Summary
One of the many things that setOne Pieceapart fromother shonen action manga/animeis its complex world-building, as this ambitious story takes place in a vibrant world full of characters who keep playing prominent roles in the narrative. Even those who were antagonists or deuteragonists in the earlier arcs have made appearances in recent chapters/episodes.
On top of that, the recently finished Egghead Arc featured a scene in which Doctor Vegapunk broadcast an important message to the entire world, so Eiichiro Oda took it as an opportunity to show readers what many forgotten characters (like Don Kreig, Wyper, or Foxy) are currently doing. However, and despite this new cavalcade of cameos, there is still a fair share ofimportantOne Piececharacters who haven’t appeared in the story in a very long time, and the following are the most egregious examples.
8Bentham (Bon Clay)
Everybody’s Favorite Okama Is Still Trapped In Impel Down
There’s no denying thatBon Clayis one of the most popular characters inOne Piece, as this bizarre but goofy okama ended up becomingone of Monkey D. Luffy’s most loyal and trustworthy allies, especially at the very end of the Arabasta Arc and during most of the Impel Down Arc. He was last seen in the main story when he sacrificed himself for Luffy and the other escapees by opening the Gates of Justice, which led many fans to mistakenly believe that Magellan killed him after he was found.
Oda later revealed in a Cover Story titledFrom the Decks of the Worldthat Bon Clay is still alive. Magellan just recaptured him, and he’s currently living on Level 5.5 as the new queen of Newkama Land, after Emporio Ivankov left the prison with Luffy. However, that chapter of the Cover Story was published back in 2012, and Bon Clay hasn’t reappeared in the story ever since. Naturally, many fans are wondering if the Straw Hat Pirates are ever going to travel back to Impel Down to rescue him.
7Jozu And Vista
What Exactly Happened To The Rest Of The Whitebeard Pirates?
The Summit War of Marineford was a traumatic event for all the Whitebeard Pirates, because not only did they lose the war against the Marines, but their captain, Edward Newgate, and their 2nd division commander, Portgas D. Ace, were tragically killed in battle. On top of that, the remaining members of the crew fought against the Blackbeard Pirates in the Payback War during the two-year time skip and suffered a crushing defeat.
Some members of the Whitebeard Pirates, like Marco or Izou, went on to have important active roles during the Wano Country Arc, while the rest of the crew has gone completely missing, including its former 3rd and 5th division commanders:JozuandVista. These aretwo very strong legendary pirates, so the fact that they haven’t appeared in the narrative since before the time skip is extremely weird. Of course, they were both seen when Marco detailed what happened during the Payback War, but that was just a very brief flashback sequence.
6Kong
The Former Fleet Admiral Of The Marines, Before Sengoku
One of the most important characters in theOne Pieceworld that fans often forget about isKong. He was the Fleet Admiral of the Marines during the famous Battle of Edd War and was later promoted to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the World Government, so Sengoku was chosen as his successor. He was last seen shortly before the time skip,when Sengoku resigned from his position and told him that Aokiji should replace him instead.
For such an important marine figure, it’s very strange to think that Kong has appeared in only two or three scenes in the entire series, not to mention that he was never seen in battle, even though his prestigious position and imposing design hint that he may be extremely powerful. Of course, Kong was recently seen during Kuma’s flashback - when he notified Garp about the God Valley Incident - but that sequence took place in the past. As far as the main timeline goes, he hasn’t been seen since before the time skip.
5Doctor Hogback
The Only Member Of The Thriller Bark Pirates Who Disappeared Completely
The members of the Thriller Bark Pirates are some of the most bizarre and memorable characters in the series, and even though the crew as a whole hasn’t been all that relevant after the conclusion of the Thriller Bark Arc, all of them went on to play a prominent role after the time skip. Absalom was murdered by the Blackbeard Pirates so they could steal his Devil Fruit, Gecko Moria traveled to Hachinosu while searching for him, and Perona lived with Zoro and Mihawk at Kuraigana Island until she learned that her captain had been kidnapped by the Blackbeard Pirates as well.
Weirdly enough, the only member of the Thriller Bark Pirates missing from this story line isDoctor Hogback. He was last seen escaping with the rest of the crew afterthey were defeated by the Straw Hats, and according to his official Vivre Card, he and Absalom were the ones who helped a wounded Gecko Moria escape from Marineford. Hogback is a brilliant (albeit evil) scientist who could currently be doing pretty much anything in the New World, so it’s extremely unusual that he hasn’t been seen or mentioned in such a long time. The science-themed Egghead Arc would have been perfect for him to make a reintroduction in, especially if he got to meet Doctor Vegapunk.
4Enel
One Of The Strongest Villains In The Series Is Currently On The Moon
Most main antagonists of a story arc have reappeared at some point after their defeat, but there are a few exceptions, with one of the most notorious ones beingEnel. After Luffy defeated this fake god who had eaten the powerful Goro Goro no Mi, he was last seen trying to reach Fairy Vearth with the help of his flying ship, the Ark Maxim. However (and unbeknownst to anime viewers),he went on to star in his own Cover Story, titledEnel’s Great Space Operations.
In it, it’s revealed that Enel reached the moon and used his electric powers to reactivate a bunch of androids that became his loyal followers after he fought a dangerous crew of Space Pirates. This is one of the most interesting and mind-blowing developments in the entire series, and yet, Enel hasn’t reappeared since the conclusion of his Cover Story, which was published back in 2007. He’s such a powerful and memorable villain that it’s very unlikely he’ll never appear in the story again, especially since he has now managed to assemble his own personal army of androids on the moon.
3"Axe-Hand" Morgan
How Will Helmeppo’s Father React To His Son’s Growth?
“Axe-Hand” Morganis one of the very first antagonists that Monkey D. Luffy confronted on his journey, ashe represented how some Marine Officers can be corrupt and abuse their power. After Luffy and Zoro defeated him, he was seen in the Cover StoryDiary of Koby-Meppo, in which he attacked Garp, took his own son, Helmeppo, hostage, and successfully escaped his imprisonment by setting sail on the open sea by himself.
Shortly after that, Morgan appeared in the sixth chapter of another Cover Story,Jango’s Dance Paradise, in which he could be seen napping in a boat while in the middle of the ocean. This chapter was published back in 2000, over twenty-five years ago, and “Axe-Hand” Morgan has not appeared in the story since. This is especially unusual because Helmeppo has gotten much stronger and eventually became a respectable marine Lieutenant Commander, so many fans wonder what would be his reaction to his own son’s growth and development.
2Arlong
One Of The Most Memorable One Piece Villains Is Still Imprisoned Somewhere
Naturally, the most dangerousOne Piecevillains often get arrested and imprisoned after Monkey D. Luffy ends their reigns of terror. However, some of them (like Crocodile or Buggy) got the chance to reappear during the Impel Down Arc, when Luffy infiltrated the legendary prison in order to rescue his brother, Portgas D. Ace. However, there was one notorious absence:Arlong, the captain of the Arlong Pirates and the main villain of the Arlong Park Arc. This implies that he and his crew must be imprisoned in another facility.
Despite the fact that he’s one of the most iconic and memorable villains in the entire series (mainly because of his relationship with Nami), Arlong has never appeared in the main story after Luffy defeated him. Of course, he played a prominent role in the backstory of the Sun Pirates in the Fish-Man Island Arc, but that was just a flashback sequence that took place many years in the past. Funnily enough, Eiichiro Oda recently drew an image of Arlong’s disgusted reaction when he learned that Jinbe had joined the Straw Hat Pirates, so he must still be alive somewhere.
1Kuro
The Main Antagonist Of The Syrup Village Arc Hasn’t Reappeared Since His Defeat
Kuroof a Hundred Plans, the main antagonist of the Syrup Village Arc, is one of the few earlyOne Piecevillains who have completely disappeared from the story after their initial defeat. Alvida joined the Buggy Pirates, Morgan appeared in two cover stories, Arlong had a prominent role in a flashback sequence, and even Don Krieg had a brief cameo in the recent Egghead Arc.
After the Straw Hat Pirates foiled his plans, Kuro and the rest ofthe Black Pirates escaped on their ship, and they were never seen again. Curiously enough, the anime’s adaptation of the Loguetown Arc featured a brief filler scene of Kuro reacting to Luffy’s very first bounty, but even this non-canon moment is from an episode that first aired a long time ago, back in the year 2000.
