The marines of the One Piece universe are often associated with villainy. As servants of the tyrannical World Government, this assumption isn't entirely unreasonable. Many have doggedly stalked Luffy and his allies across the Grand Line and into the New World.
However, a handful of marines are devoted to truth and justice rather than blind obedience. They have made it their mission to target and eliminate threatening pirates regardless of the personal risk involved, adding nuance to the series' most prolific and oldest organization.
10 Tashigi Is A Kind Albeit Determined Marine
Tashigi was a marine who debuted in the Loguetown arc. She serves as a perfect foil to Zoro, both for her weapon skills and the fact that she resembles a close childhood rival.
Unlike many marine commanders, Tashigi shows genuine compassion to her subordinates, even the cutthroats of G-5. As a result, she is celebrated by her unit, both as a leader and as an individual. Her gentle nature also helps to keep Smoker from making radical decisions in his mission to capture pirates.
9 Helmeppo Had An Incredible Redemption Arc
Helmeppo was the spoiled son of Ax-Hand Morgan. Although growing up with a sense of entitlement, he quickly matured after his father's arrest and imprisonment. It encouraged him to take destiny into his own hands, train under Garp, and become a marine worth looking up to.
While nowhere near Coby in skill, Helmeppo was still brave enough to be at the front lines of the Marineford conflict. In this regard, he has already surpassed his father in both power and heroism. Like Morgan, he also has a weapon of choice - a pair of deadly curved swords.
8 Smoker Was A Grizzled Veteran Who Honored His Word
Despite being one of Luffy's most relentless pursuers throughout the East Blue saga, Smoker is remarkably honorable. He called off his marines at the end of the Alabasta arc even though he was in a great position to apprehend the Straw Hats. Though still considering them enemies at the time, Smoker respected that Luffy and Zoro saved his life.
He demonstrated tremendous strength of character again in the Punk Hazard arc when refusing to sell Luffy out to Doflamingo. This was especially noble since the warlord would have executed him if not for Aokiji's intervention.
7 Coby Is A Promising Young Marine With A Bright Future
Luffy first met Coby as an abducted cabin boy on Alvida's ship. He told him that life was too short to be a prisoner and that he should always strive to fulfill his dreams regardless of the cost.
Taking Luffy's words to heart, Coby joined the marines the second he could and began to train. Though still nowhere close to his goal, Coby has mastered CP9 techniques in an astonishingly short amount of time. By the series' conclusion, he may prove a serious challenge.
6 Momonga Was A Straightforward & Courteous Vice Admiral
Momonga was the vice admiral deployed to retrieve Boa Hancock for Ace's execution. Despite his entire crew being petrified, he was able to keep command of the situation, convincing the pirate empress to follow him and free his men. In return, Boa received the opportunity to visit Impel Down, which later resulted in a massive breakout.
Unlike other vice admirals, Momonga's diplomacy allows him to find solutions in otherwise uncomfortable situations. He is also a talented soldier, as proven by his contributions against Whitebeard's forces.
5 Fujitora Knew That Luffy Wasn't A Bad Person
Most marines blindly believe that Luffy and his crew are agents of destruction. Although Fujitora initially fell for the World Government's dogma, he kept an open mind and observed Luffy's behavior firsthand.
He was so impressed by the young man's efforts against Doflamingo that he even overlooked his escape once Dressrosa had been saved. Fujitora used the vast number of civilian vessels Luffy hid among to justify his restraint. If put in his situation, other admirals such as Akainu or Kizaru would not have been nearly so merciful.
4 Aokiji Had His Own Sense Of Justice
At first, Aokiji might appear to be another blind servant of the World Government. He helped to obliterate Whitebeard's forces at Marineford and relentlessly pursued Nico Robin across the Grand Line.
However, Aokiji has shown mercy to the Straw Hats despite having many opportunities to kill them. For example, he passed up an opportunity to finish Luffy off after fighting him for the first time. Similarly, he did not interrupt Water Seven's victory celebration even though they were technically all enemies of the government.
3 Jaguar D. Saul Stood Against The Buster Call
Jaguar D. Saul was a giant vice admiral who washed up on Ohara. He quickly befriended Robin and learned more about the scribes living on the island. When the marines came, he was horrified by the massacre they intended to perpetrate and helped Robin escape by carrying her in his hands.
Unfortunately, Saul was intercepted and killed by Aokiji. However, Aokiji was moved by Saul's sacrifice and did not prevent her from continuing her retreat. Considering that Akainu annihilated the evacuation ships, Robin is all that remains of her once-proud culture.
2 Sengoku Was A Steadfast Fleet Admiral
Sengoku was the first fleet admiral to debut in the series. Under his command, Marineford held out against three powerful pirate emperors, Blackbeard, Shanks, and Whitebeard.
He was perhaps the only marine capable of harming Blackbeard after mastering two devil fruits, which prevented thousands of deaths. Additionally, Sengoku's decision to allow Whitebeard a proper burial prevented what could have been a disastrous conflict with Shanks. Nonetheless, he retired and was replaced by Akainu shortly afterward. Though Sengoku remains affiliated with the marines as an advisor, he's nowhere as reputable as he was in his prime.
1 Garp Was A Model To Marines Everywhere
Garp is one of the few marines to command the respect of pirates everywhere. This was seen when he teamed up with Gol D. Roger in order to defeat Xebec, putting an end to his villainy once and for all.
Though powerful enough to become an admiral, Garp has declined the position time and again since he does not want to be a vassal of the Celestial Dragons. He is similarly opposed to the marines' excessive acts of barbarism, as seen when he attempted to attack Akainu for killing Ace at the battle for Marineford.