Some Animals in Japanese - Part 1

Animals, 動物 or  どうぶつ (doubutsu) in Japanese is really easy to learn and remember, especially when you watch anime.  In One Piece, there are so many characters based on animals.

Giant bird caught Luffy instead

After Luffy saves Zoro, who became his first crewmate, they set out to sea.  Luffy tries to catch a bird, 鳥 or とり (tori) in the air for food, but it turns out that the bird is actually gigantic and Luffy was caught instead.  Luffy was carried away by the bird, while Zoro pursues with their boat.  The bird flies to a town currently occupied by the Buggy Pirates.  The bird dropped Luffy after being shot by one of the Buggy's pirate.  

Chouchou fights Richie the lion to defend his pet shop

One of Buggy's crew member, Mohji had a pet lion, ライオン (raion) named Richie.  While Richie and Mohji set out to town searching for Zoro, Richie wanted snacks from a pet shop.  Guarding the shop is Chouchou, the pet dog, 犬 or いぬ (inu) of the deceased shop owner. Then ensues a touching scene where Chouchou fight to defend the shop against Richie.  Though Chouchou lost, Luffy beats up Richie and Mohji and returns with the remaining pet food he managed to recover from the lion.

The Black Cat Pirates

In Syrup Village, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami met with Usopp, where they help Usopp defend the village against Captain Kuro, Jango, and The Black Cat Pirates, クロネコ海賊団 (kuroneko kaizokudan).  猫 or ねこ (neko) is cat in Japanese language.  They successfully defend the village and was rewarded with a proper ship, Going Merry.  Usopp joins the crew as well.  

Sea restaurant, Baratie

The Crew traveled to the sea restaurant, Baratie, where they met Sanji, who will become the chef on their ship.  The sea restaurant, Baratie is shaped like a big fish, 魚 or さかな (sakana).

Hawkeye, the greatest swordsman in the world

While at Baratie, the person Zoro is looking for, Dracule Mihawk appears.  He holds the title of “Greatest Swordsman in the World” and he is also known as Hawk Eyes, 鷹の目 or たかのめ (taka no me).   鷹 or タカ (taka) means hawk.

The sea cow Mohmoo

Cow or Hippo?

While travelling to Nami’s hometown,  Luffy, Sanji, and Yosaku encounter Mohmoo, a giant sea cow, 海牛 or かいぎゅう(kaigyuu).  Luffy thought it was a cow, 牛 or ウシ (ushi) but Sanji said it should be a hippo, 河馬 or カバ (kaba), since cow does not swim.

The Fishmen

Luffy fighting Arlong

Nami’s village is under the control of the Arlong Pirates.  The crews is made up of fishmen, 魚人 (gyojin).  One of the crew, Hatchan, is an octopus fishman. He was nicknamed Hachi because he has eight limbs like an octopus, 蛸 or タコ (tako).  Arlong, the leader, is a sawshark, 鋸鮫 or ノコギリザメ (nokogirizame).  A shark in Japanese language is 鮫 or サメ (same).

Nami buying newspaper from a News Coo.

A Den Den Mushi

In One Piece, the News Coo are seagulls, 鴎 or カモメ (kamome) are used to deliver newspapers and wanted posters around the world.  For wireless communications, Den Den Mushi are used.  Den Den Mushi are actually snails, 蝸牛 or カタツムリ (katatsumuri).

Kanji	Hiragana/Katakana	Romaji	English
動物	どうぶつ	Doubutsu	Animal
鳥	とり	Tori	Bird
	ライオン	Raion	Lion
猫	ねこ	Neko	Cat
犬	いぬ	Inu	Dog
魚	さかな	Sakana	Fish
鷹	タカ	Taka	Hawk
牛	カバ	Ushi	Cow
河馬	カバ	Kaba	Hippo
蛸	タコ	Tako	Octopus
鋸鮫	ノコギリザメ	Nokogirizame	Saw shark
鮫	サメ	Same	Shark
鴎	カモメ	Kamome	Seagull
蝸牛	カタツムリ	Katatsumuri	Snail

Note that many Japanese terms of organisms are often spelled in katakana.  

These are animal names I learned before the crew entered the Grand Line.  In the next post, I will write about animals after the entrance to the Grand Line.