Who Are the Roger Pirates in One Piece?

Gol D. Roger, the Catalyst of the One Piece Epic

Gol D. Roger embodies the starting point of the One Piece adventure. He was the first to conquer the final island of the Grand Line, an unprecedented feat in this rich universe.

To achieve such a feat, Roger gathered an exceptional crew whose ambition was to shake the world. Each member of this crew, as revealed so far in the story, stood out for their unique qualities. The legacy of the Roger Pirates lives on in each one, symbolizing both a challenge and a source of pride.

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Unlike Monkey D. Luffy’s crew, Gol D. Roger’s crew had a significant number of members. The Oro Jackson, their ship, hosted 32 canonical members and two children. Although most of these characters have names, only a few made notable appearances in the anime or manga. Four of these apprentices play an essential role in Luffy’s quest to become the next Pirate King. It is worth noting that Douglas Bullet, although present in the film One Piece: Stampede, is not considered a canonical character, making information about him uncertain.

The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger

Gol D. Roger, the Embodiment of Freedom in One Piece

Roger was an accomplished pirate well before embarking on the quest for the One Piece. He had already reached Lodestar Island before the God Valley incident. He maintained a friendly and lasting rivalry with Monkey D. Garp and Edward Newgate, better known as Whitebeard. This privileged relationship with Whitebeard allowed him to decipher the Road Poneglyphs he accessed thanks to Kozuki Oden. These discoveries, combined with his incurable illness, pushed Roger to undertake the conquest of the final island.

Upon reaching Laugh Tale, Roger and his crew were seized by laughter at what they discovered. Despite this, the Marines intensified their efforts to execute him. Weakened by illness, Roger decided to dissolve his crew and voluntarily surrendered to Garp. He also entrusted him with the existence of Portgas D. Ace so that his friend would protect his son. On the scaffold, Roger changed the course of the world by triggering the Great Pirate Era, inviting everyone to seek the One Piece.

Rayleigh, the Dark King

The Pirate King’s First Mate Trains Luffy

Though he was the Pirate King’s right-hand man, Rayleigh enjoyed a peaceful retirement. Roger took time to convince him to join his crew, but Rayleigh eventually accepted. He is universally recognized as the Pirate King’s right hand, and his reputation precedes him. Roger's disappearance continues to deeply affect Rayleigh even years later. Nevertheless, he married Shakuyaku and became a coating mechanic on Sabaody.

Rayleigh habitually lets himself be captured as a slave, then escapes. He ended up helping the Straw Hat Crew. Luffy, whom Shanks told him about, became a disciple and a source of inspiration for the legendary pirate. Even though he has no intention of setting sail again, Rayleigh remains an invaluable support for Luffy.

Scopper Gaban, the Mountain Eater

Gaban retired to Elbaf to start a family

The Pirate King’s left hand resurfaces in the Elbaf arc. He lives happily among the giants with his family. Integrated into the community, he is in a relationship with the giant Ripley and is father to Colon. He also travels the world meeting former members of Roger’s crew. He is a character with unshakable loyalty, always ready to fight.

Gaban was already nicknamed “Mountain Eater” before the adventure to Laugh Tale began. After an incident that injured Roger, Gaban protected his captain in the hospital. Enemy pirates had surrounded them on a mountain, and Gaban defeated all opponents alone. He also felled every tree on the mountain in the process. Even aged, Gaban remains a formidable opponent. He still wields his axes with impressive mastery.

Crocus, the Pirate King’s Doctor

Crocus, the Former Medical Prodigy

Before becoming a pirate, Crocus was merely a lighthouse keeper on Reverse Mountain. During that time, he befriended the Rumbar Pirates and Laboon. He promised to take care of Laboon until their return, but none of the Rumbar Pirates ever returned to Reverse Mountain. As a lighthouse keeper, Crocus was also an exceptional doctor. He was considered the best doctor in the world at the time, being the only one capable of alleviating Roger’s symptoms.

Crocus was part of Roger’s crew for only three years. He returned to his lighthouse after Roger's execution. Since then, he watches over Laboon, while the whale on the island tries to break the Red Line. He digs tunnels in the whale, the only way to administer its medicine. After meeting the Straw Hat Crew, he waits for them to realize their dreams and return to Laboon.

Kozuki Oden, Daimyo of Kuri

Kozuki Oden, the Legitimate Shogun of Wano

Oden was always remarkably strong. He led a rebellious life, which caused his father to depose him. Despite this, his virtuous actions rallied a group of servants who now dedicate their lives to him. He became the leader of Kuri region on Wano Island and established peace in these crime-ravaged territories. However, he always dreamed of leaving Wano. He seized the first opportunity to join the Whitebeard Pirates.

Oden fiercely challenged Roger during their first meeting but bowed to the Pirate King. Intrigued by Oden’s ability to read the Poneglyphs, Roger allowed his entire family to board his ship. Oden engraved Roger's message on the Golden Bell of Shandoran Belfry. Oden witnessed Laugh Tale and returned to Wano after the crew dissolved. From there, he faced the plot by Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido to take control of the island. After years of humiliation, Oden confronted them and sacrificed his life for his people.

Kozuki Toki, the Time Traveler

Toki, from the Void Century

Toki brings hope to Wano before her death in One Piece. (Image via Toei Animation)
Kozuki Toki was born over 800 years ago. Thanks to the Time Devil Fruit, she projected herself into the future. After Oden saved her life, they fell in love aboard Whitebeard’s ship. She joined Roger’s crew with Oden and their children. However, Toki, who fell ill, never saw Laugh Tale. She returned to Wano after compelling Oden to continue his journey. She and her children were loved there, but it was not enough to thwart Orochi’s schemes.

After her husband's death and the Nine Red Scabbards' resistance, Toki found a way to save her country and children. She sent a group of servants into the future with Kozuki Momonosuke. She entrusted Kozuki Hiyori to Kawamatsu. Later, Toki appeared publicly and prophesied that Wano would be freed within 20 years. Then she was killed.

The Red-Haired Emperor Shanks

Shanks, the Most Famous Apprentice of Gol D. Roger

Shanks is the most renowned of Roger’s apprentices. During the God Valley incident, he was found in a treasure chest. The Roger Pirates took him in and raised him from a young age. Shanks was actively involved in every event involving the Roger Pirates. He did not go to Laugh Tale because he was taking care of a sick Buggy. He was present at Loguetown during Roger’s execution.

Shanks spent more than ten years in East Blue, recruiting crew members and increasing his power. He stole the Gum Gum Fruit and became Luffy’s idol. Eventually, Shanks ventured into the Grand Line and became the youngest Emperor. Known for his strength, Shanks is called the Wandering Emperor. He is also linked to the Celestial Dragons, namely Figarland Garling. Currently, Shanks is in the New World and finally seeks to seize the One Piece.

The Emperor Buggy, the Star Clown

Buggy, one of the world’s most powerful pirates despite himself

Buggy appears in the One Piece anime as a relatively weak pirate, obsessed with treasure. Against all odds, he gradually gained influence. It is unknown how Buggy joined the Roger Pirates, but he was part of the crew from a young age. Buggy has always shown apprehension toward confrontation and fights, yet he was involved in the Roger Pirates’ actions. Just before the crew reached Laugh Tale, Buggy contracted a severe illness preventing him from reaching the final island.

Buggy was imprisoned in Impel Down after nearly executing Luffy at the very place he witnessed his captain’s death. Since then, he became a Shichibukai and the face of one of the most powerful organizations in the New World. With the dissolution of the Shichibukai, he is now an Emperor. Initially, Buggy wanted Shanks to conquer the One Piece, but now he wishes to lead the Cross Guild to the final island.

Duke Inuarashi, Daimyo of Kuri

Inuarashi, former Lord of the Day on Zou

Inuarashi is the former Lord of the Day of the Mokomo Kingdom on Zou. He was an apprentice on Roger’s ship and one of Oden’s loyal servants. As a child, he joined Oden, helped by him and Nekomamushi. They both followed Oden to the Whitebeard Pirates and then to Roger’s crew. However, he did not see Laugh Tale when he returned to Wa with Toki and the children. During his stay in Wa, he fought alongside Oden.

After Toki’s death, Inuarashi returned to Zou. Later, Jack of Kaido’s crew attacked the Mink tribes. He fought to secure his people, but the Minks were defeated until the Straw Hat Pirates arrived. He arrived in Wano with several other Minks to overthrow Kaido and Orochi. He helped recruit Ashura Doji for their battle. He participated in the Onigashima raid but was wounded in combat. He decided to withdraw from Mink politics and remain in Wano as Daimyo of Kuri.

Master Nekomamushi, former ruler of Zou

Nekomamushi, former Lord of the Night on Zou

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi left Zou as children due to the agreement between the Minks and the Kozuki family. After Oden saved him, Inuarashi and Kawamatsu joined his servants. Like Inuarashi, Nekomamushi followed Oden to the Whitebeard and Roger crews. He remained with Toki when she returned to Wano with the children.

When Inuarashi and Nekomamushi returned to rule Zou, their relationship deteriorated. A long-standing rivalry tainted their reign. After participating in the Onigashima raid, he noticed and confronted Admiral Ryokugyu. He remains in Wano to contribute to its protection, even though he no longer holds an official title.

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