As a genre, the appeal of battle manga hinges on how intricate the various systems of combat contained in the series are. Fans have come to expect a slew of brutally effective techniques that clash well with opposing styles.
Conversely, a gag manga, the other genre titan of shonen comics, gains esteem from how ludicrously distorted and silly the battle mechanics of a series are. Occupying space in both sides of the manga pool, One Piece has carved out a specific niche of brutal yet hilarious fighting styles. Listed below are all of the major fighting styles in One Piece.
10 Ramen Kenpo
Bizarre yet effective could describe a bulk of the styles on this list, but few so aptly combine both as Ramen Kenpo. Owed to CP7 member Wanze, the culinary combat style utilizes ramen as a devastating foundation for his martial art. Ingesting the raw ingredients and firing noodles from his nostrils, Wanze can create an arsenal of weapons that even managed to keep the Straw Hat powerhouse, Vinsmoke Sanji, on the back foot. If infused with Haki, the unorthodox style could make a powerful return.
9 Tontatta Combat
Sun Tzu claimed that all warfare is rooted in deception and few One Piece fighting styles exhibit this maxim like Tontatta combat. Attributed to Dressrosa's most diminutive race, Tontatta combat can render a normal human defenseless with a single blow. Given the physical stature and speed inherent to any member of the Tontatta, the style is also incredibly elusive. The staggering power of the style is all the more impressive when one remembers that most uses of Tontatta combat weren't showcased in conjunction with Haki.
8 Seimei Kikan(Life Return)
Introduced in the Enies Lobby arc, Seimei Kikan allows the user full autonomy over the entirety of their physiology. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, Seimei Kikan can even turn hair into an effective weapon. Aside from follicular manipulation, the fighting style can alter one's weight at will.
Although the most memorable character to use the technique was the hilarious Kumadori, CP9 heavyweight Rob Lucci tactically used the style in his epic fight with Luffy to counter the speed of the Straw Hat captain.
7 Electro
Similar to the Tontattas and Fishmen, the Mink species in One Piece possess a unique fighting style specific to their race. Channeling the static electricity inherent in their abundance of fur, the Minks can create powerful electric charges to aid in combat. Following the basic narrative logic of Haki, Electro can be transferred to any weapons that Minks happen to be wielding as well. In the hands of an already formidable combatant, Electro is a devastating technique.
6 Ryusoken
Utilized by Sabo, and presumably other members of the Revolutionary Army, Ryusoken is a monstrously powerful martial art that essentially turns the hand of the practitioner into a dragon's claw. Contorting the positioning of their fingers, practitioners of Ryusoken exhibit precision strikes that can pierce through a range of solid matter. As with the aforementioned martial arts, Ryusoken thrives when paired with Haki, and is particularly deadly in the hands of Sabo, who augments the style with the blistering heat of his flame-flame devil fruit.
5 Newkama Kenpo
The flamboyant citizens of Momoiro Island, and most notably their charismatic and gender fluid sovereign Emporio Ivankov, are masters of a deceptively powerful fighting style in that of Newkama kenpo.
Despite the intrinsic goofiness of the stances and attacks, it would be fruitless to argue that Newkama kenpo isn't one of the most powerful forms of combat in the series. Armed with only a wink, Emporio Ivankov can mow down hordes of attackers as if he were firing successive rounds of explosives at his opponents.
4 Fishman Karate
Initially introduced at the end of the East Blue arc, Fishman Karate and its practitioner Kuroobi are quickly dispatched without a thought, instantly shading perception of the style. In subsequent arcs, Jinbei and Koala, two masters of the form, not only salvage the reputation of Fishman Karate but elevate it into one of the most deadly combative styles in One Piece. With concentrated katas, Fishman Karate specializes in a delayed attack style that produces strong aftershocks that hit several seconds after the blow is cast.
3 Rokushiki
Arguably the most versatile martial art in One Piece, Rokushiki offers the practitioner six varying abilities that can even offer resistance to devil fruit users. Alternatively referred to as the six styles, or six powers, Rokushiki has made several appearances throughout the series and has been incredibly formidable each time. Whether it's the iron body technique, that augments the density of the user, or the skywalk technique, allowing the practitioner to defy gravity, Rokushiki is a titanic fighting style in the world of One Piece.
2 Swordsman
The sword style is easily the most effective weapon-based fighting style in all of One Piece. Considering that guns exist in the series, that should be recognized as a massive statement. With a litany of styles that fit under this umbrella, it's best to package them all as one discipline.
Although each swordsman has a unique style, having Dracule Mihawk preside as the undisputed head of the blade based hierarchy invariably creates a meritocracy, with clear cut delineations of effective and ineffective forms of swordsmanship.
1 Haki
As the natural counter to devil fruits, Haki is unquestionably the strongest unarmed fighting style in the series. What Haki lacks in katas and attack patterns, it more than compensates for with raw power. Armament Haki allows the user to coat any part of their body into a nigh unbreakable armor that can also be transferred to weapons. In addition to that observation, Haki grants the practitioner the ability to read the oncoming attack sequences of an opponent. Haki is the most essential fighting style.