It’s hard to really, officially ship anyone in One Piece, given its creator’s own contempt for canon romances. According to One Piece mangaka Eiichiro Oda himself, romance doesn’t belong in shōnen manga. Other than the actual married couples who have given life to the characters, One Piece fans shouldn’t expect any actual coupling in the series. Still, despite Oda’s curmudgeonly stance toward love, more than a few have crept in.
Ironically, that disdain for romance has made some scenes and dynamics across the series all the more impactful and surprising. Because Oda doesn’t entertain romantic themes, for the most part, the slightest romantic hints have become the center of a lot of fan attention. Official or not, there are plenty of romances across the story that Oda made sure that no One Piece fan would see coming.
20 Kaido X Big Mom
A Mountruous Power Couple of Yonkos
Kaido and Big Mom’s connection goes back a long time, as they were part of the Rock’s pirates. Given Big Mom’s dream is creating a country with all races, and Kaido is the only oni seen in the series, it isn’t unreasonable to believe that LinLin could have been interested in having a child with him. One Piece’s author even shared an artwork where a young Kaido and Big Mom are riding a bike together, and they have palpable chemistry.
Additionally, Big Mom gave Kaido his devil fruit. However, given the 9-year-old gap between them, Big Mom has said she sees Kaido as a little brother. Also, Kaido called her an old bag, but he was still reminiscent of the time they met, and mourned her and the end of their promise to find the one piece together. So even though a romance won’t happen, they have a great relationship for monstrous characters.
19 Leo x Mansherry
A One-Sided Romance With Plenty of Potential
Another unexpected yet adorable ship in One Piece that often goes unnoticed is Leo and Princess Mansherry. Despite her short stature, Princess Mansherry’s feelings for Leo are impossible to miss. The Tontatta Princess was overjoyed when Leo came to save her from the Donquixote Family’s clutches and often seems to vy for Leo’s attention, asking him to carry her when she’s tired.
However, Leo, much like Luffy, is hard-headed and very oblivious to Mansherry’s crush on him. He sees her as hot-tempered and selfish but seems to care for her at the end of the day.
18 Mihawk X Perona
A Goth Couple With a Family Dynamic
Perona stayed with Mihawk during the time-skip and even went back to living with him after Zoro left and after going to Thriller Bark for Kumashi. Despite their relationship often seeming like a platonic, familiar dynamic because of the age-gap between them, numerous fans claimed they complement each other as Mihawk’s stoicism contrasts with Perona’s loud and childish personality, and she also brought out the greatest swordsman’s softer and more human side.
While not overtly romantic, their relationship grows to showcase hints of affection and care, like the fact they both cooked for each other and Perona helped Mihawk in his fields. She even loudly cried, and thanked Mihawk for everything he did for her, and he was relieved she would avoid the danger after the warlords’ dissolution. In the One Piece Heroines novel, Mihawk secretly planted cocoa trees so he could make her favorite drink. They even have matching goth styles, and fans can’t get enough of them together.
17 Usopp X Kaya
A Ship That Flew Under the Radar
Usopp and Kaya’s relationship, though subtle, certainly has the makings of a childhood romance waiting to be rekindled when Usopp finally returns to Syrup Village. The manga and anime mostly paint Usopp and Kaya as close friends due to Oda’s relutance to include romance, but Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece surprisingly leaned into the romantic aspects of Kaya and Usopp’s relationship much more, even giving fans a surprising yet fitting parting gift.
16 Vivi X Koza
A Wholesome Childhood Friends to Lovers Pairing
Another adorable instance of childhood friendship waiting to blossom into romance is that of Koza and Vivi. While Koza has gone under the radar since the Alabasta Arc ended, his relationship with Vivi and their backstory is quite memorable. The two have known each other for over a decade and are said to have often played together as children.
Even though their friendship began with quite a bit of fighting, Koza’s loyalty and respect for Vivi have been present since the very start. While there are certainly more popular ships involving Vivi, there could not be anyone more fitting for Vivi to end up with than Koza, considering his leadership skills and how well he knows her.
15 Franky X Robin
A Fan Pairing With Plenty of Chemistry
While Oda is strictly against romance within the Straw Hats, this does not stop some of them from having ripe romantic chemistry and an excellent example of this is Franky and Robin. Of all the Robin ships in One Piece, Franky and Robin, often referred to as Frobin, is arguably the most popular among fans, and it isn’t hard to see why.
Franky and Robin have many great interactions, such as on Sabaody when Franky seemingly tries to impress Robin, calling her attractive and a super archaeologist. Franky also diligently protected Robin at Enies Lobby, even heroically shielding her from the Marines’ gunfire. The two often pair up whenever the crew splits up to explore or fight and Oda often depicts the two together in color spreads and illustrations, leading fans to view them as an old married couple of sorts.
14 Shanks X Makino
A Possible Long-Standing Love on Dry Land
Shanks and Makino’s ship is rooted in their shared past in Foosha Village during Luffy’s childhood. Shanks and his crew used to frequent Makino’s bar, and his teasing and playful demeanor around her indicated they were comfortable with each other. Also, Makino was very caring towards Shanks despite the fact that he is a pirate, and was understanding even during the bar incident.
Because of this, when Makino is shown holding a baby after the time-skip, who is later revealed by Oda to be her child, and because she has not been seen interacting with other men, some fans theorize that the baby is from the red-haired pirate, although it would mean Shanks had to return to the island recently. The truth is that Shanks and Makino look good together, and they were really friendly with each other, which could have developed into something more.
13 Ace X Yamato
A Wholesome Bond With a Tragic End
One Piece‘s Wano Arc revealed yet another surprising connection between Ace and Yamato, who crossed paths when Ace happened to come to Wano. Meeting Ace was quite a turning point in Yamato’s character arc as he inspired her to chase her dreams and not be held down by her parentage.
While there is very little exp[licit romance between the two as they only met once and never saw each other again, the one night they spent drinking and exchanging stories paints a rather tragic picture of what could have been had Yamato and Ace been able to set out to sea together.
12 Zoro X Robin
An Unlikely Yet Compelling Romance
When Nico Robin first debuted, no one thought that she’d actually become a Straw Hat. She was, after all, an ex-assassin who just hopped aboard the Going Merry after things fell through with Baroque Works. While Monkey D. Luffy was quick to accept the lady who once tried to blow up his crew, Roronoa Zoro was less welcoming. This initial skepticism is perhaps what makes a perspective romance between Robin and Zoro so compelling.
Given that they’re two of the only Straw Hats with any sort of romantic tension, Zoro and Robin are a popular ship among fans of the series.
Zoro was immediately at odds with Robin and promised that her transition into the crew wouldn’t be easy. Little did he know that he’d come to save her time and time again. While Sanji and Luffy have come to Robin’s aid plenty of times, their last-minute saves never had the same romantic charge as the iconic scenes when Zoro saved her on Skypeia or fought for her against Kaku.
11 Zoro X Hiyori
A Bond Born During Hardships
Zoro and Princess Hiyori is one of the most popular ships that One Piece fans expect to become official. Even though Zoro hasn’t shown any interest in a romantic relationship, it is undeniable that Hiyori was attracted to him after he demonstrated his ability as a warrior and helped her in her time of need.
Hiyori and Zoro share a bond of mutual understanding and respect, and she was able to open up to him and be vulnerable. Hiyori sweetly took care of Zoro while he was gravely injured after saving her and willingly gave him the sword she had received from her father, showing her trust in him. Since she is not part of the Straw Hats, Hiyori may be the most likely match for Zoro at the end of the series.
10 Sanji X Pudding
A Classic Enemies-To-Lovers Affair
Despite Sanji and Charlotte Pudding being put in an actual arranged marriage, few, both in universe and out, actually thought there was anything in the coupling. The lack of feelings between the Pudding and Sanji was seemingly confirmed when Pudding revealed her true intentions. In a grand plot to usurp the Vinsmoke Family, Sanji was just a pawn in the merciless hands of the Charlotte Family who was forced to go as far as to betray his crew.
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Once Pudding started laughing at Sanji’s desperate confessions of love, coming during arguably the hardest time of his life (not in a prison cell), the fans were quick to turn on her. And, just as quick, they turned back when Sanji, with a sincere look of love that only he could pull, changed the fickle girl’s heart once again. Despite seeing the two meet under unfavorable circumstances, fans now just can’t wait to see what could possibly become of a perspective romance between the two.
9 Smoker X Hina
A Bickering Yet Endearing Duo
Other than the fact that the two are Marines, there wasn’t a lot to go on early on to actually get the fans shipping Smoker and Hina. Besides crossing paths on Alabasta, Smoker and Hina just appeared as two independent badasses metting justice on their own terms.
If it weren’t for Zoro, some people might have actually shipped Smoker with Tashigi instead, and Hina would never be part of the equation. However, Oda really set fans’ minds ablaze when he released a cover page of Smoker and Hina shopping together. What was once simply two hot-headed individuals has now become the bickering couple of the series. Though it might be a toxic type of relationship in real life, the bickering couple dynamic is quite popular with fans of shipping, meaning that Smoker and Hina went from nothing to a beloved potential romance with one cover.
8 Sai X Baby 5
A Romance That Bloomed on the Battlefield
This one really came out of nowhere in the story, especially given how little build there was initially for either Sai or Baby 5. The two met on the battlefields of Dressrosa during the Straw Hats’ altercation with Donquixote Doflamingo, and while both were initially enemies of the Straw Hats, Sai and the Happo Navy eventually turned to his side.
This would lead him to fight against Baby 5, but as per her gimmick, she quickly fell in love with him. Born into this world without love, Baby 5 has always been quick to seek romance, even in the middle of a battlefield. While most people would accept romance anywhere else but a battlefield, Sai oddly kept an open mind and would go on to save Baby 5 from the Donquixote Family and marry her into his own.
7 Bege X Chiffon
They Formed an Endearing Mobster Family
When Bege Capone first appeared during the Sabaody Archipelago Arc as part of the worst generation, nobody would have expected him to return as a loving husband and father just a few arcs later. What started only as an arranged marriage turned into one of the most wholesome couples in the series, since Bege and Chiffon have shown they genuinely fell in love and are obsessed with each other.
Bege and Chiffon also support each other unconditionally. Like when Bege agrees to stay and help with the Straw Hats’ plan instead of fleeing because Chiffon asks for it, and when she stops Gotti from attacking Sanji so Big Mom wouldn’t harm her husband. Showing how love can change people, Bege, Chiffon, and their son Pez have formed a comfy, happy mobster home with the rest of the Fire Tank Pirates members.
6 Rayleigh X Shakky
An Unexpected Yet Confirmed Couple
For those who don’t keep up with supplementary materials or have seen competing translations of the series, Rayleigh and Shakky’s relationship likely came as a shock. Though the two seem to be just close acquaintances when the Straw Hats meet them, Oda confirmed that the two are a couple, with some translations and interpretations out there claiming that the two are married.
There was initially some contention about Shakky and Rayligh’s relationship, as the Deep Blue Databook listed their relationship status as just friends.
However, there is a direct confirmation of the two’s relationship in Volume 2 of One Piece‘s Vivre Card Databooks. While not exactly an exciting reveal, it’s interesting to know just how close Rayleigh and Shakky truly are.
5 Sabo X Koala
Surprising Chemistry in the Revolutionary Army
Long before the Dressrosa Arc, Sabo and Koala were simply seen as two different individuals whose paths would never actually cross in the story. Sabo was in a state of narrative hibernation after Luffy’s backstory was revealed, and Koala’s arc was seemingly done after the Sun Pirates brought her home.
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Not only was it exciting to see her return as part of the Revolutionary Army, as well as Sabo not being dead, but fans were also ecstatic to see the two having a seemingly more-than-chummy relationship. While the pieces weren’t there initially, seeing Sabo and Koala interact on page and screen just clicks well with One Piece fans.
4 Sanji X Viola
A Passionate Duo With Similar Fighting Styles
While it shouldn’t be a surprise that a notorious flirt like Sanji has multiple ships, the arrival of this relationship did seemingly come out of nowhere. While walking through the streets of Dressrosa, Sanji immediately bumps into a woman running away from trouble who kisses him to hide from her pursuers. This moment immediately rushes to Sanji’s head, as well as the imaginations of the fans.
Despite this inevitably being a trap, Violet, aka Viola, seemed like the perfect match for Sanji. She’s a beautiful, passionate woman whose main fighting style consists of kicking. In shōnen stories, matching fighting styles means something deep. Despite this though, Viola has a potentially more interesting relationship that was strongly hinted at.
3 Doflamingo X Viola
A Hinted Affair That Didn’t Make the Cut
As long and detailed as One Piece might look, it’s surprising to learn that there are still plenty of details that don’t actually make the final cut of the story. One such detail is the tumultuous history between Viola and the Heavenly Demon himself, Donquixote Doflamingo. ‘
While Eiichiro Oda has given no solid details using the word “romance,” he has hinted at an “adult” relationship between Doflamingo and Viola in the SBS for Volume 83. Unfortunately, Oda isn’t likely allowed by his supervisors to share the specifics of this particular relationship. Still, knowing that the two hooked up is an interesting detail for fans of shipping One Piece characters, especially given the popularity of the enemies-to-lovers trope.
2 Chopper X Milky
Chopper Finds the Perfect Partner on Zou
As the mascot for the franchise and one of the few anthropomorphic animals in the story, few fans of One Piece have ever actually shipped Tony Tony Chopper with anyone. However, Oda took a massive opportunity to amend this during the Zou Arc, when the Straw Hats landed on a kingdom filled with anthropomorphic animals.
While Luffy’s half of the Straw Hats were on Dressrosa, Chopper’s team was busy rescuing Zou in the aftermath of Jack’s attack. During that time, a sultry reindeer aided him as his nurse, and with little ambiguity, Chopper seems to be taken by her. Given that Chopper is a reindeer doctor and Milky is a reindeer nurse, their relationship just makes sense on paper.
1 Luffy X Hancock
Luffy Unwittingly Charms the Stone-Hearted Empress
It’s weird to think that, at one point, no one was shipping Luffy with the empress of Amazon Lily. When Bartholomew Kuma first sent Luffy to the land of strong women, he was immediately at odds with the citizens, especially Boa Hancock.
Not only did she have an everlasting hate for all men, Luffy trespassed on her bath quarters and saw her greatest shame tattooed on her back. Spiteful, Hancock immediately tried to have him killed, setting people’s bars really low for a potential romance. Despite this, it just took Luffy’s ingenuity and kindness to not only sway her but even get Boa to fall in love with him.
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One Piece isn’t likely to turn into a romance manga anytime soon. While similar franchises like Naruto and even Dragon Ball haven’t shied away from showing relationships develop over time, that’s been much less true for One Piece. Still, that doesn’t mean the world’s most famous pirate manga/anime franchise doesn’t have its share of romances. Love might not be the focus of One Piece, but that just makes the few hints at genuine romance there are stick with fans all the more.
One Piece is available from Crunchyroll.
One Piece
- Created by
- Eiichiro Oda
- First Film
- One Piece: The Movie
- Cast
- Kazuya Nakai , Akemi Okamura , Kappei Yamaguchi , Hiroaki Hirata , Ikue Ôtani , Yuriko Yamaguchi
- Character(s)
- Monkey D. Luffy , Roronora Zoro , Nami (One Piece) , Nico Robin , Usopp (One Piece) , Vinsmoke Sanji , Tony Tony Chopper , Franky (One Piece) , Jimbei (One Piece)