One Piece is a large and diverse world full of some of the most colorful and wonderfully developed characters ever to grace the anime scene. It is a character gallery to rival the likes Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings, as there are sheer hundreds of named characters made throughout the series, each one with their own quirks and roles to play in the overarching plot of pirates and dreams.
With the large cast that it has and the series as a whole only focusing on a central 9 characters, it is very easy for a few characters to slip through the cracks and be missed within fan's memories, even important ones. In acknowledgment of plot and character yet to be pulled, this list will be running down 10 important One Piece characters that everyone somehow forgot about.
10 Joy Boy
Starting off this list is one of the series' biggest mysteries that really shouldn't be counted out, as the chapters etch ever so closer to the endgame. Hinted at during the Fishman Island Arc, Joy Boy was once a surface dweller who made a promise with Poseidon to bring the giant arc, Noah, to the surface.
With Joy Boy apparently having failed that promise, the residents of Fishman Island still hold on to Noah, as part of a mysterious promise to Joy Boy. With several legends and plot points centering on Fishman Island and its history, it shouldn't be forgotten of how large of a role the elusive Joy Boy could play.
9 Madame Shyarly
On the note of Fishman Island, Madam Shyarly is a major figure that the characters of One Piece really don't take advantage of enough. Owner of the Mermaid Cafe and ex-fortune teller, Madam Shyarly's ability to peak into the future really should be seen as an important factor within the series...if it already hasn't.
The series has already shown her ability's potential, as well as one of her new prediction of Luffy destroying Fishman Island (Still waiting on that, Oda.). With several different events popping up as of late, it would be interesting to see her powers come into play, as well as if they've been used in the past by anyone important. An oracle in any series should not be neglected.
8 Dr. Kureha
Definitely an important figure within Tony Tony Chopper's backstory, Drum Island's witch, "Doctorine" Dr. Kureha, should be a notable figure for a couple of reasons. For one, she's a notable doctor who's lived more than 100 years, with, as decrepit as she may look, doesn't really show in the way she moves and acts, let alone dresses.
In a world where scientists and geniuses are valued, such as in the way of Dr. Vegapunk or Dr. Hogback, it shouldn't be surprising to see in the future if Kureha's name were to come up. She's also aware of the "Will of D," an ongoing mystery whose knowledgeable members still seem to be few in the series.
7 Crocus & Laboon
While they are technically two characters, their meeting and importance are of the same, singular idea. While the Straw Hats may be focusing on their adventure of the year, it is important to keep in mind that each member of the crew has their own dreams and aspirations, with Brook's in particular being a significant tie back to meeting Laboon again.
It's not talked about enough in the series, but the meeting between the two is still one of the most awaited moments in the series. Crocus, on the other hand, should also not be neglected, since it has been revealed that he is one of the surviving members of the Roger Pirates, having been the physician to the Pirate King himself.
6 Shakky
Shakky played an important and influential figure for the Straw Hats during their time on the Sabaody Archipelago. What shouldn't be neglected, however, are the subtle pieces of hinting and foreshadowing the series preps for her as an important figure all around.
She's stated to have been a pirate about forty years ago (an impressive timeline for any person) and was once chased by Monkey D. Garp himself. In addition to being in a relationship with the Pirate King's first mate Silver Rayleigh, Shakky still holds an important history that the series has yet to see.
5 Soran
For those who don't remember, Soran was the little slave girl that Nico Robin met during her time on Tequila Wolf. While talking with Soran, Nico Robin finds that she has a strange ability to accurately sketch out islands that a captive girl like Soran has no business of knowing.
No one would blame you for not remembering her, because, in Eiichiro Oda's defense, Soran is an anime only character. However, it is immensely disappointing that she is, given that her story teases an absolutely insane power that not only has great potential but also hints at different elements of the world.
4 Koza
One of the One Piece's fandoms most beloved things to do is ship characters, one popular one in particular being a budding relationship between Monkey D. Luffy and Princess Nefertari Vivi. It's easy to see why. The two had amazing chemistry during the Alabasta Arc. However, the coupling is still disappointing given the crucial fact that the series already hints at a love interest for her: Koza. Koza was the young street rat who befriended Vivi when they were kids.
As Crocodile began his conspiracy on Alabasta, Koza turned revolutionary, much to Vivi's heartbreaking dismay. There are several elements here not only hinting at their possible relationship but also of Koza's possible involvement with the Revolutionary Army, all things that would be interesting to see if the series hadn't missed him for well over a decade.
3 Vice Admiral Tsuru
Several members of the Marines have caught people's eyes for their distinct character designs, well developed philosophies, and brutal fighting power. However, while Akainu, Garp, or Smoker who consistently dominate the screen, there has been one Marine member who's played an important part in the agency's history that the series has left in the shadows for quite a while: "Great Staff Officer" Tsuru.
She's a figure that has not only been treated with a great amount of respect in the Marine ranks but, as hinted at during One Piece: Film Z, once graced the Marine's own Big Three during an older generation, alongside Sengoku and Garp.
2 Brogy & Dorry
Forgive this list for including another double entry; but in defense, the long, lost captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates are always mentioned in tandem throughout the series and for good reason. Their absence has not only neglected the duties of the Giant Warrior Pirates but also left a giant hole (pun intended) within giant community.
Certain giants have joined the Marines under false pretenses of this, and Hajrudin has been taken the initiative in starting a New Giant Warrior Pirates. While it isn't mentioned a lot, it's still a long awaited moment to see when the day comes when they end their fight on Little Garden and bring their presences back to Elbaph.
1 Kaya
Within a similar note to the fandom's shipping of Luffy and Vivi, there is also a slight following for an Usopp-Nami relationship. Parts of a budding romance are there, in that the two are close and actively work together in different arcs. However, this is also a consequence of character neglect, as Usopp, more so than any member of the Straw Hats and possibly any character in One Piece, has already started a youthful romance with another character: Kaya, the rich girl from Syrup Village.
They had amazing chemistry, as Kaya would fondly await the stories from the town fool and Usopp would eagerly hand them out. While she is staying in Syrup Village to study to be a doctor, Kaya is still an important figure yet to come in Usopp's story.