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For marine rank, see Captain (Marine Rank).

The title of Captain is the title given to an individual in control of a ship at sea, either pirate, marine, or civilian.

Role and DutiesEdit

Pirate captains are the ones who are at the very head of a pirate crew. They also tend to be the mightiest members of their crew, and most of them tend to exploit their strength even over their own subordinates to ensure loyalty. However, anyone can attain the rank of captaincy out of pure leadership, as a founding member or voted by other crew members. All major decisions are made by them, though they may be usually advised and influenced by other members.

Cricket Alone

Cricket's crew leaves him due to conflict of interests.

Although a captain may be the highest authority of the crew, there are situations where they are betrayed, overthrown and even killed in mutinies. Possible reasons include the captain acting selfishly at the expense of the crew (Kuro[2] and John[3]), conflict of personal interests (Montblanc Cricket[4] and Breed[5]) or when the subordinates try to flee in cowardice after their tyrannical captain is defeated (Demaro Black[6] and Hody Jones[7]). Upon confirming Monkey D. Luffy utilizing Haoshoku Haki, Roronoa Zoro claims that had Luffy not been able to perform at least this much, the crew would have to find a new captain, showing that at least he has high standards for someone to be his captain.[8]

Although rare, there are a few captains who would take on a role within the crew in addition to their captaincy: Zeff served as both captain and cook of the Cook Pirates, Brook was both the second captain and musician of the Rumbar Pirates, and Trafalgar Law is the captain and doctor of the Heart Pirates. There are also several crews that have two captains despite simultaneously, such as the Giant Warrior Pirates (Jarl and Jorl, and then Dorry and Brogy), the Decalvan Brothers, and the Caribou Pirates (Caribou and Coribou).

If multiple pirate crews were to form an alliance, the captains of the allied crews share equal standings, becoming co-leaders of the alliance. They thus have limited control over their allied crew's men, and when it comes to important decisions, their opinion must be included.

In a fleet, the captain that is in charge of it is referred to as "admiral" (or commodore in English dubs), while the captains of the subservient crews are known as 'division commanders'. When called upon by their admiral, the division commanders must follow their orders. However, when not under direct orders of the admiral, the captain is free to act as they please, provided their actions don't harm or cause trouble for the fleet.

Pirate CaptainsEdit

See also the associated category: Pirate Captains.

Active Pirate CaptainsEdit

Inactive Pirate CaptainsEdit



Renounced TitleEdit

Filler Pirate CaptainsEdit






  • Supernova Eustass Kid has the epithet of "Captain".
  • In real life, captains of pirate crews were often elected to their posts by a ship's crew. Even if they owned the ship, if the captain fell out of favor with their crew, another could be elected without notice. Sometimes, inadequate captains were even murdered. Also, cases occur when a first mate would kill the captain to take over.


  1. One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 2 (p. 1) and Episode 1, Luffy is introduced in the present time.
  2. One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 5 Chapter 39 (p. 16) and Episode 17, The Black Cat Pirates scream for Luffy to defeat Kuro for attacking them.
  3. SBS One Piece MangaVol. 49 (p. 128), Fan question: what is the history of Captain John?
  4. One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 25 Chapter 228 and Episode 148, Cricket's crew leaves him.
  5. One Piece AnimeEpisode 627, Breed betrayed and discarded by his crew mates.
  6. One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 61 Chapter 603 (p. 2) and Episode 523, The Imposter Straw Hat Pirates claim their captain forced them into impersonation.
  7. One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 66 Chapter 648 (p. 2) and Episode 568, New Fishman Pirates claiming that they only acted on Hody's tyrannical orders.
  8. One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 64 Chapter 634 (p. 16-17) and Episode 554, Zoro shows his expectations for his captain.

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