The One Piece villains have been consistently praised throughout the series' 25-plus-year and 1000-plus-chapter run. Creator Eiichiro Oda has a talent for crafting memorable and well-written antagonists, even the so-called "lesser" villains. Among the standout villains, Donquixote Doflamingo is widely considered to be the greatest villain and antagonist in the series to date.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn seems set to join the list of greatest One Piece villains by the Egghead arc’s end
Is Saturn one of the greatest villains? Explored
Saturn is often considered one of the greatest villains in One Piece due to his significant role in the Kuma flashback. From Kuma's early years to his final moments, Saturn manipulated and brought misery into his life. On God Valley, Saturn physically and verbally abused Kuma for wanting freedom instead of slavery, even suggesting that Kuma's people, the Buccaneers, deserved to be wiped out. This also seemed to reference Kuma's belief in Nika, the Warrior of Liberation.
Saturn then solidified his status as one of the top One Piece villains by attempting to dethrone Kuma from the throne of Sorbet Kingdom and reinstall King Bekori. Shortly after, Saturn made his most impactful move as a villain by using Kuma's allegiance to the World Government as leverage to secure treatment for his daughter Bonney.
Clearly, Kuma agreed to these absurd requests, such as joining the Shichibukai, relinquishing his free will, and never reuniting with Bonney after her cure.
One trait shared by the most notorious villains in the series is their ability to emotionally manipulate others, a skill at which Saturn excels. This is evident in his attempt to implant a self-destruct mechanism in Kuma in case he defies orders.
Narratively, there may not be much more to support the argument for Saturn being one of the top One Piece villains. However, his characterization and abilities add depth to his villainous role. His position as a Gorosei showcases his power and influence, and his apparent Devil Fruit powers in the Egghead arc further reinforce his significance.
Altogether, there is a strong case for considering Saturn as one of the greatest villains in the series. His involvement in key story events, manipulation of others, high status in the World Government, and evident Devil Fruit abilities all contribute to his villainous prestige. While this view is subjective, it appears that Saturn has earned his place as one of the top villains in the series.
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I find the character of Saint Saturn in One Piece to be a compelling and well-developed villain. His backstory, motivations, and actions make him a formidable and complex antagonist. I appreciate how Eiichiro Oda has crafted Saturn's character to be both ruthless and cunning, yet also sympathetic in some ways. His manipulation of Kuma and his attempts to control the Sorbet Kingdom showcase his villainous nature, while his love for his daughter Bonney and his desire to protect her add a layer of depth to his character.
Overall, I believe that Saint Saturn is a strong contender for the title of greatest One Piece villain. His characterization, abilities, and role in the story all contribute to his villainous prestige. While there may be other villains in the series who are more powerful or have more экранного времени, Saturn's impact on the story and his complex personality make him a truly memorable and formidable antagonist. I look forward to seeing how his character develops further in the Egghead arc and beyond.