In theOne Piece universe, power is not the only trait a pirate crew needs to rule the seas. While most popular characters are presented as strong and mighty warriors, many excel for their brilliant minds.
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Yet not every genius in the series has a powerful enough mind to completely change the world around them. Below, we will discuss some of the most gifted and smartest characters created by Eiichiro Oda for his worldwide famous franchise.
Updated by Stefania Ikeda Stavridi on December 27th, 2023:We have updated and rearranged the list to include five more characters that have showcased their brilliance in the One Piece universe. More relevant information has also been added to each entry for a better understanding of the characters.
Spoiler Warning: Beware of major plot spoilers for One Piece!
Confirmed Third Highest IQ
What Makes Kuro Smart?
Kuro, though not a prominently featured character in the One Piece anime, holds a special place in the series as one of the initial villains encountered by the Straw Hats. Despite his limited screen time, fans express a keen interest in his potential return. Notably, Eiichiro Oda confirmed Kuro’s standing as the third most intelligent character in the One Piece world, with Nami and Ben Beckman at the top.
Kuro’s enigmatic tactics include orchestrating his own capture by the Marines and deceiving the world into believing his execution. Uninterested in piracy, he turned his schemes towards manipulating Kaya and her family for their fortune. Though defeated by the Straw Hats, Kuro successfully reunited with his former pirate crew, leaving fans intrigued about his future schemes.
Straw Hats Crew’s Genius Navigator
What Makes Nami Smart?
Nami, the Straw Hat Pirates' brilliant navigator, plays a vital role with her knack for navigating dangerous waters and interpreting the stars, wind, and waves for efficient travel, as well asmanipulating the weather itself. Even Oda himself recognizes her as one of the crew’s smartest members.
Nami’s skills extend beyond navigation, honed during her time as a thief, allowing her to read emotions and assess situations swiftly. Despite her intelligence and indispensable contributions, Nami may not boast grand moments like some crewmates, but her strategic mind and diverse abilities make her a crucial and valued member of the Straw Hat Pirates.
13Ben Beckman
Highest Confirmed IQ
What Makes Ben Beckman Smart?
Known for being Shank’s right-hand man, Beckman has been an intriguing character since he was first introduced. Unlike most of his crew, he is an analytical man who prefers to think about his next move before jumping into action.
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Oda himself confirmed that he hasthe highest IQof all the characters introduced during the East Blue Saga. We have seen Shanks ask for his advice several times, as the Yonko truly appreciates Beckman’s input. Sadly, we have yet to see him do anything significant with his high intellect.
12Dr. Kureha
Medical Field Genius
What Makes Dr. Kureha Smart?
Better known for beingChopper’s adoptive mother and mentor, Dr. Kurehais one of the world’s leading experts in medicine. She has been studying medicine for several decades, to the point that she can create antidotes for diseases that many would consider extinct.
Her expertise has led her to become the leader of the 100 Doctors of Drum Island, for whom she has trained eighty members. Few people in One Piece can say they are on the same level as Dr. Kureha. Still, her knowledge does not seem to extend to other topics, which puts her at a disadvantage against other geniuses in the franchise.
11Trafalgar Law
The Genius Strategist And Doctor Of The Super Novas
What Makes Trafalgar Law Smart?
As a member of the Super Novas, Trafalgar Law is best known for his powerful Devil Fruit and his outstanding strength. What most do not know is that the Heart Pirates’ captain is also one of the smartest individuals in the show.
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Contrary to most of his fellow Super Novas, Trafalgar tends to rely more on strategy than raw power. His Devil Fruit, the Op-Op Fruit, gives him the ability to transport and displace anything he desires in a certain range. To make full use of this ability, Law has studied the human body extensively. Nevertheless, he is not a scholar, as he does prefer fighting to research.
The Straw Hats Crew’s Wonder Doctor
What Makes Chopper Smart?
After his extensive training with Dr. Kureha, the young and talented Tony Tony Chopper joined the Straw Hat crew as their resident medic. The young reindeer/human hybrid may not bethe best fighter or the bravest warrior, but he does have one of the biggest brains in Luffy’s crew.
To become a better asset during fights, Chopper created a pill called Rumble Ball that augments his strength, durability, and speed. He is also smart enough to complete a cure to a previously uncurable disease in just a couple of minutes, as seen during the battle against Queen. However, Chopper still possesses the mind of a young human, which makes him act irrationally from time to time.
The Straw Hats Crew’s Cyborg Inventor
What Makes Franky Smart?
Before meeting Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats, Franky worked as a member of Tom’s Workers. During this time, he was severely injured in a tragic accident, forcing him to use his knowledge to transform himself into a cyborg. From that moment onward, Franky became enamored with technological augmentations.
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He can often be seen working on awe-inspiring pieces of equipment for his body or the Thousand Sunny. If not for Franky’s inventions, the Straw Hat Pirates would have been defeated in battle several times in the past. Even so, Franky can be quite reckless and impulsive, which can cause trouble for him and his friends.
8Doflamingo
The Charismatic Villain
What Makes Doflamingo Smart?
Doflamingo is a captivating and formidable villain in One Piece who is not afraid to employ various evil tactics, such as blackmail and manipulation, to achieve his objectives. He even seized control of Dressrosa, highlighting his ambition. His unwavering pursuit of vengeance against the Celestial Dragons is a central theme in his character development.
Despite his reprehensible actions, Doflamingo’s undeniable charisma makes himone of the most memorable villainsin One Piece. He is also a formidable fighter with keen observational skills that highlight his martial prowess, as seen by his ability to perceive the toll Gear Fourth exacts on Luffy.
7Nico Robin
The Straw Hats Crew’s Scholar And Historian
What Makes Robin Smart?
Ohara was a wonderful and prosperous island where scholars could go to learn about any topic that they wished to know more about. Robin grew up in this land and had to witness how her homeland was destroyed by the World Government for their research into the Void Century.
Instead of being frightened by this tragedy, the destruction of Ohara only emboldened Robin. She spent years researching the story of One Piece’s world, becoming one of the greatest historians in the franchise. She is, without a doubt, the smartest character among the Straw Hat Pirates, and her friends always trust her brilliant strategies.
6Blackbeard
The Scheming Villain Of One Piece
What Makes Blackbeard Smart?
In the expansive world of One Piece, Blackbeard is undeniably one of the most cunning and strategically astute characters. His intelligence and calculated moves position him as a formidable force in the pursuit of becoming the Pirate King. Blackbeard is a master of manipulating situations to his advantage, as evidenced by his orchestration of events, including the betrayal of the Whitebeard Pirates.
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His insatiable thirst for power is evident in his active pursuit of accumulating an arsenal of Devil Fruits. Despite his morally questionable actions, Blackbeard’s strategic brilliance is unparalleled. It is increasingly plausible that he may ultimately evolve intothe saga’s ultimate antagonist, standing as the formidable final boss.
