There are many stereotypes that iconically define One Piece villains. Bizarre laughs and dastardly plans rank highly among them, especially for the many antagonists that do not have any morals whatsoever. Some of these villains have even found a degree of success by the conclusion of their respective arcs.
Although the villains are almost always defeated, there are a number of perks about being one that cannot be overlooked. While these villains shouldn't be looked up to or emulated in any way, it becomes easier to understand why they embrace evil in the first place, even when examining them in the context of their ultimate downfall.
10 The Villains Are Almost Always Stronger Than The Heroes
A common theme throughout the series is that the villains are almost always stronger than the heroes. Sometimes, the disparity is so great that they completely annihilate the Straw Hat crew without ever being defeated themselves.
This phenomenon was most observed in the pre-time skip era, especially with antagonists like Kizaru, Akainu, and Magellan. As ubiquitous as it may be, there are rare exceptions against particularly unimpressive threats like Foxy, Don Krieg, and Hody Jones. Nonetheless, Luffy must usually undergo a substantial increase in power by the end of the arc in order to win.
9 One Piece Villains Have Hordes Of Underlings
Most of the series' villains have enough soldiers to vastly outnumber the heroes. The further the series progresses, the more lopsided this trend becomes.
For example, Big Mom raised an entire army to successfully capture Luffy. Kaido's Beast pirates also outnumbered Kin'emon's forces at an estimated 25,000 soldiers, ignoring his new Big Mom pirate allies. Hody Jones has the biggest army to date, with his New Fish-Man pirates consisting of roughly 100,000 soldiers.
8 One Piece Villains Benefit From A Long Reign Of Evil Before Being Defeated
Although most villains' stories end in defeat, that does not take away from their long and illustrious career of villainy. Some evildoers have even spent their entire lives unleashing atrocities before finally being brought down in their later years.
Big Mom, Kaido, and Orochi are all prime examples of this, with the latter ruling Wano since he was a young man. Doflamingo's evil has also thrived much longer than it should have, having only been defeated in his early forties. In the end, the harm these villains cause is not easily negated even after their defeat.
7 One Piece Villains Always Have Creative & Powerful Devil Fruits
Most of the series' villains benefit from powerful (or at the very least, creative) devil fruits. This was seen as early as the Orange Town arc, where Buggy's Chop-Chop fruit seemed a fitting rival for Luffy's own.
Logia users were particularly problematic to defeat since the heroes had no way of countering them until halfway through the series. Even afterward, many of the Straw Hat pirates still do not use armament haki and are completely powerless against specific threats.
6 Most Villains Defeat Luffy At Least Once
When Luffy first encounters the arc's villain, it usually doesn't go well. Usually, the captain is defeated at least once and must grow stronger in order to make a comeback. Examples include his fights with Lucci, Kaido, and Caesar Clown.
Some villains are even able to defeat him twice before going down themselves. Crocodile was the first instance of this, having bested Luffy once in the desert and again at Alabasta palace. Unfortunately for the villains, they are usually too prideful or somehow unable to finish Luffy off after beating him.
5 Most Villains Have Absurdly High Bounties
Most villains are also pirates, making them enemies of the World Government. Although having a high bounty technically makes one a more appealing target, it is also a sign of prestige in the seafaring world. The higher the price one has on their head, the more respectable their crew becomes.
Although most villains rank in the mid to high hundred million categories, some of them are worth several billion berries. High-profile threats like Blackbeard and Kaido are the best instances of absurdly high bounties.
4 Some Villains Are Never Actually Punished For Their Crimes
There are a number of villains who haven't actually been punished for their crimes. For instance, although Luffy punched Charloss in the face, it didn't actually stop him from being a slave-purchasing monster, as seen in the Reverie arc.
Similarly, since Foxy still had an ample number of his men by the end of the Davy Back games, he could continue to rob other pirates of their crews. Even Gecko Moria, a man with no respect for the dead, fought at Marineford after being defeated once before.
3 One Piece Villains Have Great Character Designs
The series' villains have great character designs that accurately depict their tone and lifestyle. For example, the imperious Akainu is formal albeit tattooed and crass, suggesting his enthusiasm to enforce the law through his own means.
Pirate villains are just as well-thought-out. Arlong's tattoo was an early indication of the Sun pirates, and Eneru's bare chest insinuated his cockiness since he didn't need armor. Similarly, Gecko Moria's short and stout proportions convey how he is a shadow of his former self and lost his dreams after being defeated at Wano.
2 One Piece Villains Never Die
Some villains are never properly punished for their crimes. However, even the ones that are seldom get defeated in a meaningful way. Technically, nothing is preventing them from returning after Luffy leaves in order to cause more trouble.
Eneru could have returned to destroy Skypiea at any time, and Kuro could've simply waited until the Straw Hats left to plumber Syrup Village's riches by force. Considering that he was willing to wait years in order to deceive Kaya, the latter villain clearly has the patience for such a ploy to pay off.
1 Many Villains Return As Luffy's Ally
While many villains are certainly irredeemable, others have returned as Luffy's allies. Both Crocodile and Buggy saved his life at the battle for Marineford, which better justifies his unspoken decision to spare his enemies.
Bon Clay was also a tremendous credit to Luffy's cause. Not only did he prevent the marines from pursuing the Straw Hats at Alabasta, but he also sacrificed his freedom in order for the other inmates to escape Impel Down. Given Magellan's vindictiveness, it could have even cost Clay his life.