Who Is Usopp?

Usopp, also known as “Sogeking”, “Sniper King”, and “God Usopp”, is the sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates and a central character in the One Piece manga and anime series. Usopp is a fearful and habitual liar, but he aims to grow into a brave warrior of the sea, a change that begins to take place gradually over the course of the story, with many of his tall tales eventually becoming reality. Usopp was the fourth crew member to join the Straw Hats following the defeat of Captain Kuro in Usopp’s home town of Syrup Village.

Appearance

Usopp is the long-nosed sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates, and his appearance changes noticeably after the two-year timeskip. His hair has now grown longer, and he sports a small goatee. His signature features include his curly black hair, prominent lips, and a distinctively long nose that references the folk tale character Pinocchio. After two years of training, Usopp's physique and style are notably different. He is more muscular and "manlier". He wears a white sun cap on his head, with either a new pair of goggles or ear protectors resting around his neck. He also has yellow rolled-up pants with red suspenders and a pair of boots and his signature blue and white armband with a red satchel for his ammo.

Personality

Usopp is characterized by his journey from a cowardly and insecure liar to a brave warrior of the sea, driven by his fierce loyalty to his friends and his innate creativity. Despite often being terrified by danger, he possesses a strong will that allows him to put his fears aside in critical moments. When he temporarily leaves the crew during the Water 7 saga, a guilt-ridden Usopp helps his friends by donning a mask and calling himself Sogeking, the "King of Snipers". The disguise and persona allow him to fight with more confidence, with the mask acting as a coping mechanism for his stress and fear.

Background

Usopp is the son of Yasopp, a skilled marksman for "Red-Haired" Shanks's pirate crew, and his late mother, Banchina. After Yasopp left to pursue a pirate's life, Usopp's mother became ill. To cheer her up and give her strength, Usopp began yelling that pirates were coming. Even after her death, he continued the ritual in his hometown of Syrup Village, becoming known as a town liar. When the pirate Captain Kuro attacks Usopp's village, Usopp teams up with Luffy and his crew to defend his home. Impressed by his courage and skill, Luffy invites Usopp to join the crew as their sniper.

Powers and Abilities

Usopp’s abilities are primarily due to his sniper skills, Observation Haki, and his resourcefulness, creativity, and ingenuity as an inventor and craftsman.

Sniper Skills

Usopp is the exceptional sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates, renowned for his incredible accuracy, tactical ingenuity, and unique arsenal. As the crew's long-range specialist, he can strike targets from seemingly impossible distances, even when he cannot see them.

Marksmanship

• Unmatched Precision: Since childhood, Usopp has possessed sharp, inherited aiming talent, which was acknowledged by a former Navy sniper who was amazed by his 100% precision with a slingshot.

• Superior Foresight: His keen eyesight and perceptive abilities allow him to notice things that even his crewmates miss. This includes spotting enemies from great distances and noticing crucial details in the environment.

• Advanced Calculations: Usopp can calculate for wind speed, distance, and trajectory to land shots accurately, even when firing a projectile with booster shots to guide it.

Enhanced Abilities

• Observation Haki: Usopp awakened this ability during the Dressrosa arc, which further elevates his sniping capabilities. By sensing the "auras" of people, he was able to accurately pinpoint and snipe his target, Sugar, from several kilometers away, even though she was indoors and completely out of sight.

• Tactical Intelligence: He is a master strategist who uses his inventions and wit to defeat opponents. This includes engineering innovative ammunition for his slingshot and employing psychological warfare, such as exploiting his enemy Perona's phobias.

• Courage and Perseverance: While often portrayed as a coward, Usopp demonstrates immense bravery when his friends are in danger. He has displayed incredible determination and endurance, fighting through severe injuries to achieve his goals.

Arsenal and Equipment

• Kabuto Slingshot: During the Enies Lobby arc, Usopp debuted his five-band slingshot, the Kabuto. It offered greater power and range than his previous weapon and was enhanced with Skypiean Dials that provided explosive and elemental ammunition.

• Black Kabuto and Pop Greens: After the time-skip, Usopp's arsenal is dominated by Pop Greens—seeds he cultivated that can grow into various plants with different effects. His new, smaller Black Kabuto slingshot can also feed on rubble to fire larger projectiles.

• Specialized Ammo: His "Stars" and Pop Greens have a wide range of uses, from explosive payloads and stunning impact waves to creating smokescreens and giant, carnivorous plants.

Ammo

• Pre-Timeskip Ammo (Stars):

  • Lead Star: Standard projectile, a simple lead ball bearing.

  • Exploding Star: An explosive pellet filled with gunpowder.

  • Flame Star: A flammable pellet used for fire attacks.

  • Firebird Star: A more powerful, phoenix-shaped version of the Flame Star.

  • Smoke Star: Creates a cloud of smoke to obscure vision.

  • Super Smoke Star: A larger version of the Smoke Star.

  • Tabasco Star: Shoots a pellet containing hot sauce for a painful distraction.

  • Impact Dial: After visiting Skypiea, Usopp incorporated Dials into his arsenal. The Impact Dial absorbs the force of attacks and releases it on command. 

• Post-Timeskip Ammo (Pop Greens):

  • Green Star: Bamboo Javelin: Shoots a Pop Green that sprouts into multiple bamboo stalks, which stab opponents.

  • Green Star: Devil: Creates a giant Venus flytrap to attack enemies.

  • Green Star: Humandrake: A plant that triggers when stepped on, leaping at opponents to throw them off balance.

  • Green Star: Impact Wolf: Forms a large green wolf that releases a powerful shockwave.

  • Green Star: Platanus Shuriken: Sprouts into numerous star-shaped plants that can cut opponents.

  • Green Star: Rafflesia: A large, foul-smelling flower that disorients enemies.

  • Green Star: Skull Bombgrass: A seed that explodes into a large red skull-shaped blast.

  • Green Star: Smoke Bomb: Creates a huge flower that emits a thick smoke screen.

  • Green Star: Trampolia: A large flower that creates a bubble in its center, launching anyone who touches it into the air.

  • Green Star: Sargasso: Explodes into an array of resilient seaweed to entangle and delay opponents.

  • Green Star: Boaty Banana: A non-combat seed that creates a boat-shaped plant for traversing water.

Haki

Usopp has only been shown to have developed one of the three types of Haki known throughout the world of One Piece. Though, as the sniper of the crew, developing Observation Haki seems only natural.

• Armament Haki: Creates an armor-like force that strengthens attacks and defenses, allowing armament Haki users to harm Devil Fruit users and ignore their powers, though Usopp is not an Armament Haki user.

• Observation Haki: Gives individuals a sixth sense that allows them to perceive and predict their opponent's movements. In its advanced form, they can see moments into the future. Usopp Observation Haki is unique, manifesting as a form of specialized sensory vision that allows him to see opponents and detect environmental factors from a great distance, much like his sniper skills.

• Conqueror's Haki: A rare form of Haki that allows individuals to knock out those with weak wills. With advanced control, Conqueror’s Haki users can coat their body with this Haki to further enhance their attacks. Usopp does not possess Conqueror’s Haki.

Inventor and Craftsman Skills

Usopp's skills as an inventor and craftsman are defined by his resourcefulness, creativity, and impressive ingenuity, especially for handheld gadgets and weaponry. Though his technical skill is sometimes amateur, his talent for designing unique and functional items is undeniable.

• Resourcefulness and Adaptation: Usopp is a master of adapting new technology and materials for the crew's use. He was the first to recognize the potential of the Dials from Skypiea and incorporated them into his weapons.

• Tactical Engineering: Rather than relying on brute force, Usopp's inventions are designed to give him a tactical edge by manipulating the environment or psychologically overwhelming his opponent.

• Psychological Warfare: One of his most creative inventions is the "5-Ton Hammer," a flimsy, lightweight prop that he uses to trick enemies into thinking it is a devastatingly heavy weapon.

• Artistry: In addition to his mechanical aptitude, Usopp is a skilled artist and sculptor. His artistic talents were first showcased when he drew the Straw Hats' iconic Jolly Roger.

Goals and Reputation

Usopp starts the series as a habitual liar and coward. His dream is not to be fearless, but to be brave enough to confront and overcome his fears when it truly counts, especially for his friends. This goal is inspired by his father, a member of the Red-Haired Pirates. After meeting the warrior giants Dorry and Brogy at Little Garden, Usopp becomes captivated by their valor and honorable fighting code. He vows to one day visit their home, the island of Elbaf, to witness their culture firsthand and help inspire his own growth as a warrior. Following the recent Egghead Arc, Usopp finally reaches Elbaf and fulfills this part of his dream.

Usopp's reputation has evolved dramatically over the course of his journey, a result of his exaggerated stories, accidental heroics, and genuine moments of bravery. Usopp's latest bounty is 500 million berries, earned after the Raid on Onigashima. He has gone from being an unknown pirate to having a reputation as a crucial member of the Straw Hat Pirates, earning the moniker "God Usopp" along the way. His new title reflects the immense (and often comical) overestimation of his power by the outside world. To many, he is a powerful figure, a persona he reluctantly lives up to while still harboring his fears.