Pirate King

In the anime and manga One Piece, the fictional Pirate King (called King of the Pirates in the English versions) is the strongest pirate alive and owner of the legendary treasure that was later dubbed as "One Piece". "Kaizoku-Ō" (海賊王), the source of the term, literally means "Pirate King".

The English manga initially used "Pirate King" but later switched to "King of the Pirates". After "King of Pirates" became used in the manga, 4Kids chose to use "King of the Pirates" for the dub of One Piece.

The term "Pirate King" was originally simply a nickname for Gol D. Roger to distinguish himself among swashbucklers. Upon Roger's execution, the name was romanticized by the people of the One Piece world into an actual title, much in the same way One Piece itself was simply "Roger's treasure" until the Pirate King's death. In the English manga and anime, "Pirate King" clearly marks this distinguishment; although Gol D. Roger was Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy seeks to become the new Pirate King 22 years later.

Before his death, Pirate King Gol D. Roger hid the One Piece. It was rumored to be located at Raftel, the island at the end of The Grand Line. The frenzy over discovering and owning such a massive treasure sparked the "Great Age of Pirates". Until One Piece has been claimed, there will be no current Pirate King.

Right now, the closest person to becoming the Pirate King is Whitebeard (Edward Newgate). However, many people who had met Luffy, such as Coby and Helmeppo, believed that he will be the Pirate King; Kokoro also started to call Luffy as Pirate King himself.

Caniddates for Pirate King

 * Whitebeard - Ace states he will make Whitebeard the Pirate King. Whitebeard is currently the strongest ranked man in the world.
 * Blackbeard - Blackbeard spent decades in Whitebeard's crew planning and waiting for the right moment to make his move.
 * Luffy - Looking for One Piece to become Pirate King. This is his dream.
 * Buggy - Looking to become Pirate King, Buggy's aim is to claim all the worlds riches for himself.
 * Shanks - Although it has not been stated what his goal is, all members of the Yonkou are candidates for Pirate King.
 * Sir Crocodile- Although it was once his dream to become Pirate King, he lost sight of it during his time in the Grand Line. However, in Miss Golden Weeks mini-arc her powers reveal that it was his dream at one point, and may still be his true dream.

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