The main character of the Straw Hat Pirates is Eiichiro Oda. one piece series and has become increasingly stronger over the years, officially rising to the status of Yonko. one piece Episode 1053 released in the 19th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump on June 20, 2022. Since then, these crews have been highly regarded around the world and continue to increase their dominance at sea.
However, the Straw Hat Pirates still have a major flaw today, and that is the significant power gap between the strongest and weakest members of the group. While the three monster members of the Straw Hat Pirates are incredibly overpowered, the other members are significantly weaker than the rest of the Yonko group. This is one of Eiichiro Oda's biggest flaws, which he finally corrected with Elbaf Arc by passing power-ups to lesser-known combatants among his crew.
One Piece's Elbaf Arc corrects the Straw Hat Pirates' power level flaws by making the crew stronger.
one piece The Straw Hat Pirates' power levels vary. The crew's captain, Monkey D Luffy, is an official Yonko confirmed in Chapter 1053 on June 20, 2022, and is therefore the strongest among them. Luffy also has wings, Zoro and Sanji, who are incredibly powerful and are still growing in strength. The wings are not at the same level as Luffy's right now, but especially in Elbaf's version. one piece In Chapter 1182, Issue 24 of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Jump, released on May 10, 2026, Eiichiro Oda prepares a major battle for them, setting them up to achieve greater power-ups in the form of the mastered Great King's Color so that they can take down the likes of the Holy Knights.
Zoro: Hey, get the job done right!
Sanji: Right back at you!
— Zoro and Sanji go into battle, One Piece Chapter 1182
Next to the Pirate King's Wings is Jinbe. Eiichiro Oda has done a decent job in Elbaf to get him to the next level. As for Jinbe, we know that he is incredibly powerful despite suffering a bitter defeat from the Holy Knight Gunko in One Piece Chapter 1146 in WSJ Issue #21, April 21, 2025. That said, he made a quick comeback in Chapter 1176, firing off a powerful Vagabond Drill against one of the strongest MMAs Saint Killingham has ever produced. Jinbe's powerful power has not yet been fully demonstrated in Elbaf, but it is certain that he will definitely be upgraded in terms of power.
Frankie, Chopper, and Robin have already received major power-ups.
As for Nico Robin, he was seen fighting St. Somers. one piece Chapter 1148 of WSJ Issue #24, May 12, 2025. In this chapter, Nico Robin was able to outwit and overwhelm Sommers, but unfortunately his immortality meant that he kept coming back and eventually defeating her. However, the fact that she is able to fight against him and even injure him by breaking his body despite not going all out proves that Robin has become stronger since Wano.
“I know full well that you are immortal and the Thorn Man. If I get you out of here, I can finally rescue the children!” — Nico Robin fights Somers, One Piece Chapter #1148
Meanwhile, Franky is one of the Straw Hat Pirates who has already received a power-up directly from Oda through Super Vega Cola in One Piece Chapter 1176 on March 9, 2026. This new power puts him on the same level as Jinbe, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in a proper 1v1. The same goes for Chopper.
Shortly after Nerona Imu harnessed the power of the Domi Reversi on Elbaf to turn the majority of the giants into puppet soldiers, Chopper was able to harness the power of the Devil Fruit to purify them. This could potentially hint at Hito Hito no Mi's Devil Fruit Awakening and thus would be an important power-up for the Straw Hat Pirates' doctor.
“This is Super Vega Cola! Your gut is perfectly designed just like a Pacifica's, which is why I'm amazed that you get energy using only Cola!! You know, Frankie, the fuel is passion!! Try this new one and your raw power will explode!!!” — Vegapunk Lilith empowers Franky. One Piece Chapter #1176
More power-ups will officially make the Straw Hat Pirates the most powerful crew.
With the majority of the crew upgraded, only Nami, Brook, and Usopp remain, all of whom have either received small buffs or are receiving larger upgrades. Brook was seen receiving a tank attack from Nero or Imu in Gunko's body. one piece February 9, 2026 Chapter 1173, and these attacks were coated with the colors of the Great King. If nothing else, Brook's overall defense has been greatly upgraded. For a tank attack by someone as strong as Gunko-Imu, it's implied that he is now much more powerful than ever.
Gunko: Brook, run!
Brooke: Who are you? Why did you tell me to run away? I'm here to solve this problem!
Imu via Gunko: Shut up! Who are you to Gunko?
— Imu attacks Brook with the colors of the Great King, One Piece Chapter #1173
Nami hasn't had a chance to show off her upgraded skills yet, but she and Usopp will both shine before Elbaf ends. All things considered, the Straw Hat Pirates are already much stronger than before, and Eiichiro Oda has done wonders for this crew by giving each of them meaningful moments of light, finally making them worthy of being called the Emperor of the Sea's crew.
It is important to remember that following Elbaf, One Piece's biggest war unfolds in earnest. According to Eiichiro Oda's message at Jump Festa 2026, released on December 21, 2025, the next issue will take the crew to an island where only the Pirate King has set foot. This means a race to: one piece It's going to get incredibly hot and Luffy will need his allies more than ever.
“We are heading to ‘the island’ that only the Pirate King could go to!!? A man with burn scars also appears. Characters who have never had a chance to meet before finally meet. These two meet, and those two meet.” – One Piece author Eiichiro Oda, Jump Festa 2026 message
This also means that every crew member has a huge responsibility to step up and show a higher level of strength than ever before. All fans of the Straw Hat Pirates are in for a treat as their favorite characters will officially unlock higher levels of power and make a big case for becoming the most powerful pirate crew in the world.
All the latest One Piece manga chapters written by Eiichiro Oda can be read through Manga Plus and Viz Media.
