Unleashing Potential: Fan-Favorite One Piece Characters Who Deserve a Canon Manga Debut

  For decades, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece has captivated a global audience with its rich world-building, epic battles, and unforgettable cast of characters. The main manga serves as the central narrative, but the One Piece universe is also home to a vast array of unique individuals introduced through filler arcs, movies, and video games. While many of these non-canon characters serve their purpose within their respective stories, some possess such compelling backstories, dynamic designs, and powerful abilities that fans argue they deserve a place in the main storyline. As the final saga of the manga unfolds, the call for Oda to integrate these fan-favorites into the canon has grown louder than ever. This article explores some of the most popular and deserving non-canon characters and makes a compelling case for why they should be written into the One Piece manga, potentially adding new layers of depth and excitement to the series’ conclusion.

Why Non-Canon Characters Deserve a Place in the Manga

The argument for incorporating non-canon characters goes beyond mere fan service. Many of these individuals could fulfill crucial roles, either by adding new challenges for the Straw Hat Pirates, providing valuable allies in the final war, or simply expanding on the lore of the world. By making a character canon, Oda can retroactively give their stories weight and meaning, potentially tying them to long-standing mysteries or unresolved plot points. This approach enriches the narrative and rewards long-time fans who have explored every corner of the One Piece franchise, from the anime to the films.

Furthermore, these characters often fill specific niches that are currently missing from the main roster. For example, a powerful fighter with a unique Devil Fruit ability, a skilled tactician, or a historical figure who can shed light on the Void Century. Integrating them would not only be a welcome surprise but could also provide strategic advantages for the Straw Hat Grand Fleet and their allies as they prepare for the final confrontation against the World Government.

Top Contenders for a Canon Debut

Here are some of the most compelling non-canon characters that fans believe deserve to be written into the main One Piece manga:

1. Zephyr (Film Z)

Zephyr, also known as “Black Arm” Zephyr, is arguably the most-requested non-canon character to be made official. A former Marine Admiral and the founder of the Neo Marines, Zephyr is a complex and tragic figure whose story resonates deeply with the themes of justice and betrayal. His backstory—losing his family and then his arm to a pirate who was later granted a Warlord title—provides a powerful critique of the Marines’ flawed system. Zephyr’s immense strength, combined with his unique seastone-powered mechanical arm, makes him a formidable opponent and a legendary figure. Introducing him into the manga, perhaps as a character who survived the events of Film Z and is now operating in the shadows, would offer a compelling new perspective on the Marines and their inner conflicts. He could serve as a valuable anti-hero ally or a final test for the Straw Hats before the end. The sheer gravity of his character makes him an absolute must for canonization.

2. Shiki (Film: Strong World)

The legendary “Golden Lion” Shiki is another top contender. As a pirate who rivaled Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard in their prime, Shiki’s history is already woven into the fabric of the One Piece world. His escape from Impel Down is the first and only one of its kind (before Luffy’s later breakout), making him a figure of immense significance. While his defeat by Luffy in Strong World is non-canon, his existence is already confirmed in the manga’s history books. The manga mentions his infamous Impel Down escape, and a young Shiki appears in a flashback during the main storyline. The opportunity to reintroduce a living, breathing Shiki, perhaps as a shadow player or a new rival, is too good to pass up. His Devil Fruit, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, which allows him to make objects levitate, is one of the most creatively powerful abilities in the series, and could lead to incredible new combat scenarios.

3. Patrick Redfield (One Piece: World Seeker)

Also known as “The Red Count,” Patrick Redfield is an intriguing character from the video game One Piece: World Seeker. He is a vampire with the power of the Batto Batto no Mi, Model: Vampire Devil Fruit, which allows him to turn into a bat and drain the life force from his victims. Redfield’s backstory, involving a long period of isolation and a desire to live forever, touches on themes of solitude and the search for purpose. His abilities and unique character design make him a memorable villain, and his philosophical outlook could add a fascinating layer to the final saga. Introducing him as a new member of the Blackbeard Pirates or an independent force could provide a fresh challenge for the Straw Hats, as his vampire abilities are unlike anything seen in the main series. His inclusion would be a great nod to the video game community and a chance to make a video game-exclusive character relevant to the main plot.

4. Gildo Tesoro (Film: Gold)

While often seen as a typical movie villain, Gildo Tesoro is anything but. His backstory, a direct result of the injustice caused by the Celestial Dragons, is one of the most compelling and tragic in the entire franchise. As a slave who was forced to buy his freedom, Tesoro’s hatred for the World Government and his obsession with money are deeply rooted in a desire for control and revenge. His Goru Goru no Mi (Gold-Gold Fruit) is a simple yet incredibly powerful ability, allowing him to manipulate gold on a massive scale. If Oda were to make him canon, Tesoro could re-emerge as a major player in the final war, using his immense wealth and power to influence events from the shadows. He could act as a foil for both the Marines and the Revolutionaries, using his own twisted sense of justice to achieve his goals. His complex motivations and formidable power make him a perfect candidate for a canon role.

The Challenge and the Opportunity

Of course, integrating non-canon characters comes with its own set of challenges. Oda would need to carefully write them in, ensuring their presence doesn’t disrupt the flow of the story or contradict established lore. However, the benefits far outweigh the risks. By bringing in fan-favorites like Zephyr, Shiki, and Gildo Tesoro, Oda could add new dimensions to the final saga, giving fans moments they have only dreamed of. It would be a powerful testament to the franchise’s enduring legacy and a way to reward the dedicated community that has followed the series for so long. As the story races toward its conclusion, the possibility of these legends returning to the main stage is an exciting prospect that could redefine the final moments of One Piece forever.

The One Piece manga is currently in its most critical phase, with countless plot points converging and the final war on the horizon. The timing is perfect for Oda to pull out all the stops and surprise fans with some unexpected returns. While it remains a long shot, the possibility of seeing a legendary figure like Zephyr or Shiki re-enter the main narrative is a thrilling one, and a reminder of the endless potential that exists within the expansive world of One Piece. It’s a risk worth taking for the sake of making the series’ finale the most impactful and memorable one yet.