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With the premiere of One Piece episode 1062 earlier this weekend, anime-only fans finally bore witness to the finale of the Zoro versus King fight. This episode also marks the defeat of the final member of Kaido’s Calamities, considered some of the strongest fighters on Onigashima. Likewise, all that remains is for the Supernova Captains to take care of business with the Yonko.
In the process of Zoro defeating King, One Piece episode 1062 saw the former suddenly use a brand-new three sword style without warning. Called the King of Hell style, the technique played a key role in defeating King. Unfortunately, the anime series doesn’t do quite a good job of highlighting exactly how the technique works, even if it does succeed at demonstrating its narrative significance.
Zoro’s King of Hell three sword style as seen in One Piece episode 1062 represents the bond he and Luffy share
King of Hell’s functionality, explained
Zoro’s King of Hell three sword style is first introduced during his fight against King, as seen in One Piece episode 1062. Unfortunately, there’s not much mentioned about the style when the form is first introduced, with Zoro essentially just suddenly transitioning to it without warning. Thankfully, some brief analysis makes it clear exactly what the style is and how it works.
Zoro is only able to use the style after letting Enma draw out the maximum amount of Haki from him, both Armament and Conqueror’s Haki. This state, in which the power and range of his techniques are drastically increased, is what Zoro dubs his King of Hell three sword style. Essentially, Zoro infuses his sword with a blend of both Armament and Advanced Conqueror’s Haki, which he only just activated for the first time against King.
However, one drawback which fans will see highlighted beyond One Piece episode 1062 is that using the state for too long puts his life at risk due to the massive consumption of Haki it takes. Zoro even says this himself just prior to activating the form, as seen in episode 1061. When using the style, Zoro’s swords each emanate the black lightning indicative of Conqueror’s Haki, as well as a green smoke-like aura per the anime.
The form also seems to incorporate other techniques and abilities that Zoro is able to use in his base form, such as Kin’emon’s Foxfire Style. This is seen when Zoro is able to cut through King’s Extra Large Flaming Imperial Wings attack, whose flames are said to be comparable to magma. While it’s not officially confirmed that Zoro was able to do this thanks to blending Foxfire Style with the King of Hell form, it’s widely believed that this is the case.
Unfortunately, in both the anime and the manga, Zoro has only used the form in the final stages of his fight against King, demonstrated in One Piece episode 1062. As a result, he’s not seen using too many named attacks with it. Those he does use are the Rengoku Oni Giri, as well as a move unique to the form called King of Hell Three Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation.
King of Hell’s narrative significance
While the King of Hell style is a fantastic powerup in and of itself, the form actually has some narrative significance in addition. After successfully defeating King, Zoro comments that he’ll even become the King of Hell while remembering his promise to Luffy about never losing again. Zoro also reminisced about first meeting Luffy when he initially activated Conqueror’s Haki.
This is part of what makes Zoro’s willingness to become a Conqeuror’s Haki user and, in his mind, the King of Hell so narratively significant as of One Piece episode 1062. More than anyone, Zoro understands what it means to be strong, as well as what it means and takes to be a pirate crew in the New World and defeat one’s enemies.
Thus, Zoro is essentially saying that if it means keeping his promise to Luffy and helping his best friend achieve his goal as of One Piece episode 1062 and beyond, he’ll even become a devilish figure if he needs to. It both emphasizes the dedication Zoro has to Luffy, as well as cementing him as an intelligent and perceptive fighter and leader, despite his shortcomings in other areas.
Be sure to keep up with all One Piece anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 progresses.
