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Tony Soprano. Walter White. Don Draper. What all these characters have in common is that they were the main characters in their respective series. On most shows, the main character is the one fans are most interested in. This is equally true of anime – look at shows like Naruto, where the main character isn’t just the show’s namesake but is often looked at as the most important component of the show. 

Figure of 'Pirate Empress' from 'One Piece'
Pirate Empress from ‘One Piece’ | Yang Zhuo/VCG via Getty Images

Great shows often have equally compelling side characters, however, and that’s the case with one anime known as One Piece. One fan poll revealed that many non-main characters are actually among the show’s most popular. Let’s take a closer look at the poll’s results and which side characters get top billing in the eyes of many fans. 

The results of a ‘One Piece’ character popularity poll

The hallmark of a great show is one with multiple characters fans find themselves drawn to. One Piece certainly has no shortage of those. 

According to Siliconera, the One Piece YouTube account polled its fans across the globe about who their favorite character is. The poll included voters from all around the world, including Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Below is a list of the top 10 vote-getters, in order, as well as the number of votes they received:  

  • Monkey D. Luffy (1,637,921 votes)
  • Roronoa Zoro (1,445,034 votes)
  • Nami (1,085,141 votes)
  • Sanji (970,286 votes)
  • Trafalgar Law (646,686 votes)
  • Nico Robin (599,835 votes)
  • Boa Hancock (392,951 votes)
  • Carrot (388,565 votes)
  • Portgas D. Ace (355,503 votes)
  • Sabo (318,869 votes)

The top vote-getter should come as no surprise – after all, it’s the show’s main character. But there are a few standouts on the list that may come as slightly shocking to longtime fans of the show. 

There are three characters in the top 10 who aren’t exactly series regulars (or main characters): 

  • Trafalgar Law. According to the One Piece Fandom, he is known as the “Surgeon of Death” and is captain of the Heart Pirates. 
  • Boa Hancock. The One Piece Fandom reports that is the only female “warlord of the sea” and captain of the Kuja Pirates. 
  • Carrot. A friend to the Straw Hat Pirates the show is centered on, the One Piece Fandom states she is a “rabbit mink.” 

This is a testament to the show’s strong characterization and interesting storylines. These three didn’t just qualify for the top 10 – they all finished in the top eight, with one making it to the top five. 

The premise of ‘One Piece’

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According to IMDb, One Piece tells the story of a man named the Pirate King and his treasure he refers to as One Piece. The Pirate King is to be executed, but before he is, he says his treasure is hidden somewhere. This sets off a search for it, with pirates everywhere trying to uncover it. 

22 years later, a young boy named Monkey D. Luffy becomes a pirate on a quest for the One Piece treasure. No one before him has been able to find it, so he goes on a series of adventures to discover the Pirate King’s riches. The show follows him and his crew. 

There’s a reason One Piece is one of the most enduring anime out there. Not only does it feature great stories, but it has numerous memorable characters in each episode. To see the ones who are most popular (as well as the many other characters that are also compelling), anime fans owe it to themselves to check out the series. 

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