Soul Solid is the name of Brook's shikomizue.[2] Since he only gave the name of the sword after the timeskip, it is unknown if his sword always carried this name.
Appearance
When sheathed, it looks like a regular purple cane, with the cane portion acting as the sword's scabbard. When unsheathed, its blade portion is a straight, dual edged sword with no handguard, as the hilt of the sword also serves as the handle of the cane.[1]
Abilities
The sword is highly sturdy and resilient as it remained untarnished even after being used by Brook for more than fifty years in countless battles before the Longarm Tribe sharpened the sword during the timeskip. Additionally, Brook is able to enhance its power by enveloping the blade with his soul using his Devil Fruit ability. The energy of his soul brings the "very cold of the underworld into this world", resulting in the sword being freezing cold. Due to this feature, Brook gave it the epithet of "Freezing Sword" (凍える剣, Kogoeru Ken?). He would utilize this enhanced blade with his graceful swordsmanship.[2]
Swordsmanship
Brook uses a graceful form of swordsmanship that resembles classical fencing and iaido.[3] Its techniques emphasize speed and precision, which Brook learned from his comrades-in-arms in the Esperia Kingdom's Raider Squad. The majority of the techniques are named after songs and dances coupled with fencing terms usually spoken in French[Note 1] but they sometimes make use of Japanese.
This sword discipline was also used by Ryuma (due to Brook's shadow that was in him), who demonstrated most of the known attacks at a level far superior to Brook's. While these techniques are deadly in the hands of a "speed-type" swordsman like Brook, it has been shown to be absolutely destructive when used by a "power-type" swordsman like Ryuma.[4]
Before the Timeskip
Brook using Hanauta Sanchō: Yahazu Giri against Tararan.
- Hanauta Sancho: Yahazu Giri (鼻唄三丁矢筈斬り, Hanauta Sanchō: Yahazu Giri?, literally meaning "Three-Verse Humming: Arrow-Notch Slash"): Described as a "swift slash" (速斬り, hayagiri?, VIZ: "quick-draw") technique,[5] the user slashes an opponent at such a fast pace that it appears that they did not attack at all (in fact, to the casual observer it would look like the user simply walked past the victim). Only when a certain amount of time has passed, which is approximate to the time the user walks ten feet away, or three meters (verses, as the name suggests), does their opponent realize the attack. It seems to employ elements of iai (instant sword-draw-and-resheath) since it is generally initiated (though not always) with the user moving towards the intended target(s) with an unsheathed blade and walking past them before sheathing it back. It is usually at this point that the victims start manifesting and feeling the effects of this high-speed attack. The actual attack itself, however, is never seen clearly due to the speed implemented. The technique is highly versatile, since with it, the user can slash multiple targets at once, and if they so wish, the damage they inflict can be as fatal or as incapacitating as they like. The latter was performed by Ryuma using the back edge of his Shusui.[6] Also, when Brook used it against Tararan, he applied salt to purify the zombie at the same time, and it was only until the shadow inside him was expelled that Tararan realized it.[7] This is called Three-Pace Hum: Notch Slash in the VIZ manga and Funimation subs (outside of Strong World) and Three-Verse Humming: Arrow Notch Slash in the Funimation dub.
- According to Brook, this was originally named "Requiem la Banderole" (
鎮魂曲 ・ラバンドゥロル, Rekuiemu Ra Banduroru?, VIZ: Requiem Lebanderole) and was a fast-cutting technique that he learned from his kingdom's Raider Squad. It was given its current name by his comrades and was praised by them.[5] This technique was first seen being used by Ryuma on Nami, Usopp, and Chopper in Hogback's lab, where it was used to render all three unconscious.[6] This was first seen being used by its original practitioner, Brook, against Tararan.[7] Its original name comes from Requiem, which is a type of song sung during funerals, and Banderole, which can refer not only to a type of small flag or streamer used by knights in heraldry, but also as a reference to the fencing move Coup de Banderole, when the attacker performs a lateral slash against the opponent's chest, leaving a "stream" mark, hence the name "banderole."
- According to Brook, this was originally named "Requiem la Banderole" (
Brook's improved Aubade Coup Droit.
- Aubade Coup Droit (
夜明歌 ・クー・ドロア, Ōbādo Kū Doroa?, literally meaning "Dawn Song: Right-Handed Strike"): A thrusting technique, the sword creates a highly compressed blast of air with enough power to burst its way through a thick wall as if fired from a gun. Powerful as it is, it could just as easily be countered by a similar attack as demonstrated by Zoro with his Pound Ho. This was first seen being used by Ryuma.[8] According to Brook, this technique does not do as much damage when he uses it.[8] Aubade is a poem or song of or about lovers separating at dawn. Coup Droit means right-handed strike in French.- When Brook uses this technique after the timeskip, its strength was at least comparable to Ryuma's, as it launched a compressed blast of air powerful enough to break through ice, something he was not able to do before. This stronger version was first seen used against the wandering torso of Kin'emon found in Punk Hazard.[9]
- Prelude: Au Fer (
前奏曲 ・オフエル, Pureryūdo Ofueru?, literally meaning "Prelude to Iron"): The user repeatedly strikes an opponent's weapon in an attempt to disarm the opponent by destroying whatever weapon they might be wielding at close range. This was first seen being used by Ryuma against Zoro.[10] Prelude comes from the prelude found in music. Au Fer comes from the fencing term Attaque Au Fer, which is an attack on the opponent's sword.
- Gavotte Bond en Avant (
革命舞曲 ・ボンナバン, Gabotto Bonnaban?, literally meaning "Gavotte: Leap Forward"): A thrusting technique, the user propels himself forward in order to strike an opponent. As demonstrated by Brook, this move can be done even in mid-air. This was first seen being used by its original practitioner, Brook, against Oars in a combo with Usopp, Nico Robin, and Nami.[11] Gavotte comes from a fast-paced French folk dance. Bond en Avant is French for "Leap Forward" and is a technique in fencing, usually used to propel oneself to their opponent to attack.- When Brook used this move after the timeskip, its strength was much greater, making a creature such as a dragon bleed (a great testament to his strength as that dragon's hide was said to be stronger than the bigger dragon which required Zoro's Shishishi Sonson to cut through it) and it can be combined with his freezing powers to leave ice on impact. This stronger version was first seen being used against the dragon inside Caesar's laboratory with Kin'emon.[12]
- Polka Remise (
酒樽舞曲 ・ルミーズ, Poruka Rumīzu?, literally meaning "Polka Continuation"): The user delivers several thrusts against an opponent. Visually, due to the user's speed, it looks as if they are thrusting with several swords. When used by Ryuma in the anime, a barrage of purple-colored compressed air bullets are launched at the opponent. This was first seen being used by Ryuma against Zoro.[10] The technique is named after Polka, a type of dance and genre of music originating from Bohemia. Remise is a fencing term referring to the continuation of an attack after initially missing or parried.
Swallow Bond en Avant.
- Swallow Bond en Avant (
飛燕 ボンナバン, Suwarō Bonnaban?, literally meaning "Swallow Leap Forward"): An aerial version of Gavotte Bond en Avant, Brook first positions himself in mid-air several feet above his target and then performs a descending Bond En Avant spinning downwards in an attempt to spear his target. Like Zoro's Shishi Sonson, this technique managed to tear its way through a Pacifista's outer covering, but not the armor beneath it, and left significantly less damage than Zoro's Shishi Sonson. This was first seen being used against PX-4.[13] "Swallow" is a reference to the bird as this technique is an extremely fast air-based attack.
After the Timeskip
This is a list of the techniques he uses after his two years of training, touring around the world and learning about the true nature of his Devil Fruit powers. After the timeskip, Brook manages to control the energy of his soul and is even able to bring the "very cold of the underworld" to his attacks. By doing this, his attacks gain freezing effects, and he can combine his techniques with his musical abilities too.[2]
- Quinte Tierce Fantasia (キントーティアス
幻想曲 , Kintō Tiasu Fantajia?, literally meaning "Fifth Parry and Third Parry Fantasy"): Used in conjunction with Party Music, Brook uses a swift draw-and-sheathing technique while his opponents are still under the influence of the hypnotic nature of the musical technique. The mechanics of this technique may be similar to Hanauta Sancho: Yahazu Giri. This was first used against some of the New Fish-Man Pirates.[14] Quinte and Tierce are words describing two different types of fencing parries, and may imply how Brook moved his arm in order to use this technique. They also are two types of note spacing Quinte being a five notes space and Tierce being a three notes space. So far, this is the only new technique of Brook's that does not freeze. In the VIZ manga and Funimation adaptations, this is called Quinto Tierce Fantasia.
Kasuriuta: Fubuki Giri.
- Kasuriuta: Fubuki Giri (掠り唄 吹雪斬り, Kasuriuta Fubuki Giri?, literally meaning "Pastoral Song: Blizzard Slash"): Combining his incredible speed and his Devil Fruit ability, Brook does the same thing Yahazu Giri does, but he sheaths his sword from top to bottom and the streak mark he creates with his "chilled" sword freezes the opponent's blood. Brook claims that the wind produced from his sword's slashing in this technique contains the essence of the chilling winds of the underworld itself. This was first used to defeat Zeo.[15] In the VIZ manga and Funimation adaptations, this is called Song of Scratches - Blizzard Slice.
Ekakiuta: Hitoyogiri.
- Ekakiuta: Hitoyogiri (絵描き唄 一節斬り, Ekakiuta Hitoyogiri?, literally meaning "Drawing Song: One-Joint Slash): Another swift draw-and-sheathing technique, it slices the opponent's torso with three horizontal freezing cuts. It was used to defeat Giolla.[16] In the anime, the freezing effect is missing. Ekaki Uta is known to be a song for children in Japan that teaches them how to draw an animal or any other figure, while hitoyogiri is a musical instrument with five fingerholes made from a piece of bamboo with one node.[17] In the VIZ manga and Funimation adaptations, this is called Painting Song Bamboo Flute Slice.
Soul Parade.
- Soul Parade (
魂の パラード, Souru Parādo?): A defensive maneuver, Brook holds Soul Solid backhand and blocks an attack, freezing anything, it touches. It was first used to defend against Sheepshead.[18]- Eisbahn (アイスバーン, Aisubān?): Brook uses a swift draw-and-sheathing technique to freeze the ground within a certain radius. It was first used to make Sheepshead's steed slip and fall.[19] Eisbahn is German for "ice rink." In the VIZ manga and Funimation adaptations, this is called Ice Burn.
- Ice Wall (アイスウォール, Aisuwōru?):[20] Brook uses a draw-and-sheathing technique to create a large ice wall behind him, erupting from the ground. It was first used to hide Black Maria and Nico Robin from view.[21] In the Funimation adaptations, this is called Ice Wall though it goes unnamed in the manga.
- Swallow Banderole (
飛燕 バンドゥロル, Suwarō Banduroru?): Brook jumps towards the opponent and performs a very swift vertical downward slash that cuts and freezes them. The freezing effect is such that it even affects the ground. It was first used to finish one of the last two remaining guards of the Room of Treasure in Whole Cake Chateau.[22]
- Hanauta Sancho: Tyamasi no Yahazu Giri (鼻唄三丁
魂 の矢筈斬り, Hanauta Sanchō: Tyamasī no Yahazu Giri?, literally meaning "Three-Verse Humming: Soul Arrow-Notch Slash"): Combining Hanauta Sancho: Yahazu Giri with his Devil Fruit power, Brook jumps into the air and uses a draw-and-sheathing technique to vertically slash his opponent. His speed and light weight allow him to jump high into the air and cut faraway opponents. It was first used against Zeus, and was strong enough to bisect the cloud homie. As the technique is imbued with soul power thanks to his Devil Fruit, it even inflicts pain on the homie, which are immune even to the effects of Haki, and could normally only be harmed by an opposing attribute.[23] This is called Three-Pace Hum Soul Notch Slash in the VIZ Manga and Funimation subs and Three-Verse Humming Soul Notch Slash in the Funimation dub.
Phrase d'armes: Orchestra.
- Phrase d'armes: Orchestra (フラーズダルム
管弦楽 , Furāzu Darumu: Ōkesutora?): Brook creates a slash in the shape of a G-clef, which freezes the point of impact on his opponents. It was first used to defeat Kunyun, Sarahebi, Nure-Onna, and Tenjo-Sagari.[24] Phrase d'armes is a fencing term which describes the sequence of actions during an assault.
Non-Canon
- Kakure Uta: Tsumuji Giri (隠れ歌つむじ切り, Kakureuta: Tsumuji Giri?, literally meaning "Secret Song: Whirl Cut"): Similar to Hanauta Sancho: Yahazu Giri, Brook walks behind his target and slashes their back twice so fast the target does not even realize it, with the culminated effect initiating once he completely sheathed his sword. Brook was proficient enough with this technique to cut just the back without cutting the long cape covering it. Brook used this to cut open a Biscuit Soldier's back in order for Pedro and him to hide in said soldier.[25] It is called Secret Song Whirlwind Slash in the Funimation adaptations.
Video-Game Only Attacks
- Rondo: Full Volte (
輪舞曲 ・フル・ヴォルテ, Rondo Furu Vorute?): Brook repeatedly and rapidly thrusts his sword at his opponents. Then, he leaps and finishes with Gavotte Bond en Avant. It is first used in One Piece: Pirate Warriors. Rondo is a type of French music composition used in medieval times. Rondos are fast and vivacious, which refers to the speed of the attack.
Music
Brook also uses his sword to play on his violin. He can combine his swordsmanship abilities with this music and hypnotize his enemies.
Before the Timeskip
Brook using Nemuriuta Flanc.
- Nemuriuta Flanc (眠り歌・フラン, Nemuriuta Furan?, literally meaning "Lullaby Parry"): The user swipes his weapon over a violin like a fiddle and plays a soothing melody, which makes the user's enemies fall asleep. This allows him to score a free hit on the sleeping enemies. The main drawback, however, is that allies of the user are also susceptible to falling asleep as well. Brook's sword carries the "lullaby parry" song on its sword edge, like a violinist's bow, and creates a sleep-inducing soundwave. This was first seen being used by Brook against some Flying Fish Riders.[26] Nemuriuta is Japanese for "lullaby", and Flanc is a parrying technique in fencing (Parade de Flanc), where the fencer moves his sword, hand, elbow, and upper arm in a wave/arc movement up to shoulder level with the swords edge facing to the right. This is called Lullaby Parry in the VIZ manga and Funimation subs and Lullaby Flanc in the Funimation dub.
After the Timeskip
By learning the true nature of his Devil Fruit, traveling around the world for two years, he managed to feel the souls of others and also, when combined with his music, move them. He uses this ability to control his enemies via hypnotic music.
- Party Music (パーティーミュージック, Pātī Myūjikku?): Brook uses his music to hypnotize his opponents into believing they are at a night festival. This way, his opponents not only drop their guards, but they are also made vulnerable to suggestions. This was first used against some of the New Fish-Man Pirates.[14]
Team Combinations
Raikotsuken: Gavotte Bond en Avant.
- Raikotsuken: Gavotte Bond en Avant (雷骨剣
革命舞曲 ・ボンナバン, Raikotsuken: Gabotto Bonnaban?, literally meaning "Lightning Bone Sword: Gavotte Leap Forward"): After being thrown by Usopp's Kuwagata and spun by Robin with Slalom Vine, Brook, with his Shikomizue positioned vertically above his head and the blade's tip pointed at the path of his trajectory, is propelled at a large opponent through a cloud created by Nami's Dark Cloud Tempo. Upon being electrocuted by the cloud, Brook is turned into an arrow of lightning. Brook then thrusts through the opponent with Gavotte Bond en Avant, further propelling him. The opponent is then shocked as well as stabbed by the attack. The only drawback to this attack is that, after being shot through an opponent, Brook does not have any control of where he goes next. This was first seen being used against Oars.[11] In the VIZ manga and Funimation adaptations, this is called Lightning Bone Sword Gavotte Bond en Avant.
Trivia
Soul Solid as a human.
- In SBS Volume 96, Oda drew Brook's sword personified as a human. Soul Solid took the form of an elderly woman with a wrinkled face and light-colored hair, wearing a battened white dress.[27]
- The name Hanauta Sancho: Yahazu Giri ("Three-Verse Humming: Arrow-Notch Slash") may be based on Hacchō Nenbutsu Dango Zashi ("Eight-Chō Chanting: Dango Stab"), a renowned Japanese long sword that supposedly bisected a man who did not fall apart until he had walked 8 chō (approx. 872 m) while chanting Amitābha Buddha's name. While following the man he had cut, Suzuki Magoichi used the sword like a walking stick and accidentally skewered a stone on the tip, like a dango.
Notes
- ↑ French is the official language of fencing and many fencing terms are in French.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 46 Chapter 442 (p. 16) and Episode 337, Brook is seen with his cane upon his introduction.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 65 Chapter 643 (p. 7-9) and Episode 565, Brook reveals the name and the properties of Soul Solid to Zeo.
- ↑ SBS One Piece Manga — Vol. 49 (p. 128).
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 48 Chapter 467 (p. 2-3) and Episode 362.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 48 Chapter 462 (p. 6) and Episode 357, Brook explains the history of Hanauta Sancho: Yahuza Giri.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 47 Chapter 450 (p. 5-7) and Episode 344, Hanauta Sancho: Yahuza Giri is first seen being used by Ryuma.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 47 Chapter 454 (p. 18-19) and Episode 348, Hanauta Sancho: Yahuza Giri is seen being used by Brook.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 48 Chapter 466 (p. 19) and Episode 362, Ryuma shoots at Zoro with a powerful thrust.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 67 Chapter 659 (p. 14-15) and Episode 584.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 48 Chapter 467 (p. 4-6) and Episode 362, Ryuma unleashes some techniques against Zoro.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 49 Chapter 476 (p. 6-8) and Episode 371, Brook attacks Oars with a combo with Usopp, Robin, and Nami.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 69 Chapter 682 (p. 17) and Episode 608.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 52 Chapter 510 (p. 12) and Episode 403, Brook attacks a Pacifista.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 64 Chapter 635 (p. 5-6) and Episode 556.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 65 Chapter 646 (p. 6-7) and Episode 566.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 73 Chapter 722 (p. 17) and Episode 653.
- ↑ Lee, Riley (1992). Yearning for the bell: a study of transmission in the shakuhachi honkyoku tradition. Ch 3 Historical Background of Shakuhachi and Honkyoku.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 79 Chapter 795 (p. 7) and Episode 739.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 81 Chapter 810 (p. 14) and Episode 760.
- ↑ One Piece Anime — Episode 1044, Ice Wall is named.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 101 Chapter 1021 and Episode 1044.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 85 Chapter 849 (p. 12) and Episode 815.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 89 Chapter 890 (p. 16-17) and Episode 864.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 101 Chapter 1021 (p. 14-15) and Episode 1044.
- ↑ One Piece Anime — Episode 800.
- ↑ One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 51 Chapter 493 (p. 16-17) and Episode 388, Brook puts several Flying Fish Riders to sleep.
- ↑ SBS One Piece Manga — Vol. 96 (p. 98), Soul Solid personified.
External links
- Fencing – Wikipedia article about fencing.
- Fencing terms – Wikipedia article that lists commonly used terms in fencing.
- Classical Fencing and Historical Swordsmanship Resources - An extensive directory of traditional fencing groups and individuals.
- Fencing.Net - A large online fencing community.
- Requiem – Wikipedia article about a requiem in general.
- Banderole – Wikipedia article about a banderole in general.
- Aubade – Wikipedia article about an aubade in general.
- Prelude – Wikipedia article about a prelude in music.
- Gavotte – Wikipedia article about gavotte.
- Polka – Wikipedia article about polka.
- Rondo - Wikipedia article about rondo.
- Lullaby – Wikipedia article about lullabies.
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