Despite it being considered a child's toy, the slingshot in Usopp's hands can prove just as deadly as common firearms. As a matter of fact, it is the deceptive nature of the slingshot that often gives Usopp an advantage over opponents who do not think otherwise of him. In other words, the slingshot is the perfect weapon for a liar such as Usopp. Combined together with Usopp's sniper skills, it is a handy weapon.
Since he was young, Usopp has developed a number of techniques involving his slingshot, mostly by firing different kinds of ammo. Not all of them are dangerous, but the majority of them are useful some way or another, even fatal if aimed properly. The majority of the ammo he shoots are named Boshi (星,Boshi?, literally meaning "Star"). Sometimes, he adds the word Hissatsu (必殺,Hissatsu?, literally meaning "Sure-Kill", translated as Death Blow, Killer, and other such words in the VIZ manga, My Special in the 4Kids dub and Special Attack in the Funimation dub and sometimes the VIZ manga) as he shouts the ammo's name and fires it to apparently make the attack sound more dangerous. He would also use the shouted out names as bluffs, saying one thing, but shooting something different. As Sogeking, Usopp's slingshot attacks are in English in order to disguise them. However, due to his new persona and Kabuto weapon, Usopp no longer uses this regular slingshot, but does occasionally use the same ammunition.
Attacks[]
The ammo and techniques Usopp can use with his slingshot are as follows:
Namari Boshi (鉛星,Namari Boshi?, literally meaning "Lead Star"): Usopp fires a small lead ball bearing or pachinko ball from his slingshot. As Sogeking, this attack is called Metallic Star (メタリックスター,Metarikku Sutā?). In the English versions, this is simply called Lead Star. This was first seen being used as a named attack against the Black Cat Pirates as they were climbing up the slope to his village.[2]
Kayaku Boshi (火薬星,Kayaku Boshi?, literally meaning "Gunpowder Star"): Usopp fires a highly explosive pellet filled with gunpowder. As Sogeking, this is called Sogeking Gunpowder Star (そげキング火薬星,Sogekingu Ganpaudā Sutā?). In the English versions, this is called Exploding Star and sometimes Gunpowder Star. This was first seen being used to defeat Jango.[3] According to Mr.5, the gunpowder Usopp uses for this does not taste very good, which translates to Usopp using low quality gunpowder for the attack.[4] During the Skypiea arc, Usopp displayed some variations of this technique in an attempt to bring down the giant beanstalk, Giant Jack. These variations, however, are basically the same technique. The only differences between them and the original technique are their names and how Usopp delivers them.[5]
Sanren Kayaku Boshi (三連火薬星,Sanren Kyaku Boshi?, literally meaning "Triple Gunpowder Star"): Usopp fires three Kayaku Boshis at once. In the VIZ manga and 4Kids and Funimation dubs, it is simply called Triple Exploding Star. This was first used in the battle against Luffy.
Kayaku Hoshi Boshi (火薬星星,Kyaku Hoshi Boshi?, literally meaning "Gunpowder Star Star"): Basically the same as Kayaku Boshi but with Usopp jumping around dramatically while firing the shot. Usopp first displayed this move in an attempt to bring down Giant Jack.
Rolling Kayaku Boshi (回転火薬星,Rōringu Kyaku Boshi?, literally meaning "Rolling/Rotating Gunpowder Star"): Usopp rolls while firing off Kayaku Boshis. Usopp first displayed this move in an attempt to bring down Giant Jack.
Tamago Boshi (卵星,Tamago Boshi?, literally meaning "Egg Star"): Usopp launches a rotten egg at the target's face in order to blind or distract them. In the English versions, this is called Egg Star. This was first seen being used unsuccessfully against some of the Arlong Pirates in order to run away from them after he shot Arlong.[6] This attack can be used to disable the enemy´s smell (as seen during his fight with Luffy), and in the video game One Piece: Grand Adventure, it disorientates the target.
Shinsen Tamago Boshi (新鮮卵星,Shinsen Tamago Boshi?, literally meaning "Fresh Egg Star"): The same as Tamago Boshi only with a fresh egg instead of a rotten one. In the English versions, this is called Fresh Egg Star. This was first seen being used against Richie. While missing its target initially, the egg that was fired provided a path past the lion to the Going Merry, as Richie chased after the shot for a small and much needed meal.[7]
Kemuri Boshi (煙星,Kemuri Boshi?, literally meaning "Smoke Star"): Usopp fires a smoke bomb to confuse his enemies. As Sogeking, this technique is called Sogeking Smoke Star (そげキング煙星,Sogekingu Sumōku Sutā?). In the English versions, this is called Smoke Star. This was first seen being used against Arlong and his pirates in an attempt to escape from them.[8]
Kaen Boshi (火炎星,Kaen Boshi?, literally meaning "Flame Star"): Usopp fires a flame pellet. The damage of this attack can be increased by previously covering the target with flammable substance, like throwing alcohol bottles at them (shown in his fight with Chew). If combined with a great amount of gas, it can unleash a big explosion (Usopp uses a Breath Dial to perform this as shown in his fight with Luffy). This is occasionally called Fire Star, Flame Star, and Flaming Star in the VIZ manga and Funimation dub and Hot Salsa Star in the 4Kids dub. This was first seen being used at Chew.[9][10] Often in the Funimation dub, it is referred to as Exploding Star.
Tokusei Tabasco Boshi (特製タバスコ星,Tokusei Tobasuko Boshi?, literally meaning "Deluxe Tabasco Star"): Usopp fires a pellet containing Tabasco sauce either at the target's eyes or mouth. This is called Deluxe Pepper Sauce Star in the VIZ manga, Hot Sauce Star in the 4Kids dub, and Special Tobasco Star in the Funimation dub. This was first seen being used against Mr.5, with Usopp yelling the name Kayaku Boshi in order to disguise the attack.[11]
Akahebi Boshi (赤蛇星,Akahebi Boshi?, literally meaning "Red Snake Star"): Usopp fires a signal flare that creates a red smoke pillar to alert his friends to his location. This is called Red Serpent Star in the VIZ manga and Funimation dub and Unstoppable Red Snake Star in the 4Kids dub. This was first seen being used to signal the other Straw Hats after Vivi deduced the location of Crocodile's bomb during the events in Alubarna.[12]
Shuriken Ryuseigun (手裏剣流星群,Shuriken Ryūseigun?, literally meaning "Shuriken Meteoric Swarm"): First used during his fight with Luffy, Usopp fires a chain of several attached shuriken which then separate into a large spread of shuriken to cover a wider radius. In the VIZ manga and 4Kids and Funimation dubs, this is called Shuriken Shooting Star.[13]
Sakuretsu Saboten Boshi (炸裂サボテン星,Sakuretsu Saboten Boshi?, literally meaning "Exploding Cactus Star"): Usopp fires a green pellet that explodes on impact and showers the victim with quills. This was first seen being used in Usopp's battle with Luffy. In the VIZ manga and 4Kids and Funimation dubs, this is called Blasting Cactus Star and Bursting Cactus Star in the Funimation subs.[13]
Non-Canon Attacks[]
Nemuri Boshi (眠り星,Nemuri Boshi?, literally meaning "Sleep Star"): A specialized pink pellet created by the combined intellects of Usopp and Chopper. The pellet is a sleeping drug that, when fired into an enemy's mouth, puts them immediately to sleep. This was first seen in the second anime special against Bayan's choir.[14]
Kosho Boshi (胡椒星,Koshō Boshi?, literally meaning "Pepper Star"): Usopp fires a pellet filled with pepper at an enemy, causing them to sneeze uncontrollably. This was first seen being used against Luffy in their battle in the anime. The sneezing caused Luffy to constantly fall upon Usopp's caltrops. In the Funimation dub, this is called Pepper Star.[15]
Anime and Manga Differences[]
In the manga, it was originally depicted as being colored brown per the Volume 5 cover.[16] In the anime, it is depicted as being colored green. The manga later changed and followed the anime's coloring also as it later depicted the slingshot as green on the Volume 35 cover.[17]
↑One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 32Chapter 296 and Episode 191, Usopp attempts to bring down Giant Jack with a variety of different Kayaku Boshi variations.
↑One Piece Manga and Anime — Vol. 9Chapter 72 and Episode 33, Usopp fires a Tamago Boshi at some of Arlong's Fishmen Pirates in hopes of getting away.