A Guide to Trafalgar Law’s Sword and Its Sword Replicas

Roronoa Zoro may be known as One Piece’s premier sword hoarder, but the owner of Shusui, Wado Ichimonji, and other Zoro swords isn’t the only sword wielding badass of the series. Trafalgar Law, a.k.a the Surgeon of Death, is the proud owner of a legendary anime sword that many fans refer to as Law’s sword.

But unlike shows like The Witcher where swords are just tools, Law’s sword has a character of its own that sets it apart from other One Piece blades and samurai swords like Demon Slayer’s nichirin swords.

4 Facts About Trafalgar Law’s Sword

Trafalgar D. Water Law’s katana sword appears in multiple One Piece episodes, making it, in a sense, a side character in its own right. Law uses it to vanquish his enemies, fight for his pirate crew, and assist the Straw Hat pirates.

1. One Piece Trafalgar Law’s Sword Is Called Kikoku

Trafalgar Law’s sword is no different from other swords in the One Piece series in that Law has given it a name. While Mihawk has named his sword Yoru and Luffy has his Nidai Kitetsu, Law’s sword is named Kikoku.

Like other Japanese names, Kikoku is written using kanji, specifically the characters “鬼哭” which translates to “ghost” and “wail”. Because of this, translations of the sword’s name can either be “demon’s wail” or “ghost’s wail” while more poetic translations will be similar to “the wailings of a restless ghost”.

2. It’s Not A Katana, It’s A Nodachi

The anime One Piece predominantly features regular katanas such as Enma and Ame no Habikiri, but Law’s Kikoku is actually a nodachi. Nodachi are larger versions of the popular katana that gained popularity during the Kamakura period when the Minamoto clan took over Japan.

At the time, nodachi were used by strong foot soldiers to overpower enemies, but the size of the sword made it heavier and harder to use compared to regular katanas, putting a limit on how long they could fight with a nodachi. 

In Law’s case though, his near-supernatural strength makes wielding a nodachi just as easy as using a typical katana.

3. It’s Implied That It’s A Cursed Sword

Kikoku is referred to in the show as a “Cursed Sword” or yoto. In the One Piece franchise, cursed swords tend to be powerful but also have dark histories that leave them covered with negative energies and bad spirits. This makes a cursed sword a dangerous martial arts weapon for its enemies and owners alike.

4. The Sword Isn’t Even A Ranked Katana

Most powerful One Piece swords are referred to as meito or a “ranked katana”. These meito swords are named blades that were crafted by skilled swordsmiths who imbued them with a level of power and strength that can’t be found in regular swords. 

For all its abilities and powers though, Law’s Kikoku sword is not one of the meito named in the manga and anime. It just happens to be a really powerful sword. That said, the manga and anime have not completely ruled out the possibility of the Kikoku being a meito sword of some kind.

What You Need To Know About Buying Sword Replicas

Anime sword replicas are made of different materials and for different purposes, whether that be for cosplaying, collector’s items, or real sword fighting. Because of this, Law’s replica swords can vary from battle-ready to being as a display piece only.

Here are a few things you’d want to keep in mind when buying Trafalgar Law sword replicas:

• Material

Replica swords can be made of stainless steel, wood, plastic, and foam. The first two materials are commonly used for display replicas because of their strength and ability to remain intact even as they age. 

Meanwhile, plastic and foam are often used in children’s toys because they’re cheaper, lighter, and softer, a quality that helps with keeping children safe during play.

• Purpose

When buying a Trafalgar Law sword replica, it helps to make your choice based on purpose. If you just need a one-time use sword for cosplay, it may be a better choice to buy a foam or plastic replica because it will be cheaper and easier to dispose of. But if you’re buying a One Piece sword for your collection or as a proper battle-ready katana, stainless steel and its variants are the best options available. 

• Size

Not all anime fans have the same amount of space to dedicate to their hobby. While full sized swords are fantastic, they take up more space than smaller replica swords designed for miniatures and keychains. If you just want something to commemorate your favorite anime with, but you don’t have the space for a large sword, a keychain or pen opener replica will do.

Our Top Pick for the Best Trafalgar Law Sword Replica: The Long Katana of Trafalgar Law

This replica of Trafalgar Law’s sword follows the traditional Japanese katana sword design but replaces the sword’s blade with an extended one that better resembles the traditional nodachi. It features a faux fur tsuba and a nylon fabric wrapped handle to keep you comfortable while you swing around your Law sword replica.

The sword has a stainless steel blade that looks sharpened on one edge without actually being sharpened, so that it remains completely safe for recreational use. It comes with a wooden scabbard made of blac rosewood, giving the sword an even greater air of elegance when you store it behind a glass case or on a wall mount.

• Material: Stainless steel
• Length: 140 cm

Conclusion

Trafalgar Law’s sword may not be as famous as the swords wielded by Roronoa Zoro, but the One Piece nodachi remains a favorite among fans of the series. If you’re looking to add a Law sword replica to your collection or for a cosplay, checkout our top pick for the best Law sword replica to get the most out of your money.