| Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino) |
| Series | One Piece |
| First | Manga: Chapter 418 / Anime: Episode 227 |
| Creator | Eiichiro Oda |
| Alias | Borsalino, Kizaru |
| Affiliation | Marines, World Government |
| Rank | Admiral (Admiral / Fleet Admiral candidate) |
| Devilfruit | Pika Pika no Mi |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino)
Admiral Kizaru (Borsalino) is a high-ranking officer of the Marines and one of the principal admirals serving the World Government in the manga and anime One Piece. Introduced during the Sabaody Archipelago arc, Kizaru functions as a symbol of centralized naval authority, executing orders such as the Buster Call and engaging in major military operations against pirates and other threats. His presence matters as a narrative instrument representing the might and reach of governmental maritime enforcement within the Grand Line and the wider New World.
Kizaru is tall and lean with distinctive long limbs, usually seen wearing a flashy yellow suit and a white captain's coat draped over his shoulders bearing the word "Justice", reflecting Marine symbolism. His eyes are narrow, often giving him a languid expression that complements his slow, whimsical speech pattern. Personality-wise he is nonchalant, sardonic, and seemingly indifferent to collateral damage, preferring a laissez-faire attitude that masks ruthless efficiency. This demeanor contrasts with more rigid figures like Sengoku or Monkey D. Garp, underscoring differing philosophies within the Marines about order and duty.
Kizaru wields the Pika Pika no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit that grants control over light, allowing instantaneous movement at light speed, emission of concentrated light beams, and conversion of his body into light to avoid harm. He employs techniques such as "Yasakani no Magatama"-style light projectiles, long-range laser strikes, and blinding flashes that serve both offensive and strategic roles. His combat style combines the Devil Fruit's speed with precise marksmanship and spatial awareness, enabling engagements against powerful opponents like Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Akainu-era contemporaries. Kizaru's light-based powers also interact with technologies and abilities across the series, including Seastone limitations and counterplay by Haki users such as Observation Haki and Armament Haki practitioners.
Kizaru first appears prominently during the Sabaody Archipelago incident, where he confronts the Straw Hat Pirates and other pirate crews, demonstrating overwhelming power that catalyzes several plot developments. He participates in the Impel Down/Marineford timeline indirectly through Marine strategic deployments and later takes part in the Punk Hazard and Dressrosa era conflicts as an executor of World Government policy. Notable confrontations include clashes with Silvers Rayleigh at Sabaody, skirmishes involving Boa Hancock's allies, and confrontations during theReverie-era escalations. His duels often highlight contrasts between raw speed and tactical resolve, affecting outcomes in engagements with captains like Monkey D. Luffy and allied pirate coalitions.
Kizaru maintains institutional ties to the Five Elders and to senior Marine command such as Fleet Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu) and predecessors like Sengoku. His relationship with fellow admirals — notably Kuzan (Aokiji) and Sakazuki — is professional and occasionally fractious, shaped by ideological differences over justice and tactics. He interacts with Marine officers across ranks, including Tashigi and Coby, as part of broader chain-of-command dynamics. Outside the Marines, Kizaru’s actions affect organizations like the Shichibukai system (before its abolition), pirate crews, and regional authorities such as the World Nobles (Five Elders' protectees). Alliances are primarily institutional rather than personal, reinforcing the Marine role in preserving national and international order.
Kizaru's legacy in One Piece is as an embodiment of impersonal state power: his carefree demeanor coupled with devastating capability has stabilized and destabilized regions alike, reinforcing the Marines' deterrent role while raising ethical questions about means and ends. Narratively, he serves as a counterweight to pirate individualism epitomized by characters like Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Luffy, underscoring themes of authority, tradition, and societal cohesion. His actions influence major political shifts such as the collapse of the Shichibukai system and the escalation of open conflict between the Marines and pirate syndicates. In-universe, Kizaru remains a benchmark of Admiral-class power, shaping training priorities for figures like Marineford veterans and aspirants seeking to uphold national stability through disciplined maritime supremacy.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Fictional admirals Category:Fictional users of Devil Fruits