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Roronoa Zoro (no spoilers)
Age: 19 - Height: 5'10 - Birthday: 11/11
Favourite foods: white rice, sea king meat and ale/grog.
Roronoa Zoro is a 5' 10", 19 year old pirate swordsman. First name Zoro, last Roronoa. His last name, Roronoa, comes from the real-life French pirate Francois l'Ollonais. This is because there is no differentiation between R and L in Japanese, so the name may also be said R'Orronais. However, the mistranslation of his name in the 4kids' anime series is clear - Oda was consulted for the American JUMP manga and agreed that it should be spelled "ZoRo" with an "R". His first name is also similiar to the famed American swordsman Zorro, the main reason why many think his name was changed in the States. Zoro wears a "haramaki" around his abdomen. He has a huge scar on his chest from a battle he fought and scars on his ankles from another scenario.
His birthday, 11/11 (scorpio) is a pun from his creator Eiichiro Oda considering the fact that number palindromes are called 'Zorome' in Japanese. He is represented by the color green and he smells of steel. He also appears to be left handed (although he could just be ambidextrous). Oda has said if he was an animal he'd be turned into a shark. The man is brave, steadfast and a realist when it comes to his life's goals and reality around him. Zoro likes to sleep. He even manages to sleep through blizzards and bad weather, often waking up when everything's over and yawning curiously at everyone. An even funnier trait of his is his unnatural ability to get lost even in small spaces. The manga speaks of him as not having any sense for directions and the anime has shown him running in circles more often than not (while usually claiming to know precisely where he's going). While the Captain likes to eat, Zoro loves drinking and can consume mass quantities of ale and grog without becoming intoxicated. Sanji often calls him "Marimo" because his head resembles, (to the cook anyway) a seaweed ball of the same name. Zoro is gruff and calls Sanji "Dart Brow" and "ero-cook".
Roronoa Zoro: SPOILERS
Don't peek if you don't want to know.
Current Bounty: 120,000,000 Beli
Roronoa Zoro is a 5' 10", 19 year old pirate swordsman. (First name Zoro, last Roronoa). Roronoa comes from the real-life French pirate Francois l'Ollonais. This is because there is no differentiation between R and L in Japanese, so the name may also be said R'Orronais. However, the mistranslation of his name in the 4Kids' anime series is clear - Oda stated for the American JUMP manga that it should be spelled "ZoRo" with an "R". His first name is also similiar to the famed American swordsman Zorro, the main reason why many think his name was changed in the States. (Damn you, Antonio Banderas. Gah.)
His birthday is 11/11 (scorpio), a pun from his creator Eiichiro Oda considering the fact that number palindromes are called 'Zorome' in Japanese. He is represented by the color green and he smells of steel. He also appears to be left handed (although he could just be ambidextrous). Oda has also said if he was an animal he'd be turned into a shark. The man is brave, steadfast and a realist when it comes to his life's goals and life around him. He has a huge scar on his chest from his duel with Mihawk. When he lost he would not bear the blade on his back but told the other swordsman to wait until he turned around to slash him. He also has scars on his ankles from when he tried to cut his own feet off to free himself in Little Garden.
Zoro wears a "haramaki" around his abdomen. It is not an "obi sash" like I have seen some Wiki Pages claiming it is. If you would like more information on this item of clothing or how to make one you can go here.
First Mate
Since Zoro was the first to join Luffy he's the Strawhat's First Mate. Technically, a ship's First Mate is supposed to assist in the operation of an oceangoing vessel, with primary responsibility for the deck crew. The First Mate also commands the vessel when the Captain is absent or incapacitated. Zoro always to point out to the Strawhat Crew if something needs to be done (unpleasant as it might be). When Usopp wanted to rejoin the crew after leaving he told Luffy flatly that he couldn't - and shouldn't -- be allowed to come back unless he apologized like a man. He knew that the Captain shouldn't be underminded and if he had been as he said (he'd) "cause a fight and be the next to leave".
Zoro likes to sleep. He even manages to sleep through blizzards and bad weather, often waking up when everything's over and yawning curiously at everyone. An even funnier trait of his is his unnatural ability to get lost even in small spaces.
The manga speaks of him as not having any sense for directions and the anime has shown him running in circles more often than not (while usually claiming to know precisely where he's going). While the Captain likes to eat, Zoro loves drinking and can consume mass quantities of ale and grog without becoming intoxicated. Sanji often calls him "Marimo" because his head resembles, (to the cook anyway) a seaweed ball of the same name. Zoro is gruff and calls Sanji "Dart Brow" and "ero-cook".
Before the Strawhats
Zoro wasn't always a pirate, nor did he ever really aspire to be one. He started out as a Pirate Hunter, collecting bounties as a way of living as he trained but fell afoul of a corrupt Marine group. Hunger did not seem to bother the stoic swordsman, tied up to stakes in the training yard. He was told he would be free if he fasted there for many days out in the open weather. The Marine commander's son was a cheat, however, and he never intended to let him go free. When Zoro realized this he became incensed - he had made a promise and he needed to be free to keep it. Luffy set him free and he joined him not out of gratitude as much as the idea that with someone like Luffy at his side he could realize his goals better. He told Luffy right from the start that if he ever got in his way of realizing his dream he'd kill him. Luffy, of course, just laughed and said it was fitting that the "best" pirate would have the "best" swordsman in his crew.
Zoro's goal is to become the greatest swordsman in the world. He was strong enough as a child to beat even adults but finally came upon a dojo with a girl that was his equal. Kuina used only one sword but the girl bested him at every match. After he'd lost another battle to her (numbering their 2001th) with real swords they made a promise together. One of them should become 'the greatest swordsman'. Unfortunately, this did not happen for Kuina as she fell down a flight of stairs and broke her neck the next day. Noteworthy: in the anime extra scenes are shown of the funeral and Zoro praying at her grave before heading off to train outside of the dojo and realize "their" dream. Zoro remembered his promise and asked his sensei for her white-sheathed sword Wadou Ichimounji, (sometimes referred to as "Ghost"). Before her death he'd used two swords but afterwards he used three - he battled with hers held between his teeth. To accomplish his goal he must defeat Dracule Mihawk who currently holds the title of "greatest swordsman".
The Anime/Manga Rundown
This is a very abridged version of what happens in the anime/manga as well as information on Zoro. Since this is a Zoro fansite we're mostly concerned about him and this "retelling" reflects that. I'll try to touch on everything that is pertinent but leave enough out so that it will be enjoyable to watch the show/read the manga. FILLER means it is something that doesn't happen in the manga and is simply that - used a buffer between the show and comic.
Buggy Pirates: After joining with Luffy the two have several adventures. Luffy meets Nami and Captain Buggy the clown pirate. Luffy gets turned over and there is much fighting... eventually Zoro fights Cabaji, despite still being wounded from his previous encounter with Buggy. He even goes as far as to give himself an added wound, claiming he can't claim to be the best if he can't fight the Buggy crew's swordsman with such a handicap. Nami joins the crew and the next adventure has them meeting Usopp at Syrup Village.
Black Cat Pirates and the Baratie : Zoro is incredibly wounded by this time but insists on fighting the Black cat Pirates they meet. Zoro and Butchy (Buchi) fight. In the end all is won, the day is saved and the next adventurte begins. The crew meets Johnny and Yosaku, Zoro's former companions and they set sail for the Baratie restaurant in search of a cook. Nami steals the Going Merry around the time that Zoro confronts Mihawk for the first time. He loses to a 6 inch knife and is left with the huge scar on the front of his torso, which was caused by Mihawk's Black Sword. This is the second time in the entire anime that he is shown crying (and the last time as of this date). He swears to Luffy that he'll never lose again. Sanji joins.
Arlong Park: The crew chases after Nami and they encounter Arlong and his fish men. Zoro faces the six-sword wielding octopus Hatchan while he is feverish and not healed from all his previous fights, but despite this he wins. They sail to Loguetown and here Zoro acquires Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri to replace the swords that'd been destroyed during his battle with the other swordsman. He meets up with Tashigi (Darcy), a Marine officer who looks surprisingly like an older Kuina and who also wields a sword. She helps him look for the swords without realizing who he is. When she finds out she tries to stop him, claiming her goal is to keep all legendary blades out of the hands of selfish bounty hunters and pirates. Zoro refuses to fight her since she looks like Kuina - it freaks him out -- and he finally escapes with the rest of the crew.
Battleship Island: This only appears in the anime and is used as a "stalling tactic" so that the show can keep up with the manga. Basically, a girl can talk to animals and she's being chased by all sorts of people. Zoro gets to fight "Erik" in this filler arc.
Whisky Peak: After several adventures the crew arrive at Whiskey Peak. It appears to be a town of pirate lovers and the townspeople endulge the crew in whatever they want. Zoro gets all the ale he can drink then promptly falls asleep in a corner like always while the revelry continues. He is the one to discover that the town is full of Bounty Hunters (that's why they love pirates) and soon is involved in a clash with the myserious "Baroque Works". He battles 100 of the members all by himself. When Luffy hears Zoro has fought with the towns people he engages him in a fight himself. It is revealed that Zoro was once asked to join Baroque Works, but he declined because he couldn't be "the boss".
The leader of Baroque Works (Crocodile) has become enraged at them befriending the princess Vivi and defeating a lot of his top-ranked members. When Luffy and the crew land on Little Garden next, Mr. 3 shows up and traps Zoro and a few others in his wax skill. Zoro attempts to slice off his own feet to escape at this point and, failing that, raises his sword on top of the wax cake. When the others ask what he's doing he says he's going to have a "cool pose" if he has to be stuck there like a candle.
Drum Kingdom: After they inevitably escape, Nami falls mysteriously sick. They travel to the Drum Kingdom and Zoro stays with the ship while the others search for a doctor to heal her. An evil pirate has made all the doctors except one serve only him, however, and they have to ascend a mountain to find the only available medic. While this is happening the pirate, who is named Wapol, returns and wreaks havoc among the people. Zoro fights for the people and makes his way up the mountain the hard way (after he rejects an offer by the doctor to join her in her sled - he was bare chested and it seemed he thought she had something else in mind). The crew gains Chopper the doctor and sail off for Alabasta.
Alabasta: Alabasta is a desert country and they must travel to Vivi's capitol to stop Crocodile's evil plan. While they journey they meet up with Smoker and Tashigi in Nanohana, who are also travelling to Alabasta. Tashigi is easily deceived (she loses her glasses, ala Velma from 'Scooby Doo' and can't see any of them) but Smoker isn't - still, they escape and travel onwards. In a filler episode that comes several eps later, Zoro, Luffy and Chopper get lost and find some underground ruins. Chopper and Zoro bond a little in this episode - they both get pissed at Luffy -- and it's amusing.
After some time they arrive in Alabasta and everyone but Sanji and Chopper manage to get caught in Crocodile's casino. They get tossed into prison while Crocodile taunts them. After escaping from "Rain Dinners", the casino, most of the crew journey where the final battle between the armies is to take place. They split up to confuse their enemies and get Vivi to the palace. When they're seperated Zoro fights Mr. 1, a man who can turn his entire body to steel (119). He has some issues about this because he hasn't learned to cut steel yet. He figures this out, however, just as he's very near death, and wins the battle gaining a new technique. The crew all beat their evenly-matched opponents and the revolution is stopped eventually. Robin joins the crew, much to the dismay of Zoro, who grumbles that he 'doesn't trust her'.
Post Alabasta (filler): There are filler episodes now concerning all the crew, but the last (135) is Zoro's. He has a flashback about when he first met Johnny and Yosaku. This concerns an entirely made-up-for-the-anime villian named "Mountain Whale" Dick (ala Moby Dick).
Skypiea Saga
Jaya Arc: The crew takes to the skies since the Log Post now points "up". There are rumors and fables of a "city in the clouds" that no one believes, but they're determined to find it. Jaya's main town that they're in is full of pirates and misfits, all claiming to have "large bounties". Luffy and Zoro meet Bellamy 'the Hyena' and they're beat up by the tavern crowd who all make fun of their dreams. They make no move to defend themselves because the riffraf has absolutely no goals or dreams themselves and are pathetic. Beating them would "prove nothing", they say, so they accept all the abuse. Luffy, Zoro and Nami later meet Blackbeard. As they're finding out how to get to Skypiea Bellamy comes along again and gets in their way. Luffy defeats him with a single punch; they move onwards to the "knock up stream" they discovered is supposed to catapault them up into the clouds to Skypiea.
Sky Piea: Unfortunately, they need to pay a fee - a large one -- to enter the realm. They're deceived by the old woman at the gate and soon discover they're "wanted" by the 'military' of Skypiea (the White Berets) for not paying their tolls. They figure they'll just head off to the next section of the Grand Line and escape but Robin, Chopper, Nami and Zoro get captured by the god Ener (Enel) and taken to "Upper Yard" to stand judgement (to be sacrifices, actually). Nami, Zoro and Robin wander off the Merry and discover the reason why Upper Yard is a soil island: It was once part of Jaya. The crew eventually reunite but a giant catfish-like python makes them split up while heading for the ruins of the island. Zoro has a funny moment or two while trying to find his way: the anime shows a map and who went which way. Zoro goes in a circle due to his his bad sense of direction.
The battle between the natives and God's 'warriors' is taking place in the meantime. The Shandians (warriors) are on the island and think the blue-sea pirates are a problem/enemies. "God"'s Priests are also stirring up trouble on the island as well. Thus when Zoro meets up with Braham they get in a fight (170). After defeating his opponent with a one-sword technique, Zoro meets up with one of the birds the island is renowned for and the one that helped them find Skypiea. The poor thing wants his food but he gulps it down quickly, eventually causing the bird to think that maybe he should grab his backpack where the food was in the first place. He nabs it and flies upwards ...but Zoro is pulled along with him. This is the way the swordsman reached the ruins where Priest Ohm is standing, ready to fight everyone in his way. It takes Zoro only a few episodes to figure out how to defeat his enemy and he does (178).
However, Ener shows up and he defeats Zoro easily with his powerful electric attacks. The battling continues and eventually - as always happens -- the 'good guys' win. They leave Skypiea with a ton of gold and treasure. The ship falls off the end of Skypiea and lands in (of all places) a Marine Base.
G8 (filler): Zoro gets taken prisoner by the marines (198). He's kicked and tormented - not a happy episode. Eventually Usopp gets thrown in the Brig along with him. Sanji and Luffy free the prisoners and the crew reunites and escapes. They decide they need a shipwright - the Merry got beat up quite a bit (especially by the fall from Skypiea).
The Davy Back Fights: The Going Merry gets captured by the Foxy pirate crew that holds the ship hostage and gets Luffy to claim they'll fight "matches" for crewmembers. If they win, they get to choose someone. If the Foxy Pirates win - they pick a Strawhat! As is expected the Foxy pirates cheat at every single turn: in the first race, for instance, they lure Luffy to stop racing with meat, Sanji with girls, and Zoro with the promise of ale. Zoro and Chopper's boat is the first to get broken up and is out of commission. They lose Chopper when they lose the match.
(211) This is the infamous "Groggy Ring" (Zoro's famous quote that Sanji is 'the Prince of Stupid Country' is here) episode. Zoro and Sanji fight the next match, but keep falling back due to the fact that they can't agree on anything. Zoro is informed he can't use weapons, but the crooked referee looks the other way when the Foxy team does! The Strawhats win the round when the cook and swordsman finally cooperate. The next episodes is filler - a race with roller skates around a ring. Luffy reveals he can't skate and Zoro acts as his coach. They win despite the fact that Zoro forgets to teach him how to turn - but Luffy stupidly accepts to fight again when he is challenged by Foxy. Luffy and Foxy eventually have one great battle to serve as the end game, and of course wins. Everyone gets back on their respective ships and the journey continues.
Ocean's Dream (filler): Everyone loses their memories when they sleep due to a seahorse with unique abilities. Zoro gets his mind wiped clean and is among the first to head off. However the seahorse finds him again and manages to confuse him enough to battle against Luffy (223). There's the usual back and forth 'win, lose' scenario but the Strawhats prevail and get back on the water again. They sail to an island where they meet the Marine High Admiral Aokiji. (This is partial filler; they do meet Aokiji).
Water 7: Aokiji has a devilfruit and it's a killer one - he has power over ice. The crew fight with him but he freezes Robin solid, Sanji's leg, and Zoro's arm. Luffy yells at them to rescue Robin and he'll fight the man alone. They obey but Sanji and Zoro return later to find Luffy frozen solid as well. When everyone is dethawed Zoro spots a giant frog they've heard about and they chase it to a lighthouse. The sea train passes through there and the depot woman gives Nami a map to Water 7, a town of shipyards. They head for the city and head out to see if they can find a shipwright. Luffy, Nami and Usopp exchange their hard gold for cash so they can fix up the Merry.
We meet the Franky family when they arrive at the Merry (Zoro is gaurding it) and threaten him. Of course they're no match but in the meantime Usopp's stash of gold money has been stolen by more members of the "family". Usopp tries to get the money back but is horribly beaten by the Franky gang. When they figure out what has happened Luffy, Zoro, Chopper and Sanji head to the Franky House and beat the living shit out of them all, no holds barred (234)...but they discover Franky himself has left with their money. Once they all get back on the ship Luffy tells them his decision that the Merry has to be left behind. He was told that she cannot be repaired but Usopp challenges him and they eventually fight. Usopp leaves the crew after being beaten by Luffy and the captain tells him "he can have the ship".
They all get hotel rooms to stay in as the ship isn't their home anymore. In the interim they learn that not only has the high ranking official been shot, it seems Robin is the one who did it. There are battles between Franky and Luffy and the crew desperately tries to find Robin. The next episodes (and there are a lot of them) are all pertaining to blueprints to build a super weapon (or so people believe) and how the government is hiding them and trying to (of course) lay all the blame on the pirates. Robin leaves the crew despite Luffy's arguments and everyone races around to escape a giant wave (tsunami) that is getting ready to crash down on the island. The crew race towards the sea train so they can escape.
Finally, some nifty swordsman action instead of hectic plot (ha ha): Luffy and Zoro perform a dual move that shoots a hole through the wall of the tidal wave ahread of them so they can pass through. (258) On the train, Zoro changes his outfit to the mustard-colored jacket. (261) Zoro fights "T Bone" atop the cars in the rain. It's a short, ugly little fight and the results are predictable. Sogeking (Usopp with a mask and cloak on) has made himself known by this time. They near Enies Lobby and Luffy simply catapualts himself over the gates; the crew has to fight their way through though. (268) An amusing episode where Zoro and Sanji bicker and argue about who's more dangerous, etc as they all smash through their opponents and try to catch up with Luffy. Robin is captured and betrayed by the military; they will now kill all the Strawhats even though she went with them to avoid their getting hurt.
(280) Zoro and Usopp's backstories - we repeat them again as filler for the arc. Yay filler. Robin finally decides that she wants to fight to stay alive and the crew need to find her handcuff keys. To do that they must fight each member of CP9 - they're not told who has the keys. (289) Zoro has managed to find an opponent in Kaku (who now has a devil fruit power) and must defeat him to get his key. But he manages to get handcuffed to Sogeking and must use him as a sword! Eventually however he is freed and can fight decently. He reveals a new technique to fight the giraffe man, "Asura". This gives him the semblance of extra heads and arms, tripling his swords over and over again and giving him more power. Robin gets rescued from her cuffs, Luffy fights the strongest member of CP9 and the crew makes it back to the ship while he's still fighting.
(309) While on the ship fighting the Buster Call marines, Zoro's sword, Yubashiri, is rusted off and destroyed. He grabs a cutlass from a fallen marine and continues fighting, clearly upset. They all managed to find their way back and there is a very sad ending for the Going Merry in the final episodes.
Post-Enies Lobby
(318) The worst kind of filler imaginable: something that the canon character would never do. First of all, Zoro should know that Yubashiri can not be repaired. He is shown as wandering around asking shops to "fix" his sword and then gets tricked into catering to a family as a type of 'male nanny'. He does housework, takes care of (three, ha ha) little babies and constantly ducks for cover when he sees the Strawhats.(320) The shipwrights are all finishing up the new ship for the Strawhats and news comes in that there are new bounties for the crew! Franky has to join because he now has a bounty, so they get their shipwright that they wanted.
Zoro tells the crew that they should not let Usopp join without him apologizing. As the new ship leaves him behind he begs for forgiveness at last and they take him aboard. The crew names the ship "The Thousand Sunny" and they escape from the marines yet again in a magnificent way.
Zoro's room aboard the ship is the lookout: the circular "crown" on top of the mast. It's surrounded by a padded bench that he usually has been seen napping at, one hand resting on his cheek. It appears to be barren except a few towels for his workouts and his weights. He has a megaphone so if he sees anything of note he can call out to the crew far below.
Ice Hunter Arc (filler): more people want the Strawhat's bounties and plan to catch them by illusions and icebergs. Zoro gets lost after chopping a berg in two but finds himself on the island the assasins HQ are on: "Lovely Land". This place is like a mafia operation and Zoro meets the 'Don'. Eventually everything is back to normal and Franky helps the crew escape/Luffy beats the Don.
After the crew escaped from Garp in the Thousand Sunny, Zoro was seated in his new room on the ship (the lookout point; the circular crown on top of the mast) when he saw something odd. This was the first in a series of scenes that led to yet another member joining the crew and an odd arc filled with zombies and skeletons for One Piece. The barrel sent up a flare which attracted the ghost ship Brook was on. Zoro did not approve of Luffy's choice of taking the talking skeleton on board because he distrusted him. After Brook told his tale they discover that they have been targeted by Thriller Bark...
Ryuuma of "Thriller Bark" held Shuusui, another legendary sword. Zoro fought him and claimed the sword as his own as he said he'd do right from the start when he saw the weapon. When Ryuuma was human he looked like Zoro (a funny sidenote is that the character is from a story Oda drew where he defeated a dragon with his katana). He has since confirmed that Ryuuma is that very samurai.