Highlights
- Zoro’s No Sword Style is rarely used but still packs a punch, showcasing his versatility in combat beyond swords.
- The One Sword Style with Wado Ichimonji highlights Zoro’s dedication to mastering different fighting techniques.
- Zoro’s iconic Three Sword Style, complete with the Asura technique, solidifies his position as one of the strongest swordsmen.
As it has continued through the years, the characters of One Piece have grown exponentially stronger, owing to the expansive pool of power-ups and fighting styles in the series for them to choose from. One such character is the much-loved swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, Roronoa Zoro. His brash and ruthless attitude makes him an awesome character who has endeared himself to all fans of the series.
Moreover, he is made even cooler because he is a swordsman, not relying on any Devil Fruit powers to make him as powerful as he has gotten. His skill has carried him throughout the series and made him one of the most formidable fighters on the Grand Line, which goes on to show how masterful his swordsmanship truly is. So, let’s check all of Zoro’s sword styles and see why they’ve helped to make him one of the most beloved One Piece characters.
The No Sword Style
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First Appearance |
One Piece, Episode 212, “Rapid-Fire Red Cards! Groggy Ring” |
|---|---|
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Debut Date |
December 5, 2004 |
Contrary to what Zoro is most famous for, his No Sword Style is one that, unsurprisingly, uses no swordsmanship at all. Since the character is barely ever seen without his iconic weapons, there has never really been much of an instance for him to use this technique. The only time he actually did was in the Groggy Ring match during the Davy Back Fight event on Long Ring Long Land against the Foxy Pirates.
Notable Techniques
- Tatsu Maki: This technique is very similar to the Tatsu Maki attack that Zoro does using his 3 Sword Technique, except with the obvious exception of his swords. To begin the attack, Zoro starts to spin himself to make a powerful vortex that sends anyone that it hits flying away. Since there are no swords, it has no cutting power, instead using his arms to deal blunt damage.
The One Sword Style
|
First Appearance |
One Piece, Episode 119, “Essence of a Mighty Sword! The Power to Cut Steel and the Breath of All Things” |
|---|---|
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Debut Date |
July 21, 2002 |
Though not as often used as the other two sword styles, Zoro has quite often been in situations where he has had to use just one sword to fight. When using just one sword, Zoro often uses his legendary Wado Ichimonji blade, since he uses it to specialize in a cutting technique or even when he just isn’t taking a fight seriously. Though he initially claimed to not be very proficient at it, he would later gain powerful finishing moves using 1 sword.
Convey my will to this blade… Now let’s see if I am able to cut steel.
Notable Techniques:
- Ittoryu Iai, Shishi Sonson: Literally called ‘One Sword Acting-Draw, Lion’s Song’, Zoro sheathes his sword and listens to his opponent’s breathing. With rapid speed, he unsheathes the sword and swiftly cuts his enemy while passing them, only to sheathe the blade at the end.
- Sanjuroku Pound Ho: More commonly known as his ’36 Pound Phoenix”, this powerful attack uses the sword to make a projectile wind slash that hits Zoro’s opponents from a distance.
The Two Sword Style
|
First Appearance |
One Piece, Episode 19, “Past of the Three Swords! The Promise Between Zoro and Kuina” |
|---|---|
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Debut Date |
March 22, 2000 |
As the name suggests, this is a powerful technique where Zoro uses 2 swords at once, one in each hand. As compared to the previous two styles, Zoro actually uses this one quite often, with his third sword, often the Wado Ichimonji, sheathed by his hip. This was the original sword style that Zoro used when he started his journey but upon making his promise to Kuina and accepting her weapon, he began to practice the Three Sword Style.
Scars on the back are a swordsman’s shame.
Notable Techniques:
- Nitoryu Iai, Rashomon: This is an incredibly powerful move of the Two Sword Style that can easily split apart massive and otherwise durable objects. Zoro used this while on the way to Enies Lobby from Water 7, where he split a cart from the Sea Train that was obstructing his path.
- Nanajuni Pound Ho: A far more powerful variation of the Sanjuroku Pound Ho, this ’72 Pound Phoenix’ works the same way, but the power is doubled since Zoro uses 2 swords. Just like the previous version, this also has a far stronger version after the timeskip.
The Three Sword Style
|
First Appearance |
One Piece, Episode 3, “Morgan vs. Luffy! Who’s This Mysterious Beautiful Young Girl” |
|---|---|
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Debut Date |
November 24, 1999 |
When working at his strongest, Zoro uses his legendary Three Sword Style, with a third blade held within his mouth. This is the iconic fighting style that Zoro is known for and the one that makes his offensive power greater than any of his previous styles. One of the most powerful moves in this style is the ‘Asura’, which makes Zoro’s attacks incredibly destructive.
Until my name reaches heaven itself, I’ll become stronger! I’ll become the strongest swordsman in the world!
Notable Techniques:
- Oni Giri: This is the most iconic move in all of Zoro’s repertoire, and also one of the strongest. After placing his arms, and by extension his swords, across his chest and using the last sword in his mouth, Zoro charges at his opponent at blistering speeds, offering three-way cuts across their body.
- Hyakuhachi Pound Ho: The most powerful version of the attack, the ‘108 Pound Phoenix’ uses all 3 swords to deliver the projectile attacks and has an even stronger version after the timeskip.
- Asura/Nine Sword Style: Through the sheer force of his will, Zoro manifests an illusion of 6 arms and 3 faces, each wielding a sword. With these 9 swords, Zoro takes on the presence of the Demon God Asura and delivers one of his most powerful moves.
One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
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