The Shichibukai, or Seven Warlords of the Sea, served severe purposes that benefited the World Government, Marines, or themselves. Becoming an exceptionally powerful member of this group grants them privileges and benefits only if they become the “Government’s Dogs”.
While many members have used this to their benefit, whether for their people or protection, others have abused their power to usurp or overthrow countries, leading them into disarray. So, what is the Shichibukai in One Piece, and do they still exist, given the transgression of previous members?
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The purpose of the Shichibuaki
As the “Government’s Dogs,” They Have Privileges and Tasks
The Shichibukai, or Seven Warlords of the Sea, was first introduced at the beginning of the Arlong Park arc and serves as an introduction to the horrors of the Grand Line. The Shichibukai also falls under the Three Great Powers that rule over the Grand Line and is one of the reasons why the Grand Line is called the “pirate’s graveyard.” However, being one of the Three Great Powers, the Shichibukai also brings a sense of balance to the world. The Three Great Powers refer to the three strongest military forces. However, this soon changed as the Shichibukai was disbanded.
- The Marine Headquarters.
- The Four Emperors.
- Seven Warlords of the Sea.
The Shichibukai is a group of seven exceptionally powerful pirates serving the World Government. As a result, these Seven Warlords are officially recognized by the World Govenment. However, there are conditions for their servitude. Upon becoming a member of the Shichibukia, they must give a portion of their loot, which has been obtained from pillaging and uncivilized lands, to the World Govenment, with this, their activities as pirates will be officially sanctioned.
As long as the Shichibukai give a portion of their loot, obtained from pillaging and uncivilized lands, to the World Government, their pirating activities are officially sanctioned.
The primary purpose of the Shichibukai is to ensure order among unruly pirates. In return for allowing the Seven Warlords freedom by suspending their bounty, they are tasked with subduing troublesome pirates. Hearing the name of a Shichibukai would incite fear among regular pirates, which is why the World Government used this method to control them.
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While the World Government used this considerable force to control other pirates, this did not mean any of the Three Great Powers were on good terms. Many of the Shichibukai members despised other members, including the World Government. Many members also became Warlords only in return for immunity to save their people or free others from capture, as with Boa Hancock and Jimbei.
To become a member of the Shichibukai, a pirate must have exceptional abilities that prove their strength and worth as a potential member. There are two ways to become a member of the Shichibukai. The first is that they are offered the position. However, they are allowed to decline or negotiate the terms of their position. This occurred with Jimbei, as he accepted the invitation to become a Warlord with the release of Arlong, a former member of the Sun Pirates, and the pardoning of other members who wished to return to a life without piracy, Jimbei also used this position in an attempt to grow closer to the World Government. The second means of joining the Shichibukai is by sheer strength; Trafalgar Law became a member of the Shichibukai by delivering 100 pirate hearts to the Marine Headquarters.
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Seven Warlords of the Sea before abolishment |
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Dracule Mihawk |
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Bartholomew Kuma |
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Boa Hancock |
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Buggy The Clown |
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Edward Weevil |
As they are called the “governments' dogs,” although the Seven Warlords have plenty of freedom to do as they please without serious repercussions, there are instances in which the Shichibukai are tasked to stand with the Marines or come to their aid. While they may not particularly like working for them, they are used in battle to fend off other pirates, as with the case of the Summit War of Marineford, in which all members of the Shichibukai were present to intimidate and battle against the pirates attempting to save Portgas D. Ace.
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What does disbandment mean for the Shichibukai?
With the Abolishment, They Are Now High-Risk Pirates That Should Be Seized Immediately
While the members of the Shichibukai essentially have immunity against being arrested, and although they have used their position to protect or gain freedom for their people, many have abused this power for their own gain. For example, Crocodile attempted to take over the Kingdom of Arabasta and established “Operation Utopia.”
Crocodile attempted to usurp and dispose of the Arabasta King, Nefetari Cobra, to obtain and acquire the supposed weapon called Pluton, which he believed to be in Arabasta. In doing so, Crocodile used his title to save the citizens of Arabasta from pirates, presenting himself as a hero to the Kingdom. However, the citizens suffered greatly as Crocodile and Baroque works caused the country to suffer severe droughts, leading to poverty in certain areas. However, the Straw Hat pirates were able to foil this plan, in which Crocodile was arrested and his position as a Shichibukai was revoked.
A similar incident also occurred with Donquixote Doflamingo, in which he also owned a Human Auctioning House and produced and sold weapons to other countries, thus promoting war and unrest. These also include the SMILE Factory, in which Doflamingo and Ceasar Clown created artificial Devil Fruits, which have been sold to Kaido. As Doflamingo and Crocodile had many illegal activities, they were swifty stripped of their title. Although the World Government overlooks many of the Seven Warlords' activities, sowing unrest and participation in unlawful activities will revoke their titles.
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The news that was the most surprising to the world was the abolishing of the Shichibukai system!
The Shichibukai’s purpose was to serve as an in-between for the Marines and the Pirates. With the Three Great Powers now imbalanced, the Marines and World Government no longer have a powerful force to subdue unruly pirates. Becoming a member of the Shichibukai has several advantages, though if left unsupervised, entire countries could be placed at the hands of these pirates, as with Doflamingo. However, it also forces these pirates to work with the World Goverment, wherein they likely would choose not to.
Due to the horrendous actions of Doflamingo and Crocodile, the Reverie, which happens once every four years, Nefetari Cobra and Riku Doldo III of Arabasta and Dressora officially appealed to dissolve the Shichibukai due to the actions of Crocodile and Doflamingo. The Reverie is a council that the World Government has formed, and it consists of 50 of the world's leaders. During this meeting, which is held every four years at Mary Geoise, they will hold a seven-day conference in which they discuss and debate plans for the future.
Although the proposal by the two Kings sparked a heated debate, overall, the Shichibukai system was abolished. With this, the remaining Shichibukai would be stripped of their rights and immunity, thus reinstating their bounty with immediate action. After announcing the abolishment, the Marines immediately set out to arrest and capture the former Warlords.
One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
- Release Date
- October 20, 1999
- Network
- Fuji TV
- Directors
- Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
Cast
-
Mayumi TanakaMonkey D. Luffy (voice) -
Kazuya NakaiRoronoa Zoro (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga's popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
- Seasons
- 21
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 1122
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Pluto TV
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.72
