My Anime Role Model

Hey guys, I am not dead! Rather, I am alive. A lot of people have role models from anime and manga, common examples being Naruto Uzumaki, Goku, Vegeta, and Izuku Modirya. So  today I thought, that I would talk about mine: Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro from the show: One Piece, and why he is my role model. Yes, I have been watching One PIece. While many people chose Luffy or even Sanji as role models, I chose Zoro. In this blog I will explain my iration for everyone's favorite pirate hunter. And with that said let's begin.

Qualities of a Role Model

1.) IS their own person who forged their own identity.

2.) Are brave and honorable who do not stoop to low down tricks, lie, and cheat.

3.) Stand up for their friends and loved ones. I have had so many people who I thought were my friends, stand with the bullies against me.

4.) Caring but not lovey dovey or overtly chatty.

5.) Tough but not brash and cocky.

6.) Never gives up BUT is not obnoxious about it

Zoro is One of the Better Role Models in the Strawhats

This is not talking shit about the Strawhats at all. And I know, I know they are pirates and not supposed to be heroes. But in reality they are the chaotic good heroes of the story. And of the crew Zoro has the least negative aspects, than the rest of the crew. Do keep in mind that the positive aspects of say Nami, Sanji etc do outweigh the negatives, but you cannot ignore the negative. Nami is greedy and at times near abusive, Usopp is a liar (it was once harmful but he has now improved) and is cowardly, Chopper is cowardly at times and a bit snappy, Robin is still bound by past trauma (which is valid), did do some bad stuff in the past, and betrayed them at one point (for a good reason), Luffy is a simpleton who repeatedly makes similar mistakes, Franky is overtly stubborn, Sanji and Brook are perverts, and Jinbe is finding redemption. Of the crew Zoro has the best role model traits and has limited negative traits outside of movies. He is stubborn and he kinda lies when he gets lost BUT Zoro is not as stubborn as say Franky or Luffy at times. But outside that Zoro isn't perfect, but I do find that his negative traits are not as harmful (Nami does hurt her friends when she hits them, Usopp has nearly held them backs numerous, Sanji favors the ladies too much) when compared to the rest of the cast. This blog is not meant to be comparing Zoro to the others, I just wanted to say Zoro is just my favorite role model.

Zoro is His Own Man

While this could be said for the majority of the Stratwhats, Zoro is his own man and does not care to change himself for other people. I ire that in a person, and find it better to be yourself (unless it is something that effects you negatively) rather than change yourself just so someone else likes you (like with a crush). I always was annoyed with the people at school who would pretend to be someone else when around their crush and would expect you to change yourself. One more comparison amongst the crew, I always liked that Zoro treated everyone the same while Sanji would change himself easily for a woman and treated those of the female gender better than his male comparisons. I never liked it when both men and women treated the other sex better than their own gender or vice versa. But Zoro treats everyone just the same and probably ignores most of the crew unless shit hits the fan. Wether you're Chopper, Luffy, or Sanji you are not getting special treatment, you would be treated respectfully or get snapped at for waking him but Zoro does not change himself. Also Zoro is happy wether he is by himself or with his friends. He does need others for satisfaction or happiness. Yes he loves his friends and is very happy with them. But he does not rely on them for everything.

Zoro is also pretty blunt and will straight up tell you how he feels. He will give his opinion regardless unless he feels it is really serious. An example was Zoro suggesting to just take Vivi in response to the crew crying about her absence, and giving his opinion on letting Usopp back in the crew. Zoro dishes out tough love as when he informs Luffy, that part of being Captain is having to make tough calls. But while Zoro gives out tough love he does care for his friends and does not say overtly mean things and only gives tough love as he is the member for that and he really cares. I would rather for someone to give it to me straight and give me their actual opinion rather than dance around it. Zoro gets straight to the point when his opinion is asked for. While Roronoa Zoro is blunt, he does not give his opinion when it is not needed or asked for. He is not a blabber mouth, there is an importance in this. Just "roasting" people is not bluntness or telling it as it is, it's rude and childish.

Zoro is Honorable

In the world of One Piece there are two camps of swordsmen. You have the honorable swordsmen who never utilize cheap tricks and want to honor the way of the sword, examples include Dracule Mihawk, Flower Sword Vista, presumably Shanks, most of the Wano Samurai, as well as well Zoro. And you get the swordsmen that will utilize cheap tricks and are combat pragmatists and those include Shiryu of the Rain, Cabaji, Daz Bones, and most of the villains. Kaku is debatable where he falls. But Zoro is honorable as he won't just cheat to win. It is important to his duel with Cabaji. The Acrobat cheated and relied on cheap tricks but when given the chance to fight dirty Zoro continued to be straight forward and defeated the Circus themed villain fair and square. Zoro has never sliced someone down from behind, used cheap tactics like throwing sand in someone's eye, and won't just strike people down for fun or kill those significantly weaker than him. We see this when Zoro uses the back of his blade to incapacitate a child and nun Baroque Assassin and with Monet. While some consider that sexist, I did think it was irable as it mostly was about power difference. I don't think gender matters that much with Zoro. It was not about gender that he didn't straight up kill Monet, it was to dispatch a threat against someone who was considerably weaker than Zoro. But if Zoro has a code against fighting women, it is his choice. But I do not think Zoro is sexist as Zoro will slice down women if he had to. But I ire that Zoro is honorable as I highly respect honor and acting in an honorable fashion. While he is a pirate, we don't see Zoro fight in unfair ways or lie and then attack from the back or rely on cheap tricks.

(Combat pragmatism isn't necessarily a bad thing, Usopp is a combat pragmatist but a good one who doesn't cheat. It's mostly self defense)

Zoro is Loyal but is Not Stupid

Zoro is loyal to his friends and close ones especially his captain Luffy. However, he is not stupid about it and will not just follow willy nilly without question. We see this when Zoro calls out Luffy, for his original plan of just letting Usopp walk back in and we see that had Luffy done that Zoro would have left. While Nami normally reels back the relaxed Luffy, Zoro is shown to also reel him back and remind him of his duties. He does not do this with his fist or sword, rather Zoro explains in a way that would get through his thick skulled Captain. And that is why I think that Zoro's way of getting to Luffy is more effective than Nami's. Zoro reaches out with tough love and Nami hits. But anyways, Zoro is loyal to his crew and will follow Luffy to the ends of the Earth as long as he takes it seriously. And we do see that Zoro is willing to die for Luffy putting aside his own dreams and ambitions for his captain. The moment that set Zoro as my role model was at the end of Thriller Bark when he took all of Luffy's pain from Kuma even though it could mean death. That made me stop, not only was it honorable giving one's dream up for loved ones, but it was an act of love and loyalty when Zoro nearly died for Luffy. Time and time again even in times of loss Zoro never runs away from battle when he could have easily done so. Rather he stands and fights to protect his friends. And of the original 7 (Franky, Book, and Jinbe are too new), Zoro and Chopper are the only Strawhats to have never left even for a good reason (Nami Arlong Park, Sanji Totland, Usopp Water 7, Robin Water 7). While it could be explained to a lack of his own story arc, it is also explained by his undying loyalty and faith in Luffy. Zoro believes in Luffy and if a threat was big enough that Zoro felt like he had to leave the crew, he has faith that Luffy will help him out at the end of the day.

Zoro Cares

In my opinion Chopper's favorite crew member is Zoro. But anyways, while Zoro is blunt and kind of like the stoic quiet Dad figure to everyone, he does really care. We see this side normally with Chopper when he washes Chopper in Alabasta and let's Chopper ride on his head. But this wasn't new as we saw this trait in his first arc. When Zoro is tied to a post by the Marines starving, he truly appreciated and was grateful for the young girl who tossed him an onigiri. Zoro cares for those who care for him and will do his best to help them out. I do (I don't know when though) Zoro giving word of praise to Usopp when his confidence was down, and Zoro was willing to help Nami and Robin when they need it. We see him catch and carry Robin and his outrage in Skypiea when the former and Chopper were harmed by Eneru and company. He is enraged at his friends being hurt, because Zoro cares for their well being. He gives tough love but will also show his caring side some time. He is the sheep dog who will keep the wolves out. But normally in private Zoro will be there to help give comfort and looks for his friend's best interest. Zoro was carrying around poor Chopper when he was overheating. While Sanji was not exactly Zoro's best friend he still prevented him from falling when he was in Nami's body. We see that Zoro does care about Sanji and the rivalry was a friendly one despite the kick vs slash clashes. But at the same time he is not all lovey dovey and all over his friends. Rather he gives care in his own way.

Zoro is Tough but Not Arrogant

Zoro is one of the stronger of the crew, dare I say number 2. And what I enjoy about One Piece, is Zoro is placed in the same role as Vegeta and Sasuke are yet he lacks the same arrogance about his power. The Strawhats do lack the overtly arrogant member that most Shonen main crews have (Vegeta, Sasuke, Kiba, Bakugou, Joey Wheeler at times), we may have brash like Luffy, Franky, and Sanji but none are them are arrogant about their strength. Zoro is sure of himself and is confidet but he is not overbearing or arrogant about his strength. I respect and ire Zoro for his tough nature and strength. In fact a tribute song is what I work out to. He gives me ambition to improve myself and get stronger. And that is why Zoro is loved because he is a badass who worked hard for his strength and trains a lot. Zoro is an inspiration to those who want to get stronger and imrpove themselves. He is not a "prodigy" character who gets their power from their ass and is ungodly strong. No Zoro was once kinda weak (for the world standard) but got stronger over time. Zoro went over obstacles and got better and better. He lost but Zoro always got back up. His resilience over immediately heading to fight Nami despite his injuries from Mihawk. Even when pushed down Zoro will get back up. I always ired that Zoro was strong enough to keep on fighting even with grievous injuries. In all his fights Zoro shows his true strength. And while Zoro isnt a genius, he is still mentally sharp and will find a way to win. Zoro's fight with Daz Bones is one of the best fights in the series and depicts Zoro in his best finding a way to win. When Zoro stood against  Big Mom and Kaido really amazed me.

Zoro Never Gives UP

Tell me you haven't seen this scene. Our hero is losing badly or has lost, but gets back up with blood dripping from his mouth. He turns around and gives a pep talk to himself and the viewer, talks about his friends and BAM power up! The Hero is peppy, and willful and never gives up to a fault. He's probably obnoxious, talks about the power of friendship too much, and never loses. He or she probably repeats the same thing. Guess what Zoro is not like that? Yet he never gives up even in the worse of things. When Zoro lost to Dracule Mihawk, he did not just pack up his swords and give up. No, the loss revitalized Zoro's dream and he roared his ambitions to never losing again. And within a week he was ready to duel Hacchan. When Daz Bones had a critical advantage, Zoro refused to kneel. Rather he found his inner self and managed to defeat the steel man. And in the latest chapters against Big Mom and Kaido and even with severe damage Zoro stood to fight and awakened his Conqueror's Haki. His spirit and desire to never give up is amazing. Wether Zoro wins or loses his fighting spirit helped teach me that when you're shoved down you stand back up ready to continue. But, Zoro is not annoying with it. He doesn't give a pep speech and try to be inspiring. Rather he acts rather than speaks. Zoro fights without the whole speech that creates victory. It is his strength not power of friendship.

Conclusion

In conclusion Zoro is my role model. While Crocodile is my favorite One Piece character, Zoro is a very close second and holds more of my iration. I hope you enjoyed and with that said I am out

#AyinAyang