Ways Usopp is Different Than the Rest of One Piece's Straw Hats (2024)

Usopp is a divisive character within the Straw Hat Pirates. In One Piece, no other character is as deceitful and cowardly as Usopp, but these negative traits aren't always a weakness for Usopp. In certain situations, his cowardice has been a benefit to himself and the crew when the fighting gets tough.

Usopp always manages to find unique ways to get out of troublesome situations that would leave the rest of the crew in dire straights. Some fans find Usopp's cowardice and lying to be annoying, while others see Usopp as a character who has the most room to grow. Either way, Usopp is a fan favorite for his creativity and charisma that no other Straw Hat possesses in the series.

10 Usopp is a Coward in One Piece

Usopp's Cowardice is his Greatest Weapon

Usopp is the resident coward among the Straw Hat Pirates. He's no stranger to running away before his enemies have a chance to notice him, but what makes Usopp a coward also allows him to surprise his foes with unorthodox methods of attack. Unlike Nami, who also has cowardly tendencies, what separates the two is that Usopp is genuinely a coward as opposed to Nami, who isn't much of a fighter.

While Usopp is a natural coward, he's also braver than most when his back's against the wall. Similar to a cornered animal, Usopp is most dangerous when he's near the brink of death. Usopp's cowardice is one of his defining traits, but it doesn't stop him from helping the rest of the Straw Hats in any way he can. Since he's a sniper and an ordinary human, it's understandable he would be afraid of front line combat, but put Usopp in a ranged fight, and he's sure to win.

9 Usopp is a Genius Engineer Among the Straw Hats

Usopp is an Inventor and Engineering Genius

Before Franky took over as shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp wore many different hats onboard the Going Merry. From simple ship maintenance to the primary gunner, Usopp easily juggled half a dozen roles as the ship's engineer. He was responsible for keeping the Going Merry afloat and creating new weapons for the Straw Hats, such as Nami's Clima-Tact, entirely invented by Usopp with only a few spares parts lying around.

Since the Straw Hats acquired the Thousand Sunny and Franky during Water 7, Usopp's role on the crew has shifted focus toward his roots as a sniper and gadget enthusiast. Usopp's primary inventions revolve around new types of ammunition for his trusty slingshot. While he can still handle repairs and invent new gadgets, Usopp's primary duty is the sniper and gunner of the Straw Hat Pirates.

8 Usopp is an Ace Sniper in One Piece

Usopp is the Greatest Sniper on the Grand Line

Ever since Usopp was first introduced, his skill as a marksman has been unmatched on the Grand Line. The only other person in One Piece that could match Usopp's ability as a sniper is Van Augur, a marksman under Blackbeard. But, until the two inevitably clash in a climactic showdown, the title of greatest sniper can only be attributed to Usopp with everything he's shown fans over the years.

Usopp has made impossible shots and saved the Straw Hats on numerous occasions with deadly precision. With just a slingshot and his wits, Usopp has taken out more enemies from range than any other character in the series. And after Usopp unlocked Haki, his skill with a slingshot only increased by an absurd degree. It's safe to say Usopp is a deadly foe if he's downrange.

7 Usopp Challenged Luffy's Authority as Captain

Usopp is the Only Straw Hat to Have Officially Left the Crew

At the beginning of Water 7, Usopp had a falling out with Luffy and the Straw Hats over their decision to get rid of their ship, the Going Merry, after it had sustained irreversible damage after the events of Skypiea. Not wanting to part with the Going Merry, Usopp argued and ultimately challenged Luffy to a duel to decide the fate of the ship. He lost, horribly, but Usopp couldn't look Luffy or the crew in the eyes after his humiliating defeat and officially left the crew in disgrace.

Only after the events of Water 7 concluded did Usopp find the courage to beg for Luffy and the crew's forgiveness and apologize as they left aboard the Thousand Sunny. Unlike any other member of the Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp is the only one to have ever challenged Luffy's authority as captain.

6 Usopp has a Secret Identity

Usopp is Sniper King

After the emotional climax of the Water 7 arc, Usopp rejoined the crew, but couldn't muster up the courage to face his friends, especially Luffy for the trouble he caused during their heated argument and duel at the beginning of the arc. Instead of facing the crew, Usopp donned the mask and personality of Sniper King to avoid the shame and insecurity he felt about betraying his captain and crew for the Going Merry.

During Enies Lobby, Sniper King supported the Straw Hat crew's attempt at rescuing Nico Robin from CP9 and the World Government. While masking his identity and using an alter ego, Sniper King proved to be a critical component in Robin's ultimate rescue, going so far as to burn down the World Government flag on Luffy's orders. Only after the arc concluded did Sniper King retire and Usopp returned to apologize and finally make up with the crew.

5 Usopp is a Liar in One Piece

Lying is Usopp's Specialty

Upon being introduced, Usopp's first action was to lie in an attempt to trick the Straw Hats. He's a master liar and his ability to fool others has saved his own life and the rest of the crew countless times. From lying about a fake illness to avoid danger, to tricking his opponent and taking the win, Usopp has lied and lied throughout One Piece, and most fans consider lying to be Usopp's primary trait.

Especially early on in the story, Usopp could be considered a habitual liar, but his lies come from a deep sense of creativity. While growing up in Syrup Village, Usopp decided to help his friend Kaya by making up grand stories of fake adventures to help alleviate Kaya's boredom and sickness while trapped in her manor for most of her life. Usopp refined his ability to lie to such a degree, that even Kaya couldn't tell if he was telling the truth or not.

4 Usopp Isn't Afraid to Cheat in One Piece

Usopp Will Fight Dirty to win

Usopp isn't afraid to cheat, lie, and fight dirty to save his life. While he may be a ranged fighter, sometimes Usopp ends up in situations that don't allow him to escape, and he has to use his wits to avoid certain death. Combined with his excellent ability to lie, Usopp fights using unorthodox methods of attack, such as a 100-Ton Hammer, which is actually just an inflatable toy. With trickery and deception, Usopp fights stronger opponents and wins with just his creativity and desperation to survive.

Usopp's main strategy is to talk his way out of potential fights if he can't escape, but when that ultimately fails, he focuses on outlasting his opponent through various gadgets and deceptive tactics that leave his opponent underestimating him until it's too late. Usopp has survived situations that would kill a normal person, but thanks to his unhonorable fighting style, he's managed to survive across the Grand Line.

3 Usopp is Considered a god in the World of One Piece

God Usopp is a Legend Among the Totatta Tribe

During the Dressrosa arc, Usopp was part of Operation SOP, a mission to save the Totatta Tribe's people and friends who were turned into toy soldiers by Sugar, one of Doflamingo's crew members. Operation SOP was critical to freeing the people of Dressrosa and toppling Doflamingo's tyrannical rule over the kingdom. Usopp failed in his mission, successfully.

Usopp was captured by Sugar and force-fed one of his slingshot rounds, filled with hot sauce. The sensation was so hot, that Usopp cried out in pain, scaring Sugar unconscious and ultimately freeing those who were turned into toys by Sugar's Devil Fruit. While unconscious, Usopp was proclaimed a god by the Totatta Tribe and word spread across Dressrosa of his heroic deeds, truly earning the title of god among the people.

2 Usopp has Observation Haki

Observation Haki Boosted Usopp's Sniping Capabilities

While on Dressrosa, Usopp was across the island from Luffy and Law, who had infiltrated the royal palace. The two had encountered Sugar and were about to be transformed into toys, thanks to Sugar's Devil Fruit, the Hobi Hobi no Mi, or the Hobby Hobby Fruit. Even with Usopp's skill as a sniper, the shot to save Luffy and Law was impossible from such a great distance away, but at that moment, he unlocked Observation Haki, propelling his ability as a marksman. Usopp successfully took the shot and saved his friends from Sugar's power.

Observation Haki unlocks the user's sixth sense and gives them a wide range of supernatural abilities, such as precognition and, in Usopp's case, the ability to time and predict his shots. With such an ability, Usopp's maximum sniping range was drastically increased to fire from one end of the island to the other, with perfect precision.

1 Usopp Wants to be a Brave Warrior of the sea

Usopp's Dream is Already Complete

Early in One Piece, Usopp revealed his dream of wanting to become a brave warrior of the sea. While vague, the dream itself was reasonable given Usopp's cowardice and lack of strength in the crew. But, since he announced his dream, Usopp has only grown in strength and ability. While still cowardly to a degree, Usopp became a brave warrior long ago in the narrative.

Usopp has had many chances to run away and flee, but he always stands his ground when the chance presents itself. Considering Usopp's primary fighting style is hit-and-run tactics with a bit of deception in the mix, it's hard for him to have moments of pure bravery, but they do happen more often than not. Had Usopp simply run away and abandoned his crew, his legacy as a coward would be cemented in the story, but instead, Usopp has bravely fought as a warrior countless times in the series and defeated much stronger opponents. Whether Usopp realizes it or not, he's already a brave warrior of the sea.

One Piece

Created by Eiichiro Oda, the One Piece franchise explores the adventures of pirate Luffy D. Monkey and his crew, the Straw Hats. Since the manga first debuted in 1997, One Piece has been adapted into an ongoing anime that has seen multiple movies. Most recently it was adapted into a live-action series by Netflix.

Created by

Eiichiro Oda

First TV Show

One Piece (1999)

Latest TV Show

Netflix's One Piece

First Episode Air Date

October 20, 1999

Cast

Mayumi Tanaka , Kazuya Nakai , Colleen Clinkenbeard , Christopher Sabat , Kerry Williams , Kappei Yamaguchi , Sonny Strait , Hiroaki Hirata , Eric Valette , Ikue Ootani