Character Discussion Rank Nami, Zoro,& Sanji in Order of Importance to the One Piece Story

[Salah WG]

You truly believe Chopper has more importance than Robin in the plot of One Piece?
Poignant Gliffe, Skypeia, Enies Lobby, CP0, 100 years of history all tied to Robin, what does Chopper have ?

I'm not ranking based on which Sub-Plots i deem Important,
Anything can be removed, changed or redrawn,

Void Century is tied to All SHs & Everyone, just because Robin is researching it, doesn't mean it's Created for her,
Just like D. isn't Created for her or for Law, same goes for any other Mystery or Conflict in One Piece,

For me what's Important is what the Author wants to Draw most, or what He created this Story for, which is obviously Luffy's Dream, Last Chapter, One Piece Treasure, whatever it is,

If that takes No. 1 Spot, then the 2nd & 3rd & 4th ... etc Most Importants Parts of this Story are gonna be what comes right before it, which are obviously Dreams of other SHs, that's what sets them apart from Rest of Cast,

So if Luffy's Contribution to the World that Oda wants to Create comes Last, then which SH comes right before him? What would be the Guess? Zoro, and before him? Nami, and before her? Usopp ... etc It's obviously gonna follow the same Order They were Recruited, and it's based on their Dreams

Cuz if We follow this Logic of judging based on how much They were used to advance the Plot, then some SHs such as Brook can be called not as Important as a lot of Side Characters, yet We don't do that, cuz We know that Brook being a SH makes him more Important for Oda,

 

[HeroesNZ]

Deuteragonist:the person second in importance to the protagonist in a drama.
Care to show me any plotline zoro specific in One Piece?
Any character arc involving him?
Any way his goal impact the overarching narrative / the main plot of the story?

Also, can you show me that quote where is it and what is the context?

Source is Oda from an interview back when they released the Monsters anime adaptation:
https://x.com/sandman_AP/status/1810276638019711418?t=3VBcPbsNiKJI6SmUGXbp3g&s=19

Zoro is the second main character, there's not really much more to say beyond this.

 

[Gaimon The Pirate]

Source is Oda from an interview back when they released the Monsters anime adaptation:
https://x.com/sandman_AP/status/1810276638019711418?t=3VBcPbsNiKJI6SmUGXbp3g&s=19

Zoro is the second main character, there's not really much more to say beyond this.

So this was 25 years ago, and in 25 years Oda still failed to give Zoro 1 (una) (One) subplot. Or character arc.
What a deuteragonist.

 

[HeroesNZ]

So this was 25 years ago, and in 25 years Oda still failed to give Zoro 1 (una) (One) subplot. Or character arc.
What a deuteragonist.

No, this interview was last year.

You can disagree with how Zoro's been written, but you can't disagree about him being the deuteragonist.

 

[Gaimon The Pirate]

No, this interview was last year.

You can disagree with how Zoro's been written, but you can't disagree about him being the deuteragonist.

The interview was regarding the creation of Zoro.
I disagree wholeheartedly, because from inception to now plenty of things have changed.
Shichibukai were introduced, along Vivi (Now crucial to the plot of the hdden century), the supernovas and god knows how many important things were added. Hell, some people argue rightfully that even Nika wasn't planned from the start.
So no, the fact that the "second main" character was planned to be Zoro despite not being in any iteration of romance Dawn at inception doesn't mean he is today.
Because Strawhats as a whole matter less than ever today. They do not have arcs and do not have agency other than, occasionally, fight.
Compare Enies Lobby to Wano.
In the first, Usopp redefines what it means to be a pirate for him, Sanji proves that trusting your heart is always the right choice, Robin discovers what it means to live.


In Wano NO character except Luffy has any agency nor sub-plotline, They all act on orders of Luffy and if Luffy is not there, nothing happens.
Remember when Zoro was sent ahead to Wano to do things, along with the others? That amounted to 0. Nothing.

Compare the effect of Sasuke to the plot of Naruto to Zoro.
Actually, the most apt comparison to Zoro is Ishida, born to be a rival and ending up meaning nothing.

 

[HeroesNZ]

The interview was regarding the creation of Zoro.
I disagree wholeheartedly, because from inception to now plenty of things have changed.
Shichibukai were introduced, along Vivi (Now crucial to the plot of the hdden century), the supernovas and god knows how many important things were added. Hell, some people argue rightfully that even Nika wasn't planned from the start.
So no, the fact that the "second main" character was planned to be Zoro despite not being in any iteration of romance Dawn at inception doesn't mean he is today.
Because Strawhats as a whole matter less than ever today. They do not have arcs and do not have agency other than, occasionally, fight.
Compare Enies Lobby to Wano.
In the first, Usopp redefines what it means to be a pirate for him, Sanji proves that trusting your heart is always the right choice, Robin discovers what it means to live.


In Wano NO character except Luffy has any agency nor sub-plotline, They all act on orders of Luffy and if Luffy is not there, nothing happens.
Remember when Zoro was sent ahead to Wano to do things, along with the others? That amounted to 0. Nothing.

Compare the effect of Sasuke to the plot of Naruto to Zoro.
Actually, the most apt comparison to Zoro is Ishida, born to be a rival and ending up meaning nothing.

...That's cool and all, but Zoro is the second main character lol. The statement is pretty clear, this sounds like cope.

And I understand why you're pressed, he's been written terribly as such. Zoro does not influence the plot, yet he's still the deuteragonist in Oda's eyes. That's why he's the only supporting protagonist who Oda will ever allow to outshine Luffy.

 

[park_min young]

Nami and Robin actually have the elevated roles in terms of finding the One Piece. Nami is also a voice of reason alongside Zoro, they generally offer perspective for Luffy’s big decisions. Zoro will give the stern POV while Nami offers the more emotional POV. Sanji on the other hand just gets more character development, the only Strawhat to get main development and an arc centered around him during the post-ts. He feels slightly more involved in the story.

Overall, I’d say that it’s Nami>Zoro~<Sanji

 

[Gaimon The Pirate]

...That's cool and all, but Zoro is the second main character lol. The statement is pretty clear, this sounds like cope.

And I understand why you're pressed, he's been written terribly as such. Zoro does not influence the plot, yet he's still the deuteragonist in Oda's eyes. That's why he's the only supporting protagonist who Oda will ever allow to outshine Luffy.

We are saying the same thing, I understand your perspective, although your dismissive attitude is ridicolous and quite childish.

If Zoro is the second main character, this is the shittiest character ever written in the history of mangas, simple as that, and a testament to what Oda has done to his secondary cast.

 

[HeroesNZ]

We are saying the same thing, I understand your perspective, although your dismissive attitude is ridicolous and quite childish.

If Zoro is the second main character, this is the shittiest character ever written in the history of mangas, simple as that, and a testament to what Oda has done to his secondary cast.

I'm being dismissive because I'm not debating whether Zoro is the deuteragonist — he is, I'm discussing the interpretations of this thread and the quality of Oda's writing.

Post-TS, Oda's writing got much worse. It's like a different manga, and his supporting protagonists have suffered greatly because of it.

 

[Gaimon The Pirate]

I'm being dismissive because I'm not debating whether Zoro is the deuteragonist — he is, I'm discussing the interpretations of this thread and the quality of Oda's writing.

Post-TS, Oda's writing got much worse. It's like a different manga, and his supporting protagonists have suffered greatly because of it.

Yeah but this is where I am getting.
Intentions was, if that quote is properly translated, to have Zoro has the deuteragonist.
Matter of fact, One Piece is Luffy show, and has been since, exactly, Sabaody-onwards. Since then, other than Sanji with WCI, no stawhats had a dedicated arc not plotline. No character arcs, no nothing.
It's been 15 years man, if not more. And not once a "deuteragonist" has shown up in the manga.

 

[MonsterKaido]

Law from PH to dressrossa arc was the only deuteragonist imo. Otherwise it has been luffy show since SH split up in sabody arc.

 

[pg13]

I asked perplexity, copilot and chatgpt


All 3 gave only one answer - in terms of story importance after Luffy.....Zoro > Nami > Robin

According to Google AI
AI Overview


The three main characters of One Piece are generally considered to beMonkey D. Luffy (the protagonist), Roronoa Zoro, and Sanji.

 

[Sir Yasheen]

I asked perplexity, copilot and chatgpt


All 3 gave only one answer - in terms of story importance after Luffy.....Zoro > Nami > Robin

According to chat GPT:
In One Piece, while all Straw Hats are important, the “main three” within the crew—often called the Monster Trio—are:

1. Monkey D. Luffy – Captain, main protagonist, and driving force of the story.
2. Roronoa Zoro – First mate and strongest swordsman of the crew.
3. Vinsmoke Sanji – Cook and top fighter alongside Luffy and Zoro.

 

[Reborn]

According to Google AI
AI Overview


The three main characters of One Piece are generally considered to beMonkey D. Luffy (the protagonist), Roronoa Zoro, and Sanji.

According to chat GPT:
In One Piece, while all Straw Hats are important, the “main three” within the crew—often called the Monster Trio—are:

1. Monkey D. Luffy – Captain, main protagonist, and driving force of the story.
2. Roronoa Zoro – First mate and strongest swordsman of the crew.
3. Vinsmoke Sanji – Cook and top fighter alongside Luffy and Zoro.

Wrong question

Question is who holds more story importance within SHs after luffy

 

[park_min young]

Yooo, we’re chatgpt scaling 😭😭
Well according to the AI, Law is undoubtedly the deuteragonist in the New World.

In terms of the Strawhats overall, it will say Luffy, Zoro and Nami… or Sanji.
Who is more important, Zoro or Nami?
Verdict:

• Zoro is more important to the combat and leadership side of the story.
• Nami is more important to the crew’s survival and emotional heart.
• If Oda ever wrote a final war without Zoro, it would feel incomplete. If he wrote one without Nami, it would feel… impossible.

In terms of overall narrative importance, the AI listed Luffy, Roger and Blackbeard.

 

[Sir Yasheen]

Yooo, we’re chatgpt scaling 😭😭
Well according to the AI, Law is undoubtedly the deuteragonist in the New World.

In terms of the Strawhats overall, it will say Luffy, Zoro and Nami… or Sanji.
Who is more important, Zoro or Nami?
Verdict:

• Zoro is more important to the combat and leadership side of the story.
• Nami is more important to the crew’s survival and emotional heart.
• If Oda ever wrote a final war without Zoro, it would feel incomplete. If he wrote one without Nami, it would feel… impossible.

In terms of overall narrative importance, the AI listed Luffy, Roger and Blackbeard.

AI is a Nami simp confirmed

 

[park_min young]

AI is a Nami simp confirmed

It did say that Zoro edges out though, but that verdict feels otherwise lol

 

[Sir Yasheen]

It did say that Zoro edges out though, but that verdict feels otherwise lol

It said Nami is the third most important straw hat in the wano arc, I genuinely can’t remember if she did anything in Wano lmao

 

[park_min young]

It said Nami is the third most important straw hat in the wano arc, I genuinely can’t remember if she did anything in Wano lmao

Yeah, that’s a stretch lol

 

[Jija]

Aren't robin's words about wings of the pirate king the only plot relevant thing about these three? For now it's zoro~sanji>nami.