Published May 25, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT
Since graduating from The Los Angeles Film School, Jason has worked as an editor for the local news, as well as a producer of several short films and podcasts. His extensive knowledge of film production and narrative storytelling has enabled him to travel the world, writing about the projects he is passionate about in the realms of film, anime, and gaming.
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WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ONE PIECE MANGA CHAPTER #1183
Few warriors can fight at Zoro's current level of strength, but One Piece has proven that another Straw Hat crewmate may surpass him in a particularly brutal style of swordsmanship. The Elbaph arc continues to deliver stunning surprises during the Holy Knights' ongoing assault on the giant's homeland. One of those foes has a peculiar bond with a member of Luffy's crew, and the story is preparing to shed light on that mystery while also showing off his sword skills that even Zoro can't do.
Despite the earth-shaking battles going on around Elbaph, the latter half of chapter #1183 features a more mature conversation between Brook and a few of his fellow Straw Hat crewmen. Two of the three Holy Knights on Elbaph have joined the World Government's secret ruler, Nerona Imu, in their continued campaign to kidnap giant children and wipe out the Straw Hats. But before Holy Knight Gunko breaks out of their icy confinement, Brook reveals their past and stance on whether the enemy is worth saving or not.
Since being introduced during the Thriller Bark arc in One Piece chapter #442, Brook's musical talents and consistent comedic relief have inspired a lot of fun moments in the series. However, he's proven to be bad to the bone when it counts, especially during battles against Big Mom and Kaido's monstrous crew. But even his coldest sword attacks pale in comparison to the skills he displayed when he was a younger man.
Brook's Quick Draw Skills Surpass Zoro's
The Straw Hat musician's swordsmanship has rarely been a main focus for the character like Zoro's has, but when it has been needed, Brook has proven to be a force of nature. By combining his otherworldly control of music, the icy cold of the undead, and the gracefulness of his single thin blade, Brook has held his own against an Emperor of the Sea and played a vital role against some of the strongest crews sailing One Piece's waters. Still, chapter #1183 proved that Brook's quick draw skills were once greater than what fans have seen of Zoro's.
The Ultimate · Straw Hat Challenge Set Sail for Trivia “I’m gonna be King of the Pirates!”
⚕CrewNakama!
🌊SeasEast Blue
🍋Devil FruitsGomu Gomu!
☠VillainsFear the sea
🏆DreamsOne Piece!
SET SAIL →
01
Monkey D. Luffy accidentally ate a Devil Fruit as a child, giving him rubber-like abilities. What is the name of that fruit?
AFlame-Flame Fruit BChop-Chop Fruit CGum-Gum Fruit DSmoke-Smoke Fruit
✓ Correct! The Gum-Gum Fruit (Gomu Gomu no Mi) turned Luffy’s body into rubber. He ate it from Shanks’ treasure chest as a kid, gaining stretchy powers but losing the ability to swim forever.
✗ Overboard! The answer is the Gum-Gum Fruit. The Chop-Chop Fruit belongs to Buggy, the Flame-Flame Fruit to Ace, and the Smoke-Smoke Fruit to Captain Smoker — but Luffy’s rubber powers come from the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
NEXT →
02
Luffy’s iconic straw hat was given to him as a child by a famous pirate who inspired his dream. Who gave Luffy the hat?
AGold Roger BMonkey D. Garp CDracule Mihawk DRed-Haired Shanks
✓ Correct! Red-Haired Shanks entrusted his straw hat to young Luffy in Foosha Village, telling him to return it when he becomes a great pirate. That promise drives Luffy’s entire journey.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Red-Haired Shanks. While Gold Roger originally wore the hat, it was Shanks who passed it down to Luffy after saving his life from a Sea King — a defining moment in the series.
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03
Before joining the Straw Hats, Sanji works as a sous chef at a floating restaurant on the ocean. What is the name of this restaurant?
AThe Galley-La BThe Baratie CThe Sea Rat DMakino’s Tavern
✓ Correct! The Baratie is the ocean-going restaurant run by Chef Zeff, Sanji’s mentor. In the live-action series, it’s one of the most stunning sets — a fully realized ship-restaurant on the open sea.
✗ Overboard! The answer is The Baratie. Run by the legendary pirate-turned-chef “Red Leg” Zeff, this floating restaurant is where Luffy recruits Sanji as the Straw Hats’ cook.
NEXT →
04
Roronoa Zoro is famous for his unique sword-fighting technique. How many swords does he wield in his signature style?
AOne BTwo CThree DFour
✓ Correct! Zoro uses Three-Sword Style (Santoryu), wielding one sword in each hand and a third in his mouth. His dream is to become the world’s greatest swordsman by defeating Dracule Mihawk.
✗ Overboard! The answer is three. Zoro’s iconic Three-Sword Style places one blade in each hand and a third clenched between his teeth — a fighting technique unique to him in the One Piece world.
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05
Each Straw Hat crew member has a personal dream. What is Nami’s ultimate goal that drives her journey?
ATo find the One Piece treasure BTo become the greatest navigator CTo draw a complete map of the world DTo defeat every pirate on the Grand Line
✓ Correct! Nami’s dream is to draw a map of the entire world. Her cartography skills and navigation talent make her indispensable to the crew, and her passion for mapmaking was nurtured by her adoptive mother Bell-mère.
✗ Overboard! The answer is to draw a complete map of the world. Nami is a gifted cartographer whose dream goes beyond just sailing — she wants to chart every sea and island so no one is ever lost again.
NEXT →
06
A powerful Marine Vice Admiral is revealed to have a surprising family connection to Luffy. Who is this high-ranking Marine?
ACaptain Smoker BAdmiral Akainu CCaptain Morgan DVice Admiral Garp
✓ Correct! Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather. Known as “Garp the Fist,” he’s a Marine hero who wanted Luffy to become a Marine — not a pirate. Their family dynamic is a major subplot in the live-action series.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Vice Admiral Garp. Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather and one of the most legendary Marines alive. Despite being on opposite sides of the law, their bond runs deep.
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07
Usopp is recruited into the Straw Hat crew after the pirates help defend his home village from Captain Kuro’s Black Cat Pirates. What is the name of Usopp’s village?
AFoosha Village BShells Town CSyrup Village DCoco Village
✓ Correct! Syrup Village is Usopp’s peaceful hometown where he was known for telling tall tales. It’s also where Kaya lives, and where the crew acquires the Going Merry from her estate.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Syrup Village. Foosha Village is Luffy’s hometown, Shells Town is where Zoro was held captive, and Coco Village (Cocoyasi) is Nami’s home — but Usopp hails from Syrup Village.
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08
The Netflix live-action adaptation was praised for its casting. Which actor plays Monkey D. Luffy?
AMackenyu BTaz Skylar CIñaki Godoy DJacob Romero Gibson
✓ Correct! Mexican actor Iñaki Godoy won fans over with his infectious energy and earnest portrayal of Luffy. Mackenyu plays Zoro, Taz Skylar is Sanji, and Jacob Romero Gibson plays Usopp.
✗ Overboard! The answer is Iñaki Godoy. The young Mexican actor perfectly captured Luffy’s boundless enthusiasm. The other actors all play Straw Hat crew members — but Luffy is all Iñaki.
REVEAL MY SCORE →
Voyage Complete Your Pirate Record
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Are you King of the Pirates — or lost at sea?
↻ SET SAIL AGAIN
Brook's flashback during the Elbaph arc lifts the veil on the musician's previous life, of a time when he still had all of his skin and body parts. While he was not able to make any skull jokes, he was the musical kingdom of Esperia's leading defender. It was a time when Brook's swordsmanship was much more popular than his musical skills.
In terms of sheer might, the Straw Hat musician has not executed anything close to the might of Zoro's overwhelming power in One Piece. But in the realm of grace, swiftness, and speed, Brook has shown himself to be far more effective than the infamous three-style swordsmen. When a violent gang arrived on Esperia to kidnap the kingdom's stunning Queen Candelle, they unknowingly encountered Brook at the island's port. Hours later, during their attempted assault, the young afro-ed warrior's "Thee-Pace Hum Notch Slash" finally made its marks known, and the entire gang fell, covered in bloody slashes.
One Piece Borrows The Iconic "You're Already Dead" Anime Meme
The moment felt like a clever reference to the iconic delayed attack featured in Fist of the North Star, which saw an abusive brute attacked by a flurry of precise strikes. While the attacks seemed to lack power, the series protagonist, Kenshiro, takes a few steps away from the gloating foe, then says, "You don't even know. You are already dead," before the larger opponent then contorts and dies in a gory mess. While One Piece doesn’t match that classic series’ level of brutality, Brook’s long-delayed strikes felt just as cold-blooded.
Series creator Eiichiro Oda rarely shows the Straw Hats training their world-class skills between adventures, but from the capabilities that Brook has displayed in chapter #1183, Zoro stands to learn valuable sword techniques from the musical skeleton. If Zoro is set to become One Piece’s greatest swordsman, he’ll want to learn as many techniques as he can, attacks that are big and flashy as well as those that are subtle and graceful, like Brook’s.
First Film One Piece: The Movie
Cast Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ôtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi
Created by Eiichiro Oda
Character(s) Monkey D. Luffy, Roronora Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbei (One Piece)
English (US) ·