Episode 24: Hawk Eyes Mihawk! Swordsman Zoro Falls into the Sea!
Air Date: 2000-05-10
Opening: We Are! (1st Opening)
Ending: Memories (1st Ending)
Short Summary
As the world's greatest swordsman, Hawk Eyes Mihawk arrives to cause even more chaos than there already is, he is challenged by Zoro, who aims to achieve his dream of surpassing Mihawk. The two swordsmen engage in an amazing duel, but Mihawk is victorious and slashes Zoro across the chest, knocking him into the water. As he takes his leave, Usopp, Zoro, Johnny, and Yosaku go off to chase after Nami.
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens with Johnny and Yosaku explaining to Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro how Nami stole the Going Merry and left. A brief flashback shows Nami looking at Arlong's wanted poster once again, and so she tells Johnny and Yosaku to step off the ship for a moment so she can change. As they turn around, Nami pushes them into the water and makes off with the ship. After hearing this story, Usopp and Zoro are furious, but Luffy spots the ship on the horizon. He tells Zoro to take Johnny, Yosaku, and Usopp to go after Nami. Zoro says that they should just let her go. However, the Krieg pirates tremble with fear as Hawk Eyes Mihawk is spotted in his boat, shaped like a coffin with candles on the corners. Zeff explains that he is the world's greatest swordsman, and so Zoro readies himself for battle. One of Krieg's pirates snaps at the sight of Mihawk, firing with his guns at him out of anger caused by the destruction of Krieg's ship. Mihawk bats away the bullets with his sword, and as the pirate is dumbfounded Zoro commends Mihawk's sword. Mihawk replies that a sword alone is powerless.
Zoro steps onto a big chunk of Krieg's ship, and so he challenges Mihawk. Mihawk accepts the challenge, and steps up to face Zoro one on one. The chefs of Baratie gape at the prospect of a duel between the world's greatest swordsman and the famous pirate hunter. Mihawk then takes the cross from around his neck and takes off the top bit, revealing a knife underneath, claiming that he is not like a hunter who uses all of his strength in hunting rabbits. Zoro becomes angry and charges at Mihawk with an Oni Giri, but Mihawk blocks all three swords with his tiny knife. Zoro takes wild swings at Mihawk from all directions, but Mihawk blocks every single attack with his knife. Zoro collapses to the ground, wondering how he can be so far off from becoming the world's strongest. He continues slashing at Mihawk from all directions, blocked every single time, and Mihawk sidesteps one of his swings and chops him in the back of the neck with his hand. As Zoro falls forward, we see moments of his past, when he lost to Kuina constantly and how he pledged that either he or Kuina would become the world's greatest swordsman, and so when Kuina died he accepted her sword.
Zoro gets back up, not giving in, and he uses Toragiri, but Mihawk is too fast and stabs Zoro right in the chest. He tells Zoro to step back, but Zoro refuses, saying he would accept death before a loss. Mihawk acknowledges Zoro's iron will, and so he puts away his knife, drawing his big sword and giving Zoro the honor of facing it. He tells Zoro to state his name, which Zoro does proudly. The two then charge at each other, and Zoro unleashes Three Thousand Worlds, but Mihawk is too fast and slashes him hard. Two of Zoro's swords shatter, and Zoro stumbles to the ground. Zoro then gets back up and turns to face Mihawk, thrusting out his arms and accepting defeat, stating that it is dishonorable to be struck from behind. Mihawk then slashes Zoro across the chest, and in a rain of blood Zoro falls into the ocean. Everyone there is aghast, and as Yosaku and Johnny swim out to rescue Zoro, Luffy, furious, stretches out his arm and launches himself at Mihawk. Mihawk easily avoids him, and says that Luffy and Zoro are a good pair. Mihawk tells Luffy that Zoro is still alive.
Luffy is surprised as Zoro is pulled on board a boat, holding up his sword and telling Luffy that he'll be okay. Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku tend his wounds, and so Zoro, in a very inspiring speech, declares that he will never lose again. Mihawk says that he hopes to meet them again, but as he turns to leave Krieg jumps down and claims he will get revenge on Mihawk for what he did to his ship. Krieg opens fire, but Mihawk bats the bullets away easily, and as the smoke clears he is gone. Usopp then calls to Luffy that they are leaving to go after Nami, telling Luffy to get Sanji to join them so they can head to the Grand Line. As Usopp tosses Luffy's hat back to him, Luffy knows that the real battle is about to begin, and he asks Zeff if he can stop working if he defeats Krieg. Zeff tells Luffy to do whatever he wants as the episode draws to a close.
Mumbo230's Notes
This is truly an amazing and emotionally-invoking episode. This episode is on many fans' list for favorites, and for good reason. Zoro's hopeless fight with Mihawk shows his grit and determination in a new way, and one can see that even Mihawk is amazed at how intent Zoro is on achieving his dream. The anime adapts the fight perfectly and really brings it to life.