Do we like Gol D. Roger?
A character from One Piece (1997–present)
Our score: 8 out of 10. A larger-than-life, laughing adventurer who set the whole world dreaming. He's no saint, but we'd happily sail with him and back his crew.
One Piece is a seafaring adventure about pirates hunting for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece. Roger is the man behind that quest. He was the captain of the Roger Pirates and the only person known to have reached the end of the Grand Line, the world's most dangerous sea. The story begins in his shadow, since his legend is what drives a young Luffy to chase the title of Pirate King.
Roger is bold, flashy and endlessly curious. He loved big, showy things and relished his title. He is remembered by those who knew him as a great man and a loyal friend. His crew, including first mate Silvers Rayleigh, followed him through nearly three decades of adventures. They made rivals and friends everywhere, from Skypiea to Wano. He is also one of the very few people who could read the ancient Poneglyphs, which is how he found the way to the treasure.
The score is high because his charisma, loyalty and sense of adventure are what the series is built on. He loses points because he is still a famous pirate with a wanted poster. His fame also drew crews and Marines into years of fighting.
In the end Roger turns himself in to the World Government and is executed in his hometown of Loguetown. Before he dies, he tells the world that his treasure is out there for anyone to claim. That sparks the Great Pirate Era. He also left a child behind, so his legacy outlived him.