Usopp

Usopp (ウソップ Usoppu?) is a fictional character from the anime and manga One Piece. He is the crew's marksman and the third member joining the Straw Hat Pirates.

Eichiro Oda has stated that Usopp most resembles an armadillo. Oda uses the color yellow to represent Usopp, and he smells of gunpowder. His nose is nine inches long, and according to Mr. 2 Bon Clay's standards, Usopp possesses the world's weirdest/funniest nose.

Usopp's dream is to become a brave warrior of the sea, like his father Yasopp of the Red Haired Pirate Crew. After meeting the giants Dorry and Broggy, Usopp was inspired to travel to Elbaf one day and meet the proud warriors there.

Usopp is easily scared and always makes up excuses to avoid going on dangerous outings, excuses which are simply ignored by his crew-mates. Despite his timid nature, he will do anything to help his friends,if it means standing up to a far more powerful enemy. In battle he uses various tricks to deceive his opponent, such as calling out the name of a previously used attack but doing something completely different.

Usopp's father left to become a pirate when Usopp was still very young. Some time after this, Usopp's mother became very ill, and was on the verge of dying. He began lying to keep his mother's spirit up, often saying that Yassop and his pirate crew had returned to take them away with him. Even after she died, Usopp continued to run throughout the town every day yelling that pirates were coming. Usopp began calling himself a pirate and took in three younger children as his crew; Ninjin, Tamanegi and Piiman. Together they formed the "Usopp Pirates". When the Black Cat Pirates return to the island, Usopp, along with Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro and Nami, fight and defeat the pirates and their leader, Captain Kuro. After defeating the pirates Usopp is inspired by Luffy and crew, and decides to begin his journey toward becoming a great warrior. Originally planning to debark on his own, he is shocked when Luffy asks him to join the Straw Hat Pirates.

Usopp's wanted poster features him as Sogeking. His bounty likely results from the World Government's knowledge that it was he who burned their flag at Enies Lobby, effectively declaring war on the World Government.

According to a recent Japanese fan poll in the Shonen Jump magazine, Usopp is the 6th most popular character.


Powers and abilities

Usopp has outstanding marksmanship abilities with his slingshot and his remarkable accuracy often surprises his enemies. Usopp's ammunition is extremely varied, including rotten eggs, hot sauce, pepper, shuriken and powerful explosives. His attacks are named 'Stars' ("Boshi" in the original), e.g. Powder Star. He is capable of running extremely fast, an ability he gained as a result of running from the mobs of people he angered every day in his home town. He can also endure enormous amounts of damage; in his fight with Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas he was struck with a 4-ton metal bat and immediately resumed fighting. He also has a large arsenal of Skypiean Dials at his disposal, such as a Flash Dial, Impact Dial, and Breath Dial.

As Sogeking, Usopp introduced a newly developed weapon: Kabuto, a slingshot connected to the end of a long staff. Several rubber straps are attached to the five prongs of the weapon, adding stability and range. Breath Dials add spin to projectiles once they launch, allowing Usopp to utilize all manner of trajectories. The Dials can also be changed, greatly increasing the weapon's utility. Using the Kabuto, Usopp is even able to outrange guns, as evidenced in the Enies Lobby arc where he single-handedly delays Spandam from taking fellow crewmate Robin past the Gates of Justice by shooting all the marines with explosive projectiles from an extremely distant location.

His alter-ego Sogeking has been used as a battle skill as well. While wearing the mask he is able to think like a great warrior and even summon courage to fight.

Usopp is a talented inventor, creating the Clima Tact for Nami and the dial-upgraded Perfect Clima Tact. Prior to Franky joining, he is the crew's acting carpenter and patches up the Going Merry whenever it's damaged. He also has notable artistic talent, shown in his painting the Straw Hat jolly roger and crafting of detailed snow sculptures (to which Luffy's attempts pale in comparison). Usopp uses special goggles he obtained in Loguetown to enhance his vision.