Luffy is the strong protagonist of the popular manga/anime series One Piece. But who can’t Luffy defeat? Let’s check out those characters right now!
Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece debuted in 1997, and since then, it has become one of the best-selling fictional works in history. The classic shonen has helped define the manga and anime landscape for over 25 years, due in large part to the appeal of its beloved protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy.
Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, announces his intention to become the next King of the Pirates in One Piece‘s very first episode. Over 1000 episodes later, he is on the verge of achieving his goal, having defeated many of the Grand Line’s strongest fighters. Still, numerous opponents stand between him and the One Piece, and even as an Emperor of the Sea, some of these characters may be too challenging to overcome by himself.
Updated on February 5th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: The One Piece manga has officially moved into its final saga, signaling the long-awaited conclusion of the best-selling series in the medium’s history. Monkey D. Luffy is stronger than ever, but even with this in mind, there are still several characters that could challenge him before his coronation as King of the Pirates. This list of the characters Luffy can and cannot defeat has also been updated to adhere to CBR’s current publication standards.
Characters Luffy Can’t Beat Yet
Admiral Akainu/Sakazuki Is Nigh-Unbeatable With His Magma Powers
Character Name: Admiral Akainu
Debut Episode: Episode 278
Powers/Abilities/Items: Magma-Magma Fruit
Japanese Voice Actor: Fumihiko Tachiki
English Voice Actor: Andrew Love
The current Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Sakazuki (formerly known as Akainu), is arguably the World Government’s staunchest follower of Absolute Justice. He shows no mercy to the World Government’s enemies, and as seen during the Summit War of Marineford, his Logia-type Devil Fruit, the Magma-Magma Fruit, is as offensively potent as any in One Piece. Two years have passed since then, so the Fleet Admiral is almost certainly even stronger by the events of the Wano Country Arc.
Since Sakazuki killed Monkey D. Luffy’s brother, Portgas D. Ace, it’s obvious that the Straw Hat Pirate has a bone to pick with the Marine. However, Sakazuki’s offensive firepower is strong enough to even deal mortal wounds to Whitebeard, so Luffy will need to master everything that he learned during the Raid on Onigashima before getting revenge for the death of Ace.
The Five Elders Are Tough Customers, As St. Saturn Has Already Shown
Character Name: St. Jaygarcia Saturn
Debut Episode: Episode 151
Powers/Abilities/Items: Zoan-type Devil Fruit
Japanese Voice Actor: Keiichi Noda
English Voice Actor: Jerry Russell
Until recently, the Five Elders—the five highest-ranking Celestial Dragons—were viewed as political figures, rather than military assets. Recent One Piece arcs have brought this belief into question, and as a war between the World Government and their subjects looms on the horizon, these five characters seem increasingly likely to play a major role in One Piece‘s final saga.
If Monkey D. Luffy finds himself in combat against the Five Elders, even his current strength might not be enough to topple them. They have access to the world’s best technology and most powerful Devil Fruits, so it’s safe to assume they’re all storing a couple of aces up their sleeves. Already, One Piece fans have beheld St. Saturn’s fearsome power in combat at Egghead Island, with St. Saturn assuming the form of a giant spider while facing off against Luffy’s crew.
Red-Haired Shanks Is Still Deadly With Haki and One Arm
Character Name: Shanks
Debut Episode: Episode 4
Powers/Abilities/Items: Haki
Japanese Voice Actor: Shuichi Ikeda, Nobunaga Shimazuki
English Voice Actor: Brandon Potter, Aaron Dismuke
Shanks, the captain of the Red Hair Pirates, is one of the Four Emperors of the Sea and arguably the strongest pirate in One Piece since the death of the legendary Gol D. Roger. His power is demonstrated in brief clashes with Whitebeard, Sakazuki, and Kaido, but thanks to recent information in the series’ manga, anime, and recent theatrical release, One Piece Film: Red, it’s more obvious than ever than Shanks stands atop the pirate hierarchy.
As of right now, it’s not clear if Monkey D. Luffy will ever clash with Shanks in one-on-one combat. However, the Straw Hat Pirates’ recent activity as an Emperor seems to have motivated Shanks to continue his pursuit of the One Piece, setting them on a collision course that will require Luffy to push himself to his utmost limits. Shanks may not have a Devil Fruit or a left arm, but he has incredible skill with Haki and swordsmanship, so he will be a serious challenge for Luffy’s crew if they ever fight for real.
Imu Can Wipe Out Entire Islands at a Time
Character Name: Imu
Debut Episode: Episode 885
Powers/Abilities/Items: Sword
Japanese Voice Actor: N/A
English Voice Actor: N/A
Officially, the World Government’s Empty Throne represents the idea that no single ruler should decide the world’s fate. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be farther from the truth, as the Empty Throne is occupied by a mysterious, all-powerful monarch known as Imu.
Even though there is very little information regarding Imu, their status suggests that they are one of the most powerful individuals in the entire world. With this and the numerous tools at their disposal, Monkey D. Luffy will need to be at his strongest if he hopes to unseat the World Government’s oppressive rule. Imu is the one who can, at a command, wipe an entire from existence with a power even greater than the widely-feared Buster Call.
Captain Blackbeard Wields Two Devil Fruits At Once
Character Name: Captain Blackbeard
Debut Episode: Episode 146
Powers/Abilities/Items: Dark-Dark Fruit, Tremor-Tremor Fruit
Japanese Voice Actor: Akio Otsuka
English Voice Actor: Cole Brown, Chris Rager
Marshall D. Teach—better known as Captain Blackbeard—is the major antagonist of One Piece. He is the captain of the Blackbeard Pirates and the only person in the series to simultaneously possess the powers of two Devil Fruits. Not only that, but both of these Devil Fruits, the Dark-Dark Fruit and the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, are arguably the strongest of their respective classes. There are fan theories floating around as to how Blackbeard managed such a feat.
The full extent of Blackbeard’s powers is a mystery, but he’s a threat to every single Emperor of the Sea that he has ever gone up against. His clashes with Shanks and Whitebeard left them either dead or disfigured, so it only makes sense that he would push Luffy to his absolute limits. Whenever they do finally collide, it’s certain to be one of One Piece‘s final battles, where fans will find out if Gear 5’s cartoon power is enough to fend off two of the strongest Devil Fruits ever seen.
Characters Luffy Will Never Beat
Monkey D. Dragon Is Luffy’s Beloved Father, Not His Enemy
Character Name: Monkey D. Dragon
Debut Episode: Episode 52
Powers/Abilities/Items: N/A
Japanese Voice Actor: Hidekatsu Shibata
English Voice Actor: Bryan Massey
Monkey D. Dragon serves as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, an international group that directly opposes the corrupted World Government. He’s been referred to as “the Most Wanted Man in the World,” meaning that his bounty is probably the highest in the history of One Piece.
Although little is known about Dragon, it’s safe to say that there’s not much animosity between him and Luffy. Dragon expresses praise and pride when learns of the exploits of his son, and since they share a common enemy (the World Government), it’s more likely that they’ll join forces than face off in combat.
Silvers Rayleigh Stands as One of Luffy’s Best Allies
Character Name: Silvers Rayleigh
Debut Episode: Episode 8
Powers/Abilities/Items: Haki
Japanese Voice Actor: Keiichi Sonobe, Kazuyuki Sogabe
English Voice Actor: Bruce Carey, Bradford Hutson
Silvers Rayleigh is the former right hand of the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. At first glance, he may seem laid back, but that shouldn’t overshadow his monstrous power. The retired pirate is still a master of all three forms of Haki, and as seen during the Sabaody Archipelago Arc, he is still able to go toe-to-toe with a Marine Admiral.
During One Piece‘s two-year timeskip, Rayleigh teaches Monkey D. Luffy the fundamentals of using Haki. They spend more time together than Luffy does with any of his crewmates, making him one of the protagonist’s closest allies and mentors. Accordingly, it’s highly unlikely that he ever squares off against the Straw Hat Pirate. So, it’s a moot point whether Luffy could defeat Silvers Rayleigh in an all-out fight, and given his role in One Piece, it’s possible that Silvers will never fight anyone seriously ever again.
Dracule Mihawk Is Zoro’s to Defeat, Not Luffy’s
Character Name: Dracule Mihawk
Debut Episode: Episode 23
Powers/Abilities/Items: Yoru, Haki
Japanese Voice Actor: Takeshi Aono, Hirohiko Kakegawa
English Voice Actor: Stephen John Ward
Dracule Mihawk is known as World’s Strongest Swordsman, having achieved the same goal that Roronoa Zoro has pursued for the entirety of One Piece. A former rival to Shanks and one of the former Warlords of the Sea, Mihawk would almost certainly be an Emperor of the Sea if he traveled the Grand Line with his own crew.
A battle between Monkey D. Luffy and Dracule Mihawk would be very entertaining, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for either party. Luffy’s right-hand man, Roronoa Zoro, is destined to defeat Mihawk in combat. That makes it moot as to whether Luffy can defeat Dracule Mihawk or not, because Luffy would never deny his goodbfriend Zoro a chance to prove himself against such a foe.
Luffy Wouldn’t Want to Fight Monkey D. Garp, His Grandfather
Character Name: Monkey D. Garp
Debut Episode: Episode 68
Powers/Abilities/Items: Haki
Japanese Voice Actor: Hiroshi Naka
English Voice Actor: Brian Mathis
Monkey D. Garp may only hold the rank of Vice Admiral, but in his prime, he was as strong as any individual in the Marines. As one of Gol D. Roger’s only rivals, Garp represents the peak of the World Government’s military power, and were it not for him, Rocks D. Xebec might still be ruling the Grand Line.
Although his position in the Marines might suggest otherwise, Garp does not let his obligations as a naval officer come in between him and his closest loved ones. There’s virtually no chance that he would seriously attack Luffy; even if he did, neither side could bring themselves to truly injure the other. The live-action version of One Piece on Netflix hinted more heavily that Monkey D. Garp honestly wants to defeat his grandson in a battle to teach him a lesson and rid the world of a pirate captain, but even then, it’s clear that the two of them aren’t destined for a final showdown. Plot armor keeps either of them from trying to defeat the other for real, and that fact isn’t lost on One Piece‘s many fans.
Joy Boy Is Luffy
As arguably the most mysterious character in One Piece, the story of Joy Boy is intrinsically related to whatever treasure can be found at Laugh Tale. He was one of the most prominent figures during the Void Century and is directly related to multiple Poneglyphs that are seen throughout the series.
Joy Boy is believed to have died many centuries ago, making it unlikely that he ever meets Monkey D. Luffy or any of his contemporaries. However, even if he were still alive, his role seems to have been overwhelmingly positive, so he would almost certainly be an ally to the heroes of One Piece. Now it’s clear that Luffy is Joy Boy, as Zunisha the giant elephant said, the sun god who will free everyone with the Drums of Liberation. Luffy has no need to fight that persona in any sense — instead, he has embraced it as his destiny via his awakened Gum-Gum Fruit.
