Shueisha, the publisher behind the iconic manga series One Piece, has confirmed the removal of a significant number of fraudulent votes from its ongoing 2nd Global One Piece Character Popularity Poll. The announcement, made by the Weekly Shonen Jump Editorial Department on March 25, 2026, addresses attempts to manipulate the worldwide rankings through artificially inflated ballots. This intervention ensures the integrity of a poll that has already garnered millions of legitimate votes from fans across the globe.
Official Statement Details Vote Removal
In a formal statement posted on the official Eiichiro Oda social media account, the editorial department acknowledged that “improperly cast, illegal votes” had distorted the displayed levels of support for characters in the poll. The statement clarified that all identified fraudulent votes were removed from the tally as of March 25, 2026. Following this cleanup, the official worldwide vote count stood at 4,618,302 legitimate entries at the time of the announcement.
The department also indicated it is considering implementing further measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again during the remaining voting period. The poll, which launched at the start of March 2026, allows fans to visit the official website once per day to vote for their favorite character from a roster of 1,567 heroes, villains, and supporting cast members from the series’ vast universe.
Current Regional Standings Revealed
While the final World Top 100 results will not be unveiled until the One Piece Day ’26 events in August 2026, the official website provides real-time insights into regional preferences. The current standings, reflecting the cleaned data, show distinct geographic favorites emerging.
Leading Characters by Region
As of late March 2026, Sanji holds the number one position in several major regions: Japan, North America, Central and South America, and Oceania. This suggests a strong international appeal for the charismatic chef and fighter of the Straw Hat Pirates.
European and Middle Eastern Preferences
In Europe and the Middle East, Nami, the navigator of the crew, currently leads the poll. Her popularity in these regions highlights the diverse appeal of the series’ characters beyond the primary protagonist.
Asian and African Trends
Asia shows a strong affinity for the series’ main character, Monkey D. Luffy, who tops the rankings there. Meanwhile, in Africa, the swordsman Roronoa Zoro is the current favorite. These regional divides offer a fascinating snapshot of the global One Piece fanbase’s varied tastes.
Comparison to the 2021 Poll Results
This current poll invites comparisons to its predecessor, the first Global One Piece Character Popularity Poll conducted in 2021. The final top five ranking from that poll, in order, was: Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Sanji, and Trafalgar Law. The shifting regional leadership in the 2026 poll—with Sanji leading in more regions than Luffy—indicates potential changes in fan sentiment and character popularity over the intervening five years, though the final global ranking will provide the definitive answer.
Voting Continues with Cleaned Data
The 2nd Global One Piece Character Popularity Poll remains open for fan participation. Voting will continue until June 11, 2026, giving enthusiasts several more months to cast their daily votes and influence the cleaned and verified standings. The commitment to removing fraudulent votes underscores Shueisha’s dedication to presenting a fair and accurate reflection of global fan opinion.
The Expanding One Piece Media Universe
The intense interest in this popularity poll coincides with a period of significant expansion for the One Piece franchise across multiple media platforms. Viz Media continues to handle the manga’s publication outside of Japan. The long-running anime series is available on major streaming services like Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Furthermore, the successful live-action adaptation, which has released its first two seasons on Netflix, has introduced the world of One Piece to a new audience. An upcoming new animated adaptation, titled The One Piece, is also slated for release on Netflix, promising to reinvigorate the story for both new and existing fans. This multi-platform presence fuels the engagement and passion reflected in polls like this global character ranking.
The removal of fraudulent votes from the 2nd Global One Piece Character Popularity Poll is more than a technical correction; it is a reaffirmation of the fan community’s voice. In a series built on themes of camaraderie, adventure, and genuine connection, ensuring an honest poll mirrors those values. As millions of fans continue to vote daily until June, their collective choices, now free from artificial manipulation, will ultimately paint the truest picture of which characters have sailed deepest into the hearts of the world’s audience.
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