Highlights:
* Anime characters like Zoro in One Piece possess the latter’s immense power and will.
* Dracule Mihawk is a character like Zoro, a swordsman who Roronoa looks up to.
In One Piece, Roronoa Zoro adheres to the shonen stereotype of stern and serious side characters. Otakus can find multiple anime characters like Zoro, who share the character’s personality and also possess immense power and swordsmanship skills like the green-bandanaed pirate hunter. Fans have even pitted Roronoa against such characters on social media for fantasy warfare debates.
5 Unforgettable Master Swordsman Anime Characters Like Zoro
Roronoa Zoro’s dedication to being the “greatest swordsman in history” makes him an inspirational character in One Piece. The entirety of the series features Zoro practicing swordsmanship or finding new ways to test his body. Similar characters can be found in various anime, beginning with One Piece.
Dracule Mihawk
Anime | One Piece |
First Appearance | Episode 23 — ‘Protect Baratie! The Great Pirate: Zeff the Red Leg’ |
Starting the list is Roronoa Zoro’s archnemesis and trainer. Dracule Mihawk is a respected character in One Piece, a Warlord of the Sea, who has mastered all forms of Haki after years of training. Eye Hawk is one of the anime characters like Zoro because he is the latter’s role model, an inspiration for Roronoa.
Like Zoro, Mihawk has a natural talent for swordsmanship and doesn’t require Devil Fruits to strike fear in the hearts of enemies. He single-handedly defeated the Don Krieg pirates in the Romance Dawn arc and left unscathed after the chaos in Marineford.
Guts
Anime | Berserk |
First Appearance | Episode 1 — ‘Black Swordsman’ |
The Black Swordsman has a similar story and persona to Zoro. They carry the classic ‘tough guy’ attitude, which is a result of years of discipline and training, and thus boast immense power. While Zoro can tap into his Ashura powers, Guts harbors a Beast of Darkness that tempts him to join the dark side.
Both characters are also aimless wanderers. Roronoa Zoro used to be a bounty hunter who almost died at the hands of the Marines whereas Guts was a child mercenary who killed mindlessly to earn a livelihood.
Hiei
Anime | YuYu Hakusho |
First Appearance | Episode 6 — ‘Three Monsters’ |
The aloofness shown by Hiei at the beginning arcs of YuYu Hakusho makes him an anime character like Zoro. Like the swordsman in One Piece, Hiei operated alone until he found a friend in the main character and joined his side.
Hiei and Roronoa Zoro can channel dark energies in their bushido-style katana. In fact, Hiei is the offspring of a demon who eventually learns to tame the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, one of the most powerful moves in anime. Hiei also tends to look down on weaker individuals or friends, especially Kuwabara, which reminds a One Piece fan of the Zoro-Sanji quarrels.
Kenpachi Zaraki
Anime | Bleach |
First Appearance | Episode 20 — Gin Ichimaru’s Shadow |
Kenpachi Zaraki and Roronoa Zoro share the same love for swordsmanship and a desire to be stronger. Zaraki, in particular, has an innate desire to best others, be it enemies or allies. Both Zoro and Zaraki also possess surreal power: Zaraki can cut a meteor in half whereas Zoro can hold his own against a Yonko.
Apart from sheer power, Zaraki and Zoro are a symbol of resilience in their respective animes as they are capable of pushing themselves to the limit. They also share similar goals, surpassing the ones who trained them, and a figurative lack of direction that leads to hilarious scenes.
Zenitsu Agatsuma
Anime | Demon Slayer |
First Appearance | Episode 4 — ‘Final Selection’ |
A companion to the main character, Zenitsu Agatsuma can be termed as an anime character like Zoro. He began the series as a weak-willed individual but later mastered the art of Thunder Breathing talent. Agatsuma also has the swordsman ability to overpower enemies with his extreme speed like Zoro.
Zenitsu may not have the arrogance of Roronoa but he does have the latter’s need to protect his loved ones at the cost of his life. Like Zoro, who took all the pain from Luffy’s body as if “nothing happened,” Zenitsu fought with Muzan despite being grievously injured.
Over the course of the anime, Zoro’s potential has continued to increase. However, he still falls short in the list of the strongest Haki users in One Piece.