One Piece: 5 Anime Characters Pre-Time Skip Zoro Could Defeat (& 5 He Couldn't)

Zoro was the first mate of Monkey D. Luffy and the swordsman of the Straw Hat pirates in the One Piece universe. Though he has progressed considerably under the tutelage of Mihawk, he has proven to be a formidable warrior even before the series' time skip.

RELATED: 10 Anime Characters That Would Make Great Among Us Imposters

Capable of blitzing through dozens of marines and moving so fast that he can create after images of himself, he was already well on his way to becoming the world's greatest swordsman before Kuma separated the group. By matching him against a diverse roster of anime characters in his early years, we can better appreciate how he has grown even stronger.

10 Could Beat: Zoro Could Cut Through Tetsutetsu's Hardened Body (My Hero Academia)

Tetsutetsu was incredibly durable and equally strong, capable of resisting Todoroki's glaciers at point-blank range and smashing through small buildings with fists alone. This means that he'd prove a decent challenge against Zoro, especially if he uses aggression to control the pace of the fight.

However, Zoro is much faster than his hardening rival and has cut through opponents made of steel before (as proven through his victory over Daz Bonez in Alabasta). Subsequently, the aspiring hero's defenses wouldn't be of use to him.

9 Would Lose To: Carne's Stand Lasts After His Death & Is Impervious To Zoro's Attacks (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Carne's "Notorious B.I.G" was capable of latching onto and consuming whatever it touched. Unlike most of the series' other Stands, it was also able to persist through his death since it was powered by hatred.

While Zoro would doubtlessly be able to slice the monster in half as it lunged at him, he couldn't destroy it on a molecular level. B.I.G would inevitably fix itself to Zoro's body and rapidly reduce the hero to a pulp.

8 Could Beat: Tanjiro's Blades Pale Before Zoro's Own (Demon Slayer)

Tanjiro was capable of enhancing his weapon with elements such as water or fire. This would be moderately useful against Zoro since it would grant him a utility the Straw Hat cannot reciprocate.

Although the demon slayer is powerful enough to cleave through boulders, his weapons aren't nearly as durable as Roronoa's steel (as proven when they were shattered by Rui). In a direct exchange between blades, Zoro would quickly leave his adversary unarmed.

7 Would Lose To: Lucci Is Almost Twice As Powerful As Kaku, A Swordsman Zoro Barely Defeated (One Piece)

Rob Lucci was the strongest member of CP9, possessing almost twice as much power as Kaku (who in turn was strong enough to rip apart the Tower of Justice in a single attack). Considering that Zoro was scarcely able to defeat the giraffe villain at Enies Lobby, it follows that Lucci should overwhelm him easily.

RELATED: One Piece: 5 Anime Characters Lucci Could Defeat (& 5 He Couldn't)

This is especially true when factoring in the caliber of Lucci's shockwave projectile, the "Tempest Kick." It would allow him to fight Zoro from a distance, as he used his "Moon Walk" to remain well out of the swordsman's reach.

6 Could Beat: Alphonse Has Low Mobility & Limited Offense Against Zoro (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Alphonse was a formidable alchemist who was capable of surfing across the ground beneath him to enhance his mobility. His metallic body and lack of organs render him impervious to most traditional attacks.

However, Zoro was able to cross vast distances in seconds, as shown when he traversed Oars' massive body and sliced his arm apart during the final fight of Thriller Bark. Considering his aforementioned success against opponents with metal bodies, Alphonse's heavy armor would become a liability.

5 Would Lose To: Haumea Is Experienced Against Swordsmen & Possesses A Sinister Brainwashing Technique (Fire Force)

Haumea was one of the strongest members of the White-Clad for her ability to use lightning to reprogram the minds of her targets. As fast as Zoro may have been, he never illustrated a capacity to dodge lightning itself before the time skip. Consequently, he'd succumb to her ignition power and soon be rendered comatose.

RELATED: Fire Force: 5 Ways Arthur Should Have Been The Main Character (& 5 Shinra Was Perfect)

The cultist's experience against swordsmen would also provide her a major advantage, as seen through her numerous encounters with Arthur.

4 Could Beat: Morel's Deep Purple Wouldn't Prevent Zoro From Finding Him (Hunter X Hunter)

Morel was able to produce opaque warriors made out of smoke by breathing into his pipe. Though they primarily served to distract opponents while their conjurer ambushed them, they were also capable of causing damage to those they slashed.

However, Zoro has illustrated an acuity and savviness in battle, as proven through his victory over Braham (a warrior who prevented him from seeing). Therefore, it follows that Morel's illusionary tricks wouldn't be of much use to him.

3 Would Lose To: Sasuke's Susanoo & Sharingan Would Fully Counter Zoro (Naruto)

Sasuke Uchiha's Susanoo would allow him to nullify much of the damage that Zoro could hope to inflict and prevent him from being swept up in a massive tempest that the swordsman might produce. While Zoro's speed would challenge the shinobi's own, his sharingan allows him to track the pirate and prevent him from leaving his sight.

Zoro may be able to endure his opponent's chidori on account of his resistance to electricity (proven when he withstood a two hundred million-volt attack from Eneru), but he would quickly succumb once the Amaterasu was cast.

2 Could Beat: Annie Would Not Be Capable Of Repelling Zoro Properly (Attack On Titan)

Annie Leonhart was a skilled warrior who possessed the dexterity to seize many hardened scouts from the air and smash them against trees. She was also powerful enough to obliterate buildings effortlessly, evincing her advantages in physical strength over Zoro (when he hasn't activated his gorilla bicep ability).

However, she has never been forced to contend with an opponent fast enough to leave after images of himself, nor can she crystallize all parts of her body simultaneously to protect from Roronoa's blades. Leonhart's titan body would soon be exhausted, leaving her at her enemy's mercy.

1 Would Lose To: Estarossa Would Turn Zoro's Animosity Against Him (Seven Deadly Sins)

Estarossa was a demon with feats beyond Zoro's wildest dreams. He was able to survive the combined attack of Sariel and Tarmiel (which nearly destroyed the battlefield they were occupying) and transform into a wolf-like juggernaut that the swordsman couldn't hope to halt or avoid with brawn alone.

Even if Zoro could rival the villain physically, his commandment prevents anyone holding animosity toward him from attacking. Since Zoro is among the most likely of the Straw Hats to loathe his adversaries, he would soon succumb to this curse.

NEXT: Seven Deadly Sins: 5 Ways Escanor Is A Balanced Character (& 5 He's Overpowered)


Post a Comment

0 Comments