15 Best Minor One Piece Characters Who Matter Later

Some One Piece faces seem small when they first show up, then the story circles back and suddenly they are key to big turning points. These are the characters who started on the margins and later changed the course of arcs, world events, or the Straw Hats’ path in ways that stick.

Koby

Koby begins as a timid cabin boy in ‘Romance Dawn’ and later trains with Garp to join the Marines. He resurfaces during ‘Marineford’ where his plea for lives to be spared halts the battlefield for an instant that matters. After the timeskip he climbs the ranks and appears with the secret Marine unit known as SWORD. His later roles in ‘Dressrosa’ epilogue scenes and beyond show him operating in major Navy operations.

Helmeppo

Helmeppo is introduced as the spoiled son of Captain Morgan in ‘Romance Dawn’. After meeting Garp he trains alongside Koby and joins the Marines. He returns with real combat ability during later Navy movements and intelligence work. His presence with SWORD activities connects early East Blue threads to modern Marine strategy.

Buggy

Buggy first appears as a clownish pirate villain in ‘Orange Town’. He collects unexpected allies and survives encounters that would end most pirates. During ‘Impel Down’ and ‘Marineford’ he gains massive public visibility that changes his status. His later leadership of the Cross Guild ties back to a seemingly minor antagonist who becomes a global player.

Mr. 3 Galdino

Galdino is introduced as a Baroque Works officer in ‘Little Garden’. He later becomes crucial during ‘Impel Down’ by crafting wax keys and shields that enable jailbreak progress. In ‘Marineford’ he supports pivotal rescues with his wax abilities. He continues to pop up with key support that affects the survival of major figures.

Bellamy

Bellamy starts as a boastful small-time pirate in ‘Jaya’. After a major defeat he reappears in ‘Dressrosa’ under Donquixote Doflamingo. His actions there intersect with the tournament and factory plotline and affect Luffy’s movements. He ends up taking a different path that influences the legacy of the smiley Jolly Roger motif.

Caribou

Caribou first shows up as a deceitful rookie in ‘Sabaody Archipelago’. He later stows away on the Thousand Sunny and causes problems on ‘Fish-Man Island’. His involvement in ‘Wano Country’ leads to intelligence about ancient weapons falling into dangerous ears. He continues to serve as a conduit for information that escalates world stakes.

Nefertari Vivi

Vivi is introduced undercover in Baroque Works during ‘Whiskey Peak’. She becomes a friend of the crew through ‘Alabasta’ and remains a political figure afterward. Her family’s role resurfaces at the ‘Reverie’ where world government tensions rise. Later developments around her status send shockwaves through global news.

Wapol

Wapol appears as the ousted king during ‘Drum Island’. He flees and later rebuilds his fortune using his munch powers in unusual ways. By the time of the ‘Reverie’ he has regained influence and media reach. His gossip and business ties have direct impact on political revelations that change public perception.

Dalton

Dalton is a quiet guard in ‘Drum Island’ who becomes an interim leader after Wapol. He reorganizes governance and protects the island as it transitions to a new identity. His leadership keeps the region stable and later connects to world events through the ‘Reverie’. The transformation of his country reflects long term consequences of early arcs.

Hatchan

Hatchan begins as an officer under Arlong in ‘Arlong Park’. He later returns during ‘Sabaody Archipelago’ and helps the Straw Hats meet Rayleigh. His actions there make the coating plan possible and influence the timing of critical reunions. He also bridges human and fish-man relations in quieter scenes that ripple outward.

Duval

Duval appears near ‘Sabaody Archipelago’ as a masked biker with a grudge tied to Sanji’s wanted poster. After his identity mix-up is resolved he becomes an ally with the Flying Fish Riders. He assists in escort missions that help the crew reach key destinations. His later support keeps supply lines and travel options open around dangerous waters.

Crocus

Crocus is first seen at Reverse Mountain as the lighthouse keeper who treats the Going Merry. He provides early exposition about the Grand Line and Laboon. His medical background and ties to a legendary crew seed future reveals. The connection he establishes becomes vital when Brook’s history comes to light.

Laboon

Laboon appears at Reverse Mountain as a gigantic whale waiting for a promised reunion. The Straw Hats paint a new hope on his head and continue their journey. Much later Brook’s backstory links directly to Laboon’s decades of patience. This early encounter becomes an emotional anchor that pays off when their stories finally align.

Stussy

Stussy is introduced as a background underworld broker during the ‘Whole Cake Island’ tea party. She later reappears as a key figure inside the world government power structure. Her true affiliations reshape how covert agencies are understood. Subsequent actions on cutting edge islands affect technology secrets and political trust.

Jewelry Bonney

Bonney starts as one of the Supernovas who feels peripheral at ‘Sabaody Archipelago’. She has a mysterious link to events involving high level authorities. Her return reveals personal ties to scientific projects that define current conflicts. Information tied to her past changes how major factions view the future of the seas.

Share your pick for a minor One Piece character who surprised you later in the comments.