One Piece's Greatest Villain Is Still Untouchable Even After 24 Years

There isn't another series quite like One Piece. It's an anime series that defines the genre itself, and while the Straw Hat Pirates are always some of the most entertaining characters on-screen, there's one villain that truly captures what the series is about.

There are a ton of great villains in One Piece, but only one of them can be considered the best. To be the best villain in the franchise, an antagonist doesn't have to be the strongest, or even the most evil, but he does need to combine a series of Machiavellian traits to become the most significant.

One Piece Is a Landmark Anime Series

One Piece is able to be considered the single greatest anime series ever made. There are a lot of great anime series out there that could contend for the top spot, like Dragon Ball, Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and even the latest addition to the highest tier of anime, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, but even these titans of anime don't have what One Piece has.

One Piece has a longevity that is nearly unrivaled. It's one of the longest running anime series ever made, and even after over 1,000 episodes, the series shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, One Piece may be more exciting than ever, and that's saying something after some of the amazing arcs that it's showcased.

There's no telling when exactly One Piece will end, but the finale does look closer than ever. When One Piece finally does reach its conclusion, it'll be a moment unlike any other. One Piece has introduced the world to anime, and it's set a standard that few other franchises can even get close to.

There are a lot of reasons to love One Piece: the character designs, a world filled with lore, and captivating abilities that transcend normal boundaries. Every anime series has villains, but One Piece's and truly on another level.

The Franchise Is Filled with Great Villains

The villains in One Piece are some of the best in anime. They're terrifyingly destructive, capable of changing the world for the worse, and nearly unstoppable. If it wasn't for Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats' sheer determination and power of will, the world would be in a much worse place with these villains still in charge.

From the beginning of the series, the villains in One Piece have made the series iconic. From Kuro's sadistic transformation to the Five Elders' introduction, there has been no shortage of great antagonists.

There are a few villains in the franchise that stand out, however. Blackbeard looks to be Luffy's true rival, as the pair are almost the exact opposite of one another. Blackbeard stands for destruction and despair, while Luffy helps nearly everyone he meets and has quite literally become the symbol of liberation.

Kaido is a monstrosity of a character, Crocodile is an evil genius, and Rob Lucci will do anything but the right thing. Out of all of these amazing villains, however, there's one that captivates crowds and encapsulates what One Piece is about better than anyone else.

Donquixote Doflamingo Is the Most Iconic Villain in One Piece

Out of every villain in One Piece, there's not another antagonist as iconic as Donquixote Doflamingo. He's not the strongest character in One Piece, nor is he the most important villain to the story, and if anything, those two facts make his character even more impressive.

When people think of villains in One Piece, their first thought is of this former Warlord. Doflamingo is so ridiculously unique that he stands out in a world filled with wonderful individuality. Every villain in One Piece has their own theme that defines them, but none of them compare to Doflamingo.

Even his name makes him stand out. Don Quixote is one of the most famous novels in history, and Doflamingo looks like the evilest version of a flamingo that could exist. His design matches his character as well, as the giant fluffy pink cape that he wears is a perfect analogy for Doffy's fake exterior.

Doflamingo has an insanely strong Devil Fruit that he uses masterfully. His Devil Fruit is so strong that it can cut Meteors falling out of the sky. It also gives Doflamingo the ability to fly, control his opponent's bodies, and create clones of himself.

There Will Never Be Another Villain like Doflamingo

No matter which villains pop up in the final arcs of One Piece, there will never be another like Doflamingo. He's a master manipulator, genius tactician, and a character worthy of the highest tier of characters in One Piece. His design is unreasonably amazing, his Devil Fruit is second to only a select few, and his evil nature is unrivaled.

Dressrosa is one of the longest arcs in One Piece, and Doflamingo makes every episode worth watching. The Heavenly Demon even made the way he walks iconic, proving that even in a world filled with amazingly evil villains, Doflamingo stands on his own.