Donquixote Doflamingo

Donquixote Doflamingo (Japanese: ドンキホーテ・ドフラミンゴ, Donkihōte Dofuramingo) is a fictional character in the Japanese manga and anime series One Piece created by Eiichiro Oda. Introduced as a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Doflamingo is the manipulative captain of the Donquixote Pirates and the former ruler of Dressrosa. Within the story, he serves as a major antagonist during the Marineford Arc and the main antagonist of the Dressrosa Arc.

Donquixote Doflamingo
One Piece character
First appearance	One Piece chapter 233 (2002)
Created by	Eiichiro Oda
Voiced by	Hideyuki Tanaka (Japanese)
In-universe information
Alias	"Heavenly Yaksha" (天夜叉, Ten Yasha)
Species	Human
Occupation	Pirate; former Shichibukai; underworld broker
Affiliation	Donquixote Pirates (Captain)
Relatives	Donquixote Homing (father); Rosinante (brother)

Doflamingo has been recognized by critics and fans as one of the most notable antagonists in One Piece, praised for his design, personality, and complex rivalry with the protagonist Monkey D. Luffy.^[1][2]

Creation and development

Oda originally conceived Donquixote Doflamingo as a rapper, and he was intended to appear younger than in the final version of the series.^[3] The concept art for this early version of the character was later published in One Piece Green: Secret Pieces, revealing a different fashion style and personality direction.

According to Eiichiro Oda in the SBS section of One Piece Volume 98, Doflamingo was initially planned to appear in the Wano Country Arc as an ally or subordinate of Kaidou, leader of the Beasts Pirates.^[4] His underworld alias "Joker" was a remnant of this early concept.

Appearances

Doflamingo first appears during the Jaya and Marineford arcs, acting as a Shichibukai who delights in chaos. His full backstory unfolds in the Dressrosa Arc, where he is revealed to have been born into the fallen Donquixote family of Celestial Dragons. After killing his father in revenge, Doflamingo establishes himself as a pirate and underworld broker operating under the codename “Joker.” He manipulates Dressrosa’s citizens through the String-String Fruit (Ito Ito no Mi), which grants him the ability to control people like puppets. His rule ends when he is defeated by Luffy.

Abilities

Doflamingo possesses the String-String Fruit (イトイトの実, Ito Ito no Mi), a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to create and manipulate strings capable of slicing, controlling others, or stitching wounds. He demonstrates mastery of all three forms of Haki, making him one of the series’ most formidable combatants. His fighting style combines aerial agility, precision, and psychological manipulation.

Reception

Critical reception of Doflamingo has been largely positive. Reviewers have highlighted his charisma and the impact of his storyline within the Dressrosa Arc. Comic Book Resources praised him as "a masterfully written villain whose flamboyance conceals a deeply tragic worldview,"^[1] while Gamerant described him as "a character whose ideology reshaped the nature of villainy in One Piece."^[2]

Anime News Network included Doflamingo in its 2024 list of "Top Anime Antagonists," calling him "a flamboyant and calculating villain whose actions define the mid-series tone shift of One Piece."^[5]

Popularity polls

Doflamingo has consistently ranked among the top characters in official One Piece popularity polls conducted by Shueisha.

• In the 7th worldwide poll One Piece World Top 100 (2021), Doflamingo ranked **20th overall**, making him one of the highest-ranked villains globally.^[6]
• In Japan’s 5th character popularity poll (2014), he ranked **21st**.^[7]
• In the 6th poll (2017), he placed **22nd**.^[8]