Every known One Piece character with the Will of D

The exact meaning and significance of the Will of D remains one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece. Despite the lack of information about it, characters who carry the middle initial D almost always play an important role in the series’ narrative and worldbuilding.

What makes the Will of D even more mysterious is its reach. The initial D is not tied to a single group but appears across diverse factions, from Marines and pirates to revolutionaries and unaffiliated individuals. So, what exactly is the Will of D, and who are the characters who carry it?

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the One Piece anime and manga.

What is it exactly?

Up to the present, there is no definitive explanation as to what the seemingly very important name is. However, recent developments in both anime and manga have dropped bits of explanation to what it can be.

According to the enigmatic Imu, the hidden puppeteer controlling the World Government, D is the name of the people who once opposed the World Government. However, given how the government arduously kept the information locked up, even those who carry the name are unaware of what their name upholds. As the shadowy leader put it, they are now no more than empty shells. Naturally, Imu is not willing to reveal what it truly means.

Dr. Vegapunk is the other source. In his posthumous speech, the genius inventor laid down a number of theories and revelations, including what he thinks the name truly means. According to him, the Will of D is literally the will of those who carry the name from ancient times. Even he, however, cannot specify what that will represent. It can perhaps be a will of defiance or perhaps a will to seek freedom, though these are nothing more than my own conjectures.

Which characters have the middle initial D?

The World Government may be the so-called enemy of the D clan, but even the Marines have two members who possess the name. At least, it used to. The first one is Luffy’s very own grandfather, Monkey D. Garp. Garp is known as the Hero of the Marines and currently holds the position of vice admiral. The other one is Jaguar D. Saul. However, the giant eventually abandoned his position and became a wanted fugitive. Currently, he is speculated to be at Elbaph and said to be the one who saved Ohara’s books.

The Revolutionary Army holds the least number of D characters. Monkey D. Dragon, the faction’s leader, is the only one who possesses the middle initial. At the very least, he is the only known revolutionary to do so.

The faction with the most number of D characters, as well as the most varied, is the pirates. At present, two of the Four Emperors possess the middle initial — Marshall D. Teech and Monkey D. Luffy. Teech is the captain of the Blackbeard Pirates, while Luffy is the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. Other captains that have D on their names are the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, the Heart Pirates’ Trafalgar D. Waterlaw, and the Rocks Pirates’ notorious leader, Rocks D. Xebec. The only non-captain pirate is Portgas D. Ace, and while not a pirate herself, Portgas D. Rouge is well acquainted with them, especially since she is the husband of the Pirate King and the mother of Ace.

Finally, there are those not among the three factions yet continue to make big impacts in their own ways. First is Alabasta Kingdom’s Nefeltari family: Nefeltari D. Lily, Nefeltari D. Cobra, and Nefeltari D. Vivi. The Nefeltari family is one of the 20 monarchs who founded the World Government, yet Lily chose to return to her kingdom instead of becoming a World Noble.

The other is Ohara’s lead archaeologist Clou D. Clover, and his brother. Clover, also known as Professor Clover, played an important role in unraveling the mysteries of the Void Century, especially in decoding the Ponegliffs. He is also one of Nico Robin’s role models, though even Robin is unaware of Clover’s real name. During his debut in Robin’s flashback, Clover is only known as Professor Clover. Dr. Vegapunk reveals the archaeologist’s true name in a flashback, wherein Clover seeks Vegapunk for help.