Ranking the 9 Most Selfish Characters in One Piece

Critical Insights on Selfish Characters in One Piece

Notable villains like Buggy, Caesar, Doflamingo, and Blackbeard are driven by their own selfish interests.
The cruel nature of characters such as Celestial Dragons and Orochi reveals a shocking indifference toward the suffering of others.
Ruthless figures like Crocodile and Arlong demonstrate a willingness to destroy lives for personal ambitions.

While fans are familiar with the altruistic characters from One Piece, like Luffy and his brave crew members, numerous antagonists in this expansive universe engage in self-serving behavior. Many of the adversaries Luffy confronts are depicted as unscrupulous, predominantly focused on personal gain, with little regard for the welfare of others.

Selfishness is a recurring trait among many of the series’ villains, who often manipulate or even harm others to fulfill their agendas. The degree of self-centeredness exhibited by these characters is profound, contributing significantly to the series’ conflict.

1 Buggy the Clown

Buggy: A Selfish Coward and Manipulator

First Appearance: Episode 4

Buggy epitomizes cowardice and self-interest. He consistently seeks to exploit those around him to achieve his goals. For instance, when he found himself imprisoned in Impel Down, he was quick to accept Luffy’s help but had no qualms about deserting him after getting past their mutual adversaries.

His rise to becoming a Yonko can largely be attributed to the efforts of others rather than his own combat abilities; his devil fruit power merely ensures his survival. Should he ever uncover the One Piece, the accolades rightly belong to his crew, not to Buggy himself.

2 Caesar Clown

Caesar Clown: An Unprincipled Pursuer of Power

First Appearance: Episode 581

Driven by ambition, Caesar Clown is hell-bent on becoming a wealthy and influential scientist. His moral compass is skewed, as he shows no hesitation in conducting horrific experiments on anyone, including children, all in pursuit of his own notoriety.

Even as a captive, he remains largely self-serving and displays little empathy for the suffering of others, never missing an opportunity to prioritize his safety over any potential heroic endeavors.

3 Celestial Dragons

Celestial Dragons:Indifferent to Human Life

First Appearance: Episode 391

The Celestial Dragons stand out as some of the most despicable beings in the One Piece universe. Their disdain for those of lower status reveals a chilling selfishness, often seen being carried by enslaved individuals due to their self-entitlement.

This sense of superiority sheds light on the bitterness felt by characters like Garp, who vehemently opposes serving them.

4 Doflamingos

Doflamingo: A Villain Molded by Betrayal

First Appearance: Episode 151

Born into a privileged background, Doflamingo faced a harrowing childhood that transformed him into a sadistic adversary. Betrayed by those he once trusted, his twisted sense of vengeance leads him to seek domination over the world, showing little to no concern for those he harms along the way.

While he displays a semblance of loyalty to his crew, this hardly compensates for his ruthless disregard for the lives of others in his quest for power.

5 Arlong

Arlong: Fueled by Hatred and Violence

First Appearance: Episode 31

Arlong’s deep-seated animosity towards humans stemmed from personal tragedy, leading him to commit heinous acts against the inhabitants of East Blue. His reign of terror resulted in the enslavement and execution of countless individuals, showcasing his ruthless ambition to establish dominion over the region.

Had he succeeded, the implications of his self-centered ambitions would have led to devastating consequences across the East Blue.

6 Crocodile

Crocodile: The Ruthless Shichibukai

First Appearance: Episode 76

The first Shichibukai encountered by the Straw Hats, Crocodile’s character embodies treachery and selfishness. By orchestrating the destruction of Alabasta to secure his quest for power, he demonstrated a complete disregard for the well-being of its citizens, all in pursuit of the legendary weapon Pluton.

His ambition to consolidate power at the expense of an entire kingdom highlights his ruthless nature.

7 Kaido

Kaido: The Exploitative Yonko

First Appearance: Episode 739

Emerging as a formidable opponent in the Wano arc, Kaido’s villainous inclination drives him to exploit the land and its people for his illicit dealings. His quest for dominance not only reflects his malicious nature but also a blatant disregard for the lives of those he tramples over, even going so far as to neglect his own family.

Kaido’s relentless pursuit of strength casts a dark shadow over the Fabled Land of Wano.

8 Blackbeard

Blackbeard: A Scheming Opportunist

First Appearance: Episode 146

Marshall D. Teach, or Blackbeard, embodies ambition at its most treacherous. While pursuing the One Piece, his ruthless disposition is evident in his willingness to betray and murder his crew for personal gain. Rather than forging meaningful relationships, he recruits those willing to serve his own nefarious agenda.

His unscrupulous nature makes him one of the most dangerous characters in the series.

9 Orochi

Orochi: The Self-Serving Ruler of Wano

First Appearance: Episode 921

As the acting Shogun of Wano, Orochi displays an alarming self-absorption that juxtaposes sharply with the plight of his starving citizens. He revels in luxury while perpetuating the suffering of those he is meant to govern, reflecting a twisted sense of superiority.

Orochi’s willingness to use SMILE fruits on his people, which disarmingly dull their suffering, illustrates how deeply he revels in his position of power, leading to devastating impacts on the populace.

In this land of stark contrasts, the consequences of Orochi’s self-serving actions echo loudly throughout the narrative of One Piece.

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