One Piece: Why Kizaru Is The Most Underrated Admiral

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Key Takeaways

  • Kizaru is one of the strongest Admirals in One Piece due to his Pika Pika no Mi powers and speed.
  • Kizaru’s use of Haki and impressive fighting skills make him a formidable opponent, even against the strongest pirates.
  • Despite being a powerful Marine, Kizaru is a layered character with a conflicted past, adding depth to his role in the series.

As a long-time follower of the One Piece saga, I must say that Admiral Kizaru is one of the most intriguing characters to grace the Grand Line. With his laid-back demeanor and overpowered Devil Fruit abilities, he’s a force to be reckoned with, but it’s his life experiences that truly set him apart.

In the realm of One Piece, the Admirals are formidable figures, often striking terror in the hearts of many. Their power is compared to that of the Sea Emperors, the strongest pirates within the storyline, making them natural adversaries. Typically, a single Admiral can effortlessly overpower entire pirate crews.

At any given point in the narrative of One Piece, there are typically three active Admirals simultaneously, with Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru being the first to be introduced. Though Aokiji and Akainu often receive more attention when discussing the strongest and most significant Marines, it’s important not to overlook Kizaru due to his remarkable feats in the series. Here’s why Kizaru is one of the Navy’s top-tier members in the entire story.

Kizaru’s Legendary Strength

Power Befitting An Admiral

First Appearance One Piece, Episode 398, “Admiral Kizaru Moves! The Sabaody Archipelago in Chaos!”
Story Arc Sabaody Arc
Debut Date April 26, 2009

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the moment when Kizaru, who was subtly introduced in the Long Ring Long Land arc, truly stepped into the limelight during the Sabaody Archipelago events. It was here that he showcased why Admirals are so revered and regarded as the Navy’s ‘Ultimate Weapon’. In a breathtaking display of power, Kizaru came close to obliterating the entire Worst Generation before they even set foot in the New World.

Because Sabaody is situated near Marijoa, the World Government decided to play it safe when dealing with some of the world’s rising pirate threats. To handle this situation, they dispatched Kizaru as their enforcer. With minimal effort, Kizaru was able to overpower numerous crews single-handedly, and he was truly challenged only by Rayleigh, who ranks among the strongest characters in history.

Kizaru consumed the Pika Pika Fruit, a remarkably potent Logia-type Devil Fruit that grants him mastery over the element of light. This ability allows him to unleash dazzlingly fast light projectiles, create illusions and constructs out of light similar to a sword he used against Rayleigh, which appeared equally solid and durable as the Dark King’s own. By skillfully controlling the powers of light, Kizaru can even traverse through mirrors and reflections.

The Pika Pika fruit grants Kizaru the title of swiftest character in all of One Piece, an irony given his laid-back demeanor. His swiftness and power position him as one of the series’ strongest figures, demonstrated by his readiness to confront Shanks during the Summit War. However, he opted against attacking when Benn Beckman entered the fray.

Speed is weight. Have you ever been kicked at lightspeed?

An Incredibly Skilled Fighter:

While many believe that Kizaru’s immense strength solely comes from his Devil Fruit, it’s important to note that he is an exceptionally skilled fighter in his own right. He is adept at using various forms of Haki, a skill that becomes crucial when navigating the Grand Line. As Devil Fruit powers have their limits, Haki becomes essential. Given that all Marines at Vice Admiral rank and above are proficient in Haki, it’s reasonable to assume that Kizaru’s mastery of both Observation and Armament Haki is exceptional, having been honed to the highest level.

Additionally, his battle against Rayleigh clearly demonstrated his exceptional combat abilities. Despite Rayleigh being well beyond his peak, he remains one of the world’s most skilled swordsmen, so Kizaru engaging him equally underscores how powerful an Admiral he is. Moreover, during the Marineford War, he took down numerous pirates and even challenged Shanks – a testament to his significant impact on the conflict.

An Underrated Character

A Layered And Sympathetic Marine

Beyond his role as a formidable commander and highly prized resource for the World Government, Kizaru is also a complex character with depth. Initially, this wasn’t immediately evident, but the Egghead arc introduced us to Kizaru’s early life as a sailor, where he spent considerable time learning under Dr. Vegapunk alongside characters like Kuma, Bonney, and Sentomaru. However, many years later, Kizaru was compelled to take the life of someone he deeply cherished in this world.

This portrayed Kizaru in a new light; a complex character grappling with loyalty and obligation, ultimately deciding to kill Vegapunk – an act he despised. His outburst at Akainu, expressing disapproval of any doubts cast on his actions, underscored this struggle. In essence, these events highlight Kizaru as one of the most nuanced Marine characters in One Piece.

One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2024-12-03 00:33