Ace
Portgas D. Ace, the biological son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger and the sworn brother of Monkey D. Luffy, is perhaps the most famous of all devil fruit users who died in One Piece. As the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division, Ace wielded the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit), a Logia-type power that allowed him to create and become fire. His death during the Paramount War at Marineford remains one of the most emotional and pivotal moments in the series. Ace sacrificed his life to protect Luffy from Admiral Akainu’s magma fist, leading to the eventual reincarnation of his fruit, which was later claimed by his other brother, Sabo.
Whitebeard
Edward Newgate, famously known as Whitebeard, was considered the "Strongest Man in the World" and was one of the Four Emperors. He possessed the Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit), arguably the most powerful Paramecia-type fruit capable of creating devastating earthquakes and tsunamis. Like Ace, Whitebeard is one of the major dead devil fruit users whose passing changed the world's power balance. He died at Marineford after sustaining hundreds of wounds from the Marines and the Blackbeard Pirates. In a terrifying turn of events, Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard) managed to steal the Gura Gura no Mi power from Whitebeard’s corpse, making him the only known person to wield two Devil Fruits simultaneously.
Absalom
Absalom was the former commander of the Soldier Zombies on Thriller Bark and a loyal subordinate of Gekko Moriah. He possessed the Suke Suke no Mi (Clear-Clear Fruit), which granted him the ability to become invisible. For a long time, Absalom's fate was unknown until the Wano Country Arc, where it was confirmed that he was killed by the Blackbeard Pirates. He joins the list of devil fruit users who died in One Piece due to "fruit hunting." His power was subsequently stolen and given to Shiryu of the Rain, the captain of Blackbeard’s Second Ship, making the invisible swordsman an even more dangerous threat.
Smiley
Smiley was a massive, sentient mass of H2S toxic gas created by Caesar Clown on Punk Hazard. Caesar used the Sara Sara no Mi, Model: Axolotl to give life to the chemical weapon. During the Punk Hazard Arc, Caesar forced Smiley to consume a giant candy that transformed it into the Shinokuni gas, effectively killing the creature. Because the death happened near a bag of apples, fans were able to see the exact moment of Devil Fruit reincarnation as one of the apples transformed into the Sara Sara no Mi, Model: Axolotl. Smiley is a unique example among dead devil fruit users because it was an inanimate object "given life" by a fruit.
Others
Throughout the long history of the Grand Line, several other notable characters have passed away, leaving their fruits to return to the world:
- Mother Carmel: The woman who raised Big Mom possessed the Soru Soru no Mi (Soul-Soul Fruit). She disappeared mysteriously—heavily implied to have been eaten by a young Charlotte Linlin—and the powers transferred directly to Big Mom.
- Kurozumi Higurashi: The old crone who helped Orochi take over Wano was the previous user of the Mane Mane no Mi (Clone-Clone Fruit), currently used by Bentham (Mr. 2).
- Kurozumi Semimaru: The protector of Orochi possessed the Bari Bari no Mi (Barrier-Barrier Fruit), which is now famously used by Bartolomeo.
- Donquixote Rosinante (Corazon): Doflamingo’s younger brother used the Nagi Nagi no Mi (Calm-Calm Fruit). He was killed by Doflamingo to protect Law, and his fruit has not yet reappeared in the story.
Fruit Reincarnation Rules
The death of a user is not the end of a Devil Fruit's cycle. When devil fruit users who died in One Piece pass away, their ability leaves their body and seeks out the nearest compatible fruit (such as an apple or melon) to inhabit. This process is known as reincarnation. This mechanic has allowed the Blackbeard Pirates to effectively "hunt" specific powers by killing the users while carrying a supply of ordinary fruits. Once the fruit transforms, it regains its distinct swirls and magical properties, ready to be consumed by a new user.
Unconfirmed Deaths
In the world of One Piece, a character isn't officially dead until it is explicitly stated or shown. There is much debate regarding certain dead devil fruit users whose fates remain ambiguous. For instance, Big Mom and Kaido were last seen submerged in magma beneath Wano; while their fruits haven't reappeared, their current status is "unknown." Similarly, characters like Baron Tamago or those defeated in massive explosions often have their fates left to the reader's imagination until Oda provides a definitive answer.
FAQ
What happens to a Devil Fruit when the user dies?
When a user dies, the Devil Fruit power reincarnates into the nearest available ordinary fruit, transforming it back into a Devil Fruit.
Can someone have two Devil Fruits if the previous user died?
Normally, no. Consuming a second fruit results in the user's body exploding. Blackbeard is the only exception to this rule so far.
Who is the most recent Devil Fruit user to die?
In the manga, several members of the Beast Pirates and Kurozumi clan were confirmed dead following the Raid on Onigashima, though many "Final Saga" fates are still being revealed.
