The Yonko Crews: Analyzing the Transformation from Affection to Dread in One Piece

One Piece is renowned for its rich world-building and captivating elements, but the Yonko crew is a particularly intriguing aspect that warrants further exploration. In the series, a Yonko is one of the Four Emperors who reign over the New World, commanding formidable pirate crews that lay claim to various islands. These powerful characters are among the most formidable in the manga.

What truly sets the Yonko apart, however, is the intricate dynamics of their crews. Eiichiro Oda, the author of One Piece, adeptly delves into this theme of celebrating friendship and unity. As a result, each Yonko crew possesses its own unique dynamics, stories, and accomplishments, all of which will be examined and discussed here, without any specific order.

Analyzing the structure of each Yonko crew in One Piece

1) Cross Guild

Mihawk, Buggy, and Crocodile (Image via Toei Animation).

The Cross Guild is the newest addition to the four Yonko system in One Piece, and it is arguably the most unique one so far. After the World Government eliminated the Warlord system, Buggy the Clown managed to form an alliance with the well-known pirates Dracule Mihawk and Sir Crocodile.

Buggy serves as the figurehead of the alliance, with Dracule Mihawk and Crocodile serving as the chief officers and the masterminds behind their operations. They have recruited numerous small-time pirates that Buggy has gathered throughout the series, thanks to his luck. The focus of the Cross Guild is to capture members of the Navy and collect rewards for them, breaking many of the series' traditional bounty tropes.

2) The Beast Pirates

The Beast Pirates (Image via Toei Animation).

The diversity of pirate crews in One Piece is evident over the years, but the Beast Pirates stand out with a roster of over 500 members. Led by Kaido, they have a significant number of Devil Fruit users thanks to the artificial Smile fruits created in collaboration with Doflamingo.

The structure of the Beast Pirates is led by Kaido as the leader and general, with the All-Star division comprising his strongest men: King, Queen, and Jack. The Tobiroppo division, including prominent characters like Black Maria, X Drake, and Ulti, is also prominent during the Wano arc. Additionally, there are various lesser divisions created through the use of Smile fruits.

3) The Big Mom Pirates

Kaido ventured the open seas alone following the fall of the Rocks Pirates, seeking to challenge the world's mightiest forces and prove his formidable strength. His most significant accomplishment, and that of his crew, was the successful conquest of the land of Wano. This strategic victory established a crucial base of operations for Kaido and solidified Wano as a pivotal location within the world of One Piece.

The Big Mom Pirates (Image via Toei Animation).

Similar to Kaido and his crew, the Big Mom Pirates were heavily foreshadowed in the One Piece series. While the reception of their storyline varied, they undoubtedly remain one of the most formidable crews in the series. Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, was formerly affiliated with the Rocks Pirates, just like Kaido. Afterward, she established her own motley crew, seizing control of Totto Land, Whole Cake, and various other territories.

4) Red Hair Pirates

Big Mom commands the organization as its leader, with the Sweet Commanders - consisting of Katakuri, Cracker, Smoothie, and Snack - making up the second highest tier. The organization also comprises a large division of officers responsible for its operations, as well as numerous other members fulfilling various roles.

The Red Hair Pirates may have the most excitement surrounding them in the One Piece series due to their untapped potential. As a Yonko crew, their strength is unquestionable, but the story has yet to fully showcase their abilities.

5) The Whitebeard Pirates

Nevertheless, Shanks remains at the helm as the captain, taking the lead after the passing of Gol D. Roger, his former comrade. Serving as his second-in-command is Benn Beckmann, accompanied by a group of officers who have been with the crew since its inception, such as Lucky Roux and Yasopp, the father of Usopp. While they have subordinate captains like Fugar or Pururu, they have yet to make any significant appearance in the story.

Whitebeard, also known as Edward Newgate, was once part of the Rocks Pirates under Xebec's leadership. However, he later broke away to form his own crew, the Whitebeard Pirates. Unlike Kaido and Big Mom, Whitebeard was more compassionate, and the lands he conquered were used to aid others, while he built a crew that he considered as his own family.

It's unfortunate that One Piece fans only had the chance to witness this group in action once, during the Marineford arc, but their impact was significant, especially Whitebeard with his impressive display of power and honorable demise. Structurally, Newgate is the captain, with fourteen division commanders, including Oden, Ace, and Marco. He also recruited the former Spade Pirates, several subordinate captains, and numerous others.

6) The Blackbeard Pirates

The final bosses in One Piece could arguably be the Blackbeard Pirates (Image via Toei Animation).

Considering the mirroring with the Straw Hats, there is a strong possibility that the Blackbeard Pirates will serve as the ultimate adversaries in One Piece. This assumption may not be accurate, but it is undeniable that this group of long-standing criminals and villains has been heavily hyped throughout the series, spanning hundreds of chapters.

7) The Straw Hat Pirates

Blackbeard, also known as Marshall D. Teach, leads a crew of ten ships, each with their own ruthless Titanic Captains. These captains are notorious criminals with a history of heinous acts, with the exception of former Navy Admiral Kuzan.

The image above showcases the main characters in One Piece, courtesy of Toei Animation.

The Straw Hats, led by Monkey D. Luffy, form the central ensemble of the One Piece series, propelling the narrative forward and shaping its trajectory. Luffy's journey from humble beginnings has led to the formation of a formidable crew, with whom he has forged unbreakable bonds, ultimately establishing a crew of Yonko-level power that has left an indelible impact on the world of One Piece.

Final thoughts

The structure of the crew is well-known to most One Piece fans, with Luffy as the captain, Zoro and Sanji as the wings (Sanji also serving as the cook), Chopper as the doctor, Nami as the navigator, and Usopp as the sniper. Additionally, Brook is the musician, Franky is the mechanic, Jinbe is the one driving the ship, and Nico Robin is the archaeologist.

Every Yonko crew has something interesting to offer in One Piece, bringing unique elements to the story that the audience enjoys. Hopefully, Eiichiro Oda will continue to explore other crews, such as the Red Hair Pirates.

Editor's P/S

The Yonko crews in One Piece are a testament to Eiichiro Oda's masterful storytelling and world-building. Each crew possesses its unique dynamics, motivations, and hierarchy, reflecting the complexity and diversity of the pirate world.

The Cross Guild, led by Buggy the Clown, stands out as a peculiar alliance, challenging traditional bounty tropes by focusing on capturing members of the Navy. The Beast Pirates, under the leadership of Kaido, boasts a massive roster of over 500 members, including notable Devil Fruit users. Their conquest of Wano established a strategic base of operations, solidifying their power and influence. Lastly, the Big Mom Pirates, led by Charlotte Linlin, showcases a highly organized structure with the Sweet Commanders and numerous officers, solidifying their position as one of the most formidable crews in the series.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.