| Kizaru | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kizaru |
| Series | One Piece |
| First | One Piece Chapter 431 (manga); Episode 232 (anime) |
| Creator | Eiichiro Oda |
| Affiliation | Marine; Three Admirals |
| Abilities | Devil Fruit: Pika Pika no Mi (light) |
| Epithet | "Borsalino" |
Kizaru
Kizaru is a fictional character from the manga and anime series One Piece by Eiichiro Oda. He is introduced as one of the Admirals of the Marines and is notable for his Devil Fruit ability to transform into and control light, which grants exceptional speed and ranged destructive power. Kizaru's actions and personality significantly influence multiple major arcs, affecting protagonists such as the Straw Hat Pirates and antagonistic organizations like the Blackbeard Pirates.
Kizaru, whose given name is Borsalino, serves as one of the highest-ranking combat officers within the World Government's naval force, the Marines. As an admiral, he is deployed to suppress large-scale threats, enforce maritime law, and respond to events involving Shichibukai, Yonko, and major pirate uprisings. Kizaru's light-based abilities and interpretive, often nonchalant demeanor make him both a strategic asset and an unpredictable presence in military operations depicted throughout the series.
Kizaru first appears during the Sabaody Archipelago Arc where he is dispatched to quell disturbances caused by pirate activity and the presence of the Eleven Supernovas. He later participates prominently in the Marineford Arc—also known as the Paramount War—arriving with fellow Admirals and confronting commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates. Kizaru reappears in the Punk Hazard Arc during events involving illegal experiments and the World Government's enforcement actions. He also features in later encounters that intersect with storylines of the Reverie and conflicts involving the Four Emperors such as Kaido and Big Mom. Across these appearances, Kizaru operates both in fleet actions and as a solitary force, often altering the tactical balance during pivotal clashes.
Kizaru is characterized by a languid, sarcastic, and seemingly indifferent demeanor; he frequently speaks in a laid-back manner that belies his tactical awareness. Despite apparent aloofness, he demonstrates professional commitment to the Marines' objectives and a pragmatic approach toward threats like the Revolutionaries and powerful pirates.
His core power derives from the Pika Pika no Mi, a Logia-class Devil Fruit that allows conversion of his body into light. Abilities include near-instantaneous flight, light-speed movement, and energy projection in the form of powerful laser-like beams. He employs techniques such as "Yata no Kagami"-style moves (named after mythic imagery in canon combat descriptions) to execute wide-area attacks and precision strikes. Kizaru's speed grants him both offensive reach and defensive mobility, though canonical examples show limitations when opponents possess countermeasures such as advanced Haki or specialized technology. He is also shown to use a pistol in combat, combining firearms with Devil Fruit energy.
Kizaru is officially affiliated with the Marines and by extension the World Government. He is one of the trio of admirals alongside Aokiji (Kuzan) and Akainu (Sakazuki), forming the top tactical leadership beneath the Fleet Admiral. His professional interactions include engagements with figures such as Monkey D. Garp, Sengoku, and fleet commanders like Issho (Fujitora) in later continuity. Kizaru's confrontations with pirate captains—Monkey D. Luffy, Portgas D. Ace, Blackbeard—and with outlaw scientists and organizations (for example, the CP0 and research entities on Punk Hazard) define many of his relational dynamics. He is often contrasted with the moral absolutism of Akainu and the stoicism of Aokiji.
Kizaru's combat engagements carry strategic weight: at Sabaody Archipelago, his intervention disperses allied pirate factions and accelerates the Straw Hats' separation. During the Marineford War, Kizaru assists in large-scale defense and in offensive actions against the Whitebeard Pirates, affecting the outcome of the war that reshapes global power structures, leading to the death of Whitebeard and the rise of new power vacuums exploited by figures like Marshall D. Teach. In subsequent arcs, his presence enforces Buster Call-level authority and influences political developments at the Reverie, altering the balance between the Celestial Dragons and other nations. Encounters with protagonists also highlight tactical limits of Devil Fruit powers when opposed by Haki users or coordinated fleets.
Kizaru was created by manga author Eiichiro Oda and first serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump. His visual design—a tall, thin figure with sunglasses and a yellow-themed aesthetic—reflects his light motif and contrasts with fellow admirals' designs. The choice to give Kizaru a relaxed personality that masks lethal capability was a deliberate narrative decision to create unpredictability within the Marines leadership.
Reception among critics and fans has focused on Kizaru's striking powers, his role in major narrative turning points, and his unique speech patterns in translation. Scholars of manga studies and media analysis often cite his character as an example of how superhuman abilities are used to represent state power in shōnen fiction. Kizaru remains a frequently discussed figure in adaptations, including the anime, movies, and merchandise, where his abilities and memorable moments maintain influence on the franchise's depiction of maritime authority.
Category:One Piece characters Category:Anime and manga characters