Who Is Kizaru?
Borsalino, better known by his alias Kizaru, is one of the most formidable and enigmatic figures in the One Piece universe. As a Marine Admiral, he stands as one of the "Greatest Military Powers" of the World Government. First introduced during the Sabaody Archipelago arc, Kizaru One Piece fans quickly realized that his relaxed demeanor belied a terrifying level of strength. He is a practitioner of "Unclear Justice," a philosophy that sits comfortably between the Absolute Justice of Akainu and the Lazy Justice of Aokiji. This ambiguity makes him one of the most unpredictable characters in the series, as his true motivations are often shrouded in a haze of sarcasm and nonchalance.
Glint-Glint Fruit Powers
The source of Kizaru's overwhelming power is the Pika Pika no Mi, or the Glint Glint Fruit. This Logia-type Devil Fruit allows him to create, control, and transform into light at will. This effectively makes Kizaru the fastest man in the world, capable of moving at light speed to evade attacks or reposition himself instantly. His offensive capabilities are equally devastating, involving high-intensity laser beams that can cause massive explosions. Key techniques include:
- Yata no Kagami (Eight Span Mirror): Kizaru forms light between his hands and reflects it off any surface, allowing him to travel to a desired location at light speed.
- Ama no Murakumo (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven): He creates a powerful sword made of pure solidified light to engage in close-quarters swordsmanship.
- Yasakani no Magatama (Eight Shaku Curved Jewel): Kizaru fires a deadly rain of light particles from his hands, covering a vast area with explosive power.
Kizaru's Personality
What truly sets Borsalino apart from his peers is his peculiar personality. He is remarkably easygoing, often speaking in a slow, drawn-out manner and acting surprised by things even as he is effortlessly destroying them. He frequently uses the phrase "How scary," even when facing opponents much weaker than himself. This trait makes it difficult to discern when he is being serious or simply mocking his enemies. Despite his whimsical attitude, he is a loyal soldier of the Marines, though his commitment to "Unclear Justice" means he often follows orders with a sense of detached professionalism rather than ideological zeal.
Sabaody Arc
The Sabaody Archipelago arc served as the terrifying debut of Kizaru One Piece. Following Luffy's assault on a Celestial Dragon, Kizaru was dispatched to the island to handle the "Worst Generation" rookies. He demonstrated the terrifying gap between an Admiral and a pirate rookie by single-handedly defeating several Supernovas—including Basil Hawkins, Urouge, X Drake, and Scratchmen Apoo—with minimal effort. It was during this arc that he famously nearly wiped out the Straw Hat crew, only being halted by the intervention of the legendary Silvers Rayleigh. This encounter established the Admirals as an insurmountable wall for the protagonists at that stage of their journey.
Kizaru at Egghead
In the Final Saga, Borsalino takes center stage once again during the Egghead Island arc. This arc adds significant emotional depth to his character, revealing his long-standing friendship with Dr. Vegapunk and Sentomaru. Kizaru is tasked with the unenviable mission of assassinating Vegapunk, a man he considers a friend. This conflict highlights the internal struggle behind his "Unclear Justice," as he tries to suppress his emotions to fulfill his duties as a "cog in the machine." His interactions with the Five Elders and his visible distress after carrying out certain actions suggest a much more complex inner life than his usual blank expression would indicate.
Kizaru vs Luffy
The showdown between Kizaru and Monkey D. Luffy at Egghead is a landmark battle in the series. Unlike their lopsided encounter at Sabaody, this fight saw Luffy facing the Admiral as a newly crowned Yonko. The battle showcased the limits of the Glint Glint Fruit against the boundless imagination of Gear 5. Kizaru used his speed and clones to pressure Luffy, while Luffy utilized his cartoonish physics to grab and toss the light-man like a toy. This fight proved that while Kizaru remains a top-tier threat capable of keeping up with a Yonko, the "Warrior of Liberation" has finally reached the level where he can stand toe-to-toe with the Marines' greatest weapon.
FAQ
Is Kizaru faster than Luffy?
While Kizaru moves at the speed of light, Gear 5 Luffy has shown the ability to react to and even catch Kizaru's attacks, suggesting that Advanced Observation Haki and Gear 5's unique properties can bridge the gap.
What is Kizaru's real name?
Kizaru is a code name meaning "Yellow Monkey." His real name is Borsalino.
Does Kizaru have a transformation?
As a Logia user, Borsalino can transform his entire body into light. However, unlike Zoan users, he does not have distinct physical "forms," though he can create light-based constructs like swords and clones.
