Quick Answer
A Yonko (四皇, Yonkō, “Four Emperors”) is one of the four most powerful pirates in the second half of the Grand Line, known as the New World, in One Piece. Alongside the Marine Admirals and the Shichibukai (before their dissolution), they formed the Three Great Powers that maintained the world’s balance. As of 2026 (post-Wano and Egghead), the four Yonko are: Shanks (Red Hair), Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard), Buggy the Clown, and Monkey D. Luffy.
Article written by the Wanted Store team — sources: One Piece manga vols. 1-110+, official SBS, Vivre Card. Updated on April 26, 2026.
What exactly is a Yonko?
A Yonko is one of the four pirates who simultaneously dominate the New World — the second half of the Grand Line. The Japanese term 四皇 literally means “Four Emperors.” The title is not an official rank — it is assigned by public and media consensus based on each pirate’s power, influence, and controlled territory. Even the Marines use the term in their strategic communications.
Becoming a Yonko requires more than brute force. A Yonko is a pirate who:
- Controls a significant territory in the New World (islands, seas, alliances)
- Commands a vast crew with thousands of subordinates and allies
- Holds a bounty above 3 billion Berries (the historical benchmark)
- Inspires fear or admiration on a global scale
The 4 current Yonko in 2026 (post-Egghead)
| Yonko | Bounty | Crew | Territory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanks (Red Hair) | 4,048,900,000 ฿ | Red Hair Pirates | Multiple, mobile |
| Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) | 3,996,000,000 ฿ | Blackbeard Pirates | Hachinosu (pirate island) |
| Buggy the Clown | 3,189,000,000 ฿ | Cross Guild | Karai Bari (headquarters) |
| Monkey D. Luffy | 3,000,000,000 ฿ | Straw Hat Pirates | Wano Country (allied) |
Shanks (Red Hair)
Captain of the Red Hair Pirates, former Roger apprentice alongside Buggy. Luffy’s childhood mentor — he entrusted his straw hat to a young Luffy, making him promise to become a great pirate. Possessor of the most powerful Conqueror’s Haki ever witnessed, he is one-armed (he lost his left arm saving young Luffy from the Lord of the Coast). See the Yonko Pack.
Marshall D. Teach — Blackbeard
Luffy’s ideological antagonist. Former member of the Whitebeard Pirates, he killed Thatch to steal the Yami Yami no Mi (darkness, Logia). After Marineford, he stole the Gura Gura no Mi from Whitebeard’s corpse, becoming the only pirate in the world to wield 2 Devil Fruits simultaneously. See the Blackbeard poster.
Buggy the Clown
The most surprising of the four. Buggy became a Yonko by accident: his repeated failures were misread as masterful manipulation, and he was appointed leader of the Cross Guild alongside Mihawk and Crocodile (who are the real brains behind the organisation). Former Roger apprentice, wielder of the Bara Bara no Mi (Paramecia, body splitting). See the Buggy poster.
Monkey D. Luffy
The 5th Yonko historically, designated after his victory over Kaido at Onigashima (Wano, volume 105). The title was officially confirmed in the World Economic Journal. Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, wielder of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model Nika (mythical Zoan), son of Dragon the revolutionary and grandson of Garp. See the Luffy 3-billion poster.
The former Yonko: Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido
Edward Newgate (Whitebeard) — died at Marineford
Former Yonko nicknamed “the strongest man in the world” after Roger’s death. Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates (16 divisions), a father figure to hundreds of pirates. Died at Marineford trying to save his adoptive son Ace. The World Government considered his death the end of an era. See the Whitebeard poster.
Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom) — defeated at Onigashima
Former Yonko, matriarch of the Charlotte family (85+ children), sovereign of Whole Cake Island. Wielder of the Soru Soru no Mi (Paramecia, soul manipulation). Defeated in the volcanic magma by the Kid + Law alliance during Onigashima. Her fall left her territory (Totto Land) in a state of civil war.
Kaido of the Beasts — defeated at Onigashima
Former Yonko, captain of the Beasts Pirates, tyrant of Wano Country. Nicknamed “the strongest creature in the world.” Wielder of the Uo Uo no Mi, Model Seiryu (mythical Zoan, Eastern blue dragon). Considered invincible — he had survived 7 captures, 18 execution attempts, and 9 defeats against rival Yonko without dying once. Defeated by Luffy in Gear 5. See the Kaido poster.
Why are the Yonko so powerful?
A Yonko’s power cannot be reduced to personal combat ability alone. Three pillars underpin their supremacy:
- Individual strength — mastery of all three forms of Haki (often including Conqueror’s Haki) + a Devil Fruit that is often Awakened.
- Powerful lieutenants — every Yonko has junior-Yonko-level subordinates: Marco (Whitebeard), King + Queen (Kaido), Katakuri (Big Mom), Shiryu (Blackbeard).
- Territorial network — islands, trade alliances, political leverage over local rulers.
Yonko vs Admiral: who is stronger?
One of the biggest debates in the One Piece community. The canonical answer is equivalence: Oda himself has stated in several SBS sessions that Yonko and Admirals are at the same level of individual power, and that wars between them risk mutually assured destruction.
| Criterion | Yonko | Admiral |
|---|---|---|
| Number | 4 | 3 (then 4 with Ryokugyu) |
| Affiliation | Independent pirates | Marines / World Government |
| Individual power | Top 1% | Top 1% |
| Collective strength | Crew + alliances | Full Marines + soldiers |
| Backing | Loyalty | Hierarchy + budget |
The Egghead arc partially shifted the equation: the Five Elders (Gorosei), the rulers of the World Government, were revealed to be far more powerful than both Yonko and Admirals combined. But they only appear in exceptional circumstances — their intervention remains a major diplomatic show of force.
The evolution of the Yonko concept through the series
- Pre-Marineford — the 4 Yonko are Whitebeard, Shanks, Big Mom, and Kaido. A stable order for decades.
- Post-Marineford — Whitebeard’s death creates a void, filled by Marshall D. Teach (who stole the Gura Gura no Mi).
- Post-Wano (Onigashima) — Kaido and Big Mom are defeated simultaneously. Luffy and Buggy are promoted to Yonko. New composition: Shanks, Blackbeard, Buggy, Luffy.
- Post-Egghead — unchanged composition but new dynamics: Buggy’s Cross Guild is targeting Marines, Luffy’s Straw Hat Empire expands, Shanks remains enigmatic, Blackbeard keeps collecting Devil Fruits.
FAQ — The Yonko of One Piece
How many Yonko are there in One Piece?
Always four. The number comes from the name itself (四 = 4, 皇 = emperor). When a Yonko is defeated or killed, another takes their place in the media consensus.
Who are the 4 Yonko in 2026?
After the events of Wano and Egghead, the current Yonko are: Shanks (Red Hair), Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard), Buggy the Clown, and Monkey D. Luffy.
Who is the strongest Yonko?
Officially, Shanks (Red Hair) holds the highest active bounty (4.048 billion). But Luffy in Gear 5 demonstrated power comparable to Kaido’s (defeated in a direct duel). In practice, Shanks and Luffy are the two top contenders.
How did Buggy become a Yonko?
By accident and by reputation. After the dissolution of the Shichibukai, Buggy was made the public figurehead of the Cross Guild by Mihawk and Crocodile (who had no interest in the official leadership role). His failures were misread as strategy, his reputation soared, and the Marines classified him as a Yonko.
Is Luffy really on the same level as the other Yonko?
Yes, since his victory over Kaido (volume 105) with his Gear 5 Awakening. His bounty of 3 billion is slightly below those of Shanks, Blackbeard, and Buggy, but his rate of growth is unprecedented. The World Economic Journal officially designated him as the “5th Yonko.”
Why isn’t Mihawk a Yonko?
Mihawk has a bounty of 3.59 billion — higher than Luffy’s. But the Yonko title requires a crew and a territory. Mihawk is a lone wolf — he has no crew of his own, just a role within the Cross Guild. The title is therefore technically out of his reach.
Is there an official ranking among the 4 Yonko?
No. The 4 Yonko are considered equals within their hierarchy. None can command the others. Wars between Yonko (Kaido vs Big Mom, Shanks vs Blackbeard) are rare and costly because they risk mutual destruction.
Are there official Yonko Wanted Posters?
Yes. Wanted Store offers the current Yonko Pack (Shanks, Blackbeard, Buggy, Luffy) and the Former Yonko Pack (Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, Roger). Individual posters are also available.
