Ultimate One Piece Yonko Poneglyph Readers Ranked (March 2026)
Who are the Poneglyph readers in each Yonko crew in One Piece? The Poneglyph readers are rare individuals who can decipher the ancient script written on the indestructible stone blocks, with each Yonko crew either having or seeking these crucial translators to find the One Piece treasure.
In my years of playing best One Piece games and following the manga religiously, I’ve watched the importance of Poneglyph readers evolve from a mysterious plot device to the absolute key to becoming Pirate King. Whether I’m playing One Piece Treasure Cruise or Pirate Warriors 4, understanding these characters and their abilities has become essential for appreciating the deeper lore.
| Reader Type | Key Benefit | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Kozuki Clan Members | Born with knowledge | Extremely Rare |
| Ohara Scholars | Learned through study | Nearly Extinct |
| Three-Eye Tribe | Awakening potential | Ultra Rare |
Understanding Poneglyph Readers in the Current Yonko Era
Before I dive into my rankings, let me share something from my gaming experience that perfectly illustrates why Poneglyph readers matter so much. In One Piece Bounty Rush, when they introduced the Road Poneglyph event mode in March 2026, teams without Robin or characters with Voice of All Things abilities were at a massive disadvantage. This perfectly mirrors the manga’s current situation where every Yonko crew desperately needs a reader.
The current Yonko lineup has shifted dramatically following the Wano Country arc. We now have Luffy, Blackbeard, Shanks, and Buggy as the Four Emperors, with each crew taking vastly different approaches to the Poneglyph problem. What makes this fascinating from a gaming perspective is how it resembles team composition in MOBAs – you absolutely need that support character who can unlock progression for everyone else.
The Strategic Importance of Poneglyph Readers
In my analysis of the most important One Piece characters, Poneglyph readers consistently rank in the top tier. There are 30 Poneglyphs scattered across the world, with four crucial Road Poneglyphs that reveal Laugh Tale’s location. Without a reader, even the strongest crew is essentially playing the game without being able to access the final level.
From the official One Piece sources and Oda’s SBS columns, we know that the ability to read Poneglyphs is extraordinarily rare. The World Government systematically eliminated most readers during the Ohara incident, making the few remaining individuals invaluable assets – or targets.
Ranking Methodology: Gaming Tier List Approach
I’m approaching this ranking like I would a character tier list in fighting games. My criteria include:
- S-Tier: Complete mastery, multiple reading methods, impossible to replace
- A-Tier: Full reading ability, crucial to their crew’s success
- B-Tier: Potential readers or partial abilities
- C-Tier: Limited or theoretical reading capability
This ranking considers not just raw ability but also availability, loyalty to their crew, and strategic value in the race for One Piece.
5. Gecko Moria – The Shocking Kozuki Connection (Cross Guild/Former Association)
The recent revelation about Gecko Moria being connected to the Kozuki clan absolutely blew my mind when I read it in chapter 1096. As someone who’s been following One Piece since the Thriller Bark arc, I never saw this coming. While Moria isn’t technically part of a current Yonko crew, his past associations and potential future alignment make him worth discussing.
The Kozuki Heritage Theory
According to the latest manga revelations and community discussions on r/OnePiece, there’s compelling evidence suggesting Moria has Kozuki bloodline connections. His unique shadow abilities and knowledge of ancient techniques hint at a deeper connection to Wano’s history. In the gaming community, we’ve been theorizing about this since One Piece: World Seeker included cryptic dialogue about Moria’s past.
What makes Moria particularly interesting is his potential value to Cross Guild. While Buggy’s crew currently lacks a confirmed Poneglyph reader, acquiring someone with even partial Kozuki knowledge would be game-changing. From my experience with One Piece revelations that changed gaming, character connections like this often become major plot points in future arcs.
Strategic Value Assessment
Moria ranks lowest because his reading ability remains theoretical and unconfirmed. However, if the Kozuki connection proves true, he could jump several tiers. His shadow manipulation could potentially preserve or transfer Poneglyph knowledge – imagine shadow clones that retain ancient reading abilities!
4. Charlotte Pudding – The Three-Eye Tribe’s Sleeping Potential (Blackbeard Pirates)
Charlotte Pudding represents one of the most fascinating wildcards in the Poneglyph reader rankings. Currently held by the Blackbeard Pirates after their raid on Whole Cake Island, Pudding possesses the latent ability to read Poneglyphs through her Three-Eye Tribe heritage – but there’s a massive catch.
The Awakening Dilemma
I’ve studied every mention of the Three-Eye Tribe across the manga and SBS sections, and Oda has been deliberately vague about when or how their true power awakens. In gaming terms, Pudding is like having a max-level character that’s still locked behind a story progression gate. Big Mom spent years waiting for Pudding’s awakening, and now Blackbeard faces the same uncertain timeline.
From my discussions with the Arlong Park Forums community, the consensus is that emotional trauma or specific conditions might trigger the awakening. The parallel to strongest Devil Fruit powers awakening through extreme circumstances is compelling.
Blackbeard’s Gamble
What makes Pudding’s situation particularly intriguing is Blackbeard’s strategic thinking. Unlike other Yonko, he’s collecting multiple paths to Poneglyph reading – holding Pudding while potentially seeking other options. It’s like diversifying your team composition in strategy games; you don’t put all your resources into one build path.
Her memory manipulation abilities add another layer of complexity. Even if she awakens her Three-Eye powers, she could potentially alter memories of Poneglyph contents or create false translations. This makes her both incredibly valuable and dangerously unpredictable.
3. Kozuki Sukiyaki – The Hidden Master (Potential Ally to Multiple Crews)
Here’s where my ranking might surprise some readers. Kozuki Sukiyaki, Momonosuke’s grandfather and former shogun of Wano, is alive and possesses full Poneglyph reading abilities. While not officially part of any Yonko crew, his position in Wano makes him a potential asset to multiple factions.
The Living Encyclopedia
Sukiyaki represents something unique – a Kozuki clan member who survived while maintaining complete knowledge of Poneglyph creation and reading. During my recent playthrough of One Piece Odyssey, there’s a side quest that explores the Kozuki clan’s history, and it really drove home how valuable this knowledge is.
What sets Sukiyaki apart is his comprehensive understanding. He doesn’t just read Poneglyphs; he understands their creation process, the context of their messages, and most importantly, he taught Oden everything he knew. This makes him arguably more knowledgeable than even Robin in certain aspects.
Strategic Positioning
Sukiyaki’s value extends beyond just reading ability. His position in Wano, now allied with the Straw Hat Pirates, creates interesting dynamics. He could potentially assist Luffy’s crew, train Momonosuke in the ancient arts, or become a target for other Yonko crews seeking readers.
From a gaming perspective, Sukiyaki is like having a legendary NPC trainer who could upgrade multiple characters’ abilities. His knowledge could unlock new paths for several crews simultaneously.
2. Nico Robin – The Last Scholar of Ohara (Straw Hat Pirates)
I’ve been a Robin fan since her introduction in Alabasta, and watching her evolution into the Straw Hat Pirates’ irreplaceable archaeologist has been incredible. In every One Piece game I play, from Burning Blood to the recent mobile games, Robin’s unique position as a Poneglyph reader makes her central to the storyline.
The Ohara Legacy
Robin learned to read Poneglyphs at age eight, making her the youngest person to ever achieve this feat through academic study rather than bloodline inheritance. The destruction of Ohara left her as the sole survivor capable of reading the ancient script through scholarly methods. This isn’t just rare – it’s literally unique in the current world.
What I find fascinating about Robin’s ability compared to others is its academic foundation. While Kozuki clan members have inherited knowledge, Robin understands the linguistic principles, historical context, and archaeological significance of each Poneglyph. She’s decoded patterns and meanings that even some Kozuki members might miss.
Luffy’s Trump Card
Robin’s position with the Straw Hat Pirates makes Luffy the only current Yonko with guaranteed, loyal access to a Poneglyph reader. This advantage cannot be overstated. While Blackbeard gambles on Pudding’s awakening and Shanks relies on other methods, Luffy has already translated three Road Poneglyphs with Robin’s help.
In gaming terms, Robin provides consistent, reliable progression for the Straw Hat Pirates. She’s like having the only character in an MMO who can unlock endgame content – everyone else has to find workarounds or wait for rare drops.
Combat Evolution and Protection
Recent developments in the manga have shown Robin becoming stronger in combat, particularly with her Demonio Fleur form. This addresses her historical vulnerability – being such a valuable target required constant protection. Now she can defend herself while maintaining her irreplaceable scholarly role.
1. Kozuki Oden – The Ultimate Reader (Former Whitebeard/Roger Pirates)
Despite his death, Kozuki Oden remains the gold standard for Poneglyph readers. His influence on both Whitebeard and Roger’s crews was so profound that I’m ranking him first, as his legacy continues to shape the current Yonko race for One Piece.
The Perfect Combination
What made Oden unmatched was his combination of abilities. He possessed:
- Complete Kozuki clan knowledge of Poneglyph reading and creation
- The Voice of All Things (shared with Roger and Luffy)
- Incredible combat prowess to protect himself
- The adventurous spirit to actually seek out Poneglyphs
In my analysis of the One Piece manga vs anime differences, Oden’s portrayal consistently emphasizes his unique position as the bridge between the ancient kingdom’s knowledge and the modern pirate era.
The Roger Pirates’ Success
Oden was instrumental in Roger becoming Pirate King. Without him, even Roger’s Voice of All Things wouldn’t have been enough to fully understand the Road Poneglyphs’ messages. This partnership created the template that current Yonko crews are trying to replicate.
From a gaming achievement perspective, Oden basically had all the requirement flags checked – max level reading skill, legendary combat stats, and the questline connections to actually reach Laugh Tale. No current reader matches this complete package.
Lasting Impact Through Journals
Oden’s journal, which Yamato possesses, contains invaluable information about Poneglyph locations and partial translations. This makes even his written legacy more valuable than some living readers. Multiple crews are seeking this journal, understanding that it’s essentially a strategy guide to finding One Piece.
The Current Yonko Crew Situations
Let me break down how each current Yonko crew stands regarding Poneglyph readers:
Straw Hat Pirates (Luffy)
Status: Optimal position with Nico Robin
Backup options: Potential access to Sukiyaki, Law’s knowledge
Strategic advantage: Only crew with confirmed, loyal reader
Blackbeard Pirates
Status: Gambling on Pudding’s awakening
Backup options: Actively seeking other readers, might target Robin
Strategic approach: Collection and coercion rather than loyalty
Red Hair Pirates (Shanks)
Status: No confirmed reader
Suspected method: Possible Voice of All Things or alternative knowledge
Strategic mystery: Shanks might know Laugh Tale’s location through Roger
Cross Guild (Buggy)
Status: No confirmed reader
Potential options: Could recruit Moria or seek other fugitive scholars
Strategic disadvantage: Furthest behind in the Poneglyph race
Gaming Community Perspectives and Theories
The One Piece gaming community has developed fascinating theories about Poneglyph readers that often predict manga developments. In One Piece Treasure Cruise, they introduced a “Poneglyph Challenge” event that required specific character combinations, hinting at future alliances.
Many players believe the ultimate endgame will require multiple readers working together. The four Road Poneglyphs might need different reading methods – traditional Kozuki knowledge, Ohara scholarship, Three-Eye Tribe awakening, and Voice of All Things – to fully unlock Laugh Tale’s secrets. This theory aligns with the approach used in advanced One Piece gaming strategies where team synergy matters more than individual strength.
Future Implications for the One Piece Race
Looking ahead to 2026, the Poneglyph reader situation will likely determine which Yonko crew reaches Laugh Tale first. Based on current standings:
- Most likely to succeed: Straw Hat Pirates with Robin’s confirmed ability
- Wildcard potential: Blackbeard if Pudding awakens
- Mystery factor: Shanks with unknown methods
- Longest odds: Cross Guild without a clear reader path
The recent emphasis on latest One Piece arc developments suggests Oda is accelerating toward the final saga where Poneglyph readers will become even more crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Devil Fruit powers help read Poneglyphs?
No, Devil Fruit powers alone cannot grant Poneglyph reading ability. Even powerful fruits like the Ope Ope no Mi or Memo Memo no Mi can’t decode the ancient script. Reading Poneglyphs requires specific knowledge passed down through the Kozuki clan, learned through extensive study like Robin did, or potentially awakened through Three-Eye Tribe heritage.
How many people can currently read Poneglyphs?
Confirmed active readers include Nico Robin, Kozuki Sukiyaki, and potentially Gecko Moria if theories prove correct. Charlotte Pudding has latent ability pending awakening. Including those with partial abilities or Voice of All Things, there are fewer than 10 individuals worldwide with any level of Poneglyph reading capability.
Why doesn’t the World Government have Poneglyph readers?
The World Government deliberately eliminated Poneglyph readers during the Ohara Incident and previous purges to prevent anyone from learning the Void Century’s truth. They prefer keeping this knowledge suppressed rather than controlling it, though they’ve occasionally tried capturing readers like Robin for interrogation.
Can Momonosuke read Poneglyphs?
Currently, Momonosuke cannot read Poneglyphs despite his Kozuki heritage. His father Oden died before teaching him, though his grandfather Sukiyaki could potentially train him. Momonosuke does possess the Voice of All Things, allowing him to hear Zunesha, which might eventually help with certain Poneglyph aspects.
What happens if all Poneglyph readers die?
If all readers died, finding One Piece would become nearly impossible unless someone rediscovered the decoding methods through archaeological study or a Three-Eye Tribe member naturally awakened. The World Government would achieve its goal of permanently burying the Void Century’s secrets.
Conclusion: The Reader Race Intensifies
After analyzing every Poneglyph reader connected to the Yonko crews, it’s clear that this rare ability has become the ultimate determining factor in the race for One Piece. From my gaming perspective, having a Poneglyph reader is like possessing the only key to the final boss room – without it, all the strength in the world means nothing.
The Straw Hat Pirates currently hold the strongest position with Robin’s proven abilities, while other crews scramble for alternatives. As we head deeper into 2026, I expect the competition for Poneglyph readers to intensify, potentially leading to alliances, betrayals, and shocking revelations about hidden readers we haven’t yet discovered.
Whether you’re following the manga, watching the anime, or playing the latest One Piece games, understanding these Poneglyph readers and their crucial role adds layers of strategic depth to every development. The race for One Piece isn’t just about strength anymore – it’s about knowledge, and those who can unlock the ancient secrets will ultimately claim the greatest treasure.