Who is Stronger in One Piece: Ryuma or Mihawk — Debunking the Rivalry

The age-old debate of One Piece’s legendary swordsmen, Ryuma and Mihawk, is a topic that has captivated fans for years. Some argue that Ryuma, despite his mysterious background, surpasses Mihawk in strength. However, comprehensive analysis reveals that while Ryuma might still be revered, he is not necessarily the overwhelming powerhouse others claim.

Background and Preliminaries

While Ryuma's grand battles have yet to be depicted in the series, even his mere death as a living corpse through Gecko Moria's ability hints at his immense strength. This has led many to believe that Ryuma might be the strongest swordsman in the series. Conversely, Mihawk, often hailed as the world's greatest swordsman, holds a similar status in the canon.

The Ryuma Riddle: Speculations and Facts

The Ryuma vs Mihawk debate is not just about who is stronger; it's also a testament to the limited information surrounding Ryuma. Despite appearances, his strength has been overhyped based on a few enigmatic statements:

Killed a legendary dragonDeterred the World Government from invading WanoWas said to be equal to JoyboyWas called "Sword God"Created a black blade

While these statements do bring attention to Ryuma's remarkable feats, they provide no substantial evidence of his actual power level. In fact, much of the information is subjective and misleading, as we will soon explore.

Debunking the Overhype

Firstly, if the "Monster" incident is considered canon, the dragon Ryuma faced was clearly no match for Kaido, reinforcing that Ryuma's feats were relatively modest.

Secondly, deterring the World Government from invading Wano is a feat expected of any Yonko, the most powerful pirates in the series. Several Yonkos possess this ability without any natural defenses, further diminishing Ryuma's status as something beyond their level. Thus, this achievement alone does not elevate Ryuma significantly beyond Mihawk.

Third, Ryuma being called equal to Joyboy is a misunderstanding of a single sentence. While it's true that Ryuma was referred to as having "heroism," not "strength,” he was probably being compared to Luffy, not Mihawk. Additionally, the term "Sword God" is merely a nickname and has no real scaling implications.

Lastly, creating a black blade, a feat attributed to Ryuma, is also something Mihawk achieved. While these achievements are noteworthy, they do not make Ryuma inherently superior to the already elite Mihawk.

Conclusion: A Respective Comparison

While Mihawk holds the title of the world's greatest swordsman, the possibility remains that Ryuma is no less impressive. However, the key argument here is not that Ryuma is stronger, but that he represents a lineage that could produce an even greater swordsman, as hinted by Zoro's status as a descendant of Ryuma and the Second Coming of the "Sword God."

Therefore, while Ryuma's feats may be impressive, he is not necessarily stronger than Mihawk. However, the storyline makes a strong case for the idea that the original "Sword God" could defeat Mihawk, setting up a compelling narrative possibility for future One Piece episodes.