Summary
Impel Downis a seasteading prison affiliated with the World Government inOne Piece. It is notorious for being the facility where a number of ruthless pirates are held. Many pirates prominent in the series, ranging from heroes to villains or landing somewhere in between, have been held prisoner there for their crimes.
The most remarkable among them are often situated on the prison’s sixth and lowest floor, known as “Eternal Hell.” This floor is often perceived as a rumor, but in fact houses criminals who are considered particularly powerful or threatening. Criminals here are either given a life or death sentence, with their crimes said to be “erased” from history. These are the most powerful pirates to have been imprisoned in Impel Down.
7Sanjuan Wolf
The Seventh Titanic Captain
Sanjuan Wolf is a giant from the West Blue, who was incarcerated for unknown reasons. He ate the Deka Deka no Mi, a Devil Fruit which allowed him to shift in size. This made him the single largest giant, becoming even bigger than ancient giants at full size. He was one of the prisoners who survived Blackbeard’s impromptu battle royale, meant to determine which pirates would join his crew. He succeeded in joining theBlackbeard Piratesand becoming one of its Ten Titanic Captains.
Considering his size, it seems fair to assess Wolf as a heavyweight even among those in the “Eternal Hell” section. Nonetheless, his destruction is only implied for the moment. He was defeated by Monkey D. Garp, albeit whilst already unconscious. That being said, his own relative destructive power is thought to be such that his crewmates seem content for him to remain unconscious in most circumstances.
6Portgas D. Ace
Fire Fist
Portgas D. Ace was the estranged son ofGol D. Roger, who was raised alongside Monkey D. Luffy, and eventually grew to regard him as a sworn brother. Despite his untimely death, having been killed by Sakazuki at age 20, Ace was nonetheless a particularly powerful pirate whose limitations said more about the strengths of his opponents rather than his weaknesses. Ace was formerly a pirate captain, having led the Spade Pirates. However, after an encounter with Whitebeard, Ace ended up being captured and eventually joined his crew, having gained the rank of Second Division Commander.
Ace showed himself to be roughly at warlord level, defeating Hanafuda, a previous affiliate of Kaido, who held the title before Ace beat him. This led to Ace himself being invited to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, an offer he swiftly declined. Ace could also use all three types of Haki, and ate the Mera Mera no Mi, a Devil Fruit which allowed its user to control, create, and become fire.
Ace was, unfortunately, vulnerable to other kinds of Logia, most notably Blackbeard’s Yami Yami no Mi, which could neutralize the Devil Fruits of other users. This led to his initial capture and incarceration in Impel Down, which propelled Blackbeard into warlord status, and led Ace to die during the Summit War.
5Jimbei
Knight of the Sea
Jimbei is a veteran pirate who was formerly a soldier of the Ryugu Kingdom. He heavily admired his captain, Fisher Tiger, who fought for the rights of Fish-Man and led a mass slave revolt in Mary Geoise. After his captain’s passing, Jimbei took over leadership of the Sun Pirates and became a Warlord, at least partially to pardon his crewmates who were incarcerated.
However, he voluntarily forfeited this status to prevent fighting Whitebeard in the Summit War. Whitebeard “captured” Fish-Man Island for the purpose of designating himself as its protector. Jimbei was broken free by Monkey D. Luffy, who was looking to rescue Ace. This seeded the beginning of their friendship. Jimbei eventually left the Sun Pirates amicably, with his crewmates supporting his desire to join theStraw Hat Pirates.
4Crocodile
Desert King
Crocodile was previously the head of the Baroque Works Operation. To this end, he conducted a number of schemes that would ultimately end with him ascending Alabasta’s throne, in theory. In practice, his efforts were countered by Monkey D. Luffy, who beat him in battle after losing against him twice. He was imprisoned in a holding facility alongside most of his top officers, but was one of a few who volunteered not to escape.
Alongside Galdino (Mr. 3), Bentham (Mr. 2 Bon Clay), and Daz Bonez (Mr. 1), he was incarcerated in Impel Down. He requested Luffy to help free him, in an effort to kill Whitebeard during the Summit War, an effort later encouraged by Emporio Ivankov, who claimed knowledge of a past Crocodile wouldn’t want revealed. After the Summit War, Crocodile founded and formed the Cross Guild, inviting Dracule Mihawk to become his business partner.This guild hunts marines for bountiesthat the Cross Guild puts on them.
Crocodile is fairly strong with his Suna Suna no Mi, allowing him to control sand and absorb moisture. He also defeated a young Monkey D. Luffy twice, but ended up losing their second rematch. He has nonetheless proven himself a figure of strength and cunning, being able to quickly rebuild even after his initial downfall.
3Shiryu
The Second Titanic Captain
Shiryu was previously not only a prisoner of Impel Down, but also its Head Jailer. Despite the prison’s insistence on torturing its inmates and other forms of carceral punishment, Shiryu was too excessive in his violence to escape notice. His punishment was to become a level 6 prisoner himself, with him being put on death row. He was temporarily pardoned when Impel Down came under attack, as his might was needed to guard the prison. However, it was made clear that he would be kept on death row after the fact.
Ultimately, Blackbeard selected him for his crew, alongside four other level six prisoners, who earned their lot in a battle to the death. Shiryu considered becoming a pirate a better alternative than death, and has sailed with the crew since. Despite somewhat abbreviated combat appearances, Shiryu is confirmed to be no slouch. Oda identified him as the second-strongest member of the Blackbeard Pirates. It is unclear if this also takes into account Kuzan’s membership. Regardless, like Teach’s initial followers and his fellow prisoners, Shiryu was made one of theTen Titanic Captainsas the crew expanded. He is strong enough to injure the mighty Monkey D. Garp, and has augmented his strength with the Suke Suke no Mi, a Devil Fruit previously belonging to Absalom that allows its user to become invisible along with their surroundings. Shiryu uses this to catch his enemies off guard with devastating sneak attacks.
2Donquixote Doflamingo
Heavenly Yaksha
Donquixote Doflamingo was a former member of theSeven Warlords of the Sea. He successfully managed to ingratiate himself with the likes of the World Government, the criminal underworld, and the pirate Emperor, Kaido, at the same time. He achieved this all whilst ruling over Dressrosa, a kingdom he took over in a single night. Doflamingo was once a Celestial Dragon, but ended up being forced into poverty when his father, Homing, abdicated the title. He ended up rebuilding his influence by forming the Donquixote Pirates, a crew whose earliest members submitted to him after discovering his Conqueror’s Haki.
Doflamingo also possesses the Ito Ito no Mi, a Devil Fruit which allows him to control strings, which he can, in turn, use to manipulate others and physically damage them. His awakening of this power has allowed him to transform his surroundings into additional strings. It ended up taking Luffy’s Gear 4 to ultimately defeat him. After his loss, Doflamingo ended up losing virtually everything he worked towards building. He is currently incarcerated in Impel Down, with his only remnant of his time outside being his trademark red sunglasses.
1Shiki
The Golden Lion
Having formerly sailed with the Rocks Pirates, Shiki struck out on his own after their disbandment, assembling what was once considered the world’s biggest fleet. After losing to Gol D. Roger at The Battle of Edd War, Shiki’s desire to actively antagonize the marines led to him being captured. He did time in Impel Down but ended up cutting his legs to remove the seastone shackles binding him. He subsequently escaped, using his two signature swords as prosthetic limbs.
He was subsequently involved in a 20-year plan to unleash mutated animals on the world. The effects of this plan were seen firsthand only withinStrong World, a non-canon movie where the fleet ends up being defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates. Nonetheless, Shiki has been retroactively made canon, with his film remaining the sole aspect of his character not to cross over. However, his Devil Fruit, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, a telekinetic Devil Fruit that allows its user to effectively fly whilst floating other objects, via levitation, is also made canon. The extent to which he executed this ability, in addition to being the second ever prisoner to escape Impel Down (the first one was Morley of the Revolutionary Army), allows one to make the argument that he was the strongest prisoner held in Impel Down in the canon.
