Ranking the 8 Most Abysmal Fathers in One Piece

Fathers are integral to the growth and development of their children, a theme that Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece powerfully illustrates by showcasing paternal figures of all types. This beloved series presents many nurturing and affectionate fathers who raise their children with unconditional love, supporting them through every stage of life.

Furthermore, One Piece features numerous father figures who have adopted children and raise them as if they were their own, regardless of blood ties. Characters like Bartholomew Kuma, Zeff, and Edward Newgate “Whitebeard” demonstrate that love can transcend biological connections, showing that one can care for those they choose to consider family just as fiercely, if not more so, than a biological father.

Sadly, not all characters in One Piece enjoy the warmth and support of compassionate fathers. The series includes a number of characters who exemplify the role of terrible fathers, often for contrasting reasons. For instance, Yasopp abandoned his child, while Kaido sought to control his child’s freedom. Below are some of the fathers in One Piece who have failed in their roles due to neglect, disregard, or cruelty.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Ranking the Most Terrible Fathers in One Piece from Best to Worst

8) Monkey D. Dragon

Dragon as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

A father’s presence is crucial in a child’s life, yet Monkey D. Dragon was so absent that his son didn’t even know he existed. As the founder and leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon is the father of Monkey D. Luffy, the main character of One Piece. When Luffy was just an infant, Dragon entrusted him to his father, the “Marine Hero” Monkey D. Garp.

Luffy was raised by Garp, who employed unconventional methods to ensure Luffy grew up healthy and strong. Luffy only discovered Dragon’s existence two years prior to the current events of One Piece and had only seen a photo of him in the newspaper.

Indeed, Dragon has never spent time with his son, a fact that casts doubt on his parenting skills. However, it is clear that he does care about Luffy. Aware of his status as “The World’s Worst Criminal,” Dragon aimed to protect Luffy from the dangers posed by the World Government and his enemies.

Thus, he kept their relationship hidden and entrusted Luffy to the somewhat eccentric yet loving Garp. Even after their relationship was publicly revealed, especially with Luffy being a worldwide outlaw, Dragon made no effort to connect with his son.

While not the worst father, Dragon isn’t the ideal one either. At the very least, he grants Luffy the freedom to make his own choices, even aiding Luffy’s pirate journey by protecting him from Marine officer Smoker in Rogue Town.

7) Bingo

Bingo as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Bingo is often regarded as one of the worst fathers in One Piece, despite being a minor character. He once led a wealthy life in Wano’s Flower Capital with his family. However, when the charming courtesan Komurasaki promised Bingo her eternal companionship for a price, he made a grave error.

Totally captivated by her beauty, Bingo sold everything, including his own family, in order to free the courtesan. Unfortunately for him, it was merely a scam as Komurasaki had no intention of being freed and kept the money for herself without regard for Bingo’s plight.

By selling his family into slavery to fulfill his selfish desires, Bingo proved to be a dreadful father, exhibiting complete disinterest in his children. His fate was a fitting consequence of his actions.

6) Morgan

Morgan as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

As “Ax-Hand” Morgan, the officer in charge of Shells Town’s Marine base, was a tyrant feared by the citizens he was supposed to protect, including his own son Helmeppo. Morgan ruled through brute force, expecting blind obedience from everyone, including his son.

Helmeppo, often bullied by his father’s authority, was manipulated by Morgan’s fear-based approach, which left their relationship devoid of affection. Helmeppo was too intimidated even to converse with Morgan.

Eventually, after being defeated by Monkey D. Luffy and Roronoa Zoro, Morgan’s power waned, leading to his court-martial. However, he managed to escape with Helmeppo as a hostage, only for it to be clear that Helmeppo’s feelings toward his father had soured due to Morgan’s abusive nature.

5) Ten Barrels

Barrels as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Diez Barrels was the father of X Drake, later a Marine officer and known as one of the Eleven Supernovas of the Worst Generation. Initially a Marine officer himself, Barrels later defected to captain the Barrels Pirates.

Drake admired his father, but upon becoming a pirate, Barrels’ true nature emerged, as he began to mistreat and even physically abuse his son.

His downfall came when he attempted to sell the Ope-Ope Fruit, leading to his demise at the hands of Donquixote Doflamingo, while Drake had already distanced himself from his father’s cruel behavior.

4) Yasopp

Yasopp as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Yasopp loved his wife Banchina and his newborn son Usopp but chose to abandon them to pursue adventure with Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates, largely due to Banchina’s urging. However, what makes Yasopp a terrible father is his utter neglect to check on his family.

He never returned to see how Banchina and Usopp were faring, leading to Banchina’s illness and subsequent death, leaving Usopp to fend for himself until his fateful encounter with the Straw Hat Pirates. Yasopp and Usopp have yet to reunite as of the present timeline in One Piece.

While Yasopp may appear to be a morally superior option compared to abusive fathers, his thorough indifference towards his family, coupled with a lack of remorse for his actions, marks him as neglectful. Ironically, he has more familiarity with Luffy than with his own son Usopp, which highlights his profound absence in family dynamics. When faced with the prospect of reuniting with Usopp, Yasopp admitted he wasn’t mentally prepared for such a meeting, revealing his ongoing disconnect.

3) Kaido

Kaido as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

As the notorious captain of the Beasts Pirates and one of the Four Emperors, Kaido ruled Wano with iron-fist tyranny until Luffy’s rise against him. Although he is feared as “The World’s Strongest Creature,” Kaido’s parenting skills leave much to be desired.

He has a profoundly complicated relationship with his daughter, Yamato, whom he abused and imprisoned when he discovered her admiration for the honorable samurai Kozuki Oden. His treatment of his child included harsh punishments, including beatings and explosive restraints to prevent her from escaping Wano.

Despite his brutality, Kaido acknowledged Yamato’s strength and referred to her as his “son.” His contradictory behavior reveals a troubled dynamic where he strives for control over his child’s choices while also attempting to impose his vision for Wano upon her.

2) Outlook III

Outlook as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Outlook III, the biological father of the infamous Sabo, could also be considered a villain in his own right. As a noble from the Kingdom of Goa, he viewed Sabo’s happiness as secondary to his family’s prestige, pushing for his son to marry into wealth and status.

So fixated on reputation was Outlook that he adopted a stepson, Sterry, in hopes of having a more “worthy”successor. He imposed tyranny over Sabo’s friendships, even threatening violence against Luffy and Ace, showcasing the lengths he would go for his ambitions.

In a dire act of paternal neglect, Sabo ran away from the oppressive household to escape his father’s expectations and brutality, seeking freedom over familial loyalty.

1) Vinsmoke Judge

Judge as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Vinsmoke Judge stands out as perhaps the most despicable father in One Piece. A scientist in genetic manipulation, he previously worked alongside Dr. Vegapunk within the illegal research team known as MADS. As the ruler of Germa Kingdom and patriarch of the Vinsmoke family, Judge displayed a chilling lack of empathy.

He genetically modified his children to become weapons, devoid of emotion, treating them as mere tools rather than as his offspring. His campaigns to fashion them into emotionless warriors succeeded with all except for Sanji, who was born a normal human thanks to his mother Sora’s efforts to preserve her children’s humanity.

Sanji faced relentless bullying from his siblings and severe punishment from Judge for his lack of enhancements. Judge even confined Sanji in a dungeon, performing a mock funeral to sever ties. When Sanji was blackmailed into an unwanted marriage alliance with Big Mom, it was only through Luffy’s intervention that he escaped another traumatic experience.

Sanji ultimately rejects Judge as his father, finding solace instead in Zeff, his mentor, who represents the fatherly love he never received. Judge perceives his children only as tools, devoid of affection—a hallmark of a truly terrible father in the world of One Piece.

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