History

Discover the Fascinating Universe of Samurai in One Piece

The One Piece expanded universe is filled with iconic characters, each bringing cultural richness and narrative depth to this incredible world imagined by Eiichiro Oda. Among these iconic figures are the samurai, fearless warriors whose honor, bravery, and mastery of the sword are essential aspects of their character.

The Lands of Wano: Home of the Samurai

The island nation of Wano is the birthplace of the samurai in the One Piece universe. Boasting a rich and distinctive culture, Wano is steeped in ancient traditions and strict codes of honor. This mysterious land, long isolated from the rest of the world, is steeped in traditional Japanese aesthetics, providing a striking backdrop for the adventures of Luffy and his crew.

The Mighty Samurai of Wano

Among Wano's most famous samurai are legendary figures such as Kozuki Oden, a man whose strength, loyalty, and charisma have marked the history of this nation. His lineage, represented by Momonosuke and Hiyori, bears the burden of restoring Wano to its former glory.

Other notable warriors include Kinemon, Raizo, Kanjuro, and Kiku, each possessing distinct martial skills and an unwavering loyalty to the ideals of justice and freedom.

The Samurai Code of Honor

At the heart of Wano's samurai culture is a rigorous code of honor, emphasizing values ​​such as loyalty to one's lord, respect for tradition, and devotion to justice. Mastery of the art of swordsmanship, symbolized by the use of the Ryuo (Arms Haki) fighting style, is a central skill among these fearsome warriors.

The Impact of Samurai on One Piece History

The introduction of the samurai had a profound impact on One Piece's narrative. Their involvement in the fight against the tyrannical regime of Kaido and his ally Orochi was pivotal to the Wano story arc. Their fight for freedom and the restoration of their nation's lost glory captivated fans, adding a powerful emotional and moral dimension to the overall story.

Wano Arc Stage:

1. Wano Country: Wano Country is a secluded and mysterious country that is heavily influenced by Japanese culture, including samurai and ninja. Wano Country is ruled by Shogun Kurozumi Orochi, who is supported by Kaido's Pirates.

2. Samurai: The Wano samurai are warriors who follow a code of honor similar to the bushido of the Japanese samurai. Some of the most important samurai in the history of "One Piece" include Kinemon, Raizo, Kanjuro, Kiku, and others. They are engaged in a fight to free their country from the oppression of the shogun Orochi and the Kaido pirates.

3. The Kozuki Clan: The Kozuki Clan is a royal family that ruled the country of Wano centuries ago. The Kozuki Clan is associated with the creation of the world map, a key plot point in "One Piece." The samurai are loyal to the Kozuki Clan and seek to reestablish its rule.

4. The Straw Hats Alliance: The samurai form an alliance with the Straw Hats, led by Monkey D. Luffy, to fight against Shogun Orochi and the Kaido Pirates. They work together to overthrow the ruling regime and liberate Wano Country.

The Wano Country story arc in "One Piece" is one of the most important and longest arcs in the series, and it highlights the samurai as key figures in the fight for their country's freedom.

The process

1. Arrival in Wano : The arc begins with the Straw Hat Pirates arriving on Wano Island. Luffy, Zoro, Law, and the other crew members split up to explore the island and blend into society.

2. Wano Country Under Oppression : The people of Wano Country live under the oppression of Shogun Orochi and Kaido's crew, the "Pleasures" and the "Waiters". The population is divided, and the culture of Wano Country is repressed.

3. The Samurai : The samurai of Wano, led by Kinemon, Raizo, Kanjuro, and Kiku, form a resistance to overthrow Orochi and Kaido. They seek to restore the Kozuki clan and royal family as the rightful rulers of the country.

4. The Conspiracy : The Straw Hats and the samurai band together and form an alliance to fight against Orochi and Kaido. They devise a complex plan to liberate the country of Wano.

5. The Mysteries of Wano : The arc sheds light on several mysteries, including the meaning of the world map, the role of Momonosuke, the secret of the Flower Capital, and the history of Wano Country.

6. Battles and Alliances : The arc features many epic battles, including confrontations with Kaido's generals, calamities, and other powerful characters. Additionally, the Straw Hats form unexpected alliances with other factions to overthrow Orochi and Kaido.

7. The Revolution : The arc reaches its climax with a massive revolution in the Flower Capital of Wano, where many factions join the fight for freedom.

8. The Aftermath : The Wano Country arc is still ongoing, and there are many lingering questions regarding the outcome of the revolution and the fate of Orochi, Kaido, and the other antagonists.

The Wano Country arc is praised for its intricate plot, many memorable characters, and epic moments. It represents a major turning point in the story of "One Piece" and plays a pivotal role in the development of the series' overall plot.

Story details

Samurai are the warrior class of Wano Country. This title often refers directly to swordsmen, but it can also refer to all warriors in Wano, such as ninjas and sumo wrestlers.

Preview

Social status

The samurai class (shizoku shizoku?, literally "warrior family") enjoys high social status in Wano. Under the corrupt rule of Kurozumi Orochi, anyone in the samurai class could command or kill the lower classes without legal repercussions, whether to protect honor or for selfish reasons. It is considered an honor for a lower-class citizen to marry a samurai, and if the lower-class citizen refuses the marriage proposal, it will tarnish the samurai's honor.

Twenty years ago, the Kozuki family was considered one of the highest ranking samurai. Not only have they been in this country for centuries, but they ruled the country until their family was executed in an attack by the current Shogun Kurozumi Orochi of Wano and Yonko Kaido. Some samurai who do not belong to the traditional samurai class or family are specifically called ronin. Literally meaning "vagabond" or "wanderer".

Code of Honor

Depending on their social status, samurai are expected to be honorable, educated, and highly disciplined. When a samurai has a master, their actions that are not typical of a samurai will affect their master. Because samurai often accompany their lord on his travels, the way they dress and behave in public also influences how they are perceived by their family. Samurai are generally very proud and place great importance on their honor and that of their family. When interacting with other people, they have been shown to reject luxuries that are offered to them, especially if they believe it will put them in a position of subordination or dependence on the person giving them the gift.

Another core tenet of the samurai code is to remain unwaveringly loyal and obedient to your leader, master, and/or family at all times and until death. When a samurai lord dies, the honorable samurai typically serves his surviving family members or relatives, if any. When a samurai's master is killed, he seeks revenge by killing his attacker. Defecting to another group, especially the one responsible for the master's death, is considered highly dishonorable and shameful. This trait is well known even to outsiders like Kaido.

These standards were almost entirely upheld during the reign of the Kozuki family, but by the time Kurozuki Orochi ruled as shogun, the standards were greatly revised and most of the chivalrous samurai were defeated by Orochi and the Beast Pirates were killed. It is clear that most of the surviving samurai who sided with the Orochi abused their position, believing that they had the right to interact with common people, and harmed them as they wished. low status. Furthermore, few samurai adhere to the code of loyalty today, and many warriors who served the Kozuki family defected to the Kurozumi family once Orochi took power. A quarter century later, when Kaidu banished Orochi, most of the samurai who served the shogun immediately pledged allegiance to the pirates rather than fight Orochi and seek revenge for their former master.

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Samurai

• Shimotsuki Ryuma alive
• Kozuki Oden
• Hyogoro
• Shimotsuki Ushimaru
• Kin'emon
• Denjiro
• Kurozumi Kanjuro
• Izou
• Kikunojo
• Doji Ashura
• Inuarashi
• Kawamatsu
• Tenguyama Hitetsu
• Kukai
• Giro Chintaro
• Yatappe
• Tsunagoro
• Omasa
• Cho
• Ukon
• Kurozumi Orochi
• Kurosawa
• Kozuki Momonosuke
• Hotei
• Mimawarigumi
• Monjiro
• Jujiro
• Kakunoshin
• Kojiro
• Ninja
• Raizo
• Tama
• Shinobu
• Fukurokuju
• Daikoku
• Fujin
• Raijin
• Hanzo
• Chome
• Jigoku Benten
• Bishamon
• Yazaemon
• Kazekage
• Sarutobi
• Shinosuke
• Orochi Oniwabanshu
• Orochi Oniwabanshu
• Others
• Urashima
• Jibuemon
• Nekomamushi
• Toyama Tsujigiro
• Kurozumi Kanjuro
• Kurozumi Orochi
• Kagero
• Tabuhachiro
• Hidayu

Abilities

The samurai are said to be so strong that the navy cannot approach them and are tasked with ensuring that Wano can become independent from the World Government and the Yonko. Admiral Sakazuki himself was aware of the potential danger posed by the samurai and thus decided not to send Admiral Kizaru to Wano. It is worth noting that over the generations, particularly powerful samurai have risen to lead other samurai. This award was first given to the legendary Ryuma who lived several centuries ago, and Kozuki Oden was also recognized as such. Oden briefly battles the pirate Whitebeard, considered the strongest man in the world, and 10 years later, he leads a squadron of nine samurai to defeat the extremely powerful pirate Kaido and his crew. Although the Beast Pirates had a force of 1,000 men, Oden and his nine scabbards resisted them, and although they were ultimately defeated, the Beast Pirates' victory was not without fault.

Samurai are known for their mastery of swordsmanship. Many styles of swordsmanship have been demonstrated, including special versions such as the Foxfire style, which cuts through fire. Atypical samurai, such as ninjas and sumo wrestlers, use different weapons. Ninjas use ninjutsu tools, and sumo wrestlers fight hand-to-hand. Samurai also practice martial arts, including karate and judo.

Many samurai can use Busoshoku Haki, which they call Ryuou. His use of Haki focuses on the concept of "flow" and the power that flows through his body. Samurai also seem familiar with advanced applications of this Haki, and its use seems to be more widely known and used in relation to the outside world. Some samurai possess Kenbunshoku Haki, but it is unknown where they are aware of this power.

Some samurai have eaten the Devil Fruit, but since they don't know the nature of the fruit, they call the power given to them "magic."

The overall strength of the Wano samurai has declined over the past 30 years, as Orochi forbade the citizens of Wano from carrying weapons, training, or teaching combat or martial arts during his tenure as shogun. Additionally, the majority of the top samurai leaders rejected Orochi's rule, so Orochi killed or imprisoned them, leaving the younger samurai with no one to follow. Oden and the Nine Scabbards were able to take on the beast pirates, but the dozens of poorly assembled samurai who invaded Onigashima ten years later were easily killed. Hyougoro's swordsmanship at Onigashima was so powerful that no other samurai had been seen in modern times for many years. He easily killed many enemy samurai and reminded his allies of the old samurai leaders.

Triviality

• Although the term "Samurai" was not used in the actual plot until the Thriller Bark arc, its motif and general fashion influenced many early cover illustrations, including chapter 70. Of these, the one for chapter 310 is particularly notable. This is representative of Luffy's armor (with the Kozuki emblem) from Wano Country, 15 years before Luffy appeared in the story. In the Alabasta arc, Nefertari Vivi also hinted at the existence of a samurai by giving Zoro the nickname "Mr. Bushido".

Conclusion

The samurai of One Piece embody the spirit of honor, bravery, and sacrifice. Their presence in the series' expanded universe brings unparalleled cultural depth and fascination, offering a captivating glimpse into a world where past and present collide in an epic tale.

By exploring the traditions, values ​​and stories of these legendary warriors, One Piece continues to captivate fans around the world, serving as an ode to the strength of determination and the importance of loyalty, thus perpetuating the indelible legacy of the samurai in the mythology of this unforgettable manga.