Roronoa Zoro is known to rise to every challenge he comes across in One Piece. As the series progresses, he faces off against far more powerful threats than previous ones. Zoro often fights the second most powerful enemy of each respective arc. He must get stronger if he ever hopes to achieve his goal of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman. Given his status as the second most popular character, Toei Animation really blows the budget for him.
Zoro anime episodes primarily focus on what the shonen genre is best known for, and that’s high-stakes action from start to finish. With the ability to wield three swords in combat, along with his tenacious durability and determination, Zoro cuts down many enemies standing in the way of his path. However, there is also storytelling in the midst of these action-packed episodes. Zoro’s defining attribute is his undying loyalty to his friends.
10The Straw Hats Show Off Training Results
Zoro and Sanji Team Up to Effortlessly Defeat a Pacifista
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
521
The Battle Begins! Show the Training Results!
Return to Sabaody
The Straw Hats return to Sabaody marks a significant turning point in the One Piece series. After two years of hardship and training, they finally get a chance to prove themselves ready for the New World up ahead. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji quickly make short work of PX-5 and PX-7, a feat they never would’ve pulled off two years ago. The former completely dismantles PX-5 while the latter two use incredible teamwork against PX-7.
It’s always fun to see the Zoro and Sanji dynamic play out whenever they work together in a fight. Despite their constant bickering, they always get the job done together. For once in the series, the Straw Hats aren’t just rookie underdogs. They are now a formidable pirate crew that put the entire world on watch. It’s a long time coming, but it’s very satisfying to see.
9Zoro Gives Luffy a Harsh Truth About Leadership
He Doesn’t Make it Easy For Usopp to Return to The Crew Just Like That
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
323
Departure from the Water City! The Distinction of a Man, Usopp’s Duel
Enies Lobby
As the right hand man to his captain, Zoro has a responsibility to uphold Luffy’s authority over the entire ship. He wasn’t happy with the way Usopp left the Straw Hats back in Water 7. After the events of Enies Lobby, when the crew embarks on their next journey, Usopp desperately wants to return all while feigning ignorance over his resignation. Zoro doesn’t make it easy for Usopp in this episode, since he cannot let his captain be disrespected.
In a flashback sequence, it’s revealed that Zoro took issue with Luffy’s idea to let Usopp back into the crew after he quit. Zoro makes it clear that Usopp must accept the results and can’t be taken back so easily in One Piece, at least not without a sincere apology. Otherwise, he would personally walk out if Luffy just lets it slide. In the end, Usopp does the mea culpa that Zoro was looking for, and having learned his lesson, he rejoins the Straw Hats.
8Mr. 1 Finally Goes Down in an Epic Confrontation
It’s a Battle of Will Power Between Steel And Swordsmen
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
119
Essence of a Mighty Sword! The Power to Cut Steel and the Breath of All Things
Alabasta
Zoro’s dream to become the world’s best swordsman is entirely dependent on his ability to cut through any object, no matter the hardness. Mr. 1 of the Baroque Works gives Zoro his most difficult challenge by this point in One Piece. As this episode demonstrates, since Mr. 1 has the power of the Supa Supa no Mi, Zoro needs to be able to slice through steel itself.
On a related note, this is the first anime episode to feature ”Shining ray,” the J-pop ending song. It’s a powerful dose of nostalgia for any millennial viewer that grew up in the early 2000’s. The guitar riffs at the end will likely pull at their heartstrings. Viewers watching this episode need to stick around for the ending song for those reasons alone.
7Zoro Summons Asura’s Wrath Against Kaku
The CP9 Agent Tastes Defeat in The Most Satisfying Way
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
300
Zoro the Fierce God! The Incarnation of Asura Revealed by His Soul
Enies Lobby
Zoro gets a tremendous honor of headlining the One Piece anime’s milestone 300th episode. Kaku proves to be a difficult opponent, given his incredible durability and creative application of his Zoan Devil Fruit. The silly giraffe pushes Zoro to his limits as the latter is forced to upgrade his swordsmanship. Zoro triples his current power as he unlocks Nine Sword Style. He invokes the demonic entity of Asura to deliver a finishing blow.
Despite a clash of tonal styles, Kaku is among Zoro’s most intense opponents in the entire series. This is to be expected given the high stakes of the Enies Lobby arc. For the sake of the captured Nico Robin, Zoro must push his limits to achieve his ultimate sword technique. Otherwise, he risks losing a precious nakama. It’s a great episode for that reason.
6He Blocks a Deadly Combined Attack From Two Yonko
Kaido And Big Mom Would’ve Destroyed The Supernovas Otherwise
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
1025
The Worst Generation Gets Wiped Out?! The Emperors’ Deadly Attack!
Wano Country
The Wano Country arc casts a glorious spotlight on Zoro’s fighting capabilities, made even better with a significant upgrade in the animation department, which is now on par with One Piece: Stampede. On top of the Skull Dome in Onigashima, it’s a historical showdown between the old and new generations. Kaido and Big Mom take on Luffy, Kidd, Law, Killer, and Zoro as the current Yonko unleash a monstrous combo attack, Hakai.
Since the Worst Generation are unable to dodge in time, Zoro does the unthinkable and briefly manages to block the attack, which buys precious time needed for an escape. He breaks most of his bones in the process, but he does well in a crucial situation. This episode is also jam packed with other heavy moments like Ashura Doji’s sacrifice and Kurozumi Orochi’s revenge plot against Kaido for his earlier betrayal.
5Zoro Shows King Who is The Supreme One
He Debuts The King of Hell Three Sword Style in This Fight
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
1062
The Three-Sword Style of the Supreme King! Zoro vs. King
Wano Country
One Piece anime viewers can always expect the animation budget to go all out whenever Zoro is on screen. This is especially the case with the highly acclaimed Wano Country arc. It’s when the anime finally catches up with the movies in terms of upgraded quality. The epic climax of Zoro versus King ends with this episode, as the right hand men of Luffy and Kaido launch their most powerful attacks in order to secure a victory.
King’s Omori Karyudon produces a massive fire dragon that engulfs anything it touches with smoldering flames. However, in an awesome display of power and technique,Zoro easily slices through it with En-O Santoryu: Ippyakusanjo Hiryu Jigoku. Despite heavy injuries, he secures a crucial victory for the alliance. The episode is among the anime’s best in terms of making Zoro look unstoppable as he cuts down his opponent.
4He Begs Mihawk to Personally Train Him
Zoro Upholds a Strong Vow to His Captain
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
515
I Will Be Stronger! Zoro’s Vow to the Captain
Post-War
This is a relatively quiet episode by Zoro standards, but it’s very important for two specific reasons. First and foremost, it’s yet another display of Zoro’s loyalty to Luffy. Over at the beautifully drawn castle of Kuraigana Island, Zoro falls down on his knees and practically begs Dracule Mihawk to instruct him in the ways of the sword. He cannot help achieve his captain’s dream to become a Pirate King otherwise.
Secondly, the whimsical art style of the pre-timeskip One Piece anime starts to fade away shortly after this arc concludes. This is the last episode featuring Zoro before the official time skip. Nostalgic fans will certainly miss the old color palette, but as the series grows along with the viewers, so do technological upgrades in animation.
3Zoro Leaves a Permanent Scar on Kaido
The World’s Strongest Creatures Says He Will Remember That
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
1027
Defend Luffy! Zoro and Law’s Sword Technique
Wano Country
Even in defeat by the end of the episode, Zoro looks very strong against Kaido, arguably the most powerful creature ever seen in the series by this point. Zoro buys Luffy just enough time for a quick recovery as he stands his ground on the rooftop of Onigashima. Toei Animation clearly put a lot of effort into this particular episode. Zoro versus Kaido is a memorable part of a long story arc where there are several memorable parts.
As dark aura surrounds him like a Dragon Ball Super fighter, he uses Nine Sword Style for the first time since the One Piece timeskip, and lands a devastating blow on Kaido. With the power of Ashura, Zoro permanently scars Kaido across the chest as blood flies across the screen like a Tarantino pulp film. The anime uses bright flashy colors in order to convey Zoro’s power level. He almost moves like a Saiyan in this scene.
2He Promises to Never Lose Again
Zoro’s Loses to Mihawk, Yet Wins Over The Hearts of Fans
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
24
Hawk-Eyes Mihawk! Swordsman Zoro Falls into the Sea!
Baratie
At the start of the series, Zoro has been seen in a very stoic light. He rarely shows any emotion beyond a stern glare and bloodthirsty smile for serious battles. However, when he suffers a devastating loss at the hands of Dracule Mihawk, the world’s greatest swordsman, Zoro finally reveals a more emotional side as he tearfully declares loyalty to Luffy.
With tears in his eyes and Wado Ichimonji raised in the air, Zoro makes a promise that he cannot lose another battle like he did in the Baratie. The animation style for early One Piece anime really captures his facial expression quite well. It’s only the 24th episode in a long runner, yet very few have the same emotional impact as this one.
1Zoro Tells Sanji ”Nothing Happened”
He Risked His Life to Take Away Luffy’s Pain
Episode Number
Episode Name
Story Arc
377
My Crewmate’s Pain is My Pain, Zoro Fights Prepared to Die
Thriller Bark
Zoro’s unfaltering loyalty to his captain Luffy is best demonstrated in this iconic episode. It’s among the best for the One Piece anime series as a whole. Luffy is completely worn out from his battle with Gecko Moria, which makes him easy pickings for the even more powerful Bartholomew Kuma. In order to save the Straw Hats from impending disaster, Zoro makes a deal to absorb Luffy’s pain via Kuma’s Devil Fruit, even with the risk of death.
He lays down all his dreams for the sake of another person, which proves that Zoro’s convictions towards his captain will always be resolute. Later on, when Sanji asks a bloodied Zoro about what happened, he famously responds that ”nothing happened.” Luffy will never truly realize what Zoro did for him back in Thriller Bark, but he doesn’t really need to, since both men would already sacrifice themselves for the other.
