Unearthing Giants: The 4 Strongest Ancient Giants in the One Piece Series, Ranked

In the vast and intricate world of One Piece, giants have always been a force to be reckoned with. Hailing from the proud warrior nation of Elbaf, they are known for their immense size, incredible strength, and long lifespans. However, even within this powerful race, there exists a rare and even more formidable lineage: the Ancient Giants. These beings are a distinct bloodline, set apart by their immense size, horns, and a legacy that stretches back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. With the recent developments in the manga, the significance of the Ancient Giants has been brought to the forefront, solidifying their place as some of the most powerful and important beings in the series’ history.

This article will delve into the lore of these colossal beings and rank the four strongest Ancient Giants and their descendants that we have seen so far. This list is a must-read for any fan keeping up with the latest One Piece manga chapters and looking to understand the history behind the series’ most colossal characters.

What is an Ancient Giant?

Ancient Giants are a unique tribe of giants, easily distinguishable from their “standard” brethren by their gargantuan size and the prominent horns growing from their heads. While no pure-blooded Ancient Giants are known to exist in the current timeline, their lineage lives on through descendants who have inherited their distinct features and incredible power. Their connection to the series’ history is deep and is now being explored more than ever, with hints that they may have been the “Oni” of Wano folklore and have a connection to the legendary Joy Boy.

The Strongest Ancient Giants in the Series, Ranked

4. Oars

Oars, also known as “the Continent-Puller,” is the first Ancient Giant we are formally introduced to in the series, albeit as a reanimated corpse under the control of Gecko Moria. Despite his deceased state, his raw, unyielding power was on full display during the Thriller Bark arc. Oars’s immense size dwarfed even other giants, and his reanimated body, powered by Luffy’s shadow, showcased a terrifying level of strength and durability. He was able to endure the combined attacks of the entire Straw Hat crew, and it took a full-fledged team effort, including the help of Brook and the “Nightmare Luffy” form, to bring him down. His moniker, “Continent-Puller,” suggests a level of power that could literally reshape the world, and his legend as a ruthless and feared “devil” is a testament to his strength.

Oars’s appearance and abilities left a lasting impression, establishing the scale and potential of the Ancient Giant race. His body was so resilient that even hundreds of years after his death, it was a perfectly preserved vessel for Moria’s zombie army. His strength, even without the power of a Devil Fruit, was a raw, physical force that proved a massive challenge for some of the strongest pirates in the Grand Line. This introduction set a high benchmark for the power of his race.

3. Little Oars Jr.

The descendant of Oars, Little Oars Jr. made his powerful and heartbreaking debut during the Marineford War. While not an Ancient Giant himself, he inherited the immense size and strength of his ancestor. As a captain of the New World and a subordinate of the Whitebeard Pirates, his power was undeniable. During the war, he single-handedly tore through the Marine ranks, destroying battleships and clearing a path for his allies. His incredible durability was showcased when he endured a barrage of attacks from multiple Shichibukai, including a devastating strike from Kuma and a clean-cut from Donquixote Doflamingo that severed his leg.

What truly elevated Little Oars Jr. was his indomitable will and unwavering loyalty to Whitebeard and Ace. Despite his grievous injuries, he continued to push forward, fueled by his determination to save his friend. His physical strength, coupled with his high bounty of 550,000,000 Berries, solidifies his place as one of the most powerful giant characters in the series. His tragic sacrifice served as a powerful moment in the war and a testament to his raw power and profound sense of family.

2. San Juan Wolf

Known as the “Colossal Battleship,” San Juan Wolf is a member of the infamous Blackbeard Pirates and a former prisoner of Level 6 of Impel Down, a testament to the severity of his crimes. While his race is confirmed to be a giant, his specific heritage as an Ancient Giant has been the subject of fan speculation due to his immense size, which is so gargantuan that he can stand in the middle of the ocean and have his head peak out of the water. He also possesses a Devil Fruit, the Big-Big Fruit, which allows him to become even larger. His incredible power, combined with his menacing reputation, makes him a terrifying force on the battlefield.

The mystery of how a being of his size was ever imprisoned is a testament to the might of the World Government and the Marines, but it also highlights just how dangerous he is. His role as one of the Ten Titanic Captains in Blackbeard’s crew places him among some of the strongest characters in the New World. He is a lurking, colossal threat that the Straw Hat Pirates will undoubtedly have to face in the final saga, and his full power with his Devil Fruit is yet to be fully revealed.

1. Kaido

While not a pure-blooded Ancient Giant, Kaido, the former Emperor of the Sea, is heavily implied to be a direct descendant of the race. His horns, immense size (in his human-beast form), and his designation as an “Oni” from Wano folklore all point to a connection to the Ancient Giants. As a hybrid, Kaido’s strength is a combination of his Ancient Giant lineage and his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu. This combination made him nearly invincible, earning him the title of the “World’s Strongest Creature.” He was capable of taking on multiple top-tier fighters, including the Worst Generation, Yamato, and the Scabbards, and was only defeated after a prolonged, high-stakes battle with Luffy in his Gear 5 form.

Kaido’s durability and raw power are second to none, and his mastery of Conqueror’s Haki, combined with his monstrous physique, allowed him to reshape the landscape of Wano with his destructive attacks. His fighting style, which is a mix of brute force and powerful elemental attacks, showcases a level of power that far exceeds that of any other giant we have seen. For his sheer destructive power, mastery of Haki, and his legendary status as a Yonko, Kaido stands at the top of the list as the strongest character with Ancient Giant blood. He represents the pinnacle of what this ancient lineage is capable of when combined with a powerful Devil Fruit and unwavering ambition. His defeat marked a new era in the pirate world, and his legacy as a seemingly unbeatable force cemented his place in One Piece history.