One Piece Marine ranks fully explained in the latest anime episode

One Piece focuses on the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the treasure of the same name. Among the main enemies that the Straw Hats encounter along the way is the Navy. As the World Government's military force, the Navy maintains law and order across the globe, concurrently imposing the will of the aforementioned political authority.

Marine soldiers and officers patrol the seas, including the Grand Line's Paradise and even the New World, to protect civilians from criminals. Of course, this task also includes capturing pirates and other outlaws in order to bring them to justice. The Navy is a hierarchical organization, meaning that soldiers carry out the direct orders of lower-ranking officers, who in turn report to higher-ranking officers.

Formal ranks aren't always guaranteed to directly reflect a Marine's individual strength, but, in most cases, a higher-ranked Marine is more powerful than a lower-ranked one. In this regard, the latest recap episode of the One Piece anime focuses on the Marines. Titled Unwavering Justice! The Navy's Proud Log!, this special episode aired on September 29, 2024, and featured an in-depth explanation of the ranks within the Navy.

Latest One Piece episode explains everything there is to know about the Marine ranks

Fleet Admiral

Akainu as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

In the recap episode, Jinbe, Nami, and Usopp serve as the hosts, delving into each Marine rank from the highest to the lowest. Their analysis began with a focus on the Fleet Admiral, the supreme commander of the Navy. As the highest Marine rank, the role of Fleet Admiral bestows authority even higher than that of the Admirals and second only to that of the Five Elders and the World Government Commander-in-Chief.

The current Fleet Admiral of the Navy is Akainu “Sakazuki,” who took office after fighting and defeating his fellow Admiral Kuzan “Aokiji.” Following his defeat against Akainu, Aokiji left the Navy and seemingly joined the Blackbeard Pirates.

A couple of decades ago, the role of Fleet Admiral was fulfilled by Kong. At one point, Kong was promoted to Commander-in-Chief and left his office to Sengoku “The Buddha.” Sengoku held the position of Fleet Admiral until two years ago, when he resigned shortly after the Paramount War.

Admiral

The second highest rank in the Navy is that of Admiral. Only three Marines at a time may hold this coveted rank, which is a mark of exceptional combat prowess in its own right. Two years before the present One Piece narration, the three Admirals were Sakazuki “Akainu,” Kuzan “Aokiji,” and Borsalino “Kizaru.”

Fans dubbed Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru the "Color Trio" for their formidable Logia Devil Fruits, which gave them the powers of magma, ice, and light. Eventually, Akainu became the new Fleet Admiral while Aokiji left the Navy, making Kizaru the only remaining member of the trio.

After the World Military Draft organized during the timeskip, Issho “Fujitora” and Aramaki “Ryokugyu” became the two new Admirals, coming together with Kizaru to form another fearsome trio. A few decades ago, before the Great Age of Pirates, Sengoku also held the rank of Admiral. Unfortunately, the identities of his colleagues of the time remain unknown.

Vice Admiral

Garp as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

The Vice Admiral rank is the third highest rank in the Navy and probably the one with the most variety in terms of both fighting skills and authority. For example, “Marine Hero” Monkey D. Garp holds the formal rank of Vice Admiral even though his overall strength exceeds even that of an Admiral.

Garp can be considered the most powerful Marine of all time, as in his prime he was strong enough to fight on par with Gol D. Roger, the legendary Pirate King. He was repeatedly offered the rank of Admiral, but he always declined the promotion, not wanting to work under the direct control of the Celestial Dragons. Thus, the exuberant and free-spirited Garp remained a Vice Admiral permanently.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, now a 76-year-old woman, was a major figure from the times when Roger was still alive. Her protégé Gion “Momousagi” was considered for the position of Admiral along with Tokikake “Chaton.” Ultimately, however, they didn’t make the cut as Fujitora and Ryokugyu were chosen over them.

Smoker as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Doberman and John Giant hold some special authority, as they ordered the other Vice Admirals around despite having their same formal rank. At present, other notable Vice Admirals include Momonga, Onigumo, and the Logia user “White Hunter” Smoker. The three future Admirals Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru formerly held this rank, and so did Jaguar D. Saul.

From the all-powerful Garp to relatively weak officers such as Pomsky, Maynard, or Mozambia, the Vice Admiral rank is the broadest category in the entire Navy. It encompasses more than thirty different officers. Still, all Vice Admirals share a common attribute, which is the ability to use Haki, at least in the two basic forms of Armament and Observation Haki.

Rear Admiral

Hina as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

One step below Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals are the fourth highest rank in the Navy. The Rear Admiral rank is the minimum required for a Marine to be admitted to stay in the presence of the highest-ranked Celestial Dragons, the Five Elders. Any Marine of a lower rank would be subject to punishment.

Rear Admirals are powerful fighters who can command large groups of subordinates. Hina, a former friend of Smoker, was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral some time after the Paramount War. She now leads a special unit, the Black Cage Corps.

Commodore

Brannew as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Commodore rank below Rear Admirals but above Captains. Depending on their unique fields of expertise, they can even be tasked with responsibilities suited for higher-ranking Marines. This is the case with Commodore Brannew.

As the Marine officer who is responsible for assigning bounties on the heads of pirates and other outlaws, Brannew reports directly to the Fleet Admiral. Before rising through the ranks, Smoker also held the rank of Commodore.

Captain

Morgan as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

The sixth highest rank in the Navy, the Captain rank is made up of a number of rather powerful officers, many of whom command one of the countless Marine branches established around the world. Before his defeat at the hands of Monkey D. Luffy and Roronoa Zoro, Captain “Ax Hand” Morgan was the commander of the Navy’s 153rd branch, the base of Shells Town.

After the two-year timeskip, Smoker’s loyal subordinate Tashigi achieved the rank of Captain. As seen with Very Good, Shu, and Sharinguru, Marine Captains are often equipped with Devil Fruit powers. This rank also includes corrupt officers such as Nezumi and Ratel, inept individuals whose only ability is to terrorize the civilians in order to steal from them.

Commander

Ripper as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Commanders serve as deputies to Captains. This was seen with Ripper, the second-in-command to “Ax Hand” Morgan. When Morgan was defeated by Luffy and Zoro and subsequently stripped of his rank for his abuses of power, Ripper replaced him as the new commander of the 153rd branch.

Doflamingo’s younger brother, Donquixote Rosinante joined the Marines and attained the rank of Commander. Sengoku considered him a son and trusted him to act as an undercover Marine and monitor the activities of the Donquixote Pirates. Eventually, Rosinante’s cover was blown, and he died after sacrificing himself to save Trafalgar Law, who was a child at the time.

Lieutenant Commander

Helmeppo as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Among the many Lieutenant Commanders present in the One Piece world, three in particular are well known to fans. Upon befriending Koby, Helmeppo trained together with him under the tutelage of Monkey D. Garp. Thanks to Garp’s help and his own efforts, Helmeppo became a capable swordsman. It was also implied that he can use Haki with at least decent proficiency.

Fullbody and Jango were promoted to Lieutenant Commander after being ranked as mere Seaman Recruits. In particular, Fullbody was demoted from Lieutenant to Seaman Recruit for helping Jango, a former member of the Black Cat Pirates. Eventually, the two were promoted for their exploits while fighting pirates with Hina’s unit.

Lowest Marine Ranks

Koby and Helmeppo as Chore Boys in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Lieutenant, Lieutenant Junior, and Ensign are the last three ranks that can boast the status of a commissioned officer. In particular, Ensign is the lowest rank allowed to wear the kanji “Justice” on the back of their uniform.

Marines below the rank of Ensign fall into the category of Infantry and Sailor Division. From highest to lowest, this class includes the ranks of Warrant Officer, Master Chief Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Seaman First Class, Seaman Apprentice, and Seaman Recruit.

Finally, there are Chore Boys, the lowest and most inexperienced Marine recruits. Chore Boys don’t even have an official uniform, as they wear a white shirt and a pair of blue trousers with no particular decoration. Koby and Helmeppo started off their Marine career as Chore Boys.

Inspector General

Sengoku as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

The Inspector General of the Navy has the special prerogative to watch over the entire Marine organization, detecting and investigating any potential instance of maladministration, corruption, or defection. After resigning as Fleet Admiral, Sengoku became the new Inspector General.

Instructor

Monkey D. Garp as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

A special rank reserved for world-famous Navy officers, the Instructor is in charge of training the most promising Marine recruits. The 78-year-old Vice Admiral Garp currently serves as an Instructor for the Navy.

SWORD

Koby as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

SWORD is a secret unit composed of Marine officers who have formally resigned from the Navy. On paper, SWORD members are no longer Marines. In truth, however, they still operate on the Navy’s behalf. They can act without being bound by orders, but neither the Navy nor the World Government will take any responsibility for their actions and the consequences of those.

The formal ranks of the members of SWORD don’t measure their real capabilities, as they stop being eligible for promotion after joining this unit. The group is allegedly led by X Drake, who became one of the Eleven Supernovas of the Worst Generation, but its strongest member appears to be Koby.

Garp’s favorite disciple, Koby is an old acquaintance of Luffy and Zoro. After training relentlessly, Koby blossomed into a powerful Marine. He has recently unleashed the potential of his Haki during the battle on Blackbeard’s Pirate Island. Another notable member of SWORD is Prince Grus, a talented Marine officer who ate the Glorp-Glorp Fruit.

Marine Bureau of Investigation

Tensei as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

A special division led by Tensei “Kurouma,” the Marine Bureau of Investigation is concerned with investigating and gathering data about any important incident that occurs within the jurisdiction of the Navy.

The Science Unit and the SSG

Sentomaru as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

The Navy also has a scientific research and development team, the Science Unit. It was formerly led by the genius scientist Dr. Vegapunk. Thanks to Vegapunk’s input, the Science Unit was able to provide the Marines with technological innovations such as the Pacifista cyborgs and the Seastone coating for battleships. Dr. Vegapunk’s bodyguard, a young man named Sentomaru, serves as the Captain of the Science Unit.

Recently, Vegapunk led the Special Science Group—abbreviated as SSG—an eponymous team and project that created the Seraphim, a group of cyborgs that combine the Lineage Factor of the former Seven Warlords with the godlike powers granted by King’s Lunarian DNA. After the Levely council decreed the disbandment of the untrustworthy Warlords, the Seraphim were established as their replacement.