Commencing on Sunday, January 21, 2024, the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s Monsters anime became available on Netflix. Building on the success of Netflix’s live-action series for One Piece, the platform opted to stream episodes from the ongoing Egghead Arc. Additionally, Netflix is set to release an anime adaptation based on one of Oda’s pre-One Piece stories.
For fans, Monsters holds significant promise, particularly due to its central character, the unparalleled samurai Ryuma, whose narrative connection to Roronoa Zoro from One Piece adds to the intrigue. Strikingly similar in appearance and demeanor, Ryuma serves as a predecessor to the iconic green-haired swordsman.
Eiichiro Oda has officially confirmed that Monsters, including Ryuma’s character, is considered part of One Piece’s canon. While the recent anime adaptation deviates slightly from Oda’s original one-shot manga, it has introduced certain changes to align its content more closely with the established lore of One Piece.
Emotional Ryuma and Zoro Scene From One Piece Premieres in Monsters Anime
“Monsters” unfolds as a narrative rich in honor and bravery, revolving around the itinerant samurai Ryuma. Upon uncovering a sinister plot, Ryuma decisively vanquishes Cyrano, a famed swordsman, and successfully takes down a colossal dragon. Eiichiro Oda unequivocally affirms in the SBS of Volume 47 that the Ryuma portrayed in “Monsters” is the same legendary warrior featured in One Piece:
As unveiled in One Piece, Ryuma’s last name was Shimotsuki, establishing him as an ancestor to Roronoa Zoro. The kinship between the two arises from the fact that Zoro is the great-nephew of Shimotsuki Ushimaru, a direct descendant of Shimotsuki Ryuma.
This establishes a blood relation between Ryuma and Zoro, with Ryuma serving as Zoro’s distant yet direct forefather. This familial tie explains the remarkable resemblance between the two swordsmen, characterized by identical facial features and a distinctive scar over the left eye.
In terms of appearance, the only distinguishing factor between the “Pirate Hunter” and the “Sword God” is their hair color; otherwise, they bear a striking resemblance. Notably, Zoro inherits Ryuma’s ambitious spirit and sense of honor.
Zoro, a prominent member of the Worst Generation’s Eleven Supernovas, harbors lofty aspirations, aiming to become the World’s Strongest Swordsman. His combat prowess and unwavering loyalty make him Monkey D. Luffy’s trusted right-hand man and the Straw Hat crew’s first mate.
Oda deliberately assigns Ryuma and Zoro the same birth month, November, as a specific nod to their shared origin. The traditional Japanese spelling for November is “Shimotsuki,” precisely the name of the corresponding clan.
Centuries after Ryuma’s demise, the skilled warrior’s corpse is reanimated as a zombie infused with Brook’s shadow. Despite being weaker than the original, the revived Ryuma remains formidable, easily besting Brook.
Monsters Anime Shimotsuki Ryuma, The Strongest Swordsman in One Piece History
In “Monsters,” Ryuma was questioned about the apparent lack of recognition for his strength, despite his evident prowess. He responded by emphasizing that true might is not measured by fame but rather by what one protects. These words reflect Ryuma’s moral stature, which is as significant as his formidable fighting abilities.
Interestingly, unbeknownst to Ryuma, he was globally renowned as “The King,” the most formidable warrior in the world. Surprisingly, he remained oblivious to his own reputation, as he harbored a desire to identify and challenge “The King” himself.
Shimotsuki Ryuma, born in Wano several centuries before the present events in One Piece, played a pivotal role in safeguarding his homeland from pirates, World Nobles, and those seeking to conquer the country and seize its riches.
Through countless battles, Ryuma transformed his sword Shusui into a formidable Black Blade, permanently infusing it with his immensely powerful Haki. Notably, among all the characters in One Piece, only Ryuma and Mihawk achieved this remarkable feat.
Even Kozuki Oden, a man formidable enough to contend with Kaido on equal footing and earn the respect of Roger and Whitebeard, falls short of Ryuma. Despite Oden’s exceptional abilities, he couldn’t surpass Ryuma as the “Wano’s Greatest Hero.”
Ryuma’s extraordinary strength earned him comparisons to the mythical Joy Boy, with both legendary figures sharing similar monikers. Due to his overwhelming might, allowing him to conclude fights with a single strike, Ryuma was hailed as the “Sword God.” Meanwhile, Joy Boy was associated with the legendary “Sun God.”
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