One Piece fans have long been curious about Roronoa Zoro’s mysterious scar – a stark reminder of his grueling training during the time skip. Before this period, the mighty swordsman boasted a flawless physique.

But what exactly happened? How did Zoro lose his eye?

One Piece Straw Hat Pirates members Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Nico Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbe in ONE Esports featured image for article "One Piece watch order: How to watch the anime, movies, and OVAs in chronological order"
Credit: Toei Animation
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This article dives into the world of One Piece to explore this lingering mystery. We’ll uncover the truth behind how one of the strongest members of the Straw Hat Pirates lost his vision during the time skip.

Who is Roronoa Zoro in One Piece?

Roronoa Zoro is one of the main characters in the manga and anime series One Piece created by Eiichiro Oda.

Zoro is the first member to join Monkey D. Luffy’s pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. Since then, he has become the swordsman of the group.

Zoro’s defining characteristic is his incredible swordsmanship. He employs a unique three-sword style (Santoryu in Japanese) wielding one sword in each hand and another in his mouth. His dream is to become the strongest swordsman in the world, a goal that fuels his relentless training.

One Piece live action cast Taz Skylar as Sanji, Jacob Gibson as Usopp, Inaki Godoy as Luffy, Emily Rudd as Nami, and Mackenyu as Zoro in ONE Esports featured image for article "A closer look at Netflix’s One Piece live-action cast"
Credit: Netflix
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Throughout the series, Zoro establishes himself as one of the strongest members of the Straw Hats. He consistently faces off against formidable opponents and becomes victorious, showcasing his immense physical strength and mastery of swordsmanship.

The One Piece storyline takes a two-year time skip, during which Zoro undergoes rigorous training to become even stronger. Upon the anime character’s return, a noticeable change is the scar across Zoro’s left eye.

Just how did Zoro lose his eye during this period?

How did Zoro lose his eye?

Monkey D. Luffy smiling widely in ONE Esports featured image for article "All One Piece arcs: From Romance Dawn to Egghead"
Credit: Toei Animation, Eiichiro Oda
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One Piece fans have been grappling with the question of how Zoro lost his eye for years. The answer, unfortunately, remains a mystery within the story itself.

We know that Zoro undergoes intense training during the two-year time skip to hone his skills and become the strongest swordsman. This training takes place under the watchful eye of Dracule Mihawk, the world’s greatest swordsman.

The last time we see Zoro with both eyes intact is in episode 515, titled “I Will Be Stronger! Zoro’s Vow to the Captain.” Here, he sets off for his training with Mihawk on Kuraigana Island.

Roronoa Zoro wallpaper
Credit: Toei Animation

However, by episode 517, titled “A New Chapter Begins – The Straw Hat Crew Reunites!,” the character reappears with a prominent scar — the first time we see the mark on Zoro’s left eye.

The manga and anime haven’t revealed the exact circumstances of how Zoro lost his eye during this grueling training period. This has sparked numerous theories among fans, but the true story remains untold by the author, Eiichiro Oda.

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