Roronoa Zoro, Pirate Hunter, master swordsman, one of the 11 pirates that make up the so-called “Worst Generation,” a great friend of Luffy, responsible for some of the best action scenes in One Piece and, for sure, for some of the best comic moments. Throughout the 20 seasons of the anime, Zoro has won the hearts of Straw Hat Pirates fans.
Who is Zoro?
We meet Zoro at the beginning of the anime as a criminal prisoner of the Marines while he awaits his execution. After being saved by Luffy, however, he accepts the pirate’s invitation to join his crew, being the first member of the group formed by the Straw Hat Pirate.
Since then, Zoro has been mistaken for the true captain of the crew, given his strength, skills with his three swords, and more severe manner. He, Luffy, Sanji, and Jinbe are considered the four best fighters on the team, which only highlights their efforts to one day become the greatest swordsman in the world.
The warrior eventually became known as one of the 11 pirates of the so-called “Worst Generation” who arrived in the Sabaody Archipelago before the Battle of Marineford. They all became known as Supernovas, pirates who, although novices, already have a bounty of over $100,000,000 due to their daring actions against the World Government. Currently, Zoro has a reward of $320,000,000.
Dream of being the best swordsman and his traumatic past
From the first moment we see Zoro, we are told that his life’s dream and great goal is to become the greatest swordsman in the world one day. But this commitment originated when the warrior was still a child, in a promise made to a friend.
While trained in Shimotsuki village in childhood, Zoro already demonstrated enough strength to beat adult swordsmen in different dojos. In one of these dojos, however, the sensei makes a deal with him, saying he should train at the dojo if he can’t beat his daughter, Kuina. To Zoro’s surprise, he couldn’t beat the girl and started training on the spot.
After 2000 losses for the girl, using only training swords, Zoro suggested a new dispute with real swords but lost again to her friend. As he cried in frustration, Kuina told him that she also dreamed of becoming the best swordsman but regretted that she could never achieve such a feat as, according to her father, the fact that she was a woman would cause her skills to diminish as she matured.
Annoyed, Zoro made her promise that they would both train to achieve this dream until one of them did.
Unfortunately, Kuina fell down the stairs of the dojo the next day and died. In mourning and deeply shaken by his friend’s never having had the chance to fulfill his dream, Zoro started to face a mission one day to become the best swordsman in the world.
Three swords of Zoro
After Kuina’s death, Zoro asked Koshiro, the girl’s father and sensei, to give him the family sword, Wado Ichimonji. From there, the swordsman began to train his Santoryu technique, using the three swords he always carries, with two of them ranging from new weapons to always possessing Wado Ichimonji.
Currently, the three swords that Zoro uses are:
- Wado Ichimonji: Ancient sword of the Kuina family; this sword was the masterpiece of the legendary blacksmith Shimotsuki Kozaburo, considered one of the 21 O Wazamono.
- Sandai Kitetsu: This sword, which once belonged to Ipponmatsu, was the third Kitetsu Swords created by Tenguyama Hitetsu.
- Enma: Created by Kozaburo and one of the 21 O Wazamono, this sword can drain Busoshoku Haki. It was one of the only weapons capable of harming Emperor Kaido.
The Mystery and Theory About the Left Eye
Since One Piece Anime returned from the time skip, fans have been surprised that Zoro had a new scar: a large scar on his left eye, now permanently closed. The curious thing is that, so far, the anime still hasn’t addressed the reason for the injury, and not even the other characters have asked questions.
The mystery, of course, caused fans to create several theories about the subject. And one of them gained popularity because it made a lot of sense. For some fans, Zoro has a demon inside him, and he cut his eye (or let Mihawk, with whom he spent two years training, cut) to control that demon. But let’s get to the explanations.
In Enies Lobby, Zoro attains his Ashura form for the first time, a technique in which he is temporarily left with six arms and three heads, similar to the Ashura entity. But there is another quirk in his appearance when using the technique: his left eye glows red.
The idea that the swordsman has a demon inside is even stronger when we remember that now one of his three swords is the Sandai Kitetsu. Cursed, this sword killed all its former owners except Zoro, whom the artifact seems to have accepted as “master.”
Some even bet that Zoro hasn’t lost his eye, but it will allow Ashura to see through him when he uses it again.
Zoro’s powers and abilities
Considered a warrior of strength and abilities equivalent to those of Luffy, the anime’s protagonist, Zoro, owes the development of his talents to the heavy training he had since childhood in the Kiuna family dojo and, later, with the swordsman Dracule Mihawk.
In addition to his super strength, impeccable precision in his sword strokes, unbelievable speed and agility, endurance, and greater control over each of his abilities as the episodes progressed, Zoro also developed specific techniques with his three swords.
- Flying Slash Attack: Using air pressure, Zoro can attack the enemy from a distance.
- Santoryu (Three Swords Style): although he already demonstrated great skill with Ittoryu (One Sword Style) and Nitoryu (Two Sword Style), Zoro developed Santoryu, in which he fights with a sword in each hand and a third in the mouth, using the weapons to perform high-speed attacks, direct blows and compressed air projection attacks in the same technique.
- Kyutoryu (Ashura form): Zoro reached an extreme level of power by awakening this style and sword whereby, using an intense spiritual focus, he gains the temporary appearance of having six arms and three heads, being able to wield nine swords. At the same time, tripling his swordsman potential.
Fun facts about Zoro
Zero direction sense
Although Zoro demonstrates several other skills, a sense of direction isn’t one of them. It’s quite common to see him in comic scenes, being able to get lost even on straight paths.
Serious but funny
At first, Zoro looks like a serious warrior in a distant and reserved way. However, it is common to see him being a bit silly and exaggerated expressions when he loses his temper. This complicity in character is so serious that it surprises fans and makes him one of the most beloved characters.
Loyal companion
Although he doesn’t show his emotions much, Zoro cares intensely for his crewmates, always willing to protect them at any cost. He has risked his life multiple times in battle, even absorbing Luffy’s pain in a fight, to save his captain’s life.
Kind heart
Yes, Zoro has killed before and can show no mercy when in combat with an enemy. However, the swordsman always tries to use his sword’s bladeless side if he is fighting weaker people not to hurt them. Besides, he’s already risked his life to save people he didn’t know.
Fans’ darling
During Shōnen Jump magazine’s first 4 polls, fans ranked Zoro second among the most beloved characters. In a survey by Oricon Inc., the swordsman appeared as the 4th character that fans most wanted to win a spinoff series.
