Penultimate chapter of the Ocean's Dream filler, where the true thief behind the missing memories is exposed as a seahorse rather than the boy. A hypnotized Zoro turns on Luffy, who stays behind to face him while the others press on.
Summary
Pushing through the forest toward the Palace of the Sea God, the crew crosses paths with Zoro, who is acting strangely and clearly itching to fight. The moment he lays eyes on Luffy he draws his blades and attacks, leading the others to conclude he has been hypnotized. Luffy sends them ahead and squares off alone, only to be cut down by Zoro's Oni Giri.
Key Events
Usopp and Chopper, separated after fleeing a snake, stumble back into the group as Nami insists Luffy and Robin are deceiving everyone and that they should sail home. The crew sides with Robin instead, leaving Nami to trail after them anyway to recover her gold. At the palace, Robin reveals that a legendary creature feeding on memories has been living on the island. When Sanji boots the cloaked boy, the seahorse horn spills out the stolen memories and the dazed child, now memoryless himself, runs off in confusion. Sanji corners the real thief, the seahorse, and pummels it until it coughs the recollections back up, though it warns through Chopper that it still has one trick left.
Notes
When Zoro's Oni Giri lands, a faint X-shaped mark appears on Luffy's chest, foreshadowing the far larger scar he later receives. This marks the final One Piece episode scripted by Junki Takegami. A coloring error tints Robin's exposed midriff purple during one scene. The installment is anime-original filler.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in episode 223 of One Piece?
In episode 223, the crew crosses paths with a hypnotized Zoro blocking the way to the Palace of the Sea God; Luffy stays behind to fight him alone and is cut down by Zoro's Oni Giri, while Sanji confronts the real memory thief, a legendary seahorse.
What animal does Zoro represent in episode 223?
The "savage animal" in the episode's title refers to Zoro himself, who is hypnotized, acts strangely, and blocks the crew's path by drawing his blades and attacking Luffy.
Who is the real memory thief revealed in episode 223?
Episode 223 reveals that a legendary seahorse creature living on the island, not the cloaked boy, is the true thief that has been feeding on the crew's memories.
What foreshadowing appears in episode 223?
When Zoro's Oni Giri lands on Luffy in episode 223, a faint X-shaped mark appears on his chest, foreshadowing the much larger scar Luffy later receives.
Is episode 223 a filler episode?
Yes, episode 223 is anime-original filler and also marks the final One Piece episode scripted by Junki Takegami.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Zoro Bares His Fangs! A Savage Animal Stands in the Way!? The One Piece Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the One Piece anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byEiichiro Oda
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byToei Animation
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