The Underestimated Power of Kizaru: Unveiling the Reasons He Was One Piece's Weakest Admiral Before the Egghead Arc

Many longtime readers of the One Piece manga have hailed the Egghead Island arc as the best post-time-skip arc created by Eiichiro Oda. Some argue that even from its humble beginnings, the arc has shown promise, capturing the pre-time-skip essence of the series with its storytelling, humor, and action scenes. Of particular note is the reemergence and development of Admiral Kizaru, previously considered the weakest of the Marine Admirals.

One Piece fans' perception of Admiral Kizaru warped by Oda's long-term storytelling style

Despite initial perceptions of Kizaru as weak, One Piece's fans now view him as one of the strongest Admirals in the series. This transformation from zero to hero prompts the question of why he was considered weak prior to the current arc.

Why was Kizaru considered so weak? Explained

The pre-time-skip era of One Piece gradually introduced the World Government and Marines' chains of command. The appearance of Admiral Aokiji, who effortlessly handled the Straw Hats' strongest, marked a significant moment. This was followed by the introduction of Admirals Akainu and Kizaru during the Sabaody Archipelago and Marineford arcs.

During the Marineford arc, Akainu took center stage, establishing himself as a compelling character and formidable fighter. Kizaru, initially portrayed as a formidable force in the Sabaody arc, raised questions about his true strength when he fought Marco instead of focusing on larger targets. His apparent surrender to Benn Beckman further fueled speculation about his capabilities.

Since the time-skip, One Piece decided to introduce new Admirals Fujitora and Ryokugyu instead of giving Kizaru a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of fans. While Fujitora left a lasting impression on characters, Ryokugyu faced similar flak following his introduction as Kizaru did after the Marineford arc. Consequently, many fans have declared Ryokugyu and Kizaru as the two weakest Admirals.

The Egghead Island arc marked the beginning of Kizaru's role as a main antagonist, showcasing his capability in a fight against Sentomaru and ultimately forcing a draw with Gear 5 Luffy, a significant feat given Luffy's status as a power scaling benchmark in the series. This display of strength dispelled any doubt about Kizaru's abilities and led many fans to consider him the strongest current Admiral, and potentially the most powerful of all five seen in the series.

In summation

One Piece fans are finally praising Kizaru following his impressive feats in the Egghead Island arc thus far (Image via Toei Animation)

Inconsistent enemies and a lack of focus led fans to view Kizaru as the weakest Admiral before the time-skip and in most of the post-time-skip series. However, after his impressive feats in the Egghead Island arc, including dismantling Sentomaru and battling Gear 5 Luffy, fans now consider him the strongest of all current and past Admirals. Stay updated on all One Piece anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 unfolds.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have been following the One Piece manga for several years now, and I have witnessed the evolution of Admiral Kizaru's character. Initially, I, like many other fans, perceived Kizaru as the weakest Admiral due to his portrayal in the Marineford arc. His fight with Marco, where he seemed to hold back, and his apparent surrender to Benn Beckman raised questions about his true strength.

However, the Egghead Island arc has turned things around for Kizaru. His impressive display of power and his ability to go toe-to-toe with Gear 5 Luffy have made me reconsider my opinion of him. It seems that Oda has been saving the best for last, and Kizaru may yet prove to be the strongest Admiral of all time. I am excited to see how his character continues to develop in the future arcs of One Piece.

One Piece Manga - 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.