25 One Piece Pirates who would be notorious criminals in real life, ranked least to most infamous

One Piece Pirates are notorious for their larger-than-life personalities, dangerous abilities, and often ruthless behavior. When their acts are exciting in the world of anime, many of the One Piece characters would be truly dangerous criminals in real life. From ruthless warlords to cunning manipulators, these pirates have committed acts ranging from deception and theft to mass destruction, and murder.

If taken into the real world, their crimes would make headlines, and their notoriety would have no bounds. Some of these will be the leaders of gangs, while others will be international terrorists or war criminals.

Here are One Piece Pirates who would be notorious criminals in real life, ranked least to most infamous in the underworld.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and includes spoilers.

Doflamingo, Crocodile, and 23 other One Piece Pirates who would be notorious criminals in real life, ranked least to most infamous

25) Foxy

Foxy as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Foxy is one of the One Piece Pirates' subtle bandits, who mainly uses cunning and lies instead of relying on brute force. He uses his powers from Noro Noro no Mi to make enemies slower by slowing down their speed, thereby making him win unfair contests as well as battles.

Such a person turns out to be a dangerous figure as he exploits others because he tends towards cheating and underhand tactics. In real life also, such deceit and manipulation would make him notorious for defrauding and exploiting people.

24) Buchi

Buchi as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

A member of the Black Cat Pirates, Buchi is known for his violent and uncontrolled ways. Although physically strong, his lack of strategy and blind loyalty to Kuro makes him dangerous in battle.

As a real-life criminal, with involvement in pirate raids, Buchi and his willingness to follow blindly to harm, would be dangerous because of the level of organized violence that has no conscience. The ability to use brute force compounded with a willingness to attack civilians places him among the dangerous One Piece Pirates.

23) Demalo Black

Demalo Black as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Demalo Black is one of the members of the Fake Straw Hat Crew known for disguising himself as Monkey D. Luffy and making others fall prey to his evil deceptive desires. His talents in acquiring a false reputation and luring unsuspecting persons make him a very tricky deceiver.

In the real world, that would amount to large-scale fraud and organized crime, an act of pretending or cheating others for personal gains. Not being a physically powerful character, his cunning and deceit would make him one of the notorious One Piece Pirates in real life.

22) Hody Jones

Hody Jones as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Hody Jones, with intense hatred towards humans, performed different acts of terrorism and warfare against Fishman Island. Through Energy Steroids, his strength increased, but in the process destroyed his surroundings almost randomly.

Hody led a full-scale rebellion, causing mass chaos and threatening the peace of both fishmen and humans alike. Anyone who is spurred by racial hatred and violent extremism to take and maintain it aggressively, Hody will be among the dangerous and notorious One Piece Pirates in real life.

21) ⁠⁠Wapol

Wapol as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Wapol is an oppressive former king who makes use of his powers to take all the chances for the benefit of himself without caring for the enslavement of his people. He sells arms to dangerous factions and controls others to achieve his monetary benefits.

He showed no concern for the well-being of those whom he ruled. Gluttonous and selfish, his kingdom was left in chaos. In real life, he would be known for corruption, unethical leadership, and exploitation of power, ranking among the One Piece Pirates who would be notorious criminals in real life.

20) Don Krieg

Don Krieg as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Don Krieg is a ruthless pirate whose superiority lies not in his head or tactical expertise but in sheer numbers and firepower to overwhelm enemies. He controls an enormous fleet and wins battles with cunning tactics like poison gas and sheer strength.

His lack of honor and his need to sell out his crew for personal gain would make him a feared warlord in the real world as a man terrorizing nations with brute strength and unscrupulous ways. This disregard for life and honor makes Don Krieg one of the One Piece Pirates who would be quite notorious in real life.

19) Kuro

Kuro as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Known for his cunning and calculation, Kuro is a pirate who plotted the murders of his crew and faked his death while pretending to be a member of a wealthy family to inherit their riches.

His total lack of respect for human life and fidelity combined with his brilliant strategic mind makes him a dangerous criminal who may remain undetected for a long time in the real world. His skill to manipulate and carry out cold-blooded murder would have created him notorious One Piece Pirates in reality.

18) ⁠⁠Bellamy

Bellamy as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Bellamy is a greedy and power-crazed pirate, making people view him as evil with notorious acts coupled with cruelty. He always bullies relatively weak people and does not care to spare lives.

All the destructive actions that he participated in such as leveling down towns and using his strength to scare people with the Donquixote Family would place Bellamy under violent crimes in reality.

Bellamy's dangerous actions when he contributed to evil acts and did not care for anyone getting hurt would place him among the shady One Piece Pirates in real life.

17) ⁠⁠Scratchmen Apoo

Scratchmen Apoo as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Scratchmen Apoo is the personification of evil in reality because of his deceptive and selfish nature. He is known to be a traitor to many comrades as seen when he switched sides during the Wano arc. His Devil Fruit power allows him to inflict fatal harm instantaneously, as his manipulation over soundwaves makes him one deadly criminal.

His deal with tyrants like Kaido and Eustass Kid further aggravates his notoriety as an opportunist and treacherous pirate. Scratchmen Apoo is among the One Piece Pirates who would be notorious criminals in real life.

16) Buggy the Clown

Buggy the Clown as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Buggy the Clown, with his clownish appearance, would be a notorious criminal due to his manipulative and duplicitous nature. His ability to enlist and lie to others, as well as make the most out of every situation, is quite dangerous.

Buggy tends to put on a show just in case people do not take him seriously because his true nature involves opportunism and lies in the pursuit of chaos and evil enterprise.

His ability to turn even small victories into grand spectacles would raise his notoriety, placing him among the One Piece Pirates whose crimes in reality would make him a notorious criminal.

15) X Drake

X Drake as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

X Drake’s transformation from a Marine to a pirate personifies betrayal and ambition, making him a significant threat. His role as an undercover marine and a pirate at the same time underlines a willingness to deceive and manipulate for personal gain.

His ability to change sides and involvement in the Worst Generation adds to his dangerous profile. His strength and smartness combined with involvement in high-stakes criminal activities would make him one of the infamous One Piece Pirates a terrifying criminal in real life.

14) Arlong

Arlong as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Arlong's criminal notoriety would be severe in real life because of his oppressive rule and brutal methods. Being a leader of Arlong Pirates, he terrorizes the East Blue by extorting, as well as enslaving locals, especially through his oppressive taxation.

He would become a huge threat because of the barbaric way he maintained his rule and how he did not care to spare any life. He brought pain and destruction, which he had caused to everybody because of hatred and greed, ranking among the One Piece Pirates who would be a powerful criminal in real life.

13) Jack

Jack as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Jack is one of the One Piece Pirates who would be notorious felons in real life due to the brutality of nature and enormous destructive powers. Known by the name Jack the Drought, he has wreaked wide-scale havoc and mayhem including attacks on whole islands and towns. His ruthless violence and dearth of regard for human life make him really dangerous.

In any realistic world context, the actions fuelled by Jack's quest for power and dominance would place him within the category of a high-profile criminal. His reputation for causing large-scale destruction and his violent approach toward obtaining his objectives serves to only solidify his status as a notorious criminal.

12) ⁠⁠Nami

Nami as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Nami has an intelligent sharp mind and strategic thinking that has made her expertly skilled in manipulating her situations to her advantage. Her record as a thief and innate ability to manipulate and play at other people's weak points are real pointers toward criminal behavior. In reality, that expertise in deception and navigation will make her the crime mastermind of a lifetime.

Her reading and manipulating skills in people plus the motive within her mind to achieve whatever she wants by any means make her one of the One Piece Pirates who would be notorious criminals in real life.

11) Eustass Kid

Eustass Kid as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Eustass Kid's ruthless conduct and obsession with causing chaos make him a candidate for infamy in the real world as well. His violent behavior, willingness to destroy cities, and ambition to challenge the strongest figures in the One Piece world show he cares little for human life or order.

These brutal maneuvers and actions like deliberately attacking Marine ships and other pirates without reluctance would be extreme criminal activities. His destructive tendencies and ruthless pursuit of power place him among the One Piece Pirates who would be notorious real-life criminals.

10) ⁠⁠Mihawk

Mihawk as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Mihawk is the master swordsmen who have unparalleled skills and enormous powers. In the real world, his cold efficiency and precision in the combat field will create an imposing criminal profile. He is lethal and uncalm, which makes him a dangerous guy.

Mihawk's ability for strategic, calculated violence and his potency in taking down enemies effortlessly reveal that he would be an infamous criminal. His presence would inspire fear and respect, marking him as one of the One Piece Pirates who would be infamous criminals in real life.

9) ⁠⁠Shanks

Shanks as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Shanks gains extreme respect and power as one of the most dominant One Piece Pirates in the world. His ability to keep an extensive network of allies and his involvement in events of huge significance prove his importance.

In the real world, his charismatic leadership along with his huge strength would make him a highly potential person in the underworld crime circuit as he will influence and control extensive operations using his power and impact.

This strategic mind and commanding presence indicate Shanks would be one of the notorious criminals, using his position for tremendous, often illegal, influence, and control.

8) ⁠⁠Capone Bege

Capone Bege as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Capone Bege would be a notorious criminal in real life because of mafia-like operations and his ruthless nature. The captain of the Fire Tank Pirates, he runs a criminal empire focused on organized crime and violence. His literal ability to house a small army within his body and use it as a hidden weapon reflects a dangerous and unconventional approach to crime.

Bege has a strategic mind as well as a willingness to take extreme measures to pursue his goals, which would make him one of the One Piece Pirates who would be notorious high-profile criminals.

7) ⁠⁠Big Mom

Big Mom as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Big Mom commands a mighty crew and controls a large territory by fear and force. Her reign is marked by extreme measures such as enslaving and devouring her enemies, enforcing a regime of terror, and maintaining control through oppression.

She exhibits brutal tendencies and shows no care for human life, she manipulates and harms people around her to satisfy her needs. Her capacity for destruction and cruel practice makes her a potential candidate for One Piece Pirates with notoriety in real life.

6) ⁠⁠Donquixote Doflamingo

Donquixote Doflamingo as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Doflamingo's notoriety for crime mainly springs from his being a merciless crime boss with enormous power. He terrorized the whole Dressrosa with fear and manipulation, committed crimes involving smuggling and trafficking of humans, and did the worst undercover deals on the underworld streets.

His ability to control humans and situations coupled with his violent display of force places him as a high-profile criminal. Besides, a very extensive network and callous disregard for life further underpin the menace posed by Doflamingo, placing him among the One Piece Pirates who would be dangerous real-life criminals.

5) Crocodile

Crocodile as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Crocodile would be a notorious criminal due to his criminal mastermind tactics and ambition. He was the former leader of the Baroque Works, who planned large schemes to overthrow governments and exploited entire nations.

Crocodile's ability to control sand with his Devil Fruit power further amplifies his threat level, with the potential to wreak havoc on a large scale. His strategic mind and ruthless nature place him in the top five among One Piece Pirates who would be infamous criminals in the real world.

4) Whitebeard

Whitebeard as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Whitebeard, despite his honorable nature, was a formidable pirate with immense power and influence. Control over huge parts of the seas and participation in great conflicts in the Marineford War revealed the devastating powers he could unleash and his ability to threaten world powers.

His reign of terror and battles to maintain his empire and sheer strength and leadership in piracy make him one of the One Piece Pirates' highly notorious criminals in real life.

3) ⁠⁠Kaido

Kaido as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Kaido is one of the most terrifying pirates in the One Piece world, with the greatest strength and a tendency to cause havoc. His intention of initiating the most catastrophic war by displacing the world government shows how much mess he can make.

His affection for violence, ambition to create a world of constant conflict, and methods of complete ruthlessness, coupled with using his Beasts Pirates army to wreak havoc, make him a serious threat, placing him among the top three One Piece Pirates who would be a dangerous criminal in real life.

2) ⁠Blackbeard

Blackbeard as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Blackbeard is the most brutal pirate with ruthless ambition and cunning. His capacity to betray and outwit powerful comrades by using the Yami Yami no Mi and the Gura Gura no Mi pretty much constitutes the hazardous aspects that pervade him.

He seeks utter power and doesn't hesitate to plunge the whole surrounding area into chaos to be a person who would achieve a lot of popularity and become a dreaded criminal in real life. This makes Blackbeard the second most famous One Piece Pirate in the real-life underground world.

1) Gol D. Roger

Gol D. Roger as seen in anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Gol D. Roger would be the most known of all One Piece Pirates who would become notorious criminals in reality. As the Pirate King, his bombastic claims to search for the treasure known as One Piece caused chaos in the world and piracy.

His struggle against the World Government, many massive wars, and his contributions to creating the Great Pirate Era would mark him as a legendary figure of notoriety. Roger's legacy would reinforce his placing himself against the world order, and his charismatic but rebellious character would ensure he remains a central figure in criminal infamy.

Final thoughts

The world of One Piece is full of characters whose crime would shine brightly in reality. Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Kaido are some examples of One Piece Pirates who embody not just great power but also the characteristics that would view them as the most notorious criminals in real life.

These are the acts from gangster-size manipulation and destruction to extreme brutality and communism. It would be a sight to behold the utter chaos and devastation they would bring to this world.

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Edited by Bharath S