The Yomi Yomi no Mi may just be the most powerful Devil Fruit in One Piece. The statement above can be seen as a bit of an exaggeration, but one can make a strong case to the contrary. Most mortal men fear death. We feel a poke in our chest before sleep and start pondering the cold inevitability. We write wills to somehow protect our loved ones from the potent grip of the reaper. In the world of One Piece, there are actual cures for death. Well… sort of… So what’s so special about the Yomi Yomi no Mi in One Piece? Well, we have a lot to cover.
The Art Behind The Yomi Yomi no Mi
It’s fun to discuss the unique looks of devil fruit when fans are given the chance. The Yomi Yomi no Mi appears as a round, golden fruit topped with a green stem, and its underside features four short protrusions. By color, it looks like something plucked from the tree of life. But the lumps make one think it’s mostly supposed to resemble a skull. This brings us to the basic power of the Yomi Yomi no Mi.
The Power Of The Yomi Yomi No Mi Devil Fruit
The Yomi Yomi no Mi, also known as the revive fruit, belongs to the Paramecia-type Devil Fruits category. This, as stated earlier, is where the age-old fight with death comes into play. It empowers the user’s soul to such an extent that they can return to life after experiencing their initial demise, granting them a second chance at life. Additionally, this fruit bestows upon the user various soul-related abilities. Ultimately this earns them the title of a “Reviving Human.” So, who is the Reviving Human of our story?
The “Soul King” of One Piece: Brook
One of the most striking aspects of Brook’s appearance is his skeletal form. Prior to his demise, Brook was a tall, slender individual with a tanned complexion and a notably distinctive facial appearance. After consuming the Yomi Yomi no Mi, he gained a second life, returning from the dead as a living skeleton. Despite this unusual transformation, Brook is still full of life and energy, and he possesses a charmingly eccentric appearance.
Brook’s personality is a delightfully dark medley. Think of Jack Skelington with a penchant for jazzy performances. He frequently uses humor to cope with the loneliness he endured during his isolation. In many ways, this loneliness is a result of his second life, because of the Revive-Revive Fruit. Brook’s ability to detach and reattach his own bones also provides ample comedic opportunities, as he can manipulate his body in absurd ways.
How Does Brook Use The Yomi Yomi no Mi?
The fruit primarily grants its significant power post-mortem, yet its secondary abilities prove quite practical in sustaining Brook’s “quasi-existence.” Brook possesses the remarkable capacity to move and stand upright without the need for supporting tissues and muscles. Furthermore, he can experience fatigue and weariness despite lacking these inherent bodily components. His featherweight physique not only enables swift attacks but also permits the execution of techniques that would typically inflict harm, thanks to his absence of flesh.
It’s like when Jack Sparrow pocketed one of the cursed coins in the first movie. Additionally, this fruit confers certain advantages over users of the Soru Soru no Mi. Brook can harness the raw energy and strength of his formidable soul to overpower the homies. As they are composed of fragmented pieces of souls that do not rightfully belong to them. But I digress. There are a couple of moves that’ll clear things up.
Kasuriuta: Fubuki Giri
Brook employs a technique akin to Yahazu Giri, but with a distinct approach: he skillfully sheathes his sword from the hilt to the tip, leaving behind a chilling streak that induces a freeze within his opponent’s bloodstream. Brook confidently asserts that the cutting motion of his sword generates winds infused with the essence of the underworld’s bone-chilling gales. It makes sense when you think about how many ghost movies and shows state that frost is often a sign that the undead are among us.
Soul Parade
This one’s a defensive move. Brook skillfully uses his Soul Solid sword in a backhand grip, effectively warding off incoming attacks and instantly freezing any object it contacts. There is a tertiary component to this move called “Ice Wall.” Employing a swift draw-and-sheathing maneuver, he conjures a substantial ice barrier that emerges from the ground behind him. This technique was initially employed to conceal the presence of Black Maria and Nico Robin from prying eyes.
Weaknesses Of The Revive-Revive Fruit
This is why the Yomi Yomi no Mi is possibly the strongest fruit in the One Piece universe. As Brook continues to hone his abilities, it becomes clear that this devil fruit turns you into a pure soul. In other words, one would basically have to be a soul commander to actually destroy the user. Perona comes to mind, but there seems to be a slight difference between ghosts and an actual soul. Essentially, the Yomi Yomi no Mi appears to unlock the full potential of life-giving energy. Hence Brook’s explosive combat scenes.
Symbolism and Meaning
The primary function of the Yomi Yomi no Mi is to resurrect its user after their initial death. Clearly, this concept of returning from the dead is a highly coveted ability in the world of One Piece, where the existence of Devil Fruits and supernatural powers makes it particularly rare. The fruit’s power is closely tied to the overarching theme of dreams and ambitions that drive the series. Users of the Yomi Yomi no Mi seek to fulfill unfulfilled dreams or tasks from their first life, and this resurrection aspect adds depth to the characters and their narratives. One is reminded of the beliefs held by the Japanese when they turn 60; it is a moment of rebirth or a second life.
Conclusively, the Yomi Yomi no Mi is a devil fruit monolith in One Piece. It embodies themes of resurrection, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams while introducing novel abilities and exploring the mysteries of the afterlife. Brook’s character and his journey exemplify the fruit’s importance in both the overarching plot and the emotional depth of the series as a whole.
