Blackbeard Pirates and Their Real-World Inspirations
In One Piece, every member of the Blackbeard Pirates seems larger than life.
But their origins aren’t just fantasy. Many of them are modeled after real figures from history—some were notorious pirates who terrorized the Caribbean, while others were Spanish conquistadors who brutally invaded South America.
By tracing these inspirations, we can see how Oda Eiichiro connects the Blackbeard Pirates to the real Age of Exploration and the darker legacy of conquest.
Marshall D. Teach – Blackbeard


Epithet: Blackbeard
Bounty: 2,247,600,000 Berries
Devil Fruit: Yami Yami no Mi (Logia)
Teach murdered Thatch to steal the Yami Yami no Mi, and during the Marineford War he delivered the final blow to Whitebeard, seizing the Gura Gura no Mi as well. This made him the first person in history to wield two Devil Fruits.
The names Edward Teach, Edward Thatch, and Blackbeard all come from the real-life pirate Edward Teach.
Jesus Burgess – The Champion

First ship captain and helmsman of the Blackbeard Pirates. Modeled after Josiah Burgess, a member of the Flying Gang in Nassau’s “Pirate Republic.”
Van Augur – The Sniper


Third ship captain and sniper. His impossible shots mirror the real John Augur, another member of the Nassau Flying Gang.
Lafitte – Demon Sheriff


Fifth ship captain and navigator. Inspired by Jean Lafitte, a French-born pirate who operated in the Gulf of Mexico and became a folk hero in Louisiana.
Doc Q – The Grim Reaper


Ninth ship captain and doctor. His inspiration comes from the 1988 British film The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. In the movie, Death disguises itself as a doctor to kill the Baron—clearly the origin of Doc Q.
Notably, the first five members of the Blackbeard Pirates (Augur, Burgess, Lafitte, Doc Q, and Teach) strongly parallel the Baron’s eccentric companions: the sharpshooter Adolphus with “telescopic vision,” the strongman Albrecht, and others.
Shiryu of the Rain


Former Impel Down head jailer turned second ship captain. His model is Zheng Zhilong (Tei Shiryu), a powerful Chinese pirate and trader during the Ming dynasty.
Avalo Pizarro – Corrupt King


Fourth ship captain. Based on Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador who conquered Peru and the Inca Empire.
Catarina Devon – Crescent Moon Hunter


Sixth ship captain. Inspired by Catalina de Erauso, the “Nun Lieutenant” of Spain’s Golden Age—who fled convent life, cross-dressed, and fought in the Chilean conquest.
Sanjuan Wolf – The Colossal Battleship


Seventh ship captain. Modeled not after a person but a fortress: San Juan de Ulúa in Veracruz, Mexico.
Vasco Shot – Heavy Drinker


Eighth ship captain. Inspired by Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spanish explorer who “discovered” the Pacific Ocean while brutally exploiting native peoples.
Common Thread: South America and the Conquistadors
The later recruits of the Blackbeard Pirates—Pizarro, Devon, Wolf, and Vasco Shot—share a striking theme: they are all based on Spanish conquistadors who invaded South America.
In my view, the islands in ONE PIECE often parallel real-world locations. The only major region still untouched is South America. That makes it a “final continent” in the story’s symbolic geography.
The Blackbeard Pirates are central to this idea: their base, Pirate Island Hachinosu, is inspired by Nassau in the Bahamas—the hub of the Flying Gang. Historically, Nassau lies right next to South America’s gateway, tying them to the Age of Exploration and colonial conquest.
In other words, the Blackbeard Pirates connect South America, the Age of Exploration, and the Pirate Republic of Nassau—a trinity that makes them crucial to the overarching narrative of ONE PIECE.
Final Inspiration: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen


This 1988 British film is a goldmine of inspiration for Oda. The eccentric Baron and his four superhuman companions mirror the early Blackbeard Pirates exactly. Adolphus, with his uncanny sharpshooting, is practically a prototype for Van Augur.
Even more telling: the Grim Reaper disguised as a doctor directly inspired Doc Q.
In the film’s climax, the Baron travels to the moon and meets the “King of the Moon,” whose arrogant demeanor and appearance strongly resemble the Celestial Dragons.


This isn’t just a loose influence—it feels like Oda treated Baron Munchausen as a live-action prototype for ONE PIECE itself. For any true fan of the series, this movie is absolutely worth watching.

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