The seas of One Piece may be wild and turbulent, but they aren’t necessarily unconquerable. There is a constant power struggle between the World Government and the pirates, and they have yet to break the stalemate. On the pirates’ side, the Four Emperors of the Sea reign supreme. Each Emperor not only possesses terrifying might, but also a reliable crew following their lead.
These crews are more than just a collection of powerful individuals. They are the embodiment of their captain’s ideals. Here’s what each crew seems to uphold.
The Whitebeard Pirates are one big family
The Whitebeard Pirates, led by the late Edward Newgate or Whitebeard, represent the idea of a big family. The crew deeply puts importance on loyalty and camaraderie. As such, familial bond is central to the crew’s identity.
Whitebeard’s desire for a family stems from his own childhood as an orphan. He cherished the idea that having a family is the greatest treasure one can possess, a belief that became a guiding principle in his life and leadership. This longing fueled his ambition to create a crew that mirrored the warmth and support of a family unit. Importantly, Whitebeard’s definition of family transcends blood relations. He viewed each member of his crew as his own child, nurturing and protecting them fiercely.
His crew’s organization followed a typical rank and file. His main crew was divided into different divisions, led by a powerful member of the crew. Marco the Phoenix held the position of First Division Commander, while Portgas D. Ace was the Second Division Commander. The Whitebeard Pirates also had a number of affiliated pirate crews, like Whirl Spider Squard who stabbed Whitebeard during the Paramount War.
The Big Mom Pirates are one big family, literally
When it comes to family, Big Mom and her kin can’t be overlooked. Big Mom and her children make up the crew’s main force. The Charlotte siblings do everything to appease their matriarch, though it mostly boils down to feeding her.
Unsurprisingly, Big Mom’s love for food has profoundly shaped her rule and the crew’s lifestyle. Each island under her control in Totto Land represents a specific food theme, creating a “land of sweets” that reflects her deepest desires. Furthermore, food plays a major role in her crew’s ranks.
The crew is naturally led by Big Mom herself. Just below her are her strongest children, the Sweet Commanders. After taking down Charlotte Snack, Urouge managed to reduce the Four Sweet Commanders to three. The remaining ones are Katakuri, Smoothie, and Cracker. Furthermore, the Big Mom Pirates’ Devil Fruit abilities are food-related. For instance, Katakuri possesses the power of the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, while Cracker has the Bis-Bis Fruit.
The Animal Kingdom Pirates are rather tanky
The Animal Kingdom Pirates, led by the monstrous Kaido, are a crew built for war. Structured around strength and endurance, this crew is composed of powerful individuals who thrive in combat. True to their name, they heavily rely on Zoan Devil Fruits. In fact, Kaido even imports artificial Devil Fruits for a chance to give his followers animalistic abilities.
It isn’t surprising as Kaido himself is known as The Strongest Creature. He has the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon. His Devil Fruit’s tough scales in addition to Kaido’s natural sturdiness allow him to tank most attacks. Similarly, his followers adopt a similar fighting style. They use their tough bodies to take and deal physical damage from their opponents.
Under Kaido’s rule, the Animal Kingdom Pirates are motivated by sheer survival and dominance, embodying a “survival of the fittest” mentality. Those at the lowest of the hierarchy can climb their way by taking down those with higher positions.
Devil Fruits aren’t a thing in Emperor Shanks’ Red-Hair Pirates
Shanks’ Red-Hair Pirates embrace the concept of true pirate freedom, living by a code of honor and respect that sets them apart from more ruthless crews. At least, we are led to believe so.
This crew functions as a close-knit band of brothers, with Shanks serving as both captain and friend to each member. Unlike other Emperors, Shanks values the bonds of trust within his crew over brute strength alone. Even his affiliated pirate crews are known to be weak in terms of battle prowess.
However, the Red-Hair Pirates are far from weak, and being the only remaining Emperor crew of the original Four Emperors is a testament to that. Interestingly, the Red-Hair Pirates consist of non-Devil Fruit users. They utilize pure physical ability and Haki to obliterate anyone brave enough to cross them. For instance, Captain Kid.
Blackbeard Pirates will do anything to realize their goals
The Blackbeard Pirates, under the command of the cunning and ambitious Marshall D. Teech, are known for their ruthlessness and willingness to do anything to achieve their goals. Teech and his crew embody the most “pirate-like” qualities among the Emperor crews. Blackbeard himself has a penchant for deception, betrayal, and an insatiable thirst for power. His crew follows suit, united by a common drive for personal gain and a willingness to bend the rules to achieve their aims.
Contrary to Shanks’ Red-Hair Pirates, the Blackbeard Pirates are a group consisting of Devil Fruit users. It’s not really that surprising since Blackbeard is the only One Piece character to possess two abilities. His Dark-Dark Fruit also allows him, presumably, to take and bestow Devil Fruit abilities.
The Blackbeard Pirates embody the philosophy that power should be seized by any means necessary. They believe that pirates can only be united by a common interest and not camaraderie or any of that cheesy stuff.
The Straw Hat Pirates chase dreams
The Straw Hat Pirates have started as a motley crew of one, yet they’ve undeniably gone far. From a young kid playing pirate, Luffy has effectively become one of the strongest personas in the sea as an Emperor. However, his journey doesn’t end there. He ultimately dreams of becoming the Pirate King. Unsurprisingly, Luffy’s Straw Hat Pirates are bonded by not only camaraderie but also the pursuit of their individual dreams.
Together, the Straw Hat Pirates embody the spirit of adventure and the belief that dreams are worth fighting for. None of the Straw Hats believe that any dream is laughable, no matter how absurd it may be. They wholeheartedly believe not only in their dreams but their crewmates’ as well.
Interestingly, the Straw Hat Pirates are also the least in number. Their main crew only consists of ten people, though they now have the Straw Hat Grand Fleet sailing under their Jolly Roger.
Cross Guild is not only the home of an Emperor but also mischiefs
The Cross Guild is yet another interesting story of one’s rise to piracy. Buggy the Clown may be the pronounced Emperor and Cross Guild’s proclaimed leader, but the true puppeteers are Crocodile and Mihawk. Even so, Buggy does his fair share to the crew.
Cross Guild is deeply rooted in Buggy’s hard work. Most of its members are Impel Down escapees or mercenaries of Buggy’s Delivery. Even if he isn’t that much of a threat in a fight, Buggy is still a genius jester. Through clever manipulations and a flair for the dramatic, Buggy has convinced his followers of his “legendary” status, even when much of it stems from exaggerated tales and opportunistic deception.
Published: Oct 27, 2024 09:34 am