Written by Devil Fruits in One Piece are usually considered to be the fastest way of gaining power. They give people incredible powers, from controlling fire and lightning to turning into powerful animals. However, every Devil Fruit has one big drawback – the user loses the ability to swim forever.
That trade-off would not be worth it for everyone. Some of the greatest One Piece characters became legends through Haki, sword skills, or abilities they already had. For these characters, a Devil Fruit would not make them better. Instead, in their case, the power of a Devil Fruit would only diminish them.
1. Shanks Would Lose What Makes Him So Special
Shanks has become one of the strongest pirates in the world without ever showing a Devil Fruit power. From stopping the Marineford War to defeating Eustass Kid with one Divine Departure, Oda has always used Shanks to show how powerful Haki can be. Even Admiral Ryokugyu backed down after feeling Shanks’ Conqueror’s Haki.
That is exactly why a Devil Fruit would hurt his character. Shanks proves that someone can stand at the very top through Haki alone. If he also had a Devil Fruit, he would no longer feel as unique. His strength would seem less about his own skill and more about another special power.
2. A Devil Fruit Would Take Away Jinbe’s Sea Strength
Jinbe from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Jinbe is one of the few characters whose greatest strength comes directly from the sea. For example, Jinbe, being a Fish-Man, can swim much faster than most individuals, as well as fight underwater and use Fish-Man Karate to control water in battle. These skills have helped him through multiple arcs, including the Fish-Man Island Arc and Wano Arc.
A Devil Fruit would take all of that away. Jinbe would lose his ability to swim, which makes him much weaker in the place where he is strongest. He also would not be able to dive into the ocean to save crewmates like Luffy whenever they fall into the sea. For someone whose life is built around the ocean, that would be a huge loss.
3. Roger’s Story Wouldn’t Feel the Same
Roger from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Pirate King Gol D. Roger attained his position without any Devil Fruit powers at all. In the flashback scenes during Kozuki Oden’s memories of the Wano Arc, viewers were able to witness how Roger battled against Whitebeard using only Haki and sword-fighting skills. These scenes prove how respected he was by everyone.
Giving Roger a Devil Fruit would change the meaning of his journey. One Piece has always shown that Roger achieved his status as one of the best due to his bravery, his leadership skills, and amazing Haki. That makes his story much more inspiring than if he had simply relied on another powerful ability.
4. Zoro Should Stay a Pure Swordsman
Zoro from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
The dream of Zoro remains constant. Ever since he made the vow to Kuina, Zoro has worked tirelessly towards becoming the world’s strongest swordsman. All the upgrades, be it the mastery of Enma and Advanced Conqueror’s Haki against King in the Wano Arc, came through hard work.
A Devil Fruit would take attention away from that journey. Fans would always wonder whether Zoro won because of his sword skills or because of his Devil Fruit. Keeping him as a pure swordsman makes every victory feel more earned and keeps his dream clear.
5. Mihawk Doesn’t Need a Devil Fruit to Be the Greatest
Mihawk from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Mihawk has carried the title of World’s Strongest Swordsman for years without any sign of a Devil Fruit. His famous duels with Shanks made both of them legends, and his black blade, Yoru, is proof of his incredible skill and Haki.
A Devil Fruit would only weaken that idea. The greatest swordsman should be known for mastering the sword, not for having another special power. Mihawk’s character works because his strength comes from years of experience and unmatched skill, and that is exactly how it should stay.
TitleOne PieceManga AuthorEiichiro OdaAnime Rating (MAL) – as of August 2, 20268.73/10Manga Rating (MAL) – as of August 2, 20269.21/10
Now the big question: Which One Piece character do you think would have been ruined the most by eating a Devil Fruit? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
One Piece anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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