| Borsalino (Kizaru) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Borsalino |
| Alias | Kizaru |
| Series | One Piece |
| First | One Piece Chapter 434 / Episode 277 |
| Creator | Eiichiro Oda |
| Species | Human |
| Occupation | Admiral (Marine) |
| Affiliation | Marines, World Government |
| Abilities | Pika Pika no Mi, light manipulation |
Borsalino (Kizaru)
Borsalino, commonly known by his epithet Kizaru, is a fictional character in the One Piece manga and anime series by Eiichiro Oda. He is introduced as one of the highest-ranking officers of the Marines with the rank of Admiral and is notable for wielding the Logia-type Devil Fruit known as the Pika Pika no Mi. Kizaru's abilities and laid-back demeanor make him a significant antagonist to multiple pirate crews, influencing major conflicts such as the Sabaody Archipelago incident and the Marineford War.
Borsalino is presented as an Admiral within the World Government's naval force, the Marines. His epithet "Kizaru" (meaning "yellow monkey" in Japanese) reflects both his color-themed powers and his peculiar speech patterns. Canon sources establish his service during pivotal eras, placing him alongside other Admirals such as Sakazuki (Akainu) and Kuzan (Aokiji). His rank grants him legal authority to enforce Buster Call-level orders and to engage with major pirate threats like the Straw Hat Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Roger Pirates' historical legacy. Visual design and dialogue link him directly to Eiichiro Oda's broader characterization of the Admiralty.
Kizaru's primary power derives from the Pika Pika no Mi, a Logia-class Devil Fruit that allows him to create, control, and transform into light. This grants extreme speed through light-based movement and the capability to fire destructive laser-like beams. He can perform wide-area attacks capable of incapacitating ships and large groups of combatants, and can refract or traverse at lightspeed to reposition. The fruit's properties also provide intangibility typical of Logia users, enabling Kizaru to avoid physical harm by becoming light. He supplements these powers with advanced combat techniques such as Haki—notably Busoshoku Haki for armament and defensive augmentation—and tactical use of his environment to maximize long-range and close-quarters effectiveness.
Kizaru appears in multiple critical arcs. At the Sabaody Archipelago arc he enforces World Government directives against the emerging Supernovas and facilitates the slave trade conflict involving the Celestial Dragons. During the Amazon Lily and Impel Down timeline, Kizaru is active in implementing Marine policy and responding to pirate escalations. In the Marineford War arc he engages with the Whitebeard Pirates and their allies as part of the Admirals' attempt to suppress the Whitebeard-led rescue of Portgas D. Ace. Post-timeskip, Kizaru is deployed to counter organized pirate threats including the Punk Hazard aftermath and confrontations with Yonko-affiliated forces. His presence frequently alters strategic balances due to the sheer destructive potential of the Pika Pika no Mi and his institutional authority within the World Government.
Kizaru's personality is characterized by an aloof, sardonic, and seemingly indifferent demeanor; he often speaks slowly and with a dry wit, which belies ruthless pragmatism. He exhibits a casual approach to violence, treating deadly engagements with nonchalance that unsettles opponents. Tactically, he prefers mid-to-long-range engagements that leverage light-speed attacks and area denial, though he can switch to precision strikes when required. His combat style combines high mobility, overwhelming destructive output, and opportunistic use of Haki to counter Devil Fruit counters or exceptionally durable foes. Kizaru's detachment also makes him unpredictable: he will at times show moments of curiosity or amusement that influence his tactical choices.
As an Admiral, Kizaru is formally affiliated with the Marines and the World Government. He functions professionally alongside fellow Admirals such as Sakazuki (Akainu) and Kuzan (Aokiji), though ideological differences among Admirals have been central to internal conflict. He enforces orders from figures like the Fleet Admiral and directly interacts with Marine commanders including Sengoku. Kizaru's engagements frequently put him in opposition to major pirate figures and groups: the Straw Hat Pirates, Whitebeard, and later Yonko-era actors. He also intersects with supporting organizations and locales such as the Shichibukai system and strategic positions like Marineford and Sabaody Archipelago.
Kizaru is recognized by fans and critics for his distinctive ability concept—light-based powers—and his contrastingly languid persona paired with immense destructive capacity. He has been the subject of extensive analysis in fan communities and media coverage regarding his placement within the Admiralty hierarchy and his tactical role in key arcs. Merchandising, cosplay, and adaptations in anime and video games have furthered his visibility. Critical reception highlights Oda's use of Kizaru to explore themes of authority, morality, and the imbalance between institutional power and individual freedom within the One Piece narrative. Voice acting portrayals in the anime and localization choices have also shaped international perceptions of the character.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Fictional admirals Category:Fictional characters with superhuman speed