One Piece: Haki And Its 12 Subtypes, Explained - CBR

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Menu Follow Followed Like Threads More Action Sign in now Screen Awards MCU, DCU & More Dragon Ball Lord of the Rings Procedurals & Dramas Westerns Zelda Close By Ajay Aravind & Kennedy Michael King Updated Oct 5, 2024 Sign in to your CBR account Add Us On Jump links

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• Observation Haki Is the Most Common Type of Haki in One Piece

• Armament Haki Creates a Spiritual Armor Around the User

• Conqueror's Haki Is Wielded by One in Several Million People

follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Haki is a mysterious power primarily wielded by the strongest combatants in One Piece. By allowing its users to manipulate their spiritual presence, they can accomplish superhuman tasks. Unlike Devil Fruits, Haki has no inherent drawbacks, making it a must-have for any pirates looking to sail the Grand Line. In fact, Kaido himself said that Haki influences the world far more than any Devil Fruit.

With that said, the ability to use Haki is generally uncommon across One Piece. There are three overarching types: Armament, Observation, and Conqueror's Haki. Although Armament and Observation Haki are incredibly powerful in their own right, Conqueror's Haki is easily the rarest and most coveted of the trio. Each Haki type comes with specific subtypes, which, when combined, can turn any pirate or marine into a massive threat.

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Updated on October 5, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Although Haki was first seen when Shanks rescued Luffy from a Sea King, the concept was only mentioned and explained much later. Luffy and the Straw Hats began honing their Haki skills during the two-year timeskip, and the results were outstanding. At this point, even Usopp can use a basic level of Observation Haki. As such, we've updated this article with some more information about the various types of Haki in One Piece.

Spoilers for the One Piece manga below.

Observation Haki Is the Most Common Type of Haki in One Piece

Japanese Name: Kenbunshoku no Haki

Observation Haki is the most common type of Haki in the One Piece universe, and it allows users to sense the presence of others in various forms. It can be considered as extrasensory perception, but the process isn't exactly mysterious. For some, sensing auras is easier, while others, like Monkey D. Luffy, are proficient in feeling the emotions of those around them.

Notable Users	Luffy, Usopp, Sanji, Zoro, Jinbei, and several others
Notable Features	Presence, Emotion, Intent, and Strength Sensing capabilities

The first confirmed use of Observation Haki occurs when Blackbeard gauges Luffy's strength on Jaya Island. It's appeared in almost every single arc since then, so it feels safe to say that the skill is a vital tool for New World pirates. That said, those who lose control of their emotions very easily during battle won't be able to make the most of Observation Haki. This could also be the reason it took Usopp such a long time to acquire the ability, as compared to Luffy and Zoro.

Observation Haki Subtype 1: Future Sight Can Predict An Opponent's Moves

When an individual becomes incredibly skilled in the use of Observation Haki, they can potentially unlock its most powerful skill: Future Sight. This aptly named ability allows its users to glimpse into the near future, instantly making them a massive threat in almost any combat situation. Interestingly, this subtype of Observation Haki requires fighting to learn; ordinary training sessions won't work.

Notable Users	Katakuri, Luffy, Shanks, and Kaido
Notable Features	Extremely useful against Logia Devil Fruit users

Future Sight was first seen in Charlotte Katakuri, whose eyes glow red when activating the technique. Not many characters in the story have awakened Future Sight, however — only Charlotte Katakuri, Monkey D. Luffy, Kaido, and Shanks are confirmed users. The recent decimation of the Kid Pirates required Shanks to activate his Future Sight before attacking Eustass Kid and his ship. According to Silvers Rayleigh, Future Sight is only used by the strongest fighters in One Piece, so it will likely play a larger role as the series moves into its endgame.

Armament Haki Creates a Spiritual Armor Around the User

Japanese Name: Busoshoku no Haki

Like all forms of Haki, Armament Haki draws upon one's spiritual essence. Using this spiritual power, it thereby creates "armor" around its user. As a result, those skilled in its use are capable of superhuman offensive and defensive feats. In addition, Armament Haki-infused attacks can also cause damage to Logia-type Devil Fruit Users — an ability that renders some Logia-types completely useless.

Notable Users	Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Jinbei, and several others
Notable Features	Includes numerous basic and advanced techniques

The first person to demonstrate Armament Haki in One Piece just so happens to be one of its greatest users. During the Enies Lobby arc, Monkey D. Garp disciplines his grandson with a Haki-infused punch that bypasses Luffy's Devil Fruit powers. Garp is often heralded as the greatest Armament Haki user of his generation, and he displayed his overall Haki skills while rescuing Captain Koby from the Blackbeard Pirates. In any case, there are various Armament Haki subtypes.

Armament Haki Subtype 1: Hardening Increases Both Power and Defense

As the most common subtype of Armament Haki, Hardening is used in a large percentage of One Piece battles post-time-skip. By sending Armament Haki to various parts of their body, users can create a dark layer of Haki across their skin that exponentially increases their power and defensive abilities. Hardening is a skill used by most experienced fighters in the New World — especially those who possess above-average strength.

Notable Users	Luffy, Pica, Zoro, Oden, Rayleigh, and Whitebeard
Notable Features	The color of the hardening varies between users

Given its usefulness against non-Devil Fruit users and Devil Fruit users alike, this form of Armament Haki is effectively a must-have for any combat-oriented sailors on the Grand Line. Luffy constantly relied on Hardening during battles after entering the New World, mainly because his opponents would be far too strong to defeat otherwise. In fact, even Hardening doesn't really work against transcendent combatants like Kaido.

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Armament Haki Subtype 2: Imbuement Can Reinforce Specific Objects

In a similar vein to the Hardening technique, Imbuement allows Armament Haki-users to reinforce specific objects with their spiritual energy. As seen with Roronoa Zoro, this subtype can turn items like swords into lethal threats while simultaneously making them impervious to damage. Generally, items affected by Imbuement turn a dark black color to reflect their altered status.

Notable Users	Zoro, Mihawk, Doflamingo, Roger, and Hancock
Notable Features	Weapons like Enma naturally extract Armament Haki

Dracule Mihawk insists on Imbuing his weapon with Armament Haki, explaining why Yoru is also known as a "black blade." Swords aren't the only weapons that benefit from Imbuement. On the contrary, this technique has been applied to bullets and arrows, as well. After being imbued, these items can even retain their enhancements after being separated from their user — a feat evidenced by the Kuja tribe's Armament Haki-infused arrows.

Armament Haki Subtype 3: Emission Can Project Attacks Across Short Distances

The abilities of Armament Haki vary massively based on the skill of its user. Only its most masterful wielders can utilize the Emission technique, which allows an individual to project their Armament Haki-based attacks across short distances. This requires incredible precision and timing, which means the user must remain in an almost-meditative state.

Notable Users	Luffy, Rayleigh, Akainu, Kizaru, Hyogoro, and Koby
Notable Features	Helped Luffy become stronger during the Wano arc

Distance is a vital element of combat, so those who primarily rely on Armament Haki — usually a short-range combat approach — can completely change their skillset by adding Haki Emission to their repertoire. It was only introduced during the Wano Country arc, but Luffy makes use of Emission while fighting Kaido. That being said, the technique will undoubtedly be employed by more characters in One Piece's upcoming arcs.

Armament Haki Subtype 4: Internal Destruction Is Extremely Dangerous

The rarest subtype of Armament Haki, Internal Destruction has only been displayed by two characters: Monkey D. Luffy and his mentor Silvers Rayleigh. This ability further refines the concept of Haki Emission by sending Armament Haki through the body of the target, destroying it from the inside out. It was first seen when Rayleigh destroyed Camie's slave collar in the Sabaody Archipelago arc.

Notable Users	Luffy and Rayleigh
Notable Features	One of the rarest Haki techniques

Since Luffy and Rayleigh are the only characters to use Haki Emission, the full scope of its capabilities is still a bit vague. However, its devastating impact has been made painfully clear. It takes a while for Luffy to understand the specifics of Internal Destruction, but he gets quite far under Hyogoro's guidance. He even rips the explosive collars off his and Hyo's neck, demonstrating once again that he's not just some average pirate.

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Armament Haki Subtype 5: Tribal Haki Is Named for Its Flame Patterns

On rare occasions, Armament Haki has been shown to develop tribal flame patterns — a feature that is prominently seen when Monkey D. Luffy goes into Gear 4. Although much about this Armament Haki subtype (colloquially named Tribal Haki by fans) remains unknown, it is speculated that it allows users to combine their Haki with their Devil Fruit powers. Another theory is that the flame pattern comes from potent Haki concentrations.

Notable Users	Katakuri, Big Mom, and Luffy
Notable Features	The flame pattern comes from potent Haki concentrations

However, Monkey D. Luffy, Charlotte Katakuri, and Big Mom have all evidenced the flame patterns that are typical of Tribal Haki, which lends credence to the association between it and Devil Fruit powers. Nothing about the Armament Haki subtype has been hinted at in recent arcs, but hopefully, One Piece's final saga will shed some light on the matter.

Conqueror's Haki Is Wielded by One in Several Million People

Japanese Name: Haoshoku no Haki

Wielded by one in several million people, Conqueror's Haki is an incredibly rare ability that allows its user to impose their will on others. Weaker targets are instantly rendered unconscious by its presence, while more powerful foes can resist its most basic effects. It was first introduced when Shanks used it to save little Luffy from the Lord of the Coast, but neither the technique nor its name was mentioned at the time.

Notable Users	Shanks, Luffy, Rayleigh, Roger, Oden, Ace, Sengoku, and Whitebeard
Notable Features	The Haki output depends entirely on the user's willpower

When trained extensively, Conqueror's Haki users can exert the ability over even larger distances, knocking out tens of thousands of enemies in a single moment. Luffy unconsciously activates his Conqueror's Haki during Marineford and, two years later, neutralizes fifty thousand Fish-Men without any effort. Conqueror's Haki is said to emerge in those with the qualities of a ruler, so only One Piece's most significant figures have wielded it.

Conqueror's Haki Subtype 1: Infusion Can Elevate Attack Potency

Although Conqueror's Haki is extremely rare, an even rarer form of the ability exists. By infusing a weapon or one's own body with Conqueror's Haki, wielders can dramatically elevate the potency of their attacks, raising their capabilities to the realm of legends like Gol D. Roger and Edward Newgate. In fact, both Roger and Whitebeard Infused their weapons with Conqueror's Haki during their legendary battle.

Notable Users	Roger, Luffy, Whitebeard, Yamato, Kaido, Zoro, and Shanks
Notable Features	Works much like Armament Haki's Imbuement Technique

Conqueror's Haki Infusion appears several times during One Piece, but its exact mechanism isn't confirmed until the pivotal showdown between Monkey D. Luffy and Kaido in the Raid on Onigashima. Once Monkey D. Luffy learned how to perform the technique, he immediately put Kaido on the defensive. Garp also used Conqueror's Haki Infusion to strengthen his Galaxy Impact, a single punch that tore through the island of Hachinosu like a nuclear bomb.

Conqueror's Haki Subtype 2: Conqueror's Haki Can Be Tied Into a Knot

Manga fans recently learned a bit more about the relationship between Joy Boy and Emet, the Iron Giant from before the Void Century. In a flashback scene, it was revealed that Joy Boy produced a Conqueror's Haki knot and subsequently sealed it inside Emet. He told the Iron Giant to use this power as a last resort, and the only action required would be untying that knot. This Conequeror's Haki knot was created with the use of a rope, which is what Emet disentangled in Chapter 112.

Notable Users	Joy Boy
Notable Features	Conqueror's Haki can be stored for centuries in the same location

The resulting blast of Conqueror's Haki was enough to render the vast majority of Marine soldiers unconscious. The knot's unraveling also reverted the Devil Fruit forms of the Five Elders and forcibly teleported three of them back to Pangaea Castle in Mary Geoise. Given the overwhelming strength of the Five Elders, this event proved that Conqueror's Haki knots can come in handy down the line, especially when the Straw Hats face off against enemies like Akainu and Blackbeard. Even Imu seemed affected by the blast, making this subtype one of the most powerful Haki abilities in One Piece.

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Conqueror's Haki Subtype 3: Observation Killing Can Negate Future Sight

Little has been said about Observation Killing, the rarest form of Haki in all of One Piece. Thus far, Shanks is the only individual known to employ it, and even then, he hasn't used it on-screen in a single scene. This information was exclusively released through Volume 4000000, a special feature designed for the first 3 million ticketholders of One Piece Film: Red. The Conqueror's Haki-based ability allows its user to negate the effects of Observation Haki — a game-changing tool in fights against the upper echelon of Haki users.

Notable Users	Shanks
Notable Features	No character has used this technique on-screen yet

In fact, having access to this technique automatically makes the user one of the strongest in the world. Shanks' mastery of Conqueror's Haki is arguably the greatest in pirate history, so Observation Killing may be unique to him. However, given his inevitable reunion with Monkey D. Luffy, there's a strong chance that One Piece's protagonist will eventually uncover more about the legendary technique.

One Piece

Like TV-14 Comedy Action Adventure Anime Fantasy Release Date October 20, 1999 Network Fuji TV Directors Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou Writers Jin Tanaka, Akiko Inoue, Junki Takegami, Shinzo Fujita, Shouji Yonemura, Yoshiyuki Suga, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hirohiko Uesaka, Michiru Shimada, Isao Murayama, Takuya Masumoto, Yoichi Takahashi, Momoka Toyoda Franchise(s) One Piece 9 Images Close

Cast

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• Mayumi Tanaka Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
• Kazuya Nakai Roronoa Zoro (voice)

Follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew in order to find the greatest treasure ever left by the legendary Pirate, Gold Roger. The famous mystery treasure named "One Piece".

Creator Eiichiro Oda Main Genre Anime Seasons 21 Number of Episodes 1122 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Pluto TV Powered by

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