Eiichiro Oda's One Piece follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates crew as they sail across the Grand Line to find the grand treasure, known as the One Piece. While the Straw Hats are the crux of the story, the One Piece world is way too massive to not have any other incredible characters.

RELATED: One Piece: Straw Hats Who Deserve A Higher Bounty

In fact, countless characters that aren't members of the Straw Hat Crew have left quite an impression on fans over the years and some have gone on to attain legendary status, becoming fan-favorites all on their own.

Updated on January 1, 2021, by Rei Penber: One Piece's incredible cast means that the story features quite a lot of loveable characters who, over the years, have left an incredible impression on the fans. While the Straw Hat Pirates are at the core of the story, other characters that Oda has introduced are adored just as much. Although this article already features the most memorable non-Straw Hat characters, it has been expanded since the cast of One Piece is so incredibly rich.

15 Charlotte Katakuri

Katakuri One Piece

The second son of Charlotte, Charlotte Katakuri was one of the main antagonists of the Whole Cake Island arc of One Piece. Although Katakuri stood in Luffy's way as a mountain that needed to be climbed, as the fight dragged on, fans had a newfound respect for him.

Katakuri and Luffy share quite a lot of similarities. Throughout their long battle, Katakuri's growing respect for Luffy and his honorable way of fighting caused fans to gradually appreciate the antagonist more. In the future, Katakuri will likely be among the relevant One Piece characters again.

14 Nefertari Vivi

one piece Vivi anime

Vivi the princess of the Alabasta Kingdom who was introduced to the fans in the Whiskey Peak arc. On her journey to Alabasta with the Straw Hat Pirates, Vivi ended up becoming an honorary member of the pirate crew.

Sadly, by the end of the arc, she decided to stay back in Alabasta, however, the memories that Vivi made with the crew remain to this day. One day, Vivi will set out to sea and sail with the crew once again.

13 Silvers Rayleigh

One Piece Silvers Rayleigh Kenbunshoku Haki

A legendary figure from Roger's era, Silvers Rayleigh was the right-hand man of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. He made his introduction in the Sabaody Archipelago arc as one of the story's most important characters and has, since then, been crucial to Luffy's journey to becoming the King of the Pirates.

RELATED: One Piece: Things You Didn't Know About Nico Robin

Rayleigh left a massive impression on the fans when he saved the crew from Admiral Kizaru and then, after the Paramount War, trained Luffy for 2 years to make sure that he was ready for the challenges to come.

12 Monkey D. Garp

Young Garp from One Piece

Also known as the hero of the Marines, Garp is Luffy's grandfather and he's been an important character to the story ever since the very beginning. Despite being one of the Marines, Garp has a really good heart and he's still has a lot of love for Luffy.

His status as a legendary fighter who fought even the likes of Gol D. Roger only enhances his character and makes the fans love him more. In the future of the story, Garp could become an important character once more.

11 Kin'emon

Kin'emon Kitsunebi Ryu

One of the samurai of Wano Country, Kin'emon was introduced to the fans in the Punk Hazard arc of the story. Ever since then, he traveled with Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates and become almost like a part of the family. In the Wano Country arc, fans got to see a completely different side of Kin'emon as his relationship with Kozuki Oden, his liege, was explored to the fullest. He remains to be one of the best One Piece characters introduced in the story to date and as the Wano Country art goes on his character keeps getting better.

10 Donquixote Rosinante

Rosinante Death One Piece

Rosinante, also known as Corazon, was one of the most important characters in Law's life and he played a massive part in making him the person that he is today. Despite being a former Celestial Dragon, Corazon saved Law's life by risking his own and eventually fed him the Ope Ope no Mi, even defying his own brother. His dying breath was spent trying to help Law escape from Doflamingo's birdcage to freedom.

9 Sabo

One Piece - Episode of Sabo: Bond of Three Brothers - A Miraculous Reunion and an Inherited Will

Sabo's first mention in the story came during the Marineford arc when Ace drew his last few breaths. Shortly after, fans got to see a flashback of Luffy's childhood and how met Ace. In the very same flashback, the third brother, Sabo was introduced.

Sabo left quite an impression on the fans during the flashback, mostly because he was every bit as lovable as Luffy and Ace. What's more, he made his shocking return during the Dressrosa arc of the story, and ever since then, fans' love for him has skyrocketed.

8 Yamato

Yamato in his hybrid form

Kaido's son, Yamato, is one of the most recently introduced characters in the story. Yamato made his debut during the Onigashima section of the Wano Country arc and immediately found his way into the fans' hearts. Being inspired by Oden and wanting to embark on a quest for freedom, Yamato is the perfect character for the fans to fall in love with.

Although he could very well become a Straw Hat after the arc ends, for now, Yamato remains to be just an ally, but certainly one who is loved dearly.

7 Edward Newgate

One Piece Whitebeard Edward Newgate Kenbunshoku Kai

Also known as Whitebeard, Edward Newgate was a famous pirate from the era of the Pirate King and known to be the only pirate who could match him in battle. Whitebeard was nothing more than a big name until the Marineford arc, however. Just a few chapters into the war, everyone's perception of him changed. Whitebeard was a father who loved all his sons dearly.

RELATED: One Piece: Strongest Members Of The D. Clan

He gave his life up to raise several young souls and when Ace was captured, Whitebeard did all in his power to protect him, even going as far as to give his own life in exchange. Whitebeard's dying words sent shivers down the spine of every One Piece fan as he proclaimed the existence of the One Piece itself.

6 Gol D. Roger

One Piece Gol D Roger using Divine Departure

The man who started it all, Gol D. Roger was the King of the Pirates, a man who had attained wealth, fame, and power. Roger was someone with a legendary aura around him from the very beginning. With each passing arc fans knew a bit more about him until finally, Wano gave fans a look into Roger's journey to Laugh Tale.

Roger was quite a charming guy and one who embodied Luffy's spirit the best. Although he's barely appeared in the story, Roger is one of the most memorable characters in the story.

5 Kozuki Oden

One Piece Oden Busoshoku Haki

A legendary man who enchanted even the likes of Whitebeard and Roger, Kozuki Oden was a samurai of Wano Country. Oden's first mention came during the Zou arc and the story slowly built up to his big reveal in the Wano Country arc. Oden's thirst for adventure captures the essence of what One Piece is truly about and his adventures with Whitebeard and Roger were nothing short of staggering.

Oden solidified himself as one of the greatest One Piece characters when he returned to Wano and saved the lives of every single citizen of the country for five years before finally dying for his Scabbards in an epic fashion.

4 Shanks

One Piece - Shanks with the Straw Hat

The man responsible for putting Luffy on the path to becoming the Pirate King, Shanks is one of the most important characters in One Piece. Having made quite an incredible impression during the Romance Dawn arc of the story, Shanks' moments sprinkled across the story only make him more likable.

RELATED: All Known Conqueror's Haki Users In One Piece

Even though the best of Shanks is yet to come, he is already one of the most memorable characters in One Piece and will go down as a great character.

3 Boa Hancock

Boa Hancock One Piece 1057

The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock is the ruler of Amazon Lily and the captain of the Kuja Pirates. Hancock made her debut in the Amazon Lily arc and quickly become a beloved supporting One Piece character.

Hancock's role in the Impel Down and Marineford arc further solidified her as one of the most loved characters among fans. With the abolition of the Shichibukai system, Oda has ensured that fans get to see more of her being the incredible leader that she is.

2 Trafalgar Law

Ope Ope no Mi Trafalgar Law

One of Worst Generation Pirates, Trafalgar Law is an incredibly important character in the story but one that Oda didn't plan on making nearly as important. Law made his debut during the Sabaody Archipelago arc and played quite a role when he saved Luffy in the Marineford arc.

However, it wasn't until the plan to take down Kaido came up that Law truly became important. Law has been traveling with the Straw Hat Pirates for years now and, given that he seeks the same questions as Robin, fans will definitely see more of him going forward.

1 Portgas D. Ace

One Piece Portgas D. Ace Wano

Luffy's brother, Ace was introduced to the story in the Alabasta arc and he was a major character in the first half of One Piece. Right from the very first moment, Ace made himself known as one of One Piece's greatest characters as he played a massive role in Luffy's growth.

Ace died during the Paramount War but the love for him remains. What's even more surprising is that every single saga since his death has him playing a role in it, which just goes to show how much of a memorable character he truly is.

MORE: One Piece: Things We Loved About The 1000th Episode