Summary

The title of Pirate King in One Piece doesn’t come with actual power but signifies being the strongest and most adventurous pirate.
Becoming the Pirate King is a subjective concept tied with reaching Laugh Tale and defining freedom.
Finding the One Piece treasure is crucial to becoming the next Pirate King, symbolizing passing down the role of the Pirate King.

In One Piece, the most infamous title in the entire series is that of the Pirate King. The role of Pirate King, despite being more of an honorary title than an actual position, is an interesting concept that ties heavily into the goals of most One Piece characters. In some way, shape, or form, most of the events of One Piece, even the Great Pirate Era itself, link back to the Pirate King.

However, this begs the question; what exactly does it mean to become the King of the Pirates? While Gol D. Roger was the Pirate King before, no set standard was really created for what would make someone the King of the Pirates. Throughout most of One Piece, the real meaning behind the Pirate King is mostly open to interpretation from the eyes of the viewer.

While many characters are designed to be awful people, only a few are universally despised by the One Piece community.

Roger Is The True Pirate King In One Piece

The Pirate King Is The Most Influential Person In The World

In One Piece, Roger was given the title of, “the Pirate King” after conquering the Grand Line and arriving at the final island, Laugh Tale. Although this title implies that Roger possesses some sort of government authority over a legion of pirates, mainly it just means that he was the strongest and most adventurous pirate on the Grand Line. Outside of the influence of the name, the title itself comes with no real power.

I’m Luffy! The man who will become the King of the Pirates! – Luffy

However, just because the position of Pirate King comes with no extra benefits or kingdoms, doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Being the Pirate King is the most coveted position in all of One Piece, with multiple characters, like Buggy and Luffy, competing for the title. The influence of the Pirate King is enough to change the world, though Roger himself most likely didn’t need the title to accomplish this. In many ways, the title of Pirate King is in the eyes of the beholder and the public of the world of One Piece.

Characters Have Different Definitions Of What The Pirate King Is

Mostly The Pirate King Means Reaching Laugh Tale Or Freedom

Being The Pirate King Means Reaching Laugh Tale
The Person With The Most Freedom Is The Pirate King

So, if the meaning behind becoming the Pirate King is completely subjective, what does it actually mean to become the Pirate King? For many, reaching the final island of Laugh Tale, like Roger, finding the One Piece, and conquering the Grand Line is enough to deem someone the next Pirate King. In doing this incredibly difficult task, the one who accomplishes this goal would most likely be an extremely strong pirate, like an Emperor, and someone worthy of the title.

Oda knows how to write very emotional scenes. He explains the importance of the scene with Merry’s death in One Piece

However, for a character like Luffy, this isn’t what it means to become the King of the Pirates. In Luffy’s eyes, rather than being the one to find the One Piece, the Pirate King is the person in the world with the most freedom. To be the most free, this person needs to be able to go wherever they choose, including Laugh Tale, meaning they require great amounts of strength as well. Being the most free person in One Piece means they have to be able to go to Laugh Tale and claim the One Piece, making these ideas behind the Pirate King fundamentally similar with a slightly different reasoning.

The One Piece Is The Key To Becoming The Pirate King

The Treasure Connects Roger With The Future King Of The Pirates

For many, finding the One Piece is the most critical component to becoming the next Pirate King. Although Whitebeard was extremely close to being considered the Pirate King after Roger’s death, he had no interest in claiming the One Piece, meaning most never fully considered him as the King of the Pirates. More than anything else, Roger’s treasure in One Piece is almost a symbol of the Pirate King himself. In a way, leaving the One Piece is as if Roger is passing down the role of the Pirate King to the next person who claims it.

Wealth, fame, power. Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates, attained this and everything else the world had to offer, and his dying words drove countless men to the seas. – The Opening Narration of One Piece

In the end, despite there being many different ideas as to what it means to be the Pirate King, fundamentally, it means sailing to Laugh Tale and claiming the One Piece. However, the true meaning of the Pirate King is something far deeper, or more symbolic. Being the Pirate King is most likely, as Luffy said before. The person to become One Piece’s Pirate King is the one with the most freedom in the world.