has introduced many notable characters. The stories of these characters are often followed in depth, through hidden narratives or parts of the main story that reveal their later involvement.
An example of this is the case of Crocodile in . This guy was previously one of Luffy’s toughest enemies but returned as his ally in Impel Down. He even helped Luffy during the battle at Marineford, as they both despise the World Government.
Since then, he has had a “resurgence” in the story, acting as one of the secret co-leaders of the Cross Guild – a mercenary organization that places bounties on the Navy. If Crocodile can become a formidable force once again, there is no reason why former villains cannot return to the story in a similar way.
Here are some villains prepared for a potential return in One Piece:
4. Gecko Moria
Current status: Escaped from Hachinosu
Gecko Moria is the captain of the Thriller Bark pirate crew. After the battle at Marineford, he was stripped of his Warlord title and hunted by Donquixote Doflamingo, but escaped to the New World.
Two years after the battle, Moria attacked Blackbeard’s pirate crew at Hachinosu but was defeated and captured when he refused to join Teach, as Absalom, one of Moria’s few human crew members, was killed by Blackbeard’s crew.
After being imprisoned for a while, Moria has now been successfully rescued by Perona from Hachinosu Island. Now free, it is unclear where he will go from here. It is very possible that Moria will join the Cross Guild, as he also has a grudge against the World Government and is a former Warlord.
3. Caesar Clown
Current status: Co-founder of NEO MADS alongside Vinsmoke Judge
Caesar Clown is a colleague of Vegapunk but lacks scientific ethics. Previously, he was a subordinate of Donquixote Doflamingo, exploiting his relationship with the government to conduct his experiments without fear of punishment.
However, Clown was captured by the Straw Hat crew and forced to ally with them for protection. After helping them in Totto Land, Clown was set free.
Recently, he has allied with Vinsmoke Judge, Sanji’s estranged father. However, this is not the first time this duo has met, as both were previously members of an illegal research institute alongside Vegapunk and Queen (from the Beast Pirates), known as MADS.
This duo has recently decided to collaborate on their research again to establish another research institute of the same kind, called NEO MADS. It is unclear to what extent this duo will reappear in the story, but they have many potential clients.
2. Charlotte Katakuri
Current status: Leader of the Big Mom pirate crew
Charlotte Katakuri is both the son and top subordinate of Charlotte Linlin, holding power in the Big Mom pirate crew. With the defeat of his mother and her presumed death in Wano, Katakuri has been seen by his siblings as a potential successor. However, his older brother Perospero also wants to take that position.
Most recently, Katakuri was seen listening to a message from Vegapunk along with some of his siblings. But prior to that, he fought against the Vinsmoke siblings.
With his sister Pudding having been kidnapped by Blackbeard, he may lead his crew to fight against the Yonko to rescue her. If circumstances require, Katakuri may even cooperate with Luffy to achieve his goals. However, any autonomy he may have is determined by whether Big Mom is still alive.
1. Donquixote Doflamingo
Current status: Imprisoned in Impel Down
Donquixote Doflamingo is a former World Noble who chose to become a pirate to reclaim the power he felt he deserved. After a successful coup to seize the Dressrosa kingdom, Doflamingo established himself as an arms dealer, working with many in the criminal underworld. Ultimately, the pirate alliance led by Luffy deposed Doflamingo, resulting in his imprisonment.
Now, even though he is locked up in Impel Down, the World Government’s underwater prison, he still maintains his spirit, despite lacking freedom.
Doflamingo, as a former World Noble, possesses sensitive knowledge, the kind of knowledge that the World Government wants to keep hidden from the public. This could potentially be his ticket to freedom. Like Moria, he may also join the Cross Guild, as he also harbors a clear grudge against the government.
