One Piece is an action shonen anime where the power of friendship among crewmates is very real. Protagonist Monkey D. Luffy views all his Straw Hat Pirate crewmates as treasured friends and allies, or nakama, and he trusts each of them with his life. Fighters such as Sanji and Roronoa Zoro always have Luffy's back, even at the risk of their own lives.
Luffy's nakama values may extend to other shonen anime characters too, such as those in Bleach, another "big three" anime title. A handful of Bleach's heroes have the heart of a Straw Hat fighter, and Luffy would gladly fight alongside them against foes like Doflamingo or Captain Blackbeard.
10 Rukia Kuchiki Shares Her Heart With Her Friends
Monkey D. Luffy needs Bleach teammates who believe in the power of friendship and can put up with his loud, wild behavior on a mission. Rukia Kuchiki may be a duty-bound Soul Reaper tsundere rather than a pirate, but she does share Luffy's value of nakama.
Even without a pirate ship, Rukia cherishes her friends, who are like her own crew. This makes Rukia sympathetic to Luffy's sentimental power of friendship, and Rukia even says that the intangible "heart" binds friends together.
9 Kukaku Shiba Is A Playful Kido Specialist
Luffy gets along with teammates and crewmates who are on his emotional wavelength, and that means Kukaku Shiba the kido specialist from Bleach fits the bill. Kukaku, like Luffy, is a brave and goofy fighter who will jump into any battle with a grin on her face.
Kukaku's explosive, firework-style kido may remind Luffy of a Devil Fruit power, so he would have fun fighting alongside Kukaku as a partner. Kukaku, meanwhile, would see Luffy as a cool little brother who needs her guidance during an adventure.
8 Uryu Ishida's Nakama Values Go Beyond Ancient Grudges
The Quincy archer Uryu Ishida once thought he was "supposed" to hate Soul Reapers because of the long-standing feud between Soul Reapers and the Quincy tribe. Then, the tsundere Uryu realized that the power of friendship with Ichigo transcends all barriers.
This open-minded, friendly attitude is what Luffy needs in a crewmate aboard his ship. No matter their background or native tribe, all Straw Hat pirates are equals who must understand and accept one another. Uryu shares those values and is a powerful archer too, making him a valuable recruit for Luffy.
7 Isshin Kurosaki Accepts Everyone For Who They Are
Most of Bleach's main characters are strong enough to fight alongside Luffy as fellow shonen heroes, such as Ichigo's single father, Isshin Kurosaki. They must also be open-minded and welcoming of others aboard the Thousand Sunny, and that includes Isshin.
Isshin once gave up his Soul Reaper powers and his Captain rank to save Masaki, a Quincy girl who needed help. This incredible, selfless feat of courage and loyalty would deeply impress Luffy and earn Isshin a place by Luffy's side as a fellow shonen protagonist.
6 Captain Shunsui Kyoraku Is Tough But Funny, Like Luffy
Captain Shunsui Koraku is a highly respected Soul Reaper, and not just because of his formidable combat skill and extensive experience. Personally, Shunsui Kyoraku is easy to get along with because he takes his duty seriously, but doesn't act like it. He's an easygoing, friendly Captain who can easily make friends.
That's the kind of person Luffy likes to have by his side in a fight. Luffy appreciates how serious Robin and Nami can be, but he also enjoys the company of crewmates who relax and don't take things too seriously. He and Kyoraku could get along well as tough but friendly crewmates.
5 Sajin Komamura Will Risk His Life For Honor & Friendship
The huge, wolf-headed Captain Sajin Komamura is another Soul Reaper who embodies many Straw Hat values, and he is a powerful warrior, too. Sajin got a second chance when Yamamoto accepted him for who he is, and Sajin will gladly lay down his life to repay Yamamoto for that favor.
Sajin is also brave, responsible, honorable, and fair as a Captain. These are essential traits for any Straw Hat pirate, so Luffy would happily fight alongside Sajin in any battle on the high seas. Sajin, in return, would find Luffy amusing and inspiring as a fellow captain.
4 Yasutora "Chad" Sado Is A Straw Hat At Heart
Ichigo's best friend, who often goes by Chad, has the heart of a true Straw Hat pirate. Chad was once a lost, angry, and violent youth, but then he learned to use his immense strength to protect other people. Next, Chad met and befriended Ichigo after the latter saved him from bullies.
Chad, like Luffy and the other Straw Hats, always puts his friends first when the action starts. In many story arcs, Chad was inspired to fight even harder when he thought of his friends and their own strength. If Chad and Luffy met, they would become instant crewmates.
3 Momo Hinamori Cherishes All Her Friends
Lieutenant Momo Hinamori of squad 5 has a flame-based zanpakuto, and her heart also burns with passion. Even if she acts like the shy, bookish type at times, Momo is a friendly and sentimental Soul Reaper who would do anything for a friend in battle.
Momo's clever mind, powerful kido-type zanpakuto, and power of nakama would all make her a fine crewmate for Luffy. She is also friendly and easy to get along with, like Shunsui. Momo and Luffy could have all kinds of fun together as crewmates.
2 Toshiro Hitsugaya Has Ice Powers & A Warm Heart
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is a talented boy who has powers beyond his years as a Soul Reaper commander. Toshiro also takes himself seriously as a Captain, but he can't deny his warm, fuzzy feelings for childhood friends such as Momo Hinamori. He's also protective of his Lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto.
Luffy would see right through Toshiro's icy exterior and recognize the good-hearted boy underneath, then recruit him to the Straw Hat pirates. Luffy needs talented fighters like Toshiro by his side, and Luffy is certain that the power of true friendship will convince Toshiro to show his kinder side, too.
1 Renji Abarai Is The Next Roronoa Zoro
Luffy needs reliable, tough allies who can stand up to the four Emperors and the warlords of the sea on a high-stakes mission. Roronoa Zoro the swordsman is Luffy's toughest sword-slinging ally, but if Luffy needs another, he should recruit Lieutenant Renji Abarai.
Renji is everything a shonen protagonist needs in a sidekick. Renji is skilled, brave, reliable, and loyal in battle, just like Zoro. He's got bankai, too. Renji might find Luffy slightly annoying, but against a common foe, the two of them would be perfect partners.