One Piece has shown on more than one occasion that it is a masterclass of storytelling. A great testament to the series' ability to the great grand spectacle with as few resources as possible is perhaps its ability to create immense amounts of fear and respect for people who haven't even shown up yet.
Knowing a thing or two about leaving things to the imagination, One Piece is one of the best Shounen series at hype, crafting multiple legends for several of its key, influential figures. This list will be taking a look at a few, as it runs down 10 of the most hyped legendary figures in One Piece.
10 Captain John
Captain John was one of the most infamous members of the forgotten Rocks Pirates who left to create to his own band of scoundrels. While not much is actually known about his strength, power, or infamy, Captain John has created quite a legend for himself within the same vein as Gol D. Roger.
As evident in Buggy the Clown's own storyline, Captain John has a great, hidden treasure somewhere within the world, and its location is only accessible via his map and a mysterious looking glass. How valuable said treasure has yet to be seen, but it has certainly garnered enough attention out of Buggy to validate his entire journey. John himself must have also been quite a formidable pirate, as his corpse was one of the ones used in Gecko Moriah's undead army.
9 "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk
Out of anyone else on this list, fans have probably seen the most material from Hawkeye Mihawk, and even that alone probably hasn't encapsulated what the "World's Greatest Swordsman" is capable of. His greatest feat thus far has been his fantastic cut of the icy plains of Marineford during the Paramount War.
On Kuraigana Island, Mihawk's aura alone is capable of subduing an ever-evolving race of intelligent baboons capable of learning and mastering instantaneously all manner of human martial arts and weaponry. Just once, the series really needs to show Mihawk in a full fight.
8 Kaido of the Beasts
An individual that fans may see in full action very soon, Kaido's introduction into the series was given with ominous mystery and hype. Through some mysterious means, Kaido has found himself incapable of dying, whether that means via a spear, guillotine, or falling from a Sky Island.
He has also gained a reputation as the "World's Strongest Creature," becoming infamous for never losing a one-on-one fight. So much hype and so many specific details are laid on this man. Hopefully, fans won't have to wait too long to see what it all means.
7 Dr. Vegapunk
While not a lot of love is given to non-warrior/pirate beings in the One Piece world, a lot of that attention for non-strength based character seems to be hoarded within the series' mysterious, leading scientist, Dr. Vegapunk. A brilliant young mind since even childhood, Vegapunk has loved inventing and has crafted a variety of advanced and unique machinery.
Much of those talents have been isolated and used by the World Government to supplement to their own military interests, but fans get to see some of his direct influence outside of Pacifistas within Franky's new body. It'll be really exciting to see how brilliant of a mind Vegapunk's really is and how he came to work (willing or not) with the World Government.
6 Monkey D. Dragon
Dragon hasn't even done anything in the series, and people still fear him. Infamous as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, the most wanted man alive, and the father of a rising pirate, Monkey D. Dragon practically lives in the fans' imaginations as this all-powerful, malevolent beast capable of taking on the admirals, the Emperors, and then some.
At the very least, he has this entire curious history that has left fans wondering how he's entered his current campaign, what exactly has he done as the main opposition to the World Government, and what his life was like before putting on the brown hood. Who was Luffy's mother and how does he feel about Luffy? Dragon is probably the biggest walking story in the series today.
5 Im
A fresh mystery among the One Piece hype, Im has entered the fan conversations as a new threat and the possible final boss of the entire series. Despite the narrative of the series being that leadership over the world is dictated by representatives of its 40 kingdoms and, at its most centralized, the Five Elder Stars, it was revealed recently in the series that the world of One Piece does have one, single ruler sitting on a throne in the shadows.
Everything from here is a total mystery. How strong is Im? Is Im even strong? How did Im gain their status? Why do they get to solely rule over the world? These questions and more will hopefully be answered within the next few years of the series.
4 Rocks D. Xebec
Rocks D. Xebec is a later entry to the One Piece canon that appears to have some of the most hype of all. He was essentially the big man on campus before Roger and Whitebeard fully took their domains. In fact, he was the captain of several of the world's key pirates, including Whitebeard himself, Big Mom, Kaido, Captain John, and a variety of other, mysterious big names in the pirating world.
He is supposedly the inventor of the Davy Back Fight and strong enough to have garnered the illustrious crew that he had by winning those games. He was a threat to the world that the World Government saw fit to erase completely for the history books, and it took the combined forces of Roger and Garp to take him down. What did this guy actually do?
3 Joy Boy
Joy Boy so far hasn't been painted as a character so much as a legend or a promise. His history mainly ties into some history with Fishman Island and Wano that involves either countries maintaining long term promises to the man. What really sets his legend off the charts is the recent reveals within the manga.
As it turns out, much of Gol D. Roger's journey was dictated by following the clues and legend of Joy Boy. That journey would essentially lead him to what is known as Laugh Tale and the supposed location of the One Piece. After seeing what Joy Boy had left on the island, Roger would only laugh. What mysteries have been laid out by the man who was essentially the Gol D. Roger to Gol D. Roger himself?
2 Mont Blanc Noland
Mont Blanc Noland is another entry to a long line of adventurers in the Grand Line who set a standard for heroism and discover within the world's haunting waters. While much of his legend has been spoiled in the children's books of the modern world, Noland was actually a brave seafarer who ventured out to the sea to make great discoveries.
At the very least, this has meant Noland finding the lost city of gold, as well as meeting and perhaps even saving the Tontatta of Dressrosa. Certainly not a liar by any means, Noland has earned great respect from those who know his truth.
1 Gol D. Roger
Last but not least is the legendary catalyst for the series as a whole. As the story goes, Gol D. Roger was king of the pirates. He had conquered all that was to conquer on the Grand Line and amassed a grand treasure, supposedly having reached and explored every corner of the world to have garnered the One Piece.
He was a mighty pirate to have earned the respect of Garp and pirate alike and must've been quite the fighter and pirate scoundrel given his equivalency as being the devil himself. What really sets his reputation soaring is the fact that on his execution platform, Roger would extend his legend a little more by sending off all manner of adventurer and criminal to the sea in what is now known as the Great Pirate Era.