Scopper Gaban is a former member of the Roger Pirates, a dual-axe fighter, and the legendary man known in Elbaph as the “Mountain-Eater.” The One Piece anime has finally brought him into the present story after years of brief flashbacks and background appearances.
His return matters because Gaban is one of the last living links to Gol D. Roger’s final voyage. He also gives Luffy and the Straw Hats a second direct connection to the Pirate King’s crew after Silvers Rayleigh.
Anime spoiler note: This guide covers information revealed through the Elbaph anime arc and official character material. It avoids later manga developments.
Who Is Scopper Gaban in One Piece?
Scopper Gaban is a veteran of the Roger Pirates, the crew that reached the final island and made Gol D. Roger the Pirate King. Official One Piece character material describes him as a former Roger Pirate who fights with an axe in each hand. His long hair, sunglasses, and twin weapons make him easy to recognize in both past and present scenes.
On Elbaph, Gaban lived under the familiar name Ya-san and became known as the Mountain-Eater. Episode 1169 confirms his identity for anime viewers. The reveal turns a seemingly eccentric old resident into one of the most experienced pirates still alive.
Scopper Gaban Profile
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full name | Scopper Gaban |
| Former crew | Roger Pirates |
| Current location | Elbaph |
| Known titles | Mountain-Eater; Pirate King’s left hand |
| Local name | Ya-san |
| Weapons | Two axes |
| Japanese voice actor | Toshiyuki Morikawa |
| Status | Alive |
Was Scopper Gaban Part of Roger’s Crew?
Yes. Gaban sailed with Gol D. Roger and Silvers Rayleigh during the Roger Pirates’ legendary era. The anime previously showed him in flashbacks, including scenes connected to Roger’s clash with the Whitebeard Pirates and Kozuki Oden’s journey.
Those appearances established that Gaban was not a late or unimportant addition. He stood among the crew’s prominent fighters and was present during events that shaped the Great Pirate Era.
The Roger Pirates remain the standard against which later crews are measured. That makes Gaban relevant to discussions about the best One Piece characters, even though the anime has revealed far less about him than Roger or Rayleigh.
Why Is Gaban Called the Pirate King’s Left Hand?
Silvers Rayleigh is widely known as Roger’s right-hand man. Elbaph’s description of Gaban as the Pirate King’s left hand places him beside Rayleigh as another central pillar of the crew.
The title does not automatically prove that Gaban and Rayleigh have exactly equal strength. One Piece does not provide a numbered Roger Pirates power chart. It does, however, confirm that Gaban’s reputation was exceptional and that the giants remember him as one of Roger’s great men.
This distinction matters because fan discussions often turn “left hand” into an unsupported power-scaling claim. The safer canon-based answer is that Gaban belonged to Roger’s senior group and carried influence far beyond that of an ordinary crewmate.
How Strong Is Scopper Gaban?
Scopper Gaban is clearly a top-level veteran, but the anime has not yet given viewers enough evidence to place him at an exact rank.
Three facts establish his strength:
- He fought in the Roger Pirates’ era and survived its greatest conflicts.
- He uses two axes and was trusted in direct combat.
- Elbaph remembers him through the intimidating Mountain-Eater title.
Episode 1170’s official preview also places Gaban opposite Luffy and Zoro, reinforcing that he remains dangerous in old age. Until the anime completes that encounter, claims that he is stronger than Rayleigh, Luffy, or every Straw Hat should be treated as speculation.
For a broader comparison of confirmed feats and narrative status, see AnimeCrisp’s strongest One Piece characters ranking.
What Weapons Does Scopper Gaban Use?
Gaban fights with two axes. This is one of his oldest and most consistent design details. Official One Piece character material specifically identifies the paired axes, while flashbacks show that his fighting style was built around wielding both weapons together.
The choice separates him visually from Roger’s sword and Rayleigh’s blade. It also fits the rugged warrior culture surrounding Elbaph, although Gaban’s axes predate his present life on the island.
Why Is Scopper Gaban Living on Elbaph?
The anime establishes that Gaban made a life on Elbaph after the Roger Pirates disbanded. He is no longer roaming the seas as an active Roger Pirate. Instead, the giants know him as Ya-san, a resident with a fearsome old reputation.
His presence is unlikely to be random. Elbaph sits at the center of the Final Saga and connects the Straw Hats with giant history, Sun God traditions, Loki, and the threat posed by the Knights of God. Gaban has both the historical knowledge and combat experience to understand how serious the island’s situation is.
How Does Gaban Compare With Silvers Rayleigh?
Rayleigh and Gaban are parallel figures, but they are not identical.
- Rayleigh: Roger’s famous right hand, swordsman, former mentor to Luffy, and a master whose abilities have been demonstrated extensively.
- Gaban: Roger’s left hand, dual-axe fighter, long-hidden Elbaph resident, and a newly active figure in the anime’s present timeline.
Rayleigh trained Luffy during the time skip. Gaban’s role appears different: he meets a much stronger Luffy who has already awakened Gear 5 and reached Emperor status.
Who Voices Scopper Gaban?
Toshiyuki Morikawa voices Scopper Gaban in Japanese. Morikawa is known for authoritative and seasoned performances, making his voice a strong match for an older pirate carrying decades of history.
Voice credits can vary between language versions, so viewers watching the English dub should check the credits for their specific release.
Why Scopper Gaban Matters in the Elbaph Arc
Gaban matters for more than nostalgia. He connects three important parts of One Piece:
- Roger’s era: He can provide firsthand context about the crew that conquered the Grand Line.
- Luffy’s era: His meeting with Luffy brings the old and new generations together.
- Elbaph’s crisis: He lives on the island and understands its people, history, and current dangers.
That combination gives him unusual narrative value. Gaban knows the past, but he is physically present in the future Roger helped begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scopper Gaban alive?
Yes. The Elbaph anime arc confirms that Scopper Gaban is alive and living on Elbaph.
What episode reveals Scopper Gaban?
One Piece Episode 1169 reveals the Mountain-Eater’s identity as Scopper Gaban in the anime’s present timeline.
Is Scopper Gaban stronger than Rayleigh?
The anime has not confirmed that Gaban is stronger than Rayleigh. Both were senior Roger Pirates, but an exact comparison remains unproven.
Does Scopper Gaban have a Devil Fruit?
No Devil Fruit has been officially confirmed for Gaban in the anime. His known fighting style uses two axes.
No family relationship has been confirmed. Their connection comes through Gaban’s history with Roger and Luffy’s role as the pirate carrying the new era forward.
Final Answer
Scopper Gaban is the Roger Pirates’ legendary dual-axe fighter, the Pirate King’s left hand, and Elbaph’s Mountain-Eater. His anime return is important because it places a surviving member of Roger’s inner circle directly in Luffy’s Final Saga journey.
For anime-only viewers, the most reliable conclusion is simple: Gaban is powerful, historically important, and positioned to matter in Elbaph—but many details about his full abilities and knowledge are still intentionally unrevealed.
Sources
- ONE PIECE.com official Scopper Gaban profile
- One Piece Episode 1169 preview coverage
- One Piece anime Episodes 0, 966, 968, and 1169
