, Cotton Guard, and Karate Chop.
7) Nico Robin
Nico Robin’s Flower-Flower Fruit can easily be considered the One Piece equivalent of a Psychic type. As a Pokémon, Robin’s moveset may include Double Slap, Stomp, Petal Dance, and Fly. Robin has been labeled as a jinx since she was a child, so her Pokémon counterpart could be Absol, who is a creature said to bring disaster.
Other interesting options are Unown—a Pokémon based on hieroglyphs that Robin, as an archeologist, loves to decipher—or Alakazam and Gardevoir, who have powerful psychic abilities. Vileplume, Roselia, and its evolution, Roserade, are also great choices, given their connection with Robin’s Devil Fruit.
8) Franky
Franky modified his body to become a cyborg. This makes the Steel type very suitable for him, with aggressive, belligerant Pokémon such as Metagross or Aggron being perfect counterparts for his flashy character. A fitting Pokémon moveset for Franky would include Hammer Arm, Flamethrower, Hyper Beam, and Spikes.
9) Brook
Brook returned to life after dying once, thanks to the Revive-Revive Fruit. He later learned to manipulate his soul, detaching it from the body to transform into a ghostly spirit. It’s pretty clear that if Brook were a Pokémon, he would be a Ghost type, like Gastly or Duskull, and the latter’s final evolution, Dusknoir.
When Brook died, his soul was only able to return to his body after it had already been reduced to a skeleton. This may emphasize a parallel to Cubone and Marowak, although the narrative lore behind these Pokémon is very different from the one that explains Brook’s skeletal state. That said, Brook’s Pokémon moveset should revolve around Hidden Power Ice, Double Team, Sing, and Shadow Bone.
10) Jinbe
A whale shark Fish-Man is the greatest known practitioner of Fish-Man Karate. Given his martial arts mastery and water-based techniques, it’s easy to see Jinbe as a Water/Fighting type Pokémon, and more precisely, the One Piece counterpart to Poliwrath. Being a whale, Wailord would also be a good option.
When a Fish-Man is in water, their natural environment, all of their capabilities are dramatically enhanced. This makes Swift Swim the perfect Pokémon ability for Jinbe. His Pokémon moveset would be pretty straightforward, with Bulk Up, Brick Break, Water Fall, and Dive.
11) Shanks
As the only non-Devil Fruit user among the present and past Emperors, Shanks might be considered a Normal type Pokémon. That said, Shanks is a formidable Haki user who can intimidate and overwhelm his opponents, much like a Legendary Pokémon. Given his fierce rivalry with Dracule Mihawk, if the “Red Hair” were a Pokémon, he might be Palkia, the deity that distorts space.
12) Dracule Mihawk
Mihawk is the World’s Strongest Swordsman. In combat, he wields Yoru, the unparalleled Black Blade. This fearsome weapon is reminiscent of Pokémon such as Aegislash and Sirfetch’d, who are characterized by similarly huge blades. However, Mihawk’s “Hawk Eyes” moniker also suggests Staraptor or Honchkrow as viable options. In any case, if Shanks is Palkia, it goes without saying that Mihawk is the latter’s rival Dialga.
13) Marshall D. Teach "Blackbeard"
If Blackbeard were a Pokémon, his moveset would include both Dark Pulse and Earthquake to honor his ability to use the Dark-Dark Fruit and the Tremor-Tremor Fruit at the same time. The Pokémon best suited to the greedy pirate are Necrozma, a lifeform that devours light, or Darkrai, a creature that causes others to experience horrific nightmares.
14) Trafalgar D. Water Law
With his Ope-Ope Fruit, Trafalgar Law can manipulate anything within the range of his powers, which would grant him a wide range of Psychic-type Pokémon abilities. However, taking into account Law’s personality, the likes of Umbreon or Lucario would best suit his determined, not very talkative attitude while adequately depicting his strategic mind and the Ope-Ope Fruit’s dangerous techniques.
15) Eustass Kid
In One Piece, Eustass Kid controls magnetic forces through the Magnet-Magnet Fruit. Of course, Kid’s Pokémon counterpart would be Magneton, with Magneton’s evolution Magnezone being the equivalent of the pirate's Devil Fruit Awakening. Kid's Assign technique works the same as Magneton's signature ability, Magnet Pull.
16) Portgas D. Ace
The Flame-Flame Fruit truly suited Ace given his hotheaded personality. The same applies for Charmeleon, a Fire-type Pokémon who is known for its aggressiveness. Just as Charmeleon can evolve into the all-powerful Charizard, Ace had the potential to become a first-class pirate, being the son of the late Gol D. Roger. Sadly, Ace died at a young age, much like a Charmeleon that was never able to become a Charizard.
17) Sabo
Sabo ate the Flame-Flame Fruit to carry on Ace’s legacy. With this in mind, he can be considered to be the Charizard that Ace was never able to become. In addition to his tremendous fire-based powers, Charizard is also famous for his prideful and rebellious nature, which can be considered a parallel to the ideals that Sabo enforces as the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army.
18) Monkey D. Garp
Garp became one of the strongest characters in the entire One Piece story, relying on nothing but his Haki and physical might. His tremendous punches made him known and feared as Garp “The Fist,” a brawler who can pulverize mountains with his bare hands. Considering this, if Garp were a Pokémon, it’s easy to see him as a Fighting/Normal type.
More specifically, he could be the equivalent of a Slaking, or a Machamp. Perhaps Garp’s perfect Pokémon counterpart would be Primeape, a creature that matches both his “Monkey” name and his fighting style.
19) Bartholomew Kuma
Bartholomew Kuma’s character has an evident bear theme, which makes Ursaring the most appropriate Pokémon for him. With its devastating strength, Ursaring embodies Kuma’s sturdy constitution as a member of the Buccaneer Race. As a Pokémon, however, Kuma’s moveset would be different from Ursaring, including moves like Pain Split and Sonic Boom.
20) Boa Hancock
Nothing would befit “Snake Princess” Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, more than a snake-like Pokémon. Seviper and Arbok may seem obvious choices here, but the likes of Milotic, Dragonair, and Serperior would suit Hancock’s refined appearance the best. Hancock’s Pokémon skillset would revolve around the Cute Charm ability, with Lovely Kiss as the signature move.
21) Sakazuki "Akainu"
There’s plenty of choice for Akainu’s Pokémon counterpart. The Fleet Admiral is known as the “Red Dog,” which makes Arcanine and especially Entei perfect candidates. Entei is said to possess magma-like flames and cause volcanoes to erupt with its roars, which is reminiscent of Akainu’s Mag-Mag Fruit. For the same reason, Magmar or Magcargo would also be acceptable pairings.
Arcanine was among the signature Pokémon of Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket. With the due differences, this group is a recurring antagonist in the Pokémon franchise, much like the Navy is in One Piece. Akainu is the leader of the Navy, so this creates another interesting parallel.
22) Kuzan "Aokiji"
At least from the chromatic point of view, the original three Admirals of the Navy can be seen as a reference to Pokémon’s three Legendary Birds. The distinguishing colors of Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru—red, blue, and yellow—match perfectly with those of Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos.
However, while Akainu’s magma and Kizaru’s light are quite different from the fire and electric powers wielded by Moltres and Zapdos, respectively. Aokiji is the perfect One Piece counterpart to Articuno. With his Ice-Ice Fruit, Aokiji can create and control ice, as well as transform into the same element.
Aokiji can perform a freezing technique called Pheasant Beck, and his own epithet means “Blue Pheasant.” Articuno is a fabled ice-ruling bird, so this only emphasizes the connection between this Pokémon and the icy Kuzan.
23) Borsalino "Kizaru"
The only pre-timeskip Admiral to retain his role after the timeskip, Kizaru can create and control light as well as transform into the same element thanks to the powers of the Glint-Glint Fruit. In the original Japanese version, this Devil Fruit is called "Pika Pika no Mi", creating a hilarious pairing between Kizaru and none other than Pikachu, the Pokémon franchise's iconic mascot.
Pikachu's electric-based powers aren't exactly the same as Kizaru's light manipulation, but both share the same trademark bright yellow color. Kizaru can use his Devil Fruit to move at the speed of light and fire devastating lasers, while Pikachu is likewise known for its blazing speed and unstoppable thunderbolts.
24) Sengoku
Before his resignation, Sengoku was the Navy’s Fleet Admiral, meaning that he had authority over the three Logia-wielding Admirals. If these three can be seen as parallels to Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno, then their leader Sengoku would be the equivalent of Lugia, the master of the three mythical birds. Lugia is quiet and yet incredibly powerful, which further reflects its equivalence to Sengoku, a calm and collected man who is considered to be a living legend.
25) Edward Newgate "Whitebeard"
The entire One Piece world feared Edward Newgate as the individual capable of destroying the globe itself with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. If Whitebeard were a Pokémon, he would likely be Groudon, a forceful creature that can shatter the Earth itself with moves like Earthquake and Fissure, paraphrasing the iconic pirate’s Devil Fruit powers.
26) Marco
Marco has been the right-hand man of Edward Newgate for so many years. Thanks to a Mythical Zoan Fruit, Marco can transform into a phoenix shrouded in blue flames or a human-phoenix hybrid. This allows him to fly and, more importantly, to regenerate any damage he takes, no matter how serious, until he has enough energy left.
In this sense, Marco is reminiscent of the fiery bird Ho-oh. This legendary Pokémon strikingly resembles a phoenix and possesses the same healing powers. It is even said to be able to resurrect the dead. The only difference is that Marco’s phoenix form is blue, while Ho-oh glows a bright red.
27) Kaido
A Yonko hailed as the World’s Strongest Creature, Kaido ate the Fish-Fish Fruit Model: Azure Dragon, which seems like a parallel to the weak fish Magikarp’s transformation into Gyarados, a fearsome blue-scaled serpent dragon Gyarados. In fact, Kaido’s full animal form appears as a blue Eastern dragon, similar to the aforementioned Pokémon.
Often associated with tales of destruction, Gyarados is said to go on rampages and demolish everything around, which matches Kaido’s aggressive attitude. Moreover, Gyarados can perform Hyper Beam and various elemental-based moves, which are reminiscent of Kaido’s devastating techniques.
28) King
The long-time right-hand man of Kaido, King is mostly known for his godlike powers as the only known Lunarian survivor. That said, he can also use a Zoan Devil Fruit to transform into a pteranodon hybrid and a full pteranodon.
This flying reptile is the same dreadful creature on which the Pokémon Aerodactyl is based. In their respective franchises, both King and Aerodactyl are portrayed as vicious hunters who attack their victims from the sky with devastating moves.
29) Rob Lucci
If One Piece’s iconic villain Rob Lucci were a Pokémon, he would definitely be a Fighting/Dark type. A formidable martial artist, Lucci ate the Cat-Cat Fruit Model: Leopard and mastered its powers to the point where he achieved Devil Fruit Awakening.
Lucci’s perfect Pokémon counterpart would be Liepard, a fast and deadly creature that attacks its victims before they can react. This leopard-like Pokémon is a Dark type, further indicating its resemblance to Lucci.
30) Kaku
During the timeskip, Kaku rose through the ranks of the World Government to become an elite CP0 masked agent alongside Rob Lucci. Kaku ate the Ox-Ox Fruit Model: Giraffe and now has enough mastery of it to be an Awakened Devil Fruit user.
Therefore, if Kaku were a Pokémon, it would be hard to think of him as anything other than Girafarig. In fact, Kaku's Awakened form is strikingly similar to Girafarig's new evolution, Farigiraf.
31) Donquixote Doflamingo
Considering his String-String Fruit, the evil Warlord Donquixote Doflamingo has a clear Pokémon parallel in Ariados. Just like Doflamingo ensnares his targets with techniques like Birdcage or Parasite, Ariados can use Spider Web to prevent its opponents from escaping or switching. Doflamingo’s Pokémon moveset would also include Overheat and String Shot.
32) Crocodile
The Pokémon counterpart of Crocodile is, of course, Krookodile. Crocodile is a cunning, wicked mastermind who uses the Sand-Sand Fruit, and no one better than this Ground/Dark type Pokémon can embody both of these traits at once. The only difference is that Crocodile’s Pokémon ability would be Sand Stream, a reference to his sandstorm-based techniques.
33) Daz Bonez
An expert assassin, martial artist, and bounty hunter, Daz Bonez has been Crocodile’s right-hand man since the Arabasta Arc. Daz can use the Dice-Dice Fruit to turn any part of his body into blades of tough steel. Daz’s steel-hardened body becomes a living weapon as he can shred anything with razor-sharp saws and drills. This makes Daz the One Piece counterpart of Scizor, a metallic Pokémon that excels at both offense and defense thanks to its steel-hard body.
34) Bon Clay
The former Baroque Works member Bon Clay can use the Clone-Clone Fruit to impersonate anyone he touches, mimicking their voice and appearance to become a physical double of them. No Pokémon embodies this better than Ditto, a genderless creature that can copy the opponent’s genetic code to turn itself into a perfect duplicate. The only difference is that Ditto can copy its target’s fighting skills, while Bon Clay can only replicate their physical appearance.
35) Gecko Moria
Gecko Moria used the Shadow-Shadow Fruit to steal countless shadows in order to create an army of zombies. Given his sinister powers, if Moria were a Pokémon, there's no doubt that he would be a Dark/Ghost type. In light of his signature Brick Bat move, Moria's Pokémon counterpart may be Golbat, but Gengar is also a pretty solid option.
36) Perona
One Piece's goth girl Perona is known as "Ghost Princess" for a reason. She can use the Hollow-Hollow Fruit to conjure and control special ghosts that can somehow inflict physical harm on their targets or even take away their will.
As a girl who loves ghosts and cute things, if Perona were a Pokémon, she would likely be Misdreavus. This Ghost-type Pokémon loves to scare people for fun, which suits Perona's childlike personality.
37) Magellan
The Venom-Venom Fruit makes Magellan a force to be reckoned with, allowing him to produce and control a wide range of poisons. Magellan can cover himself with a thick layer of liquid venom, create huge poisonous avatars, and generate corrosive toxins to inflict excruciating pain on his enemies. Needless to say, if Magellan were a Pokémon, he would be one of the strongest Poison-type creatures, such as Muk or Toxicroak, if not Eternatus.
38) Enel
Enel established himself as the God of Skypiea by using the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, a devastating Logia that gives him control over lightning. As someone who considers himself a divine being and can use electrical powers to move at lightning speed, unleash thundebolts, and overwhelm anyone who isn’t immune to lightning, Enel can be linked to Raikou and Zapdos, legendary Electric-type Pokémon.
39) Arlong
A brutal and violent Sawshark Fish-Man, Arlong easily finds his Pokémon counterpart in Sharpedo. This Water/Dark type shark Pokémon can swim at high speed and has razor-sharp fangs that can tear things apart and grow back immediately after falling out. Arlong shares all of these characteristics, using his Fish-Man body's natural features as weapons much like Sharpedo does.
40) Caesar Clown
Caesar Clown may have become a comic relief character at this point, but he is still an evil scientist and the leading expert on chemical weapons of mass destruction. He can use the Gas-Gas Fruit to change his body into gas, allowing him to float and fly, as well as intoxicate his enemies via poisonous gases.
In this sense, no Pokémon is more suited to Caesar than Weezing, a strange creature that can use the Levitate ability and grows by feeding on toxic fumes. Not only is Weezing a poison-type Pokémon, but it is often used by antagonists, further strengthening its connection to Caesar Clown’s character.
Related Links
- MangaPlus puts One Piece Manga's future release date in doubt
- 12 strongest bounty hunters known in One Piece, ranked
- One Piece: Did Shanks defeat Loki in the past? Explored
- One Piece's most mysterious incident involving Law and Blackbeard, explained
- One Piece: Every sign that Vivi and the Straw Hats will reunite, explored
