Overview
- Several members of the Straw Hat Pirates had affiliations with other crews prior to joining, often under duress, highlighting their early adversities.
- Key previous crews include the Arlong Pirates, Rumbar Pirates, and various unidentified groups associated with Nico Robin.
- Characters like Nami and Robin also feature in non-canonical accounts of former crew memberships, representing their journeys to the Straw Hats.
The Straw Hat Pirates are renowned throughout the One Piece universe, and even beyond. A unique characteristic of the crew, highlighted by Kizaru in his sardonic remark that each member is “a real monster,”underscores the individual strengths and capabilities present within the group.
A significant number of Luffy’s crewmates operated under different flags before joining his adventure, often as pirates themselves. Below is a detailed exploration of notable crews that once included members of the Straw Hat Pirates.
1. Arlong Pirates
A Fish-Man’s Cruel Leadership
- Nami served as the cartographer for the Arlong Pirates.
Arlong, characterized by his extreme hatred towards humans, exploited opportunities for profit, which included recognizing Nami’s cartographic skills. After the tragic murder of Bell-mère, Nami’s adoptive mother, Arlong exploited her talents, offering to let her buy her freedom at a staggering price.
During her time with Arlong, Nami also targeted other pirate crews, including the Buggy Pirates. However, her heroic turn came when she sought to reclaim her freedom, ultimately leading to a confrontation that resulted in the demise of the Arlong Pirates and her full-fledged role as the Straw Hat’s navigator.
2. Usopp Pirates
The Origin of Lies
- Usopp was the captain of the Usopp Pirates.
Usopp’s fascination with piracy began with his father, Yasopp, who was a member of the Red-Haired Pirates. In an attempt to entertain his ailing mother, Usopp would weave tales of adventure, leading to the formation of the Usopp Pirates, consisting of himself and two other boys who believed his stories.
However, after the Black Cat Pirates laid siege to their village, Usopp’s chance to realize his dreams came with joining the Straw Hat Pirates, which led to the disbandment of his original crew. His followers continued to tell stories of his quests, inspired to pursue their own dreams in his absence.
3. Baroque Works
Infiltration and Assassination
- Nico Robin served as the Vice President of Baroque Works. Former Straw Hat, Nefertari D. Vivi, infiltrated this organization for intelligence purposes.
Baroque Works operated outside of typical piracy, masquerading as a crime syndicate. Their primary goal was to wreak havoc on the Alabasta Kingdom, led by Sir Crocodile. Nico Robin, an expert in poneglyph deciphering, was pivotal to the organization yet remained haunted by her past as a fugitive.
During the unfolding events, Alabasta’s Princess, Vivi, managed to infiltrate Baroque Works alongside Igaram to collect vital information. The dramatic downfall of Baroque Works came through Luffy’s intervention, leading Robin to join the Straw Hat Pirates and make amends for her troubled history.
4. Foxy Pirates
Games of Chance
- Tony Tony Chopper was temporarily claimed by Foxy Pirates in a Davy Back Fight.
The Davy Back Fight is a peculiar tradition among pirates, wherein crews gamble their members through a series of contests. The Foxy Pirates have made a habit of this, extracting Chopper after an unfortunate series of races. In some adaptations, Robin also suffers a similar fate.
After reclaiming his crew from the Foxy Pirates, Luffy humorously returned their Jolly Roger as a trophy, signaling his dominance in their encounter. Since their defeat, the Foxy Pirates have faced substantial losses, indicating the often perilous nature of their games.
5. Nico Robin’s Unnamed Former Affinities
Into the Shadows
- Nico Robin has affiliations with at least one pirate crew and other less savory organizations.
Robin’s life has been riddled with hardship; left to fend for herself due to her mother’s absence and relentless bullying stemming from her Devil Fruit powers. After becoming a scholar in Ohara, her world collapsed when the island was obliterated, leaving her to wander alone.
At merely age eight, Robin joined her first pirate crew, who ultimately betrayed her as the Marines sought her out. Despite her subsequent disillusionment, she maintains her loyalty to the Straw Hat Pirates, having made the ultimate choice to save them at great personal risk.
6. Franky’s Unknown Pirates
The Deadbeat Pirates
- Franky was ejected from his pirate ship at the tender age of ten.
Originally named Cutty Flam, Franky’s early life was marked by adventures with his parents, who were pirates in the South Blue. After a tumultuous childhood, he was saved by Tom, a shipwright who became his mentor, instilling in him both skills and a disdain for piracy.
Eventually, Franky transitioned to the Straw Hat Pirates when convinced to become their shipwright, despite initial reluctance brought on by his past experiences with his own crew.
7. Rumbar Pirates
A Melodious Farewell
- Brook served as both the captain and musician of the Rumbar Pirates, ultimately becoming the crew’s final survivor.
The Rumbar Pirates were known for their musical talents, with Brook forming a close bond with Laboon, a whale to whom they played frequently. Tragically, due to a series of events including a debilitating disease, the crew’s fate was sealed as they perished, with Brook promising to return.
After his death and subsequent resurrection via the Yomi Yomi no Mi, Brook eventually joined the Straw Hat Pirates. His journey has since kept Laboon’s hope alive, as he continues to strive for a reunion with his old friend.
8. Sun Pirates
Legends of the Fish-Men
- Jimbei ascended to captaincy before departing the Sun Pirates.
Founded by the ex-slave Fisher Tiger, the Sun Pirates galvanized several fish-men, including Jimbei. This crew is notable for its social activism, attempting to liberate enslaved individuals. Jimbei took leadership after Tiger’s demise, but tensions arose leading to a schism with factions like the Arlong Pirates.
After forging relationships with human pirates, Jimbei gained respect from Luffy, who later invited him to join the Straw Hats, demonstrating the power of camaraderie among former rivals.
9. Nami’s Former Associations
A Tapestry of Alliances
- Nami’s affiliations with the Ganzack Pirates and the Golden Lion Pirates are primarily non-canonical.
In the OVA, “One Piece – Defeat Him! The Pirate Ganzack,” Nami briefly allies with the Ganzack Pirates before betraying them, echoing her past with the Arlong Pirates. In another storyline, she joins the Golden Lion Pirates under duress to safeguard her former crew when Shiki captures them.
These non-canonical narratives serve to mirror Nami’s struggle against forced affiliations, illuminating her resilience and dedication to her true comrades in the Straw Hat crew.