One Piece – Are you wondering how this key character really died? The manga provides the answer

Anyone who has seen the Netflix series for One Piece knows many, but not all, of Zorro’s backstory. Image source: Netflix

The One Piece series is damn faithful to the original, but of course one or two details had to be thrown overboard for the Netflix adaptation. Eiichiro Oda’s work, which now contains over 1,000 chapters and has been delighting manga fans since 1999, has become too big a chunk.

However, this may leave one or two questions unanswered. For example, with regard to Roronoa Zoro’s (Mackenyu) backstory, which is dealt with in episode 4 of the Netflix series. Of course, be warned of spoilers from this point on!

What happens to Zorro’s childhood friend Kuina

In the fourth episode we get an explanation as to why exactly Zorro actually wants to become the best swordsman in the entire world. The decisive factor for this is the shared dream with his childhood friend Kuina (Audrey Cymone). Zoro and Kuina were both taught the art of sword fighting in the same dojo, and all the while they encouraged each other to become better and better.

Their pact is overshadowed by the sudden death of Kuina, but this makes Zorro’s plans even more solidified: He wants to honor his girlfriend by actually making their shared dream come true. But the Netflix series does not explain how exactly Kuina died. For this, fans of One Piece have to look at the manga template.

In the One Piece manga, Zoro and Kuina dueled 2,001 times. Image source: Netflix

Which details only the One Piece manga provides

This is what the template reveals about Kuina’s death: The manga or anime makes no secret of how Zorro’s childhood friend died: while looking for a whetstone for her sword so that she can continue dueling with Zorro, Kuina falls down the stairs and dies.

But the Netflix series hides another detail: Kuina is the daughter of Shimotsuki Koushirou – her and Zorro’s master swordsman. The fact that this hasn’t been discussed in the Netflix series (at least so far) diminishes the fact that Koushirou gives Zorro the Sword of Kuina a little bit. It is not known why the live-action adaptation of One Piece omits this detail.

This is what the author means: During my school days, I absorbed the One Piece anime like a sponge – it also ran at the perfect time on afternoon television. Because of that, or precisely because of that, I didn’t have too high expectations of the live-action adaptation, but it ended up being surprisingly good! But of all the back stories of the Straw Hat Pirates in the Netflix series, Zorro disappointed me the most: his friendship with Kuina and her sudden death were simply not given enough time and space to breathe. The fact that the relationship between Zoro and Koushirou is neglected doesn’t do his backstory any favors. Too bad!

By the way: If you want to find out more about One Piece, the chances of a second season, the differences and similarities to the manga template and more, then it’s best to click on one of the following links:

Have you already seen the One Piece series from Netflix and if so, how much do you like it – especially in direct comparison to the manga and anime? Would you be happy about a season 2 or could you do without it in good conscience? What do you think is the best live-action adaptation of a manga or anime that comes to mind? Let us know in the comments!