The ZoSan Rivalry: Roronoa Zoro VS Vinsmoke Sanji
Despite public perception on the mindless entertainment on our screens, it would be hard to deny the cultural impact it has on our daily lives, such as merchandise, online fanworks, sequels, prequels and so much more. Moreover, with industries aiming for economic success, anime had stricken once again as one of the most grossing methods to earn some quick cash, especially when retable characters plagued the media, contributing to its popularity, just like a certain pirate-exploration anime named One Piece. The reason behind this was because of two particular characters that adoring fans couldn’t help swoon over with their skills, backstories, and their importance to the Straw Hat Community: Roronoa Zoro — the swordsman — and Vinsmoke Sanji — the cook — of the Straw Hat Crew.
To begin, Zoro and Sanji demonstrated an immense amount of physical strength beyond human capabilities due to harsh training in childhood, claiming the title of “Monster Trio,” alongside their Captain Luffy. Similarly, both are described as simultaneously “reappearing and disappearing” in combat, able to keep up with each other at impeccable speeds without depending on technology nor Devil Fruits — a special type of fruit that grants inhuman powers. By great contrast, Zoro’s fame as an extremely powerful master swordsman has a broader range of weapons in his arsenal, using three legendary swords in diverse attack styles and able to slice through steel ‘like fruit.’ Still, he was heavily countered by his lack of orientation, walking the wrong way when having his target in plain sight, looking for shortcuts. Contrarily, Sanji’s policy, as a chef, is to preserve his hands for the sole purpose of cooking, he is an extremely powerful master of a kick-based martial art named the “Black Leg Style”, able to use powerful kicks with supreme versatility, including a unique combination of Brazilian Capoeira, French Savate and Korean Taekwondo. Nevertheless, Sanji has been chided for his chivalry, taking it to such an extent that he refuses to attack a woman, even at the cost of injury. He stated it to be “the iron-clad rule of this universe since the time of dinosaurs.”
Next, Zoro and Sanji are clear-headed on what their dream will be, such as becoming the greatest swordsman in the world or finding a legendary sea that might not exist, aiming high and wills never wavering or self-doubting. Seamlessly tied to their past, both are taking it upon themselves to accomplish the same dreams of their loved ones who couldn’t come along. However, the reasons that led to their journey of self-fulfillment are on two different ends of the branch. One, where Zeff, a pirate, saved Sanji from drowning because of his dream to find All Blue-like he has before-, suffering near death from starvation despite surviving. On another note, Zoro was defeated continuously by his friend Kuina, but both confided in each other of their dreams, making a promise in the process — that either of them had to become the world’s best swordsman.
Finally, their purpose to their crew is heated topic passionate fans often debated about. There are significant differences between their value to the team, as Zoro was the first member to join the Straw Hat Pirates, and, to date, is considered the most massive threat and most dangerous member in the crew after their Captain — which is why he was often considered the official right-hand man, staying up late at night to keep watch of the ship. However, Sanji is the cook who provides food for everyone to regain his or her strength after a fierce battle, and planned significant attacks that saved the entire crew multiple times throughout the series. Both characters are essential assets in the pirate crew because of the chaotic distress that happens when they are not present, and how the squad was weakened severely in strength or wits.
To conclude, considering how the author balances out the two characters with their strengths and weaknesses, with a motivating backstory on how they have become the person they are today, and their purposes for the narrative are driving factors on how to make an anime worth people’s attention and time.
References:
http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Roronoa_Zoro/Abilities_and_Powers
http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Roronoa_Zoro/History