The history of Roronoa Zoro as a Pirate Hunter before meeting Monkey D. Luffy will be explored in an upcoming prequel to the One Piece series.

One Piece's Roronoa Zoro holding two swords with a third in his mouth

After nearly 30 years of publication, the One Piece manga by Eiichiro Oda has established a rich world filled with many characters worth exploring. An upcoming prequel release will examine the past of former Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro.

News broke on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the One Piece series will release a light novel prequel dedicated to Monkey D. Luffy’s second-in-command. As reported by Shonen Jump News, the new One Piece light novel will be called ZORO – Josho Sasakaze and focus on Zoro’s early adventures before becoming a member of the Straw Hat Pirates. X user @/MoonGod_Zika states that the Zoro light novel will be written by Jun Esaka with illustrations by Nakamaru.

Esaka is an accomplished light novel writer who has worked on Naruto with releases like Naruto Shinden and the Naruto Retsuden series. Previously, Esaka penned the female-driven One Piece novel HEROINES, which features Nami, Nico Robin, Boa Hancock, Uta and more. Esaka also worked on the One Piece novel Odyssey, a literary adaptation of the One Piece Odyssey video game coming soon for the Nintendo Switch. Nakamaru also worked with Esaka on the light novel adaptation as an illustrator.

One Piece’s Upcoming Release Will Include a Poster and Stickers for Zoro and Sanji Fans

Additionally, ONE PIECE Magazine Vol. 18 “will be a Special ‘Wings’ feature for Zoro and Sanji,” including a special poster, in-depth character information and stickers. Sanji, the playboy chef of the Straw Hat Pirates, recently received a spinoff manga of his own from the creative team behind Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma. One Piece: Shokugeki no Sanji, currently available in English by Viz Media, explores various points in Sanji’s life before and after he became a pirate. One chapter explores Sanji’s history at the Baratie restaurant with his father figure “Red-Leg Zeff,” while another chapter presents his perspective during the “Arabasta Arc.”.

Roronoa Zoro with a sword in his mouth in One Piece. Roronoa Zoro using Conqueror's Haki in his fight against King in One Piece's Raid on Onigashima Roronoa Zoro wears a robe while looking up in One Piece Roronoa Zoro wields the black blade Enma in One Piece anime
A closeup of Roronoa Zoro with a katana in his mouth in One Piece.Roronoa Zoro with a sword in his mouth in One Piece. Roronoa Zoro using Conqueror's Haki in his fight against King in One Piece's Raid on Onigashima Roronoa Zoro wears a robe while looking up in One Piece Roronoa Zoro wields the black blade Enma in One Piece anime A closeup of Roronoa Zoro with a katana in his mouth in One Piece.

Before the announcement of ZORO – Josho Sasakaze, the One Piece series explored Zoro’s past in a way through the anime adaptation of Monsters. Monsters is a one-shot manga by Oda that’s set in the world of One Piece but years before Luffy sets off to become King of the Pirates. The story tells the tale of legendary samurai Shimotsuki Ryuma slaying the dragon that would make him renowned throughout the world.

Ryuma was introduced in the One Piece modern timeline as a zombie being manipulated by Gecko Moria in the “Thriller Bark Arc.” Zoro defeats Ryuma and is rewarded with a “Black Blade” sword named Shusui by the undead samurai. Oda revealed in One Piece Volume 105 that Zoro is a descendant of Ryuma and the Shimotsuki clan from Wano Country. The connection between the two is made more obvious in the Netflix anime, as the special is narrated by Kazuya Nakai, the Japanese voice actor for Zoro.