The Roger Pirates are some of the founding fathers of the One Piece series. Let’s talk about them.
The Roger Pirates are a legendary pirate crew from the One Piece series created by Eiichiro Oda. Led by Gol D. Roger, they were the first crew to reach the end of the Grand Line and discover the legendary treasure known as One Piece. Their presence can often be felt in every corner of the One Piece universe. Here are the main members of the Roger Pirates and brief descriptions of each of them.
9. Gol D. Roger
The captain of the crew, he was the Pirate King and the one who discovered the One Piece. Roger possessed the ability to hear the “Voice of All Things,” which allowed him to understand the language of the ancient poneglyphs. He was known for his cheerful personality, intelligence, and his desire to explore the world. Roger’s journey and the revelation of One Piece ignited a new era of piracy. His discovery led countless pirates, both aspiring and seasoned, to set sail in search of the treasure. All seeking to claim his title of Pirate King.
8. Silver Rayleigh
The first mate of the crew and Roger’s right-hand man. Silver Rayleigh was a skilled swordsman and possessed the ability to use Haki. Rayleigh possesses a carefree and relaxed demeanor, mirroring the lightheartedness of his captain, Roger. In earlier times, he displayed a lack of patience for the playful behaviors of the younger crew members. Often approaching his role as the crew’s disciplinarian with a strong sense of responsibility. After the crew disbanded, Rayleigh settled on the Sabaody Archipelago and became a coating mechanic.
7. Scopper Gaban
Not much is known about Scropper Gaban, but he was one of the key members of the Roger Pirates. Having been a loyal member of the Roger Pirates for a significant duration, possesses a deep understanding of Roger. This usually surpasses that of many others. Also, Gaban often recognizes the futility of attempting to persuade Roger to flee from an adversary. He is mentioned as a powerful figure and is often seen in flashbacks alongside Rayleigh and Roger.
6. Crocus
While primarily fulfilling the role of a lighthouse keeper throughout his lifetime, he dedicated three years to the Roger Pirates as their medical practitioner. Silvers Rayleigh attests that during his time with the crew, he held the esteemed reputation of being the foremost doctor globally. After the crew’s dissolution, he became the caretaker of Laboon, a whale that was left behind at the entrance of the Grand Line, and eventually, he settled on Twin Cape in the Grand Line.
5. Kozuki Toki
Kozuki Toki, originally known as Amatsuki, served as the wife of Kozuki Oden, the daimyo of Kuri, and was the loving mother of Momonosuke and Hiyori. Her warm and approachable nature occasionally led her to display some naivety. An example of this was when she trusted human traffickers who promised to transport her to Wano. However, she swiftly saw through their deceitful intentions and thwarted their plans.
4. Buggy
Yes, Buggy the Clown was a member of the Roger Pirates in his early years. He was a cabin boy and often found himself at odds with Shanks, another cabin boy at the time. Buggy eventually left the crew after discovering a treasure map and decided to strike out on his own. The pirate clown has done quite a bit since then. While Buggy often portrays himself as a fearsome pirate, he has a comedic side marked by a series of unfortunate mishaps and his tendency to overreact to situations. Despite his bluster, he lacks the strength to back up his boasts, often leading to moments of hilarity. We describe this in depth in another segment.
3. Shanks
Another cabin boy on the Roger Pirates, Shanks is one of the Four Emperors in the current era of One Piece. He left the crew alongside Buggy and eventually formed his own crew, the Red-Haired Pirates. A dozen years in the past, during their activities in the East Blue, Shanks ignited a spark of inspiration in the heart of a young village lad named Monkey D. Luffy, encouraging him to embark on his very own pirate odyssey. He is one of the members who reminds fans how deeply linked our favorite characters are in the world of One Piece.
2. Inuarashi and Nekomamushi
These two mink warriors were members of the Roger Pirates and are now the rulers of the Mokomo Dukedom on Zou. They are fiercely loyal to their captain’s memory. They have become formidable warriors, and we describe them in depth in our Mink segment!
1. Kozuki Oden
Although not a permanent member of the Roger Pirates, Oden joined the crew during their final journey to Laugh Tale (formerly known as Raftel). Having uncovered Joy Boy’s treasure on Laugh Tale, Oden returned to his homeland with a resolute mission: to succeed his father as the shogun and break Wano’s isolation by opening its borders to the world. He was a powerful samurai and the rightful heir to the Wano Country’s throne. Yet, his aspirations were met with resistance from Kurozumi Orochi, who had taken over his position, and the formidable pirate Kaidou.
Although his end at the Legendary Hour was tragic, he lived a fulfilling life. He is one of the few pirates who jumped major ships in the series, joining Roger after serving the Whitebeard Pirates.
The Legacy of One Piece’s Roger Pirates
As stated, their discovery of One Piece ignited the “Great Pirate Era,” a period marked by a surge in piracy, as pirates across the world set sail to claim the title of Pirate King and the treasure for themselves. This era of exploration, competition, and grand adventures forms the backdrop for much of the series, as various pirate crews, including the Straw Hat Pirates led by Monkey D. Luffy, pursue their dreams on the Grand Line.
Beyond the pursuit of treasure, the Roger Pirates uncovered the significance of the poneglyphs – ancient stone tablets that hold information about the Void Century, a mysterious period erased from history. Their ability to read these poneglyphs and their understanding of the “Voice of All Things” hint at deeper connections between the world’s history, the D. initial shared by certain characters, and the true nature of the treasure.
The crew’s interactions with other significant characters have left a lasting impact as well. Roger’s meeting with Whitebeard, a legendary pirate and one of the Four Emperors, was a defining moment that influenced the course of the world’s power dynamics. The friendships and rivalries formed during this era continue to echo in the present, with characters like Shanks and Buggy carrying forward their experiences from the Roger Pirates.
