The Straw Hats will likely go up against Kizaru soon enough. But which one of them is strong enough to take him on?
The beauty of One Piece lies not only in its story or world-building but in the myriad of compelling characters that give the story the much-needed depth to subdue viewers to its charm for over two decades. As the story builds up for years, it is finally reaching its ultimate peak, as the creator of the series, Eiichiro Oda, confirms many mysteries will unravel towards the concluding arc of the anime. The recently released arc is focused on Egghead Island, home to Dr Vegapunk, the greatest scientist in One Piece, and as usual, the straw hat pirates' fate is tied to the big-headed scientist.
With the damage the straw hat caused at Wano, the mythical power of Luffy's devil fruit, and Dr. Vegapunk's betrayal against the World Government, the buster call is unleashed on Egghead Island. Admiral Kizaru, the Gorosei, Jaygarcia Saturn, and thousands of Navy fleet are on their way to stop Dr. Vegapunk and the straw hat and lay waste to Egghead Island. Now, who would most likely win the battle if the logia user, Admiral Kizaru, faces the straw hat cook, Vinsmoke Sanji?
RELATED:
One Piece: Sanji Vs. S-Shark, Explained
The Pika Pika no Mi User Vs Black Leg Sanji
The straw hat had an encounter with Kizaru at Sabaody Archipelago, a matchup that made it evident to the straw hat that there are far more superior beings at sea than them. The event of Sabaody Archipelago made all members of the straw hat pirates take a two years hiatus at sea and upgrade their power levels. In the new world, Eiiichiro Oda showcased the straw hat power levels to delineate how far the group has grown compared to the previous years.
In the new world, the Whole Cake arc delves into Sanji's past, and even though he was a weakling as a kid, there is no doubt that he was an experiment of Vinsmoke Judge. In other words, his powers are innate but concealed, probably due to his humaneness, ambition to become a cook, and affinity to his mother. Sanji's fighting skills have improved over the years, and his new style, the Diable Jambe, is a sight for sore eyes. However, all the admirals shown in One Piece, particularly Admiral Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru, possess monstrous power, and beating them would be tricky.
For Admiral Kizaru, his Pika Pika no Mi devil fruit allows him to manipulate light at will; coupled with that, he is as fast as light, allowing him to transport to any location. Moreover, in One Piece Film: Red, Kizaru has a short encounter with Shanks, and during that moment, the Navy Admiral is repressed due to Shank's speed. In other words, whoever will fight the Kizaru must possess a brutal fighting speed. Sanji has ridiculous speed during battle, resulting from rigorous training and experimental factors. And just like Shanks, Sanji is not a devil fruit user, highlighting that a non-devil fruit user can fight against Kizaru. However, this is in no way a direct comparison that Sanji is up to the level of red-haired Shanks.
During the battle in Wano, Sanji awakened a new robotic-like power level, which helped him beat Queen. While this form would surely be an ace in the sleeve for Sanji, it'd take more than that to win against Admiral Kizaru. Also, the Geppo style—an ability that allows the user to travel midair for a while— is a necessity to have in a fight against Kizaru. The ground is not the only battleground for Kizaru; his ability to bend the power of light to his will and transport himself anywhere, including midair, makes the Geppo essential. However, one element that is key in One Piece's most brutal battles is haki and Kizaru's case; the observation haki is a prerequisite. There is a level to the possession of the observation haki for every user, and the ability to see the future is the most advanced for this haki. Even the strongest of the straw hat pirates, Monkey D. Luffy's almost lost to Kantakuri in Whole Cake Island due to the wide-mouthed man's advanced observation haki. Even with Sanji's observation haki, he can't dodge Kizaru's attack forever.
Blackleg Sanji's fighting has improved over the years, and viewers get to see new fighting techniques unlocked in each arc. But even with these new feats, Sanji's legs of fire are not enough to take down a big fish like Kizaru. However, maybe the Vinsmokes' suit will later come to save the day if Admiral Kizaru versus Sanji should happen because, as it stands, Sanji must have more than his kick of fire to beat Kizaru.
MORE:
As an enthusiast and expert in the realm of anime, particularly One Piece, I have extensively engaged with its multifaceted universe, delving deep into the intricacies of its characters, story arcs, and power dynamics. My expertise stems from not only keeping up with the ongoing developments within the anime but also from a comprehensive understanding of the underlying themes, character growth, and power mechanics intricately woven throughout the series.
In the article "Home Anime" by Adegbindin Fridous Adetutu, published on April 18, 2023, the focus primarily revolves around the potential showdown between the Straw Hat pirates and Admiral Kizaru, highlighting the pertinent strengths and challenges faced by one of the crew members, Vinsmoke Sanji.
The article intricately discusses several concepts integral to understanding the context:
Concepts Explored in the Article:
-
One Piece's Narrative Depth: The narrative richness of One Piece, highlighted by its multifaceted characters and world-building, captivates viewers' attention, fostering a charm that has sustained the series for over two decades.
-
Egghead Island Arc and Dr. Vegapunk: The recent story arc involving Egghead Island, featuring the renowned scientist Dr. Vegapunk and the consequential involvement of the Straw Hat pirates, especially in the face of the World Government's actions.
-
Admiral Kizaru's Threat: The impending danger posed by Admiral Kizaru, one of the high-ranking Navy officers possessing the Pika Pika no Mi devil fruit, granting him control over light and incredible speed.
-
Sanji's Growth and Abilities: Sanji's character evolution, from his backstory and lineage to his enhanced combat abilities such as the Diable Jambe technique and the recent robotic-like power exhibited during the Wano battle.
-
Power Dynamics and Devil Fruit Abilities: Discussion about the overwhelming power held by Admirals like Kizaru, their devil fruit abilities, and the necessity of countering their strengths with equivalent or superior combat skills.
-
Combat Techniques and Haki: Analysis of combat techniques like Geppo style for midair maneuvering and the significance of Haki, particularly observation Haki, crucial in high-stakes battles to predict and counter opponents' moves.
-
Assessment of Sanji's Chances: Evaluation of Sanji's current capabilities and the considerations for his potential success in a confrontation against Admiral Kizaru, indicating the need for more than just his known abilities to prevail.
The article presents a thorough analysis of power scaling, character progression, and the intricate details surrounding the potential clash between Sanji and Admiral Kizaru, providing valuable insights into the One Piece universe's complex dynamics.
If you seek further clarification or wish to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this narrative or the One Piece series in general, please feel free to inquire.
