When did Zoro get his cursed sword?

In the "One Piece" series, Roronoa Zoro acquires his cursed sword, Sandai Kitetsu, during the storyline set in the East Blue arc. Zoro obtains the sword in the Loguetown arc, specifically in Chapter 97 of the manga and Episode 48 of the anime.After the death of Kuina, Zoro's childhood friend and fellow swordswoman, he travels to Loguetown. There, he encounters a swordsmith named Tenguyama Hitetsu, who presents him with three swords to choose from. Zoro selects Sandai Kitetsu as his new sword.Sandai Kitetsu is known to be a cursed sword, and it is said that those who wield it are destined to encounter misfortune and tragedy. However, Zoro is undeterred by the curse and accepts the challenge of mastering the sword despite its reputation.Since obtaining Sandai Kitetsu, Zoro has showcased his remarkable skill and strength with the cursed sword, incorporating it into his fighting style as he continues his journey to become the world's greatest swordsman.

Which Zoro sword is the most popular for collectors?

Enma and Shusui are consistently the most popular Zoro sword replicas. Enma's connection to Kozuki Oden and its distinctive purple-and-gold design makes it a standout display piece. Shusui's black blade and flame-pattern scabbard create a dramatic visual impact. Wado Ichimonji's clean white aesthetic appeals to collectors who prefer traditional Japanese sword elegance. Many collectors ultimately purchase all four to build a complete Zoro arsenal display.

How do the visual designs of Zoro's different swords differ as display pieces?

Each of Zoro's swords has a distinct visual character that creates a different display impact. The Wado Ichimonji's all-white design creates the highest-contrast clean presentation - white against any dark background reads with immediate visual clarity. Shusui's black blade and dark overall design creates the most dramatic and darkest presentation - a black blade sword in a display is visually commanding in its own way. Sandai Kitetsu with its red accent creates the warmest color note in the Zoro sword collection. Enma's dark presentation adds further tonal depth. In a multi-sword display, these different color temperatures create visual variety within a cohesive thematic collection - the range from Wado Ichimonji white to Shusui black covers the full tonal spectrum within the One Piece aesthetic.

What makes the Sandai Kitetsu different from other Kitetsu swords?

The Kitetsu lineage consists of three cursed blades ranked by quality: the Shodai Kitetsu at the top, the Nidai Kitetsu in the middle, and the Sandai Kitetsu as the third and most accessible. In the One Piece story, the Sandai is graded as a Wazamono-class sword, placing it below its predecessors in sharpness and prestige but still far above ordinary blades. Its distinctive visual identity - the crimson saya, the fierce tsuba, and the overall aggressive aesthetic - is what sets it apart not just from other Kitetsu swords but from the entire range of blades in Zoro's collection. For replica collectors, this makes the Sandai Kitetsu the most immediately recognizable of the three, and the red scabbard ensures it stands out dramatically on any display shelf.

What is the Kitetsu sword lineage in One Piece and which grades are available?

Updated Feb 2026

The Kitetsu lineage in One Piece consists of three swords of descending grade: the Shodai Kitetsu, the Nidai Kitetsu, and the Sandai Kitetsu. In the story, all three are described as cursed blades of exceptional quality, made by a swordsmith whose work was cursed to bring misfortune and death to every owner. The Shodai Kitetsu is a Great Grade blade - one of the rarest and most powerful swords in the One Piece world - and has not appeared in Zoro's possession. The Nidai Kitetsu appeared in the Wano arc, designated as a Ryo Wazamono grade sword, with a purple blade that distinguishes it visually from the other Kitetsu swords. The Sandai Kitetsu is the Ryo Wazamono grade blade that Zoro has carried since early in the series, recognizable by its red blade and red ito wrapping. Replicas of both the Nidai and Sandai are available in this collection, making it possible to display the two grades of the Kitetsu lineage that have appeared in Zoro's possession together.