When Brook first arrived in the Thriller Bark arc, it appeared that he would only serve as a source of comedic relief and perhaps entertain the crew with his musical abilities on the Sunny. However, his time as a Strawhat has revealed that he possesses deep layers and evokes sympathy, proving that there is much more to him than meets the eye.
In addition to his vast knowledge of the Yonko early on in the story, Brook has showcased his prowess in battle on multiple occasions. Particularly after the timeskip, he has achieved remarkable feats in combat, proving that he is not to be underestimated. These moments have left a lasting impression throughout the series and have truly highlighted the admirable aspects of his character.
10 Becoming The Soul King
During the time skip, while Luffy focused on sharpening his Haki with Rayleigh, the rest of the Strawhats prepared for the upcoming journey. Meanwhile, on Nakamura Island, Brook was given the unfortunate nickname "Satan" by the locals. However, this turned out to be advantageous when he was unexpectedly abducted by the Longarm Tribe, who saw him as their muse.
To his surprise, Brook gained a sudden following and became known as the "Soul King." This newfound fame allowed him to deepen his understanding of the soul, thus enhancing his abilities in anticipation of reuniting with Luffy and the crew in the future.
9 Saving Robin And Franky From Tararan
Brook's combat style was first revealed in Thriller Bark when he effortlessly defeated the General Zombie Tararan, saving Franky and Robin from being crushed. However, the truly astonishing part was when he successfully returned the soul of the zombie spider to its original owner, ultimately eliminating it. This marked a turning point, as it became evident that Brook possessed a wealth of knowledge beyond his eccentric and determined exterior. His swift and precise hack-and-slash technique solidified his role as the second swordsman to join the crew.
8 Defeating Zeo
Fans closely watched the Strawhats during the Fishman Island arc whenever a fight seemed imminent. This was because it was the first opportunity for each of them to showcase the abilities and powers they had gained during the timeskip.
Although Zoro remained the strongest swordsman in the crew, fans were pleasantly surprised by Brook's newfound skills. He effortlessly evaded Neo's circular attack and swiftly defeated him with his chilling Glancing Song technique. This fight introduced the ice motif, which became a prominent aspect of Brook's fighting style going forward.
7 Calling Big Mon "Young Lady"
Despite his childish behavior, Brook's age often gets overlooked. However, he managed to remind fans of his true age in a surprising and bold manner. During his speech about rescuing Sanji, he fearlessly referred to Big Mom as a "young woman". This rare display of raw emotion, hidden beneath his usual smiles and jokes, heightened the intensity of the moment. With flames blazing behind him, Brook was about to face one of the strongest beings in One Piece, making his daring comment a risky move that could potentially determine his fate.
6 Wiping Out Black Maria's Subordinates
Due to Oda's storytelling style, we rarely witness the other Strawhat members, besides Luffy, during their training sessions. This is especially true for Brook. However, this approach does lead to some astonishing and remarkable moments, like the instance when Brook effortlessly destroyed all of Black Maria's subordinates with a single strike.
In an effort to protect Robin, who was battling the Tobiroppo, Brook was assigned the task of holding off a small group of henchmen rushing to assist Black Maria. Instead of engaging in direct combat, he cleverly created a narrow passageway between two massive ice blocks. Brook then proceeded to collapse the ice, swiftly defeating the entire group with one powerful attack.
5 Entering His Spirit Form
Brook, the supposed ghostly undead member of the crew with a fondness for souls, lacked any abilities reflecting his nature prior to the time skip. However, when he, Zoro, and Usopp are captured in Fishman Island, Brook astounded both the Strawhats and the fans with a newfound ability. He leaves his body and assumes a "spirit form" to aid their escape and prepare for the impending battle for Fishman Island. Although it is regrettable that Brook seldom employs this ability thereafter, its unexpected occurrence demonstrated his extensive growth during his time with the Longarm Tribe.
4 "I'm Glad To Be Alive"
After enduring a challenging life as a pirate, Brook's journey as a member of the Strawhat crew reached its climax on Thriller Bark when they emerged victorious over Moria. In this moment, Brook takes a pause to deeply contemplate the profound impact Luffy's arrival had on his existence. Not only did he discover that his long-lost comrade Laboon still persevered, but he also regained his shadow and forged meaningful connections with a new circle of friends who embraced him unconditionally.
As Brook's emotions surge, tears cascade down his face while his deft fingers create a haunting melody on the piano, specifically Bink's Sake. This poignant display captures a heart-wrenching realization that Brook, having accepted a place among the Strawhat crew, will never experience loneliness anew.
3 Smashing Mother Caramel's Picture
During the Whole Cake Island arc, Brook had a peculiar and somewhat comical relationship with Big Mom. He oscillated between being her closest ally and her sworn adversary. In one instance, he cunningly posed as one of Luffy's duplicates during the wedding ceremony and shattered Mother Caramel's portrait. This audacious act caused Big Mom to scream and become disoriented, allowing Luffy and Bege's forces to attack her with their rockets. While the plan ultimately failed, it showcased Brook's unparalleled fearlessness as a character, as many considered his actions to be a grave transgression within the context of Whole Cake Island.
2 Revealing His Backstory
One Piece is renowned for its heart-wrenching backstories, and among them, Brook's stands out as one of the saddest. Witnessing his entire crew succumb to disease and poison, leaving him as the sole survivor to serenade them with their beloved song, Bink's Sake, is truly gut-wrenching.
Even in death, Brook's revival through the Revive-Revive Fruit brings him no solace, as he grapples with a profound sense of loneliness and disconnection from the world. However, everything changes when Luffy and his crew enter the picture, providing Brook with a newfound sense of belonging and purpose.
The sight of Brook abandoned by his friends evokes deep sympathy, intensifying the emotional weight of his quest to reunite with Laboon.
1 Stealing A Road Poneglyph
Brook's achievement of obtaining a copy of Big Mom's Road Poneglyph was undeniably ambitious. Despite the failed attempts of others, Brook had managed to hide it within his own skull. Once they had escaped from the clutches of Big Mom's guards, he revealed the Poneglyph to Nami, Chopper, Carrot, and Pedro. Shockingly, he admits to using his companions as bait in order to retrieve the valuable artifact, proving his superiority in planning and execution.
Brook's nonchalant demeanor while disclosing the existence of the Poneglyph perfectly captures his persona as the laid-back and unexpected member of the crew. This accomplishment stands as one of the most significant milestones achieved by any of the Strawhats throughout the entire series.
One PieceManga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast. |