Why One Piece Characters Yell Out Their Attack Names

Warning: this article contains spoilers for the One Piece anime and manga!

Maintaining the element of surprise is a great way to come out ahead in combat, ensuring that your opponent doesn’t have time to counter whatever stratagem you plan to use to take them down. The idea of tactical secrecy is ubiquitous in conflicts from all over history… but no-one told the One Piece crew. They’d rather do the opposite! It doesn’t take long for a battlefield in the One Piece world to become littered with the sounds of “Gomu-Gomu no…,” “Diable Jambe,” and “Oni…GIRI!” The idea of anime characters yelling out exactly how they’re going to attack isn’t a novel idea (Kame-hame-ha, anyone?) but within the realm of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, there’s a canonical answer to this perennial mystery.

To begin to answer a question rooted in fantasy, fans must first look to reality. Oda is known for taking inspiration from real-life people, events, and places, so it makes sense that he’d also borrow tactics from real-life warriors, who yell as they chop boards for a simple reason: it makes the attack stronger! The rapid intake and exhalation of breath sends more red blood cells and oxygen to target areas like the hands and feet, creating a quick burst of energy. So, sure, the yelling now makes sense… but why yell the name of your attack?

Names have a special place in the One Piece canon. Great words carry power – as Oda writes, “Attacks have a will to them! An aura!” Naming a One Piece attack makes its effect stronger, because now there’s a symbolic meaning behind the punch. Examples of this can be found during the more dramatic moments of One Piece, but also during sneak-attacks or when a punch falls short. Because there was no name given to the attack, there was no resolve to fight in the first place. The true test of a man’s resolve is in his will to fight, so the characters have to scream their determination!

This also applies to weapons like swords, guns, and bullets, which can be given meaningful names in the One Piece universe. It’s heavily implied that once a weapon is named, it is also given a sort of “soul,” with the origins of the weapon’s name dictating how much power it contains. Over time, weapons can develop preferences and personalities and can decide for themselves who will wield them. One warrior claims that once a swordmaster bonds with their weapon, it will cut the thickest steel or fail to cut the thinnest paper, all depending on the desire of the wielder. But a bond isn’t guaranteed – in One Piece volume 95, chapter 955, Zoro nearly loses an arm after unsheathing the legendary “dragon slicer” Enma without showing it proper respect. To those who dare to tangle with supernatural forces, there’s a risk to taking things lightly.

Once Piece characters shout out their attacks because there’s a huge physical and spiritual advantage to doing so – in fact, you could almost say it’s a spell that allows you to invest more in your attack and get more out of it in return. It’s the power behind their words that truly sends the enemy flying!

About The Author

Ava Paloma
(8 Articles Published)

Freelance/SOW/Content Writer. 23. Digs the deepest for Star Wars and Marvel Lore-along with its canon implications. Enjoys all animation and comic media, including manga and anime.

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