What happened to Izou in One Piece after the Wano arc? His status, explained

Modified May 18, 2024 11:21 GMT

One Piece: Izou's fate in the Wano arc (Image via Toei Animation)

One Piece features numerous side characters who have garnered popularity almost on par with the main cast. Characters like Katakuri, Bon Clay, Marco, and Izou have become some of the most respected figures in the One Piece series. Izou made his debut during the Marineford arc as part of the Whitebeard crew, with the sole mission of retrieving Ace.

Izou was reintroduced in the story as a member of the Scabbards during the Wano arc. Throughout the Wano arc, Izou faced numerous foes, even confronting Kaido himself. Though the Scabbards couldn't defeat Kaido alone, Izou ultimately sacrificed his life to protect Luffy, allowing Kaido to be defeated.

Disclaimer- This article contains huge spoilers for the One Piece series

Who is Izou in One Piece? Explained

Izo and Kiku as shown in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Izou, once the commander of the 16th division of the Whitebeard Pirates, is a samurai, a devoted retainer of the Kozuki Family, and a member of Oden’s Nine Red Scabbards. Born in Wano Country, Izou and his younger brother Kikunojo grew up in their family’s dancing school until their father’s arrest led to its downfall.

They struggled to survive on the streets of Ringo until Kozuki Oden rescued them and took them under his wing. After Oden ascended to the position of Daimyo, Izou became his retainer and was trained to become a warrior.

When the Whitebeard Pirates secretly left Wano to prevent Oden from joining, Izou, knowing Oden’s intentions, followed him. Whitebeard eventually allowed Oden to join, and Izou integrated into the crew, embarking on numerous adventures.

Despite Izou’s pleas for Oden to return to Wano for his family’s sake, Oden remained committed to his journey. When Oden joined Gol D. Roger for his final voyage, Izou chose to stay with the Whitebeard Pirates. Following Oden's death, Izou rose to command the 16th division and oversaw Ace's induction into the crew.

Although Izou played a minor role during the Marineford arc, participating in the battle to rescue Ace, his character, along with Marco’s, received greater development during the Wano arc, emphasizing his unwavering loyalty and warrior spirit.

Izou's role in the Wano arc

Izou confronting the beast pirates as shown in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Izou returned to Wano Country with Nekomamushi and Marco during the Raid on Onigashima. Reuniting with his sister Kikunojo near the back entrance of Onigashima, Izou joined Nekomamushi, Marco, and the other Scabbards in their mission.

Similar to Kin'emon, Izou was driven by a single-minded pursuit of revenge against Kaido. The group launched a fierce attack on Kaido and his All-Stars, but despite their efforts, Kaido overpowered them, leaving them defeated.

Throughout the intense battles, including encounters with Kanjuro, Beasts Pirates All-Star Jack, and CP0 agents, Izou showcased his unwavering determination. Even after sustaining several wounds, Izou continued to fight, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to their cause.

Despite their loss to Kaido, the Scabbards’ dream did not die; Luffy carried on their will, engaging Kaido in combat to bring their vision of a free Wano to fruition.

What happened to Izou, explained

One Piece: Izo confronting CP0 agents as shown in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Soon, after being transported by Law, Izou left for a different floor to save Kinemon and Ussop. After saving them, he entrusted Kiku's and the rest of the injured people's safety to Ussop.

Despite his own severe injuries, Izou headed to the Basement Floor and confronted CP0 agents, targeting the Straw Hats. Though the agents intended to ignore him, Izou stood his ground.

He fought the two agents, despite being outnumbered, and ultimately sacrificed his life in the battle, ensuring Luffy's fight could continue. After the end of the raid on Onigashima, Izou was laid to rest in Ringo along with his pistols.