When Did One Piece Borsalino First Appear In The Anime?

Kizaru Borsalino is one of those characters who just oozes style effortlessly. With his laid-back demeanor and slow, drawling speech, he contrasts sharply with his insane power as an Admiral. The guy literally kicks at the speed of light—how cool is that? His design screams 'lazy uncle who could obliterate you,' with those tinted sunglasses and that ridiculous striped suit. Even his devil fruit, the Pika Pika no Mi, feels like a perfect match for his personality—flashy (literally) but deceptively lethal. What really gets me is how he embodies the Marines' moral ambiguity. He’ll casually chat about annihilating pirates while yawning, making you question whether he’s even taking anything seriously. Yet, when he fights, it’s pure spectacle. His showdown against the Supernovas at Sabaody was a masterclass in overwhelming force. Oda nailed it with Kizaru—a villain who’s both terrifying and weirdly charming.

Man, the naming around that character always trips up new fans — I used to mix it up too when I binged 'One Piece' late into the night. His real name, as far as canon goes, is Borsalino. The bright, flashy name you often hear in fights, 'Kizaru', is his marine call-sign or epithet; it literally ties into the color theme (kizaru = yellow monkey) and his light-based power from the Pika Pika no Mi. I actually love how Eiichiro Oda plays with names: Borsalino is clearly a nod to the fedora brand, while the codename reflects his role and abilities. So if someone asks “what’s his real name?” you can say the man is Borsalino, Admiral of the Marines, and 'Kizaru' is the nickname he’s known by in battle and radio chatter. Little trivia: noticing these naming patterns makes rereading parts of 'One Piece' way more fun for me.

If you've ever been stopped by that slow, almost drawling delivery in 'One Piece', that's Borsalino — also known as Admiral Kizaru — and in the Japanese version he's voiced by Unshō Ishizuka. Ishizuka-san had this wonderfully laid-back, resonant baritone that made Kizaru feel effortless and strangely threatening at the same time. He brought a casual menace to big moments like Sabaody and Marineford, and his work across the series really stuck with me. He passed away in 2018, which hit a lot of fans hard, because his voice was so tied to the character. If you're curious, go back to early Marineford scenes and you'll hear exactly what I mean — the voice shapes that slow, almost amused pacing of the admiral.

Borsalino, better known as Admiral Kizaru, is one of those characters in 'One Piece' who makes you sit up straight whenever he appears. His laid-back demeanor contrasts sharply with his terrifying power, and that duality is what makes him so fascinating. He represents the World Government's overwhelming strength, yet he’s almost whimsical in how he treats battles—like it’s all a game to him. That indifference somehow makes him even scarier. What really cements his importance, though, is his role in the Sabaody Archipelago arc. His casual annihilation of the Straw Hat crew and other pirates was a turning point, showing just how outmatched Luffy and his friends were at the time. It wasn’t just about power; it was about the sheer gap between them and the top tiers of the world. Even now, whenever Kizaru shows up, you know something big is about to go down. He’s like a force of nature dressed in a yellow suit.

I can't help geeking out about this one — Shiryu of the Rain first pops up in the anime during the Impel Down arc. If you jump to the anime episodes that cover Impel Down, his debut is generally credited to episode 422 of 'One Piece' (this is where the Impel Down infiltration sequence begins and we start meeting the newer and scarier faces inside the prison). After that initial moment, Shiryu shows up repeatedly throughout the Impel Down storyline as events escalate — so you'll see him in the surrounding episodes as the clash between Luffy and the prison staff unfolds. If you binge that whole arc you'll catch his major scenes without hunting for single-episode clips. I usually watch the arc in one go because the pacing and music make his first appearance feel way more intense when seen in context. If you're cross-referencing with the manga, his introduction aligns with the Impel Down chapters, so checking chapter lists or episode guides for the Impel Down arc is a quick way to confirm. Streaming platforms and episode guides also use the same numbering, so start around episode 422 and let the arc carry you — his presence is pretty memorable, especially once he resurfaces later tied to the Blackbeard plotline.

Kizaru, also known as Borsalino, is one of the most fascinating characters in 'One Piece'—a walking contradiction wrapped in lazy, almost apathetic charm. As one of the Marine Admirals, he embodies the World Government's overwhelming power, yet his demeanor is hilariously nonchalant. He’ll vaporize you with his Pika Pika no Mi (Light-Light Fruit) powers while yawning about paperwork. His speed is insane; he moves at the speed of light, making him nearly untouchable in combat. But what really stands out is how Oda uses him to critique authority—he’s powerful but indifferent, showing how the Marines' 'justice' can be detached and cold. What I love is how Kizaru’s personality contrasts with his role. Most Admirals are either rigid (Akainu) or whimsical (Aokiji), but Kizaru’s just… vibing. Even during the Sabaody Archipelago arc, where he casually wrecks the Straw Hats and their allies, he seems more like a guy running errands than a ruthless enforcer. It’s terrifying and darkly funny. His voice actor’s slow, drawling delivery in the anime adds so much to his character—pure gold.

Oh, Mr. 2 Bon Clay! That flamboyant, unforgettable character from 'One Piece'! He first popped up in the Alabasta arc, specifically during the Little Garden storyline. I recall being utterly charmed by his dramatic entrance—dressed in that iconic swan-themed outfit, spinning around like a ballerina. His introduction was pure chaos, crashing into the Straw Hats' lives with his mimicry powers and over-the-top personality. The way he could copy anyone's appearance just by touching their face? Genius. Oda really knows how to make side characters shine. Bon Clay’s debut was memorable not just for his looks but for how quickly he became a wildcard in the crew’s journey. What’s wild is how his role evolved from antagonist to ally. At first, he was part of Baroque Works, causing trouble for Luffy and the gang, but later—especially in Impel Down—he turned into one of the most loyal friends they ever had. That duality is what makes him so beloved. His first appearance might’ve been brief, but it set the stage for one of the most emotional arcs in the series. I still get misty-eyed thinking about his sacrifice…

Nusjuro, one of the Five Elders in 'One Piece', made his first appearance in Chapter 908, titled 'The Holy Land Mary Geoise'. This was during the Reverie arc, where the political tensions of the world really started to heat up. His design immediately stood out—those piercing eyes and that eerie sword! It was a huge moment for fans because it hinted at the deeper layers of power in the World Government. What’s wild is how little we still know about him. He’s shrouded in mystery, just like the other Elders. Every time he shows up, it feels like Oda’s teasing us with more questions than answers. I love how 'One Piece' keeps us guessing, and Nusjuro’s introduction was no exception. Can’t wait to see how his role unfolds!

Watching Kizaru in action always gives me that electric, popcorn-in-my-lap buzz — he’s the kind of character who makes you pause the episode and go, ‘Wait, what did I just see?’ The big, undeniable feat is his Pika Pika no Mi: he literally becomes light. That translates into movement and attack speed that most characters can’t track, plus lasers and beams that punch through ships, fortifications, and enemy formations with terrifying ease. Two concrete scenes stick with me. At the Sabaody Archipelago he showcases how casually lethal he is against the Supernovas and the Straw Hats; his mobility and ranged precision force the crew into desperate reactions. At 'Marineford' he’s another top-tier power tilting the battlefield—able to engage multiple high-ranking opponents, trade blows on a massive scale, and wreck the sea lanes. Beyond raw power, I love how his attacks combine range and surgical precision: he can blast entire areas or pick off an individual from a distance. He also mixes in smart battlefield sense — using light to reposition, scout, and harass simultaneously. What I keep thinking about after rewatching those arcs is the storytelling choice: Kizaru’s casual, almost bored demeanor makes the carnage feel colder. He’s not flashy like some villains who monologue; he’s efficient and unnervingly laid-back, which I find way scarier. Whenever he shows up I always watch with extra coffee because you know something big is about to get toasted.

Oh, Buggy the Clown! That guy's debut is one of those iconic 'One Piece' moments that just sticks with you. He first shows up in Episode 4 of the anime, titled 'Luffy’s Past! The Red-Haired Shanks Appears.' The episode flashes back to Luffy’s childhood, where we meet Buggy as part of Shanks’ crew before their fallout. It’s wild how such a goofy-looking character ends up having such a layered backstory. The anime really nails his introduction—bright colors, that ridiculous nose, and that chaotic energy. Later, he becomes way more prominent in the Orange Town arc, but Episode 4 is where it all begins. I love how 'One Piece' makes even minor villains feel memorable. Funny thing is, Buggy’s design feels like a joke at first, but his Devil Fruit power (the Chop-Chop Fruit) is low-key terrifying if you think about it. Splitting your body into pieces? Imagine the creative ways Oda could’ve made that sinister. Instead, we get this flamboyant pirate who’s equal parts hilarious and pathetic. It’s classic 'One Piece'—balancing humor with deeper lore. Even now, rewatching that episode, I catch little details foreshadowing his later importance. Like, who’d have guessed this clown would become a Warlord? Only Oda.