Summary
Sanji has come a long, long way since the pre-timeskip days ofOne Piece. While his combat style was always remarkable, Sanji’s strength has dramatically evolved after the two-year timeskip (though the same can’t be said about his character, unfortunately). His return post-timeskip saw him mastering a bunch of new techniques, heightening his ability to protect his crew-mates, and challenging some of the most fearsome opponents in the New World.
From what Oda has shown us in the last few arcs ofOne Piece, Sanji’s transformation isn’t just physical—it is mental and tactical as well. Sanji’s ability to adapt his fighting style has made him one of the most dynamic characters in the Straw Hat crew, balancing elegance with raw power. From mastering skybound martial arts to unlocking his genetic enhancements, his post-timeskip arsenal is a mix of power, precision, and elegance.
Sanji Pre-Timeskip vs. Post-Timeskip: A Look at His Evolution
Sanji’s fighting style has always been centered on his mastery of the “Black Leg” martial arts, a style emphasizing powerful kicks to take down opponents with grace. Before the timeskip, Sanji displayed impressive feats of agility and strength, effortlessly taking down opponents like Mr. 2 and Jyabura. His Diable Jambe, which allows him to set his leg on fire and deliver devastating flaming kicks, became a signature move by the time the crew entered Enies Lobby.
Post-Timeskip Sanji, however, is a different beast entirely. After two grueling years of training on the Kamabakka Kingdom, he returned with enhanced physical abilities, a stronger command of Diable Jambe, and crucially,the ability to use both Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki) and Armament Haki (Busoshoku Haki). These improvements allowed Sanji to not only dish out more devastating attacks but also to defend against and counter even more powerful adversaries. His training also resulted in the creation of new abilities like Sky Walk and Blue Walk, making him an aerial and underwater threat, expanding his mobility in ways that pre-timeskip Sanji could not dream of.
Sanji’s Strongest Post-Timeskip Techniques
Sky Walk and Blue Walk:
Sky Walk has become one of Sanji’s most versatile and valuable techniques. Inspired by the Rokushiki technique, Geppo, Sky Walk allows Sanji to “fly” by kicking the air at high speeds. This technique gives him unparalleled mobility in battle, which was evident during his fight on Dressrosa, where he flew across vast distances in mere moments.
Similarly, Blue Walk, this technique’s underwater equivalent, allows him to run through the sea as fast as a fishman. Blue Walk came into play duringthe Straw Hats’ journey to Fish-Man Island, where Sanji showcased his mastery by easily dodging and launching attacks underwater, an environment where most humans would be at a disadvantage.
Hell Memories:
One ofSanji’s most devastating techniques post-timeskip isHell Memories. First used to defeat Wadatsumi, this move takes the heat and fury ofDiable Jambeand dials it up to a blistering level. After summoning painful memories—often of his traumatic time on Kamabakka Kingdom—Sanji’s entire body ignites with flames as he delivers a fiery kick capable of overwhelming even the most massive of opponents.
Ifrit Jambe:
Thecrowning jewel of Sanji’s post-timeskip arsenal is Ifrit Jambe, an advanced and significantly more powerful version of Diable Jambe. Named after the mythical creature “Ifrit,” known for its destructive power and association with fire, this technique channels the highest level of Sanji’s strength. By combining his genetically enhanced body with Armament Haki, Sanji can produce bluish-white flames that burn far hotter than his standard Diable Jambe.
Ifrit Jambe was showcased during Sanji’s battle againstQueen in the Wano Country arc. In this fight, Sanji’s entire body underwent a transformation after his genetic enhancements awakened. His speed, durability, and firepower were dramatically boosted, enabling him to overwhelm Queen, an Ancient Zoan and All-Star of the Beast Pirates, who had cybernetic enhancements of his own.
Signature Moves of Ifrit Jambe
Haki Mastery: Sanji’s Edge in Combat
Post-timeskip, Sanji’s ability to use Haki, particularlyObservation Haki(Kenbunshoku Haki), has become a crucial asset. His sharp reflexes and heightened perception allow him to predict enemy movements and avoid potentially fatal attacks. This was notably displayed during his brief clash with Doflamingo, where Sanji’s agility and Haki-enabled perception helped him survive an encounter withone ofOne Piece’s most dangerous antagonists.
While Sanji’s mastery ofArmament Haki(Busoshoku Haki) is slightly less showcased compared to his observation abilities, it is integral to the enhancement ofIfrit Jambe. The black, hardened leg he produces during attacks increases the strength of his kicks, making them capable of breaking through the defenses of opponents as tough as Queen, whose body was enhanced by cybernetic augmentations.
Sanji’s Feats and Achievements Post-Timeskip: Is He Still Strong?
Sanji’s post-timeskip journey has been riddled with incredible feats, many of which are a direct result of his enhanced techniques and newfound Haki abilities. His fight against Doflamingo on Dressrosa, while brief, made it clear how far Sanji had come in terms of strength and strategy. Despite not knowing Doflamingo’s powers or Devil Fruit abilities, Sanji held his own, forcing Doflamingo to acknowledge his strength.
During the Whole Cake Island arc, Sanji’s agility and precision allowed him to dodge Katakuri’s attacks—an impressive feat considering Katakuri’s ability to see into the future. Furthermore, Sanji managed to clash with Daifuku, another powerful opponent, and destroy parts of Big Mom’s fleet, showcasing the immense power he gained post-timeskip.
Perhaps one of the most impressive feats was Sanji’s ability to fight Queen in the Onigashima raid. Queen was outfitted with advanced Germa technology, and Sanji not only managed to withstand Queen’s brutal attacks, but he also countered them well. His final victory over Queen was hard-earned but definitely cemented his place as one of the Pirate King’s wings.
