One Piece: The Five Elders Explained – Names, Powers, Abilities, Story
The Five Elders Step Into the Limelight for the first time in One Piece Anime.
One Piece anime has finally shown one of the Five Elders in action for the first time in episode 1128. As the story approaches its last saga, the curtain is finally being pulled on the Five Elders, also referred to as the Gorosei. These individuals who have long been pulling the strings behind the World Government are now stepping out directly into the limelight.
And along with them comes a terrifying reality: they’re not only political figures, they’re mythological beasts with powers beyond imagination. Let’s take apart who these Elders are, their real names, abilities, and how they are involved in the overall storyline of One Piece.
Table of Contents
Who are the Five Elders?
The Five Elders are the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons in the whole World Government hierarchy, below only the mysterious Imu, the actual world ruler. They control nearly all significant decisions for ruling the world, from issuing bounties, providing assassination commands, to keeping the Poneglyph secrets. They’ve even tried to eliminate people like Nico Robin and Monkey D. Luffy from history.
For as far back as anyone could recall, the fans had no clue whether they could even fight. But all this changed in the Egghead Arc. Their terrifying abilities were finally revealed through twisted transformations and unnatural summoning rituals. They are not ordinary people, these are god-like beings with abilities far beyond anything we’ve ever witnessed in One Piece.
5. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn
Jaygarcia Saturn is the first Elder to be properly introduced in the series. Since he is the one who was sent to take care of Dr. Vegapunk, Saturn arrives at Egghead Island to oversee the scientist’s execution. His Devil Fruit enables him to transform into a giant yokai in the form of an Ox Demon, a Japanese mythological beast believed to bring misfortune and violence.
He has great regenerative abilities, deadly claws, and an abnormal aura that immobilizes even strong characters like Sanji and Bonney. Since he is involved with Vegapunk and scientific affairs, it is most likely that he oversees the technological branch of the government. He can also teleport through summoning circles, suggesting connections to dark rituals or demonic energies.
4. Saint Marcus Mars
Saint Marcus Mars is a giant of a man with a winged aura that suggests an avian-based Mythical Zoan, such as a Tengu or a Thunderbird. Although his precise abilities have yet to be shown, his title would imply some manner of nature control, weather, air, or nature itself, maybe.
He is involved in the summoning ritual alongside the other Elders and appears with Imu when they are discussing the ancient weapon, Mother Flame. That is a strong indication that he’s involved in huge, perhaps global, decisions concerning planetary-scale events.
3. Saint Topman Warcury
Saint Warcury boasts the most physically dominant physique among all the Elders, a muscular, horned man. His name, “God of Justice,” suggests a big role in enforcing the law of the World Government.
Also Read:
He might be in charge of military operations, actions against, or even judging powerful men like Garp or Sengoku if necessary. We haven’t yet seen him fight, but his possible function might include spiritually or morally-based powers.
2. Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro
Saint Nusjuro’s entry was perhaps the most impressive in One Piece history. He rides in on a blazing, skeletal horse that appears to be part of his own Mythical Zoan. He carries a burning sword, a probable cursed sword, and cuts through enemies as he rides, demonstrating raw power and combat prowess.
His Devil Fruit is a Bakotsu Yasha, one of Japanese mythology’s undead horse yokai usually linked with death and devastation. As the “God of Finance,” he can possibly command the wealth of the Celestial Dragons, the slave trade, and illegal underground transactions. But of course, he’s not just all about money, he’s also a ruthless fighter who adds speed, strength, and devil powers to the equation.
1. Saint Shepherd Ju Peter
Of all the Elders, Ju Peter looks the most grotesque. His altered shape resembles a giant bloated worm. This could reflect his thematic association with agriculture, as a god of consumption, rot, or life cycles gone horribly wrong.
Though he has not spoken much, he is always present when the Elders move together in sync, especially when they follow Imu. His silence does not diminish his danger. If anything, it adds to his intimidating presence.
Are the Five Elders Immortal?
One of the most debated questions among the viewers is how old the Five Elders are, exactly? They appeared in the Ohara flashback 22 years ago and were exactly the same as today. No aging at all. This has made people think they must be centuries old, kept young by Imu or by ancient technology, devil fruit abilities, or Void Century technology.
That’s a believable theory, particularly if they’re protectors of the 900-year-old secret in the Void Century. They could even be survivors of the original 20 Kingdoms that became part of the World Government after they conquered the Ancient Kingdom.
Their Relationship with Imu
Even with such an immense amount of power, the Five Elders openly bow to a higher authority, Imu. Regardless of when they refer to Imu, they address him in the respectful “Imu-sama,” showing their absolute submission. When Imu destroyed the Lulusia Kingdom with the satellite weapon known as Mother Flame, the Elders did not object. They logically justified the destruction instead.
That says a lot about their role, not only as leaders, but as the enforcers of Imu’s divine authority. They are willing to erase entire nations just to maintain power. They also appear to be heavily invested in dark, perhaps spiritual ceremonies, entering and exiting through the means of summoning circles. This might suggest some greater connection between them, Imu, and the Ancient Weapons.
Final Thoughts
For years, the Five Elders were like background figures, dark politicians in the background manipulating the strings of global events. But now? They’re becoming some of the most powerful enemies the Straw Hats will ever face.
Every one of them represents a twisted god of war, justice, nature, death, and control. While Luffy’s crew is fighting the Marines, the Celestial Dragons, and the mysteries of the Void Century, the Five Elders will certainly be standing in their way, not as men, but as monsters.
