One of the more under-utilized types of Haki in the series, Observation Haki has a major part to play in One Piece. It allows everyone who uses it to sense where others are by particular auras, kind of like a sixth sense. More advanced versions of the Haki allow users to peek into the future though, and these are more powerful than others. So, who are the strongest Observation Haki users in One Piece?
Warning that this article contains spoilers for One Piece through Chapter 1095, so catch up through MangaPlus or Viz before reading further!
What is Observation Haki?
In its base form, Observation Haki is like a radar of sorts. It allows the user to visualize where their targets are at any point. For some, it is strong enough that it attunes them to others’ feelings, like Queen Otohime. Most in battle use it as an easier way to keep track of their soldiers or opponents, and it can help to sense others and prevent a sneak attack. At more advanced levels though, some fighters become capable of hiding their Haki from others, suppressing it.
Then there is Advanced Observation Haki, more commonly called Future Sight. This allows the user to take a peek into the future, whether it be just a few seconds or even full minutes into everything. The more one trains it, the better they’re able to see what may happen and react accordingly. This is a huge decider in the fight between Luffy and Katakuri, as well as many more powerful battles.
16. Kozuki Momonosuke
It’s honestly amazing how great Momonosuke has a handle on his Observation Haki since he’s only a child. Even when he’s young, his Observation Haki allows him to hear the Voice of All Things, which is the same thing that Gold Roger had years ago that allows him to hear Zunesha. This is how he’s able to communicate with the giant elephant, and turn him away from taking down the borders of Wano.
Although Momo got a rapid age up to twenty-eight in the space of one night, it’s incredible how good he is at it already. With time and training from some of the Yakuza bosses from around Wano that are assisting, he’ll be great eventually. it’s incredibly likely that Momo also has Conqueror Haki, as his father Oden did at one time.
15. Queen Otohime
The gentle Queen of Fishman Island is one of the best at overall Observation Haki shown in the series. Her incredible Haki allows her to not just sense everyone around Fishman Island, but their emotions as well, and she’s incredibly in tune with them. The queen was known for swooping down from Fishman Castle whenever anyone in the city was hurt, crying with them. Unfortunately, she didn’t train it enough for future sight and was smoked by Hody Jones in a false flag attempt.
14. Koby
The young Marine is actually one of the best in the Navy when it comes to his Observation Haki. he’s even able to intercept a missile heading toward the ship carrying Dressrosan delegates. Helmeppo and the others are incredibly impressed, but his Observation Haki goes back way further than the post-time skip Reverie. Even during Marineford, Koby was showing levels of Observation Haki that could have rivaled Queen Otohime, and he’s still growing his powers.
Koby’s Observation Haki was so powerful in Marineford that it stopped the battle with Shanks’s help. Tired of hearing all the death and feeling lives end around him through Haki, Koby tries to stop Akainu. The results aren’t what he wants, but it does bring enough time for Shanks to come in and stop the battle, while giving the young Captain an incredible moment.
13. Garp
Of course, Garp is going to have great Observational Haki, because he has to teach Koby how to hone his. That said, Garp’s level of Observation Haki hasn’t shown any kind of advanced levels or Future Sight capabilities, so he may not be the most accomplished of all the fighters involved. Still, it’s enough to help him track down Koby on Fullalead to free him, and keep track of the battlefield on Marineford.
12. Usopp
One of the most recently developed Observation Haki in Dressrosa, Usopp is likely to evolve into an incredibly advanced user eventually. His father is one of the most terrifying snipers on the Grand Line, so the apple won’’t fall far from the tree at least. Usopp recently gave a major show in Dressrosa, sensing Sugar from nearly the entire span of the country away and shooting her. It’s not even the Haki that makes it impressive, but the engineering and sniping skill involved in creating a projectile to get that far.
Usopp is a prime candidate for Future Sight, and he’s definitely going to need it if he goes up against the Blackbeard Pirates sniper. Van Augur has the Warp-Warp Fruit, so he’s going to need some way to counter that incredibly fast speed. What better than the ability to see the future?
11. Sanji
One of the first to show off some impressive Observation Haki, Sanji is the best at it next to Luffy in the Straw Hats. That doesn’t mean much though, as he doesn’t quite have the level that Luffy has when it comes to Future Sight. He has incredible abilities when it comes to his senses with Observation Haki though, and it’s one of the reasons he’s able to get around to everyone so easily during the Raid on Onigashima.
Combined with his Sky Walk abilities and Germa exoskeleton now, Sanji is going to get Future Sight very soon. He already takes off quickly to save Bonney in Egghead since he can see where she is, but with his speed, Future Sight will make him deadly. There’s no telling who he’ll have to fight next, but he’s quickly become the fastest Straw Hat above water.
10. Silvers Rayleigh
Rayleigh is the one who teaches Luffy everything about Haki, and it’s safe to say he knows what he teaches. Throughout his time on the Grand Line Rayleigh was feared as the Dark King thanks to his incredible Haki and battle capability. Even in his older age, his Observation, Conqueror, and Armament Haki are something to fear.
9. Yasopp
The father of Usopp is known far and wide across the Grand Line as the sniper for Red Hair Shanks, and his Observation Haki is one of the best, even next to his boss. Yasopp isn’t known yet to have Future Sight, but he does have great Observation ability shown during One Piece Film Red. The ability he has is going to be a benchmark for his son to surpass, and there’s no doubt that Usopp is just starting the journey to catch up with his father.
8. Dracule ‘Hawkeye’ Mihawk
Mihawk was one of the few able to go toe to toe with Shanks in his prime years, when he was known as the ‘Haki Killer’. This was because his Observation Haki was so damn far ahead that nobody else could keep up, but Mihawk was so damn good with a sword he was able to! His own Observation of Haki helps a lot as well, and he’s incredibly adept at sensing the Haki of others as well as the Future Sight aspect.
They don’t call him Hawkeyes just because of his striking gaze, his vision is almost as good as his Observation Haki. His Future Sight is still good enough to keep up with Shanks before he loses his arm. While Mihawk hasn’t had a lot of chances to show off in battle yet, he’s going to have his moment soon enough.
7. Gold Roger
Pirate King Gold Roger was a fantastic user of all three forms of Haki, and was able to use the Future Sight ability as well. It’s just one of the many abilities that allow him to overcome the Rocks Pirates and stay one step ahead of the Marines. It’s also this that allows him to hear the Voice of All Things, and in turn Zunesha. Roger uses it to seek out the various Poneglyphs scattered around the world, seeking them based on the calls to him they give off.
It’s evident through many of the battles he’s won, but Roger has a fantastic Future Sight. It allows him to stand up against powerful pirates like Rocks and Whitebeard as well as Garp, who has his own Haki ability. Combined with the other types he has, Roger earns the King of the Pirates title for a reason.
6. Whitebeard
Emperor of the Sea and former member of the Rocks Pirates is incredibly powerful, and holds all three types of Haki himself. Edward Newgate, better known by his name of Whitebeard, is one of the strongest pirates in the New World, and uses his Observation Haki not only to keep tabs on his large crew, but to keep his wits in battle. It’s even enough for him to see what’s about to happen seconds before the inevitable in Marineford, but he still doesn’t stop Squard’s blade.
Moreover, he’s still unable to stop Ace’s death despite all of his power. Whitebeard keeps fighting though, and his Observation Haki was enough to stand up to numerous foes. Through his long career, Whitebeard kept up with everyone from Roger to Kaido, and never gave an inch in the face of danger.
5. Big Mom
This Emperor is one of the most fierce in the New World, thanks to her ruthlessness and combined abilities. Big Mom has excellent Observation Haki, both with regular basic and Future Sight versions. She’s able to stand up to two Warlord Class threats in Wano, taking on Law and Kid at the same time. Big Mom isn’t someone to be taken lightly in any way, but her Observation Haki is only second to a few others on this list when it comes to a battle.
There’s an argument that her Observation Haki would probably be stronger if not for her laziness when it comes to using it. Big Mom doesn’t see many huge fights these days, and usually hangs around Totto Land before the situation with Luffy happens. She’s definitely off her game, as she doesn’t even notice the Straw Hats sneaking into Whole Cake Chateau and Brook being stolen back.
4. Kaido
Another Emperor, and one whose Future Sight is enough to give Luffy a run even after honing his against Katakuri. Kaido believes that Haki is the ultimate weapon, and he’s going to make him the strongest until he meets Luffy. The Observation Haki he shows off doesn’t quite give him the edge he needs to spot everyone sneaking into Onigashima, although he was really drunk. However, that can’t be much of an excuse for Kaido since he’s already drunk at every moment of the day. It’s still something when they start the battle though.
Kaido is an incredible challenge for Luffy, his abilities cluing him into the Gear Fifth transformation. It’s even strong enough to stand up to Snakeman, his Future Sight allowing him to avoid some of the most dangerous moves. Kaido’s Observation Haki may not stand up to the power of Gear Fifth, but it was more than enough for Luffy before.
3. Katakuri
The son of Big Mom is one of the most advanced Observation Haki users on the planet. While his time with it isn’t nearly as much as someone like Kaido or Shanks, his mastery and use of it at all times is insanely powerful. Luffy mentions multiple times how hard it is to maintain the ability of Future Sight, but knowing that Katakuri is constantly using it is an absolutely overpowered trait.
Then when it comes to their fight, he’s able to call. out Snakeman’s moves before they can even happen. This dude is able to block a Gum-Gum Black Mamba, and that’s something that almost knocks Kaido to the ground! Katakuri’s Observation Haki is going to come back big time later on in the story, and he’ll have a role to play in the final battle. No doubt that he’s going to be an incredible ally to the Straw Hat Fleet in the future to finish out the arc he begins as a Sweet Three General.
2. Monkey D Luffy
Of course, at this point in the story, Luffy’s Observation Haki is only the strongest after one person on the Grand Line. He’s gone up against everyone from Katakuri to Kaido, and manages to come out on top every time. It definitely doesn’t hurt that he has such great gut instinct in fights, demonstrated during times pre-timeskip like when he punches out Mr. 3 among the clones. It’s enough for him to figure out the light clones of Kizaru, and even catch many of Kaido’s hits before they land.
Luffy still has a long way to go when it comes to Future Sight though. He only just starts unlocking the ability after the bout with Katakuri, and he’s honing it steadily in his fights since. It wasn’t nearly enough for him to see the intrusion by Joseph during the fight with Kaido, but Katakuri has the same issue in his fight so that may play a factor. Still, his Observation and Future Sight are just some of the things that elevate him to Emperor Level, and he’s still going.
1. Shanks
This man is known across the Grand Line as the ‘Haki Killer’ when it comes to his Observation Haki. Shanks’ is so advanced that it’s able to block anything, and even great users like Mihawk and Katakuri would have trouble going up against him. It remains to be seen just how powerful it is since he’s rarely on screen for prolonged fights though. Currently, all of Shanks’s ability with Observation Haki is by reputation alone, and that’s what makes it so damn impressive.
There are going to be some big changes to the Grand Line in future chapters of One Piece, so hopefully characters have their Future Sight going. Shakeups are going to happen, and the Egghead Island incident is well underway. These Observation Haki users are the most powerful on the Grand Line, but even they might not be able to see what’s coming in the future of One Piece!
