In the world of One Piece, deadly and ruthless pirate crews rove the high seas, always on the prowl for port towns and cargo ships ripe for plunder. Captain Blackbeard is an excellent example of a pirate's true villainous nature, while Monkey D. Luffy, the future pirate king, is more like a vigilante who skirts around the law (and Navy ships).
Luffy is a pirate in the sense that he acts as an independent rogue aboard a ship with his own crew, but is he a true pirate? Only somewhat, and there are many anime characters both within One Piece and beyond who would more thoroughly live up to the reputation of pirates.
10 Greed, The Avaricious Homunculus, Seeks Power & Glory (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
In many ways, the homunculus Greed is a pirate of the land. He has long since gone rogue from his creator, the villainous Father, and he has an independent streak coupled with a strong desire to hoard power, possessions, and glory, like a true pirate.
Greed even has his own "crew" with him, mostly made up of chimeras that the Amestris military created. Greed is crafty, resourceful, and witty, and he is skilled at making deals and avoiding the authorities. Someone get him a ship already.
9 Tier Halibel, The Mighty Vasto Lorde, Wanders The World & Acts As A Reliable Leader (Bleach)
At first, the 3rd Espada Tier Halibel doesn't look much like a pirate, but she could potentially become one. As a Hollow, and later an Arrancar, Halibel really has no true home or nation, instead wandering the world as a powerful independent. Already, she's a bit like a pirate.
On top of that, Halibel has a strong sense of loyalty and friendship, and she looks after her own minions like they're her younger sisters. That kind of attitude is perfect for a pirate captain who would give anything for their dedicated crew. Too bad the world of Hueco Mundo has no water.
8 Kakuzu, The Mercenary Ninja, Is Driven By Money (Naruto)
One of the most mysterious and eerie members of the Akatsuki organization was Kakuzu, the partner of Hidan. Kakuzu is effectively immortal, having multiple hearts and being many decades old with no sign of slowing down. He is self-centered and very greedy, excellent traits for a villainous pirate.
Kakuzu is dedicated to the Akatsuki cause, but he also has the heart of a mercenary and bounty hunter, always seeing things in terms of profit, bounties, business deals, and more. He would love to form a small, scary pirate gang and plunder coastal towns with his immense powers. Great riches await.
7 All For One Seeks Great Power By Stealing Quirks (My Hero Academia)
The archvillain known as All For One is the symbol of evil, and like Kakuzu, he has used his advanced abilities to become effectively immortal. All For One is well over a century old, and he is still recklessly collecting Quirks to augment himself even further. He can't stop.
A true pirate lord wants it all, and many villainous pirates also aim to exert a great deal of influence over other pirate crews and legitimate governments and nations, so they can always get their way. All For One thinks along the same lines, and he would plunder towns not just for gold, but also for worthwhile Quirks. The League of Villains has taken to the high seas at last.
6 Joseph Joestar, The Prankster Hamon User, Is Clever & Resourceful (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Many of the most villainous anime characters have the heart of a pirate since they are greedy and self-centered, but there's more to it than that. A worthy pirate can also be fairly heroic, or at least chaotic neutral, and Joesph Joestar could become a fine pirate in his own right.
Joseph Joestar isn't especially greedy, but if he's down on his luck or desperate, he could turn to piracy and find great success with it. He is clever, resourceful, and easily thinks on his feet, all vital traits for a rogue who aims to get in, steal stuff, evade the authorities, and get out. He would become the captain of his own crew in no time at all.
5 Captain Levi Ackerman Of The Scouts Would Take The Lead As A Pirate Captain (Attack On Titan)
In the original story, Captain Levi Ackerman is a formal military commander who dislikes rogues and wild cards, which at first makes him the opposite of a good pirate. However, there is more to him than that. Levi grew up in the Underground, trained and raised by his uncle Kenny.
Levi is a survivor, and while he respects the chain of command, he is perfectly willing to defy orders and tear down the system if there is a genuine and dire need to do so. Levi is also a talented leader, a great fighter, and is results-oriented at all times. With all that in mind, he'd make an effective pirate commander if the situation called for it.
4 Thorfinn Karlsefni, The Vengeful Viking, Is Pragmatic & Quick On His Feet (Vinland Saga)
The anti-hero of this historic series is Thorfinn Karlsefni, who is consumed by grief and rage during the anime's 24-episode run. Thorfinn looked up to his father Thors, but after Thors' death, Thorfinn became a vicious rogue rather than a pacifist. He learned much from Askeladd, whom he wanted to kill someday.
Thorfinn is no brute, however. He is smart and pragmatic, despite also being stubborn and hot-headed, and he is light on his feet. Thorfinn is highly maneuverable and clever, which would allow him to raid port towns and make off with all kinds of goods before the authorities could arrive. Besides, real-life Vikings had similarities to pirates to begin with.
3 Ban, The Fox Sin Of Greed, Is Street Smart (The Seven Deadly Sins)
Like Levi Ackerman, Ban (the fox sin of greed) is used to living on the rough streets of the underworld, and that means he has some serious street smarts. That's a good trait for a pirate who needs to raid a town quickly and steal the goods before the authorities arrive. This is no time for hesitation.
Like Greed the homunculus, Ban is the embodiment of reckless greed, and he is also immortal, able to recover from any grievous injury. He would perform well as a pirate in the One Piece world, either as a small crew's commander or as a lieutenant.
2 Speed-O-Sound Sonic, Saitama's Rival, Is Fast & Skilled With The Sword (One-Punch Man)
One of the most persistent villains in this series is Speed-O-Sound Sonic, who has a one-sided rivalry with Saitama, the caped baldy. Sonic is best known for his extreme speed, hence his name, and he can even make after-images to confuse his foes. It helps that he is also a master of the sword.
Sonic is a rogue who would have no qualms with raiding port towns or hapless cargo ships on the high seas along the Grand Line, and his speed and ninja skills would ensure success time and again. Few Navy soldiers could keep up, although Admiral Borsalino would be able to.
1 Amon, The Equalist Commander, Can Bend Water To Rule The Seas (The Legend Of Korra)
The leader of the Equalists, the masked Amon, is actually a Waterbender who once went by the name Noatak. As a native of the Water Tribe, he is highly agile and can flow with any battlefield situation, like water itself. And his reflexes are simply incredible.
Amon also has the ability to neutralize bending with a touch, but he hardly even needs that gift to be an effective pirate. He could use normal waterbending to push away enemy ships or catch fleeing ships, and he could rush through a town, seize the goods, and make it back to his own ship without suffering a scratch.
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