10 Best Marines in One Piece, Ranked

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In the world of One Piece, the Marines are the World Government’s main force for upholding the law and combating pirates. They often serve as a way to explore difficult questions about right and wrong. While pirates can be charismatic and the government corrupt, the Marines are stuck in the middle, attempting to define justice even though they’re controlled by a potentially flawed system.

Marines have a unique idea of justice and aren’t afraid to defend it, even if it means facing criticism from pirates or even their own allies. The most compelling Marine characters aren’t necessarily perfect – they’re the ones who help you understand the purpose of the Marines, despite all the flaws and problems within the organization.

10. Smoker

Smoker stands out as one of the earliest Marines to feel like a real danger, even during the early parts of the story in Loguetown. His Devil Fruit power gave him a significant edge in battles, and his unwavering dedication to capturing Luffy established a pattern for Marine villains who are motivated by their own beliefs, not just following orders. He consistently demonstrates strong tactical thinking, particularly when he has to analyze and predict pirate actions instead of simply using force.

What truly sets him apart is his willingness to acknowledge failures. For example, during the Alabasta arc, he openly credited the Straw Hats with defeating Crocodile, choosing not to take credit himself – a remarkably honorable act for a Marine. While he isn’t as powerful as some of the top fighters now that Haki is commonplace, his dedication to his principles and hands-on leadership style still make him a valuable officer.

9. Tashigi

Tashigi stands out as a dedicated Marine, truly embodying the ideals of her organization even when others around her compromise. Her consistent training, strong will, and focus on recovering stolen legendary swords give her a meaningful role within the world of One Piece. She also provides a welcome dose of realism to storylines often filled with fantastical creatures, complex politics, and overwhelming power.

Okay, so she’s not exactly the strongest fighter when you compare her to the real powerhouses, and honestly, the story seems to use her to explore ideas more than to just win battles. But that’s okay! I really appreciate how strongly she believes in what’s right, and seeing her team up with Smoker? It shows there’s a part of the Marines that genuinely tries to do things the right way. I honestly think she’s got tons of potential, and if Oda decides to give her some major victories, she could become a seriously formidable character.

8. Koby

Koby’s development is one of the most rewarding parts of the series to watch. He’s gone from a scared young cabin boy to a confident Marine officer capable of holding his own against powerful figures, making him a strong contender to lead the Marines in the future. His training with Garp helped him grow quickly, and his mastery of Haki feels earned, not simply given to him.

He first proved his strong character at Marineford by bravely attempting to halt the war, even before people fully recognized his power. Since then, he’s become a significant figure who commands respect worldwide. While he hasn’t yet reached the level of the Admirals, his rapid progress and growing influence are undeniable, which is important when considering his overall standing and potential.

7. Sengoku

Sengoku was a highly respected Marine, largely because he possessed a rare combination of intelligence, strong leadership, and immense power. Serving as Fleet Admiral during the age of legendary pirates like Roger and Whitebeard, he oversaw the entire Marine force while dealing with an incredibly dangerous world. He also had a powerful Devil Fruit – the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu – which made him a formidable fighter, and he was one of the few leaders capable of battling at the very highest level himself.

Sengoku’s choices as a commander at Marineford heavily influenced how the battle unfolded, particularly by prioritizing the rescue of Ace and framing the conflict as a matter of justice. He’s also uniquely aware of the World Government’s hidden flaws, giving him a more critical perspective than those who simply obey. While he’s no longer actively fighting, his powerful leadership and skill still place him among the strongest characters.

6. Fujitora (Issho)

Fujitora stands out as the most principled Admiral we’ve encountered. He’s not afraid to call out the World Government’s mistakes, demands responsibility from others, and even publicly challenged them after the events of Dressrosa, causing them embarrassment. This level of honesty from someone in his position is significant in One Piece, a world where ‘justice’ is often used as a tool for manipulation.

In battle, his Devil Fruit power is incredibly intimidating. He can control gravity to completely change how a fight plays out, easily managing groups of enemies, immobilizing powerful opponents, and creating intense pressure without relying on showy techniques. As a fully-fledged Admiral, he’s clearly one of the strongest Marines currently in service, and his strong moral code makes him a particularly interesting character.

5. Ryokugyu (Aramaki)

Ryokugyu is incredibly powerful, making him a major threat as soon as he appears. While his personality isn’t particularly admirable, his abilities are undeniable. His Devil Fruit, the Mori Mori no Mi, lets him control plants to attack, restrain opponents, and dominate the battlefield. He can even drain the life force from others and heal himself using plants, making him especially dangerous against already weakened enemies or in the midst of a chaotic fight.

He strongly believes in a single world government, which makes him a particularly strict enforcer of Marine “justice.” While this doesn’t make him popular, we’re ranking based on overall influence and power. When Ryokugyu takes action, entire countries notice – and that’s exactly what you’d expect from a high-ranking Marine Admiral.

4. Akainu (Sakazuki)

Akainu is one of the strongest characters because he’s incredibly effective and consistently presented as a major force in the story. His Devil Fruit, the Magu Magu no Mi, grants him immense destructive power, and he’s willing to use it fully. As demonstrated at Marineford, he possesses incredible stamina, fights intelligently under pressure, and can persevere through overwhelming chaos – something most others couldn’t handle.

After being promoted to Fleet Admiral, he dramatically changed the Marines, advocating a more forceful and proactive approach globally. While his philosophy of “Absolute Justice” often leads to harsh actions and unintended harm, it’s undeniably effective in a dangerous world. You might disagree with how he operates, but it’s hard to deny he’s one of the most powerful and impressive Marines ever created.

3. Aokiji (Kuzan)

Aokiji is considered incredibly powerful because he’s both immensely strong and surprisingly thoughtful. His Devil Fruit ability allows him to control the battlefield by freezing vast areas, stopping opponents, and controlling the speed of combat. The fact that he battled Akainu for ten straight days demonstrates his incredible endurance and stamina – a remarkable feat in the world of One Piece.

What sets him apart is his independent thinking. His decisions since leaving the Marines are mysterious and captivating, making him feel powerful regardless of his official position. He’s a smart, unpredictable, and potentially very dangerous man – capable of significantly influencing major events based on his own sense of justice.

2. Garp

Garp is considered second only to the very best because his reputation is built on genuine accomplishments and the genuine fear he inspires in pirates. He was a rival to legends like Roger and Whitebeard, earned the title ‘Hero of the Marines,’ and proved that incredible strength isn’t dependent on having a Devil Fruit. He embodies the Marines at their most intimidating, relying solely on his Haki and physical prowess. His history and complex family relationships significantly shape the story. Though age has slowed him down, his presence still commands respect and alters the atmosphere whenever he appears.

1. Monkey D. Dragon / just kidding: Admiral Kizaru

Kizaru is considered the strongest Marine fighter because he consistently feels unbeatable in battle. His Devil Fruit ability gives him the power of light, allowing for incredibly fast movement and powerful long-range attacks. He fights with a unique style – appearing relaxed one moment, then striking with frightening accuracy. When he’s truly focused, the difference in power between him and his opponents is overwhelming, which is exactly what you’d expect from a top-level Marine.

I’ve seen Kizaru show up seemingly out of nowhere, completely changing the situation in an instant. Even the strongest pirates have to scramble to react to him. What’s really unsettling is how calm he always seems, even while following orders to the letter. That makes him incredibly dangerous, and a key weapon for the World Government. Honestly, of all the active Marines, he’s the last one I’d want coming after my crew.

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2026-02-09 22:20