One Piece: Zoro’s Most Underrated Fights, Ranked

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Serving as the chief swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, Roronoa Zoro has participated in countless battles over the course of the series. Only the crew’s captain, Monkey D. Luffy, has been involved in more fights. Utilizing his signature Three Swords Style and exceptional control of Haki, Zoro has consistently overcome incredibly strong and ruthless enemies.

As a longtime One Piece fan, I remember all the epic battles Zoro had against powerful foes like Daz Bones, Kaku, and King. But it got me thinking – what about all the other fights he’s had that people seem to forget about? There have been quite a few, whether they’re officially part of the story or not, that were surprisingly enjoyable, different, and cleverly done. I’ve put together a list of what I think are the eight most overlooked fights Zoro has been in throughout the series so far.

Zoro Vs. Cabaji

His First Solo Sword Duel As A Straw Hat Pirate

  • Chapters 16 to 17 (Manga) Episode 7 (Anime)
  • Orange Town Arc

From the instant Zoro and Luffy teamed up to defeat Axe-Hand Morgan, they formed a strong bond of friendship, and Zoro officially joined the crew as its second member. He demonstrated his remarkable power again when they encountered the Buggy Pirates, facing off against their chief of staff, Cabaji the Acrobat.

This fight stands out as Zoro’s initial duel with another swordsman after becoming part of Luffy’s crew, and Cabaji’s choice to battle while riding a unicycle makes it especially memorable. Although Cabaji seems comical, Zoro actually struggled quite a bit during this fight. Ultimately, Zoro won by performing his signature move, Oni Giri, for the very first time in the series, which was incredibly rewarding to watch.

Zoro Vs. Indigo

He Was Completely Out Of His Element And Yet, He Came Out Victorious

  • One Piece Film: Strong World

The non-canon One Piece films and filler episodes consistently feature impressive fight scenes with Zoro, making it clear that the animators at Toei Animation particularly enjoy developing his character and action sequences. A standout example occurs during the peak of what many consider to be one of the best movies in the series, Strong World, where Zoro battles Doctor Indigo, a scientist and key member of the Golden Lion Pirates-Shiki’s trusted second-in-command.

Indigo isn’t a swordsman; he’s a mad scientist clown who battles by throwing dangerous chemicals. Because he’s unfamiliar with opponents who don’t use swords, Zoro was in unusual territory during their fight. Despite this, Zoro still managed to win against Indigo in a wonderfully animated scene, and it was the first time he’d used his Asura since its debut in the Enies Lobby Arc (though it’s not considered part of the official story).

Zoro Vs. Hotdog

Undeniable Proof That, Despite Everything, He Actually Respects Sanji

  • Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals

To be honest, Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals isn’t one of the strongest One Piece movies, but it’s still worth watching just for its final act. This section features two really interesting and different fights: Sanji versus Heaby and Zoro versus Hotdog. There’s a bit of a pattern in this series: usually, Sanji defeats the enemy crew’s martial arts expert, and Zoro handles their swordsman.

However, this movie defies that expectation by having the characters face different opponents, which led to two incredibly memorable action sequences. It’s surprisingly enjoyable to watch Zoro struggle against an enemy who doesn’t use weapons – a fighting style that strongly recalls Sanji’s. Furthermore, after defeating Hotdog, Zoro acknowledges that the kicks of his blonde-haired opponent are far more potent, a rare instance where he openly expresses his respect for him.

Zoro And Sanji Vs. Hamburg, Pickles, And Big Pan

Seeing These Two Fighting A Common Enemy Together Was Very Entertaining

  • Chapters 309 to 313 (Manga) Episodes 210 to 215 (Anime)
  • Long Ring Long Land Arc

It goes without saying that the intense competition between Zoro and Sanji is one of the most interesting and fun dynamics in all of One Piece, so it’s disappointing they don’t often team up against a shared opponent. However, their battle against Hamburg, Pickles, and Big Pan during the Davy Back Fight is a fantastic and memorable instance of when they do.

This is less of a serious fight and more like a sports competition – specifically, a game called Hit and Dead Ball – but it still involves everyone physically battling each other. Even though they don’t always get along, Zoro and Sanji end up working together, using their combined skills to defeat these three incredibly strong enemies. Zoro’s iconic move of dragging Big Pan’s head across the finish line is truly memorable, and it’s unfortunate that many viewers mistakenly consider this exciting fight to be unimportant simply because it happens during a story arc that some fans dislike.

Zoro Vs. Hyouzou

His Training Allowed Him To Quickly Defeat A Deadly Sword-Fighting Merman

  • Chapters 639 to 647 (Manga) Episodes 560 to 567 (Anime)
  • Fish-Man Island Arc

Following two years of training with Mihawk, Zoro immediately demonstrated his increased power when he returned to the crew. He started by cleanly splitting a ship in two, then seriously wounded Hody Jones (the central villain in the Fish-Man Island Arc) while fighting underwater. Finally, he overcame Hyouzou, a dangerous assassin from the New Fish-Man Pirates.

Looking back at everything Zoro accomplished during the Fish-Man Island arc, I’d say his fight with Hyouzou stands out the most. Hyouzou was a really formidable opponent – an octopus merman who fought with eight swords simultaneously and could even secrete venom from his tentacles! And to make matters worse, he and his crew had used Energy Steroids, boosting his power even further. Despite all that, Zoro still managed to get under Hyouzou’s skin, get him to drop his guard, and defeat him with seemingly little effort. It really showed everyone that he was prepared for whatever the New World would throw at him. It was a clear demonstration that he was ready for the challenges ahead, and a really impressive feat considering Hyouzou’s abilities. You can find more about the Hyouzou fight here.

Zoro Vs. Ohm

Overcoming The Ordeal Of Iron

  • Chapters 268 to 271 (Manga) Episodes 176 to 178 (Anime)
  • Skypiea Arc

The Skypiea Arc features many great fights that fans often overlook (except for Luffy’s battle with Enel), and the clash between Zoro and Ohm is easily one of the best in the entire arc. This priest stands out as one of the most unique and unpredictable swordsmen in the series, primarily because he uses the Eisen Whip – a sword that’s also a whip, made of clouds, and can change shape and size instantly. Adding to the challenge, Ohm’s Ordeal of Iron allows him to imprison opponents within a massive dome constructed from barbed wire clouds.

Okay, let’s be real, Ohm was a seriously tough opponent – packed with dangerous abilities. But honestly, he made one huge error: he hurt Chopper. And if there’s one thing that *really* gets under Zoro’s skin, it’s when his friends are in trouble. The fight was already creative and fun, but this instantly raised the stakes and made Zoro’s eventual win so much more rewarding. It just felt so much more impactful knowing what was on the line!

Zoro And Luffy Vs. S-Hawk And S-Bear

A Deadly Combination Of Two Of His Biggest Opponents

  • Chapters 1075 to 1078 (Manga) Episodes 1108 to 1111 (Anime)
  • Egghead Arc

The Egghead Arc was full of action and featured lots of exciting battles between strong characters, so it’s not surprising that some of the quicker fights were overlooked by fans. However, these fights still deserve to be remembered because they were enjoyable and engaging, like the short clash between Zoro and Luffy against the Seraphim.

The most impressive fighter in this battle is S-Hawk, who seems like a powerful mix of two of Zoro’s toughest enemies. He possesses the DNA and abilities of Dracule Mihawk, and can also use the powers of Daz Bones’ Devil Fruit, the Supa Supa no Mi. Seeing Zoro fight this dangerous copy was incredibly exciting, and the anime adaptation made it even better with some of the most detailed and impressive animation throughout the entire story arc.

Zoro Vs. Rob Lucci

Much More Than Just A “Filler Fight”

  • Chapters 1091 to 1100 (Manga) Episodes 1028 to 1144 (Anime)
  • Egghead Arc

When it became clear that Rob Lucci had violated the temporary peace between CP0 and the Straw Hat Pirates, Zoro challenged him, leading to an epic fight. Some viewers incorrectly label this storyline as “filler” simply because it took Zoro a considerable amount of manga chapters and anime episodes to win. This criticism is a mistake, stemming from the fact that a lengthy flashback about Bartholomew Kuma interrupted their battle.

It’s worth noting that Egghead Rob Lucci was a remarkably strong enemy. Because of his awakened Devil Fruit ability and his skill with both Haki and Rokushiki, he managed to endure multiple attacks from Luffy while Luffy was in his Gear 5 form. Therefore, the evidence that Zoro was able to fight equally with someone who was a primary villain in an earlier story arc clearly demonstrates how much stronger he’s become in the New World. The fight in the manga was already quite enjoyable, but the anime version is truly outstanding, with its smooth animation, vibrant visual effects, and dynamic camera work.

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2025-10-01 18:23