This article contains spoilers from One Piece's Elbaf Arc.
When it comes to the strongest monsters that have existed in the world of One Piece, fans know that Gol D. Roger stands at the very top, as far as the modern era of piracy goes. Roger's pirate career started long ago, and it is said that around 50 years ago, he was known as one of the rookies. In the recent Elbaf flashback, fans got a proper look at the early parts of his career as a pirate. Roger went on quite a journey and was always one of the strongest in the One Piece world. But, after the events of God Valley, specifically in the decade that followed, Roger established his dominance over the seas and became one of the most mighty individuals to ever exist.
One Piece: The Only Pirate Stronger Than Pirate King Roger Has Been Revealed By Oda
Roger is powerful, but Oda revealed a pirate stronger than him in One Piece.
Even the legendary Whitebeard, who was known as the world's strongest man, only drew comparisons to Roger, and not superior to him. In fact, one of the biggest achievements of Whitebeard was being a match for a sick Roger. That puts into perspective how strong this monster truly was. In his prime, Roger's strength surpassed nearly everyone that the fans have seen in the story. Perhaps, the only individuals stronger than him up until recently were Imu, and of course, Joy Boy from the Void Century. Now, however, Oda has officially confirmed a pirate even stronger than Roger.
Gol D. Roger Reached The Pinnacle Of Strength In One Piece
- Roger Utilized High Level Conqueror's Haki
- Roger Was The Strongest In His Prime Years
Gol D. Roger had immense ambition right from the get-go. While fans did not actually get to see the beginning of his journey as a pirate, what they did see through Rayleigh was a flashback where Roger showed up one day and asked him to join him on an adventure to turn the world upside down. Roger was already strong at this point, and later down the line, his strength increased even further.
One curious thing about Roger is that he never ate a Devil Fruit. Throughout his life, Roger stayed away from this power for one reason or another, as did the vast majority of his pirate crew. None of the Roger Pirates seemed to have any Devil Fruit abilities. At the same time, fans also know that Roger ended up training his Haki to the absolute best. It goes without saying that Roger had terrific control over the power of haki. He is known to have been a wielder of all three types, with his Conqueror's Haki being absolutely monstrous in terms of power.
Roger's Conqueror's Haki was so strong that even an Admiral could not withstand his overwhelming strength. All in all, he reached the pinnacle of power and later ended up becoming the Pirate King.
Roger's domination on the seas was quite clear. No pirate could defeat him easily. In fact, fans don't know of any pirate crew, other than the Kuja Pirates, to have defeated Roger. Even Rocks, known to be Roger's greatest enemy, did not defeat him. In fact, it was the latter who ended up beating Domi Reversed Rocks on God Valley, with Garp's help, and this was before he even hit his prime. Quite clearly, Roger's strength was absolutely immense, and it is quite clear to see that, apart from the legends of the Void Century, no one else came close to surpassing him.
Roger Has Been Surpassed By Red-Haired Shanks
- Shanks Is Stronger Than Harald And Rocks D. Xebec
- His Haki Is Comparable To Joy Boy's
There were quite a few pirates that could have surpassed Roger, but never did. Whitebeard is one such individual, and fans know that he was exactly on Roger's level. Garp is another powerful individual, and is also said to be on the same level as Gol D. Roger. These two monsters were on Roger's level, but never went on to surpass him. However, now, in the Final Saga of One Piece, Oda has officially confirmed a pirate who has gone beyond Roger's level, and this pirate is none other than Roger's very own apprentice, Red-Haired Shanks.
To understand how Shanks is stronger than Roger, fans need to take a look at the current events in the Elbaf arc. First things first, the Elbaf arc gave the fans a proper look at the character of Rocks D. Xebec. Through his flashback, fans also got to see the Roger Pirates, and of course, Harald as well. The strength of Rocks is key in this whole argument. Fans know that Rocks was one of the strongest pirates of the old era, and that he was one of Roger's fiercest rivals. At one point in the story, Rocks was even stronger than Roger, but this was before Roger hit his prime as a pirate.
At the same time, Oda also established the fact that Harald was equal to Rocks in terms of power. These two were friends and rivals, possessing about a similar level of strength. Their first clash saw to it that any sign of life in a five-kilometer radius was completely wiped out. While some fans might like to deny it, Harald was tremendously powerful, and on the same level as Rocks D. Xebec. In fact, he even went on to surpass the latter after receiving the Deep Sea Covenant from Imu, which boosted his strength even further and gave him access to immortality. Undoubtedly, Harald's power was greater than Rocks's, and that also meant that it was greater than Roger from God Valley 38 years ago.
Loki Was Stronger Than Harald And Rocks
14 years ago in the world of One Piece, fans got to see a very decisive battle take place in the land of Elbaf. There, Harald, controlled by Imu, was on a killing spree and was eventually stopped by his own son, Loki. What's especially important to notice here is that Loki absolutely demolished Harald in battle. For context, this same version of Harald was even stronger than Rocks D. Xebec, yet was easily defeated by Loki.
I am the Sun God enshrined in the legends of this land. You will not speak to me without permission, human. I consider myself the strongest alive in the Lands. This is the Warland, Elbaf's Kingdom of Violence. The most powerful nation in the world which once lived and breathed warfare. And I'm the Sun God who brings the world to an end, Loki! — Loki introducing himself in the Elbaf Arc.
One Piece: Oda Reveals The Strongest Haki User Of The Old Era
There are plenty of powerful haki users from the old era, but this one was the very best.
Loki was not able to kill him without Harald allowing the opportunity for him to do so, but he was still able to overpower him in combat, something that no one else could have done. The fact is that Loki, at full power, is said to be able to destroy the entire world, such is his strength. Yet, one pirate goes even beyond Loki's power level, and that is Shanks. In other words, Shanks is stronger than Harald, Rocks, and of course, even Roger.
Shanks Defeated Loki By Himself 6 Years Ago
6 years ago in the One Piece world, Loki was roaming the seas and doing what he did best. At some point, he ran into Red-haired Shanks. A battle ensued between the two monsters that shook the world of One Piece, and led to the Red-haired pirate becoming a Yonko. Shanks was able to defeat Loki, against all odds, and this should not have been possible given Loki's power level. The fact is that Loki is a Yonko-level monster and has a legendary Devil Fruit, the power of which can even overwhelm Harald. On top of that, he has Ragnir at his side, who is another top-tier.
I won't say that's not fair, Navy man. But raiding the worn-out new green leaves that changed the era of piracy forever? Don't you think you're doing too much? Are you that afraid of the new era? - Shanks
Despite all these powers, Shanks was able to defeat him. For Shanks to be able to defeat such a monster by himself clearly means that he was on a level beyond that of King Harald from Elbaf and of course, with him, Rocks as well. In other words, Shanks has surpassed the limits of Roger, Rocks, and Harald and become the strongest pirate in One Piece.
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece focuses on the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the seas to lay claim to the grand treasure known as the One Piece. The manga is currently in its Final Saga. One Piece will be featured in this week's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue. The official release date of One Piece Chapter 1170 is January 4, 2026. In Japan, One Piece drops at 12AM JST on Monday, which is 11:00 AM EST, or 8:00 AM PT. Fans can read the chapter for free on Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump apps. Doing so will ensure that fans always support the author.