Which is the best Jolly Roger in One Piece? Is it Strawhats?

From the start of the anime and manga, we have been introduced to the concept of Jolly Rogers.

With thousands of variations and type shown to us, which ones are the best? Which flags intimidate others the most? Which ones are the most legendary? Read on to find out!

What is a One Piece Jolly Roger?

The Jolly Roger, also known as a Pirate Flag is the traditional flag of European and Caribbean pirates, envisioned today as a skull over crossed thigh bones on a black field. Various versions of the Jolly Roger existed over the centuries.

Oda himself provided some info on the Jolly Roger, including three possible theorized origins that have come to be accepted by experts:

Some say it comes from the French term “Jolie rouge” or “lovely red” possibly referring to blood.

“Roger” may have come from the word “rogue” meaning thief or villain.

It may have come from the term “old Roger” an old fashioned name for the Devil. The Jolly Roger is hugely recognized to mean “danger” worldwide.

2. Significance of a Jolly Roger in One Piece

In One Piece, there are many Jolly Roger flags. Jolly Rogers generally help pirates determine who belongs to which crew, or even who is a pirate in the first place. Many choose to bear their crew’s flag somewhere on their being (such as Portgas D. Ace).

Certain nations who understand the ideals of the Jolly Roger, or have turned against ideas of the World Government, also raise the flag.

All those that sail under a Jolly Roger are supposed to show respect for their chosen flag and honour it always as it represents the crew itself. Once the flag is gone, the crew can no longer sail under it and therefore everything linked with the flag is gone.

However, raising the Jolly Roger is considered a huge crime by the Marines and anyone seen doing so will be considered criminal.

The designs of the Jolly Roger usually reflect the interest or physical appearance of the captain of the crew. Some examples of such types of Jolly Rogers are Shanks three scars or Luffy’s straw hat.

3) Best Jolly Rogers in One Piece

I will be ranking the best five Jolly Rogers based on the meaning and significance behind them, the power or intimidation factor one gets on seeing it and last but not the least, its aesthetic.

V. Straw Hat Pirates

The Jolly Roger emblem is a cartoon-like depiction of a traditional skull and cross-bones with the skull wearing Luffy’s trademark straw hat.

The reason this was selected in the top 5 Jolly Rogers is undoubtedly because of the huge significance behind the straw hat. Also, possibly because Luffy is the main character.

IV. Red Hair Pirates

The Jolly Roger of the Red Hair Pirates has a realistic-looking skull with a pair of crossed sabers behind it.

It has two red stripes with black outlines that cross diagonally across the skull’s left eye socket, representing scars that the captain, Shanks has. No man won’t be intimidated when seeing this flag.

III. Heart Pirates

Unlike many other pirates from the North Blue, the Heart Pirates do not use a skull and crossbones, but a smiley face instead.

The Heart Pirates’ jolly roger has protrusions in six directions and is pretty similar to that of the Donquixote Pirates, without the ‘cancel’ sign over it.

The smiley is a reference to Donquixote Rosinante, who wanted to be remembered smiling, in contrast to his brother Donquixote Doflamingo’s murderous manner and contrasting symbol.

II. The Blackbeard Pirates

The Blackbeard Pirates’ flag is that of three scowling skulls: one looking left, one looking forward, and one looking right.

Behind them, there are cross intersected sets of bones, in addition to the classic two. It can also be a symbolism for one man having access to multiple devil fruit powers.

I. Whitebeard Pirates

Whitebeard’s flag is that of a standard Jolly Roger with a large moustache and a cross behind it. Many high-ranked crew members bear the Whitebeard flag symbol on them, including Ace who is seen having it tattooed on his back and being extraordinarily proud of it.

The Whitebeard Pirates were formerly one of the strongest pirate crews in the world, as their late captain, Whitebeard, was one of the only pirates to have ever been a match for the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, in a fight. The flag of such a legendary crew can only be placed first.

4. About One Piece

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997, and has been collected into 95 tankōbon volumes.

The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger.

The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!

Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. With his diverse crew joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.