Step aside, Mihawk, there’s another swordsman within the world of One Piece who’s been lurking in the background, sporting a fedora, and making mystery cooler than ever: Bogard, Garp’s right-hand man. Yes, the quiet fellow who hardly ever says anything yet gives off that ‘I could slice you in half before you blink’ vibe.
Even though the dude has existed since the time of the God Valley Incident (yes, the one that had the event with Rocks D. Xebec, Roger, as well as Garp), we actually know very little about the fellow. While Mihawk flaunts his title as the ‘World’s Strongest Swordsman,’ Bogard flexes in silence. No flashy duels, no giant cross-shaped swords, just pure Marine mystery. Let’s break down some facts, then, and find out why Bogard could be the most lowkey badass swordsman in One Piece.
Garp’s Shadow: Bogard’s Swordsmanship and Powers in One Piece
Bogard is no anonymous background Marine; the fellow has stuck around Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp for over 38 years, basically his shadow. Taller than average, unflinching, always neatly dressed as if he’s about to walk into a noir detective film. The man doesn’t even need to say anything; his silence is the statement.
While Garp screams, laughs, and beats things, Bogard stands still behind him, hand on his sword as if to remind the world that Marines can be cool as hell, too. You know those chill anime characters who automatically shut you up the moment you look at them? That’s Bogard.
Maybe Oda didn’t give Bogard a fancy title such as ‘Hawk Eyes,’ but his sword skills speak louder than any nickname ever could. The man once sliced Koby’s pistols into perfect metal confetti, without even scratching the poor guy. Later, he trained Koby and Helmeppo, casually defending himself against three swords at once with one hand. And not even his dominant one.
He’s a surgical fighter: calm, precise, and probably deadly as hell when he wants to be. If Mihawk’s style is elegant destruction, Bogard’s is lethal efficiency. No wasted movement, no ego: just clean cuts and perfect timing.
You don’t turn away from the God Valley Incident unless you’re made different. Bogard was present, along with Garp, during Marines and Roger’s crew’s collaborative taking-down of Rocks D. Xebec’s monster roster (Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, the entire crew). The very survival of that fight places Bogard in elite ranks right away.
And still to this day, after all these years, he looks the same, same crisp suit, same enigmatic face. Either he’s developed some kind of Marine skincare regimen, or Oda seriously wishes to keep him forever timeless.
If Garp is the true definition of chaos, then Bogard is discipline in human form. He’s always calm, always watching, and rarely speaks unless it’s something important.
Bogard vs. Mihawk in One Piece: The Mystery That’s Cooler Than Mihawk’s Blade
So who’s more mysterious: Mihawk or Bogard? Mihawk might have the title, the castle, and the gigantic sword, but Bogard? He’s got that old-school Marine vibe. Mihawk’s a showman, Bogard’s a ghost with a blade.
Where Mihawk enters a room to be praised, Bogard slips in unnoticed and leaves people questioning what exactly he’s capable of. And really? That sort of mystery is way scarier. Because with Mihawk, you at least know that the guy’s strong. With Bogard, you don’t know, and that’s what makes him all the cooler.
The live-action One Piece on Netflix actually featured Bogard with more screentime, and we loved it. He’s portrayed as Garp’s level-headed second-in-command, balancing out Garp’s wild antics.
In the end, Bogard doesn’t require some big deal bounty or fancy title to prove that he’s deadly. He’s the type who’s probably taken down entire pirate crews offscreen and didn’t bother mentioning it. His calm energy, lethal swordsmanship, and unshakable loyalty make him one of One Piece‘s most criminally underrated characters.
Whereas Mihawk dominates the oceans with reputation, Bogard dominates the quiet. He’s the Marines’ ghost blade, the individual who doesn’t require the world’s attention to be frightening. And seriously? That makes the fellow cooler even than the ‘World’s Strongest Swordsman.’
So, do you think Garp’s right-hand man could give the world’s greatest swordsman a real fight? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and join the discussion.
One Piece anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
