One Piece: The Hierarchy of the World Government, Explained

One Piece is a series that has many different organizations and groups that work within the world and are all vying for any control or power. Due to this, they are often at war with one another, leading to a lot of destruction and a shift in the world's power dynamics. However, the most powerful organization of them all is the same one that has been in control of everything for the past 800 years: the World Government.

At the close of the mysterious events of the Void Century, 20 nations banded together and formed this massive organization that effectively controls the entire world with an iron fist. In all this time, its structure has seemingly never changed, since its roles are quite clearly defined and its rules are strictly enforced. So, let's take a look at the hierarchy of the World Government and see how it has influenced the entire world of One Piece!

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Seamen

The lowest rank in the entire organization

Different Categories	Chore Boy - Seaman Recruit - Seaman Apprentice - Seaman
Notable Characters	Koby (former), Helmeppo (former)

As the lowest rank in the entire Navy/World Government, the Seamen hold very little power in the organization. Many typically start off as Chore Boys on ships, often entrusted with menial tasks that are deemed to be beneath the actual officers of the Navy, such as cleaning the ships, bringing food, and tending to the basic needs of their superiors.

After a considerable amount of time, Chore Boys can be promoted within their specific regiment and hold a little more importance on the ship they're designated on. Moreover, once promoted to Seaman, their uniform changes from a simple Marine shirt to something adorning further Marine embellishments. This was the rank at which both Koby and Helmeppo got their start as Marines.

Petty Officers

A far more central rank in the Infantry Division

Axe-Hand Morgan looks down at Zoro & Luffy.

Different Categories	Petty Officer - Chief Petty Officer - Master Chief Petty Officer - Warrant Officer
Notable Characters	Axe-Hand Morgan (former)

Officers are a considerable step up from the various categories of Seaman and play an extremely vital role in the hierarchy of the World Government. This is because those belonging to this rank make up a considerable bulk of the World Government's main fighting force, the same one that is seen time and time again running toward their enemies in droves!

However, the officers are often fairly weak, so many consider them to be fodder against opponents who are proficient with their Devil Fruits or Haki. Examples of some characters who have once belonged to this rank are Axe-Hand Morgan and his son Helmeppo.

Ensign

The lowest commissioned officer

Different Categories	None
Notable Characters	Tashigi (former), Makko, Isuka

Finally advancing to the slightly more important officers within the structure of the World Government, the Ensigns are the lowest ranking of them all but are, on average, stronger than the ranks that come before them. Moreover, this is the lowest rank in the entire organization that is permitted to wear the Kanji symbol for justice on the back of their clothes, which is a common theme for everyone above them as well.

A soldier doesn't cry over something like this.

One notable example of an Ensign in the World Government is Tashigi, a character who was introduced into the story in the Loguetown arc who essentially acted as the second to Smoker back when he was a captain. This role was shown quite well by how Tashigi had little power in the organization but still ranked higher than all others under Smoker's command.

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Commanders

Marines with the authority to issue orders

Different Categories	Lieutenant Commander - Commander
Notable Characters	Donquixote Rosinante, Hibari, Ripper

Commanders in One Piece are the lowest Marine officers who can issue orders and can have somewhat of a group of lesser officers designated under them. Lieutenant Commanders are often also referred to as 'Majors' and, as in the case of Donquixote Rosinante, can be entrusted by those of a higher rank to undertake special missions that are typically off the books.

Rosinante was originally a Celestial Dragon but, due to his banishment from Marijois, he was forced into a very different life. This caused him to enlist in the World Government and work under then-Admiral Sengoku as a spy to take down Doflamingo's operations in Dressrosa.

Captains

One of the most important roles within the World Government

Different Categories	None
Notable Characters	Smoker (former), Koby, Tashigi

Captains are some of the most indispensable soldiers in the entire Navy, so much so that this and all ranks above it are absolutely vital to ensure the military's various operations. Each Captain leads one of the Marine bases around the world that are situated on the many islands across the world, as well as often being tasked to chase and capture pirates on the seas. In this case, they are also designated as the leaders of the ship, if a higher-ranking official isn't on board.

It would be to the detriment of all the Marines if I let you go without a challenge!

Captains are generally considered to be powerful Marines who are proficient fighters due to their Devil Fruit, Haki, or strategic knowledge. These Marines have an official attire of wearing a suit covered by a white overcoat, though they rarely follow this dress code. Due to the wealth of experience and power they hold, Captains are generally considered forces to be reckoned with.

Commodores

Marines that oversee everything below them

Smoker Avoiding An Attack With His Logia Powers In One Piece

Different Categories	None
Notable Characters	Smoker (former), Brannew, Yasirugi

Just one step up from Captains, there exist the Commodores. Those with this rank have almost the exact same responsibilities as those of regular Captains but are also tasked with many authoritative measures that are deemed to be too important for any rank below them. As such, they can command entire forces and Captains to carry out orders for them.

As ranks increase within the World Government, the overall paperwork also increases, with the ranks of Commodore and above rarely seeing action. Often, those of this rank are given responsibilities that are of comparable importance to those of officers that even outrank them, an example of which is Brannew, who not only assigns the bounties to the criminals of the world, but also reports directly to the Fleet Admiral.

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Rear Admirals

High-ranking Marines in the World Government

x Drake strongest rear admiral one piece

Different Categories	None
Notable Characters	X-Drake, Hina, Prince Grus

Following the trend, Rear Admirals are high-ranking Marines who have control over all the previously mentioned ranks in the World Government. They are known as powerful fighters and renowned characters that, in some cases, are given special responsibilities and authority, as was seen in the Wano arc, where X-Drake was revealed to be a Rear Admiral tasked with an undercover mission to join Kaido's Tobiroppo.

Straw Hat Luffy! For reasons I cannot say now, I am an army of one! Please let me fight on your side!

Often, instead of even being appointed to a Vice Admiral, some Rear Admirals can be made answerable to Marine Headquarters directly, as is the case with Hina. This is also the minimum level required for a Marine to be granted an audience with the 5 Elders.

Vice Admirals

Some of the greatest fighters of the World Government

Different Categories	None
Notable Characters	Garp, Smoker, Aokiji (former), Akainu (former), Kizaru (former)

Vice Admirals comprise of some of the most powerful and legendary characters in the entire One Piece world. They have control over all ranks under them and can even have special duties, such as Vice Admiral John Giant being the first in all of Marine HQ to receive news of an issued Buster Call and having the power to dispatch other Vice Admirals to it. The Vice Admirals are the main fighting force of the Buster Call.

I have no sympathy for criminals. But... family is a different story!

Vice Admirals are the World Government's most powerful fighters below the highest authority of the organization; the Admirals themselves, with many of them having a considerable mastery over the Six Powers. Vice Admirals each know at least one type of Haki and have a considerable amount of freedom within the organization, with Garp being one of the Government's most valuable assets, essentially being free to do whatever he wants both inside and outside the World Government's parameters.

Admirals

The Government's greatest military power

Different Categories	None
Notable Character	Akainu (former), Aokiji (former), Kizaru, Fujitora, Ryukugyu

Though there are ranks above this, the Admirals of the World Government are typically seen as the most powerful characters in the entire organization. At any given time, only 3 characters can hold these positions, which goes to show how important, powerful, and difficult to attain this status is, since only the strongest members of the entire World Government are given this title. Aside from the Fleet Admiral, these are the only Marine Officers in the Navy who have the authority to issue a Buster Call.

These characters are assigned specific names upon their ascension to the position of Admiral, each having to do with a specific color. Moreover, they are proficient in all types of Haki and each has an extremely deadly Devil Fruit power that is typically of the Logia variety, except for Fujitora, who has a Paramecia type Devil Fruit. Though never stated, Admirals are seen as the World Government's answer to the Emperors of the Sea and are relative in strength and Haki to them.

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Fleet Admiral

The second-highest non-Celestial Dragon position

Different Categories	None
Notable Characters	Kong (former), Sengoku (former), Akainu

The Fleet Admiral of the Navy is the highest-ranking Marine in the entire organization and holds a position lower only to the Commander-in-Chief and the highest roles comprising of the Celestial Dragons. The Fleet Admiral and the Admirals are the only positions in the World Government that can issue a Buster Call as well as give lower-ranking Marines the authority to do so. Though it goes without saying, the Fleet Admiral commands every position under themselves.

Justice lies in values which cannot transcend the generations.

Though little is known about the unique duties of those who hold this position, they have command over all the Marine and naval forces at the disposal of the World Government, as well as being able to control the various Marine bases throughout the world. Moreover, only a character of exceptional strength can hold this position, as both Sengoku and Akainu have all 3 types of Haki and extremely overpowered Devil Fruits as well.

Commander-in-Chief

The highest-ranking Marine official

Different Categories	None
Notable Characters	Kong

Very little is known about this position as well as the man who holds it. Just like the Fleet Admiral, the Commander-in-Chief holds full control over the entire Navy but can supersede even the Fleet Admiral's orders. On top of this, Kong has control over all other World Government-affiliated entities, such as the 7 Warlords, Enies Lobby, Impel Down, Cipher Pol, and even SSG, and gets his orders directly from the Gorosei or Imu. He can revoke the title of anyone within the organization at any time and holds all the perks of every position before him.

The God's Knights

The law enforcers of Marijois

Different Categories	None
Known Characters	Saint Figarland Garling

Yet another incredibly mysterious position within the World Government that fans know very little about currently, the God's Knights are the ones tasked with enforcing law and order within the Holy Land of Marijois. Since the residents of Marijois are considered to be gods that regular people cannot interact with, this mysterious group of Celestial Dragons is the only one that is allowed to enact justice upon them or settle their disputes, placing them above even Kong. The only other thing known about them is the head of this organization; Saint Figarland Garling.

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The 5 Elders

The ultimate authority of the World Government

The Gorosei (Five Elder Stars) sitting together at Mary Geoise.

Different Categories	God of Science - God of Agriculture - God of Finance - God of Justice - God of Environment
Notable Characters	Jaygarcia Saturn, Shepherd Ju Peter, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, Topman Warcury, Marcus Mars

As far as the rest of the world is concerned, there is no power greater than the 5 Elders of the World Government; Celestial Dragons that have more sway in the world than everyone else. They are presumably the ones that were appointed as the heads of the World Government since the destruction of the Ancient Kingdom during the Void Century and thus oversee every single facet of the world that isn't under the control of their opposing forces, the pirates and the Revolutionary Army.

Just like Kong, they not only control everything under them but also have a say in what information is allowed to exist for the public to see, as seen with them being the ones to have directly suppressed the hidden history of the world. Everything that they desire to complete is done by giving the highest-ranking officers in the World Government orders, though rarely, as seen in Egghead, they deal with things directly as well.

Imu

The ruler of the world

The most mysterious character in the entire One Piece story is The Great Imu, a mysterious and shadowy figure that exists in a realm even higher than the Gorosei. In recent chapters, it was revealed that it was Imu who had given the Gorosei their powers and could strip them of these gifts at any given moment, which he did with Saint Saturn, killing him on the spot.

Your fate was decided the moment you saw the Great Imu.

Nothing is known about Imu except for the fact that there is no one else on the planet on a higher level than him and that he has existed since the Void Century, judging by how he recognized Joyboy's Haki. As for the story of One Piece, Imu is going to be the ultimate ancient enemy that the heroes face at the end of the story, and defeating him will signal the end of the World Government as we know it!

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