One Piece Will Settle Zoro vs Sanji Debate on August 22

The popularity of One Piece still remains high, with the story progressing further into the series’ Final Saga, and readers becoming even more invested in their favorite characters. The story created by Eiichiro Oda boasts one of the most passionate fanbases in the anime world – a fanbase that actively engages with all kinds of polls, discussions, and debates.

The mid-term ranking of the poll on the official worldwide popularity (via the official website) has once again stirred a long-standing debate. While Monkey D Luffy is still coming on top, the attention moves to a well-known rivalry of the series – Roronoa Zoro and Sanji. Zoro takes second place, and Sanji takes third place in the same poll, which sets the perfect stage to settle the Zoro-Sanji debate on August 22, when the final results will be announced during ONE PIECE DAY ’26.

ONE PIECE DAY ’26 Might Finally Settle the Zoro vs Sanji Debate

The official mid-term One Piece character popularity ranking continues to position Zoro and Sanji side by side, but unlike any other year, it feels like the stakes will be much higher this year. With Zoro ranked at second place and Sanji occupying the third rank position, the final results on August 22 could serve as the closest thing to an official verdict in one of anime’s longest-running debates.

The consistent ranking near the top of all lists speaks volumes about Zoro’s character, with his development through the Wano arc earning him quite some fanfare. The use of advanced-level Haki and “King of Hell” techniques significantly increased his popularity.

Sanji, on the other hand, is not far behind! The development that he underwent on Whole Cake Island made him one of the most emotionally layered characters in the entire series. Family issues, identity crises, and themes about self-worth made a great impression on the audience, allowing Sanji to gain widespread appreciation beyond his fighting skills.

Thus, the significance of August 22 lies not just in the ranking but in what it represents. For many years, fans debated which character is actually stronger, Sanji or Zoro – from power and character development to cool-headedness and emotional complexity, to their comparison with Rayleigh and Gaban from the Roger’s crew, the list just goes on.

However, now, with a global poll backed by official data, fans might get a clearer picture of where the majority stands. This does not necessarily mean that the debate will end forever; however, it will provide both camps with undeniable proof, thus making ONE PIECE DAY ’26 a defining moment for the fandom.

Beyond Zoro and Sanji: One Piece Popularity Poll’s Biggest Names

While Zoro and Sanji’s rivalry takes most of the attention, the other characters in the list show a wide range, with the list being dominated by several fan-favorite characters, defined by their emotional stories and significance in the Final Saga.

The top spot of Luffy proves his place as the heart of the story, especially after the Gear 5 reveal. Nami’s fourth position highlights her status as a fan-favorite female character and the emotional heart of the Straw Hat crew.

Meanwhile, Law continues to prove his immense popularity, maintaining a Top 5 position. Robin’s climb in the list to the sixth position is a testament to her increasing significance in the final saga. Ace’s appearance in the seventh spot is a clear indication of the continued emotional influence that the Marineford War has had on fans.

Shanks, on the other hand, is coming in 8th position due to his charisma and increasing significance within the story. However, the most interesting addition in the top 10 is undoubtedly Uta from One Piece Film: Red, in 9th place, which shows that her popularity is far from temporary, and Chopper’s consistent presence in the Top 10 indicates the strength of emotional influence.

Outside the Top 10, a number of other characters are also receiving attention. Boa Hancock is just outside the Top 10 at 11th place, followed by Sabo at 14th. Even more interesting, some of the Final Saga characters, such as Loki (21), Imu (49), and Marshall D. Teach (50), may see significant growth due to their roles in the final saga of One Piece.

Here is the quick overview of the top 10 characters from the popularity poll ranking as of now.

RankCharacter

1	Monkey D. Luffy
2	Roronoa Zoro
3	Sanji
4	Nami
5	Trafalgar D. Water Law
6	Nico Robin
7	Portgas D. Ace
8	Shanks
9	Uta
10	Tony Tony Chopper

Here are some of the questions fans may have –

So now the big question – do you think Zoro will hold his lead in the popularity ranking, or will Sanji pull off a last-minute upset? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The One Piece anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.