One Piece has a vast world consisting of many lovable and hate-filled characters fans will be conflicted on whether they should support their cause. Further, the Straw Hat Pirates are amongst many fans' favorite characters because they may be marked as criminals but have hearts of gold.
Despite triumphing over many cruel people along the way, Luffy and his friends have encountered some challenging opponents that defeated them in brutal ways. Therefore, it's worth highlighting each Straw Hat Pirate's worst loss, giving fans reasons to respect their foes' many triumphant wins.
11 Vivi's Short Fight Against Crocodile Features Vivi Feeling Powerless & Weak Toward Someone Who Is Inciting Despair In Her Kingdom (Alabasta Arc)
Vivi was a former member of the Straw Hat Pirates crew, despite her decision to stay as Alabasta's princess, a plot twist many fans didn't see coming. Before making such a decision, Vivi managed to hold her own during her partnership with Luffy and others and had the guts to challenge Zoro despite Zoro defeating her and her comrades.
Unlike Zoro, Vivi wouldn't take a loss too seriously until she meets the man responsible for her country's saddening stature, being Sir Crocodile. Sir Crocodile had no qualms disrespecting Vivi's people, family, and her and even toyed with Vivi by attacking her with his sandy abilities.
10 Jinbe's Fishman Karate Wasn't Enough To Stop Dracule Mihawk In His Tracks (Marineford Arc)
Jinbe is a formidable fishman in One Piece and has earned many notable victories, from Monkey D. Luffy to the deceased Porgas D. Ace. Not only was he pivotal in helping Luffy reunite with his brother, but he also helped Luffy get ahold of himself after witnessing the traumatizing event that occurred with his brother.
Despite being an honorable warrior with incredible martial art skills, Jinbe's strength was nothing compared to Dracule Mihawk's excellent swordsmanship during the Marineford Arc. Although it looked like Jinbe might take down Mihawk with his signature fishman karate technique, Mihawk swatted Jinbe away like a housefly, showing viewers that Mihawk's a One Piece character Jinbe may never defeat.
9 Nami Will Never Heal After All The Things Arlong Took From Her (Arlong Park Arc)
The Arlong Park arc is one of the best story arcs in One Piece that many fans love revisiting today because of the impact it had on fans' emotions. Nami's backstory made many fans shrivel in tears from the loss of her caregiver Bell-mère and her allegiance with Arlong.
Although Luffy and his friends make Arlong and his crew pay for what they did to Nami, they can never give back Nami the things she lost during Arlong's reign over her homeland, making her loss to Arlong feel more disheartening,
8 Robin's Battles With The World Government Continue In Her Defeat, Despite Finding People Who Care About Her (Enies Lobby Arc)
Nico Robin's best quotes in One Piece still resonate with fans because of how they relate to the friendship theme in One Piece. Further, Robin has endured loss regarding her close friend Jaguar D. Saul and experienced loneliness that eventually faded away after joining the Straw Hat Pirates.
Robin lost many battles against the World Government and was deemed a demonic child to those she tried to befriend while on the run. Although she's found people that care about her and don't believe in the lies the government stacked against her, Robin can never erase the label the World Government posted on her head.
7 Brook's Loss To Ryuma Shows Why He Isn't The Best Swordsman In The Straw Hat Pirates Crew (Thriller Bark Arc)
Despite Brook being among the best anime musicians ever, he's experienced many losses regarding his original crew and against a formidable warrior named Ryuma. Ryuma was Brook's zombie side, who wouldn't let Brook retrieve his shadow back easily and managed to defeat Brook two times despite him training for his second battle.
Despite Zoro defeating Ryuma and helping Brook reclaim his shadow back from him, it shows that Brook's training was for nothing as he couldn't beat Ryuma through his swordsmanship alone. Despite being an excellent musician, this fight showed Brook why Zoro is the Straw Hat Pirates' best swordsman.
6 Usopp's Loss To Luffy Made Him Realize That He Could Never Defeat His Captain, Even When Fighting For Something Admirable (Water 7 Arc)
Although Usopp may act cowardly and pathetic in fights, he's shown that he can hold his own against some powerful foes in the One Piece world. Although Usopp can defeat some One Piece characters, he stood no chance in defeating his captain, Luffy, during the Water 7 Arc.
Despite having the Going Merry's thoughts in his mind while fighting Luffy, Usopp didn't harbor the strength to knock out his captain and defeat him. Although Luffy leaves his comrade defeated, Usopp eventually finds himself rejoining the Straw Hat Pirates in the Enies Lobby arc.
5 Chopper Risks His Sanity To Protect His Friends From Bartholomew Kuma, But Ends Up Failing Anyway (Sabaody Archipelago Arc)
Chopper may be one of the strongest anthropomorphic anime characters, but he wasn't strong enough to protect his friends from Bartholomew Kuma's wrath during the Sabaody Archipelago arc. Despite undergoing his intimidating Monster Point transformation to hold Kuma and Sentomaru off, Kuma had no issues sending Chopper away from the fight.
Kuma's powers enlightened many fans as they saw each Straw Hat get utterly defeated by Kuma, but what made Chopper's defeat worse was that he risked his sanity to protect his friends, knowing that he couldn't control his Monster Point form at the time.
4 Sanji's Loss To The Big Mom Pirates Leads Him To Betray His Crew & Feeling Downright Hopeless (Whole Cake Island Arc)
Sanji is familiar with losing to too many foes he stood no match against whether they were strangers or family members. Not only did Big Mom's crew humiliate Sanji from an emotional standpoint, but they also forced him to betray his friends, despite knowing how much they cared about his well-being.
Sanji's fight with Luffy wasn't an actual fight, but it was a beatdown that many found hard to watch from a moral and emotional stance. Although Sanji does make amends with Big Mom's daughter, Pudding, there's no way he'll ever forgive Big Mom.
3 Franky May Beat Spandam In A Brawl, But Couldn't Stop Him From Sending His Friend Tom To His Death (Water 7 Arc)
One of Franky's most notable losses occurred during his younger years when he was incapable of stopping Spandam from sending Tom away. Despite laying a sharp hit to Spandam's face during the time, Franky couldn't stop the sea train from taking his mentor away from him.
Although Franky's odds of stopping the train leaned on the impossible side, it was a remarkable effort to see him try to save his beloved friend from danger.
2 Zoro Admitting Defeat To Kuma Shows How Deep His Connection Is With His Captain (Thriller Bark Arc)
Zoro's loss against Dracule Mihawk may have served as a reality check for Zoro regarding him wanting to become a better swordsman, but submitting himself to defeat at the hands of an enemy —who isn't a swordsman— feels more shameful. Although Zoro does defeat several Pacifista during the Return to Sabaody Arc, he couldn't beat the real one at Thriller Bark.
Although Zoro deals damage to Kuma, he realizes that he couldn't destroy him or protect Luffy by fighting him because his body was worn out from their fight with another enemy. Zoro felt defeated and was even willing to give up his dream for his captain's life.
1 Luffy's Loss Against Marineford Fleet Caused Him More Loss & Emptiness Than He Expected (Marineford Arc)
Although many One Piece storylines drove fans to the brink of excitement and tears, many fans hold the Marineford arc in high regard. Not only was Luffy taking on more than he could handle with warlords, marines, and several admirals, but he sought to rescue his brother from said forces that were against his cause.
Despite putting up a great effort and fight to many's dismay, Luffy wasn't strong enough to complete his mission, which ended up costing him a lot in the end.