One of the best stories in One Piece is the one involving the now legendary Portgas D. Ace. It's also one of the saddest stories in the series. Ace's story had real depth, and thanks to his connection to Sabo and Luffy, Ace became a very important character in the overall plot of One Piece, which is why his fate shocked and saddened many fans. In this article, we're going to talk about Portgas D. Ace, as we're going to tell you if he died in One Piece, as well as when it happened and who was responsible.

Portgas D. Ace is indeed dead in One Piece. His death occurred during the Marineford Arc, the Marineford Summit War. The World Government had earlier captured Ace and sentenced him to death. However, he was freed and participated in the fight until he sacrificed his life to protect Luffy from an attack launched by Marine Admiral Akainu.

The fate of Portgas D. Ace is one of the saddest issues in the One Piece series, and we're going to reveal and explain what happened to him. We know everything that happened, as well as how it happened, so we're going to bring you all the details about Portgas D. Ace's death in One Piece. For those of you who aren't up to date on all the events, this article will contain many spoilers.

Does Portgas D. Ace Die in One Piece?

The story of Ace's death actually begins with the Water 7 Arc, the arc preceding the Impel Down and Marineford arcs. Despite Shanks' efforts to convince Whitebeard to recall Ace, he eventually meets with Blackbeard. Blackbeard suggests that Ace join him, revealing that she plans to kill Luffy and turn him over to the Marines to claim the reward. Ace rejects the proposal and flies into a rage before burning his arm. It is then revealed that Blackbeard has also consumed a Logia-type Devil Fruit, the Yami Yami no Mi.

Although Blackbeard cannot pass attacks through him like other Logia Fruit users, he has the ability to nullify the powers of other Fruits, even Logia-type ones. Ace manages to burn Blackbeard several times, and he pulls him in, nullifying his powers and delivering a fierce blow. Blackbeard again offers Ace to join his crew, to which he replies that he would not be a man if he accepted. Finally, Ace creates a massive sphere of fire, exclaims that he will make Whitebeard the Pirate King, and charges at Blackbeard.

He is then seen in the distance on the island, where the forces of fire and darkness are battling. The chapter ends with a shot of Ace's hat lying on the ground. Blackbeard defeats Ace and presumably presents his victory to the government, thus winning the vacant position of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Ace was sent to the most terrible prison in the One Piece world, Impel Down. Although Luffy never directly discovered what happened to Ace, he eventually found out in another way.

After Lola explains the nature of the Life Card, Luffy realizes that the role Ace had given him in Alabasta was the same. However, Luffy's assigned role was deteriorating, and this was a sign that Ace's life was slipping away. Despite this, Luffy decides not to go rescue him, claiming Ace will be furious if he does. It is later revealed that the World Government will publicly execute him. The World Government aims to provoke Whitebeard into war. According to Donquixote Doflamingo, all the Seven Warlords of the Sea are preparing to fight the Whitebeard Pirates. While others, like X Drake, claim that this war will be monumental and no one will be able to stop it.

Eventually, Luffy, upon learning of his brother's impending execution, decides to rescue him, seeking help from the Warlord of the Seas Boa Hancock in his goal of reaching his brother's reunion in less than six days. Ace, confined to Impel Down with heavy chains, is visited by Monkey D. Garp and asked to kill him to stop Whitebeard's advance. However, Garp refuses, claiming that doing so will not prevent Whitebeard from coming for him. Garp laughs and says that they have finally succeeded in angering the Governor of the Seas.

Garp continues to complain that neither he nor Luffy became powerful sailors, to which Ace replies that having his father's blood, he couldn't expect anything less. Ace then reveals that his last name is his mother's, and he uses it because he owes her so much, not his father, whom he never even knew and even hated. Ace reveals that there will be no other father for him but Whitebeard. Ace is locked away with Sea Warlord Jinbe, who attempts to rescue Ace in order to prevent Whitebeard from entering a war.

Later, Ace is visited by Boa Hancock, who reveals that he has brought someone to rescue him. Hancock does not reveal his name but tells him that the man was worried because Ace would surely be angry with him. Upon hearing this, Ace then recognizes that the one who has come to save him is none other than his brother Luffy. Later, Ace, upon learning that Magellan and his officers are about to capture Luffy, mentally asks her not to come and save him since he is in danger.

While Luffy fights Magellan, Ace asks the guards what's going on, but they don't say anything. Ace finally realizes that Magellan has defeated and imprisoned Luffy. Worried, he begins to cry. Jinbe tries to comfort him by saying that Boa Hancock is probably lying. But Ace, knowing that Luffy is capable of saving him, tells Jinbe that Hancock couldn't have lied. The day of Ace's execution arrives. Magellan goes to see him and tells him that the convoy that will take him to Marineford is ready, where Ace will be tempted to take him to his imminent execution. All this without knowing that his sister has finally recovered and is about to reach Level 6.

Ace is taken to Marineford, where he is led to the central gallows for execution. There, before the large gate is opened for him, Ace recalls his years with Luffy. Three hours remain until his execution. Sengoku, on the execution platform, reveals that Ace is the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Minutes later, Whitebeard appears. Luffy manages to reach Ace, but Kizaru breaks the key to Ace's handcuffs. However, Mr. 3, disguised as one of the executioners, makes a wax replica of the key, freeing Ace and also preventing him from dying in a collapse caused by Sengoku himself.

Now, Ace can join the battle. Whitebeard then orders all his men to leave while he remains at Marineford. When Ace and Luffy escape from Akainu, he appears, provoking Ace and making them stop. After a brief argument, Luffy, who is nearby, is attacked by the admiral; Ace decides to stop him by stepping into Luffy's shoes, taking a direct hit to the chest, sacrificing his own life. Luffy sees his Vivre Card quickly burning.

Ace falls into his brother's arms, knowing he's going to die. Quickly, all the pirates try to give the doctor time to try to do something, but it's in vain; after examining him, he says his vital organs have been burned and it's impossible to save him before he dies. Ace thanks everyone for what they did and falls dead to the ground in Luffy's arms, devastated by pain and tears.

When did Portgas D. Ace die?

Portgas D. Ace was 20 years old when he died. We've explained how it happened and during which arc, but we also want to tell you the exact chapter and episode. Ace's death occurred in chapter 574 of the manga, titled "Portgas D. Ace Dies." It first aired on February 15, 2010. As for the anime, the death scene occurred in episode 483, titled "In Search of the Answer - Fire Fist Ace Dies on the Battlefield," which premiered on January 16, 2011.

Who killed Portgas D. Ace?

As for the identity of Ace's killer, we also revealed that: it was Marine Admiral Akainu, one of the most repulsive and vile characters in One Piece. Regardless of Ace's death, Akainu is a truly disgusting character and a prototype villain that everyone absolutely hates, and killing Ace, despite his intention to kill Luffy, only adds to that hatred. Ace's death actually cemented Akainu's status as one of the most hated One Piece characters, and this is completely understandable since he killed one of the most beloved characters in the series.