ZoNami

"And he's the toughest guy in the crew..."

- Nami on Zoro after his injuries.

ZoNami is the het ship between Roronoa Zoro and Nami from the One Piece fandom.

Canon
Zoro and Nami are close friends and crew mates with the Straw Hat Pirates, together they are respectively the longest serving crew members under Luffy. The two get on, generally, well, however Nami is prone to violence when it comes to Zoro’s laidback and indifferent attitude, whilst Zoro can find Nami annoying and difficult. Even so, they have grown a strong bond that has allowed them to become good friends and comrades.

The pair first met shortly after Nami met Luffy on Orange Town. Nami formed a partnership with both Luffy and Zoro, after their victory over the Buggy Pirates, whereby they become crew mates. Following the events on Nami’s home island, Cocyashi Village, she became a fully-fledged member of the Straw Hat Pirates and Zoro’s crew mate. Whilst Nami occupies the role of navigator, Zoro unofficially occupies the role of first mate, making the pair the closest crew members to their captain, Luffy.

Initially, Zoro did not care for Nami, instead just about tolerating her loud presence. Even so, he found great amusement in her heavy-handed approach in dealing with Luffy, such as when she tried to drown him shortly after they left Orange Town. He acknowledged her abilities as a navigator, and valued her for that reason, but found himself often on the receiving end of Nami’s deceptive and mischievous nature. One example was her successfully using him to climb over a slippery oil spill on a bank between two cliffs, allowing her to escape but leaving him trapped. When Nami’s betrayal was revealed, he advised Luffy to leave her behind, effectively proving he does not have any concern for her. Later, he only agreed to go after her because his captain ordered him to do so.

Zoro’s opinion of Nami gradually began to soften. When he was captured by the Arlong Pirates, the crew that Nami actually belongs to, he could see through her act very easily, deducing she was not truly like them. He proved his point by willingly diving into a pool of water whilst tied up, knowing full well she would save him. Even with this understanding, he still made the decision to go to sleep rather than listen to Nojiko tell the story of Nami’s past, explaining that he is only here because his captain wishes to save her. When it came to fighting the Arlong Pirates, Zoro waited on stand-by for Luffy’s orders after Nami finally asked for his help. He then stormed Arlong Park and fought against Hatchan despite being seriously wounded, and for a while he even fought Arlong. Once Nami returned to the crew, he had no objections over this, even though much later he demanded that Usopp apologise before he could come back to the crew after he, himself, had left.

Since her return, the two found themselves on good terms. Whilst they were prone to argue, they saw each other as valuable comrades and Zoro never suspected Nami would betray the crew again. After Luffy, Zoro is most often on the receiving end of Nami’s beatings, normally for being asleep or not helping out where he should. Although she can bemoan him, she acknowledges Zoro’s incredible strength and toughness, being amazed at his absurd tolerance for pain and determination for victory, even his great skill in swordsmanship. Nami can also be seen caring for him from time-to-time, such as after he was put into a coma for three days after his encounter with Bartholomew Kuma, where she stayed by his bedside whilst everybody else partied. Later on, she even stopped Luffy pouring sake into his mouth so he could recover peacefully. Zoro has also shown kindness to Nami, being willing to carry her about Arabasta even though he knew full well she was not actually injured. On Punk Hazard, despite Zoro’s intense dislike for Sanji, he still instinctively caught Nami’s hand when she tripped and fell even though he knew it was actually Sanji in her body.



Often the two can argue over petty matters and disagreements, with Zoro frequently losing these disputes. Their arguments tend to be comical in nature, even in serious situations. They are also the most highly sceptical ones within the crew, often having doubts about certain events. The pair tend to find too good to be true situations not believable. The only time this changes is if Nami finds out that treasure is somehow involved and leaves Zoro as the only person with any doubts. In the beginning, Zoro disliked being bossed around by Nami, but grows to occasionally accept her authority, if only to avoid being attacked by her. When she ordered him to go after Sanji, who was in her body, he agreed to do so. In this particular instance, Nami showed her complete trust in Zoro, as she knew he would not be perverted towards her body and would be able to distract Sanji enough for him to not commit any of his own perverted shenanigans. When it comes to navigation, Zoro has complete faith in Nami’s abilities and will fully follow her orders to sail the ship correctly.

Quotes
"Amazing. She used the weather to her own advantage. She must really know the seas... She'd make a great navigator..."

- Zoro's impressions of Nami before meeting her. "Nami! Look out! Duck!!"

- Zoro warns Nami of danger. "Moron cook bastard... Did you save Nami?"

- Zoro worried about Nami in Thriller Bark Arc. "What kind of ridiculous power up is that?"

- Zoro asks Sanji what kind of power up is (Sanji palpates Nami's breast) in Punk Hazard Arc. "When did she get this picture taken?"

- Zoro comments on Nami's poster in Dressrosa Arc.

Fanon
Although not as popular as LuNa, SaNa or Zoyori, the ship between Zoro and Nami is still popular in its own right, in fact ZoNa, ranks seventh as the most popular het ship. Compared to most pairings, it can be viewed as the most vanilla, in that both Zoro and Nami are relatively tamed individuals with no serious bizarre traits that puts a unique spin on their relationship. Rather, their relationship is simply a case of two ordinary people that grow to trust each other. This contrasts with both LuNa and SaNa, as Luffy is exceedingly idiotic and completely indifferent with romance and lust, and Sanji is unhealthily obsessed with both. In this regard, ZoNa can be considered a middle ground. The ship is usually associated with VegeBul by the Dragon Ball fandom, because of the similarity that both have, and for the character that Zoro and Nami have similar to that of Vegeta and Bulma. This is because of the similarity between the moments and characters that both ships have. Another ship very similar to ZoNami is SasuSaku from Naruto, the ship het between Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno.

Fans of the ship are somewhat tame. Since Zoro and Nami never really gather a significant amount of screen time as a notable pairing, any climatic moments or a romantic interest in each other, fans have come to appreciate the smaller moments and details instead, be it Nami by Zoro’s bedside on Thriller Bark, or when she pats his head on Zou. When it comes to shipping wars in the One Piece fandom, fans often state ZoNa as a simple preference rather than believing it to be something that will happen by the end of the series. However, there are plenty of ZoNami fans who argue that Zoro and Nami's relationship as time goes on could definitely be deepened and exploited, making it likely a great endgame pair once the crew is disbanded.

Another theory according to ZoNami shippers, is that Zoro and Nami were supposed to meet in a bar. In fact in the post timeskip, Nami is in a bar waiting for someone. According to them it is likely that in this scene Nami was waiting for Zoro, they both went to a bar waiting for someone (Zoro went to Shakky and Rayleigh's bar). Usually in a bar you drink alcohol and Zoro and Nami tolerate it, and on top of that they like it, being a suitable place for both. Nami states that she is waiting for someone and her reaction to the sight of Usopp was completely unexpected.

ZoNami has plenty of rivals, this is dominantly a result of how popular both characters are in regards to shipping. Zoro has been shipped with Kuina, Hiyori, Tashigi, Perona, and Nico Robin. Conversely, Nami has been shipped with Luffy, Sanji and Usopp. Although not often shipped, a popular perspective for One Piece fans is how Zoro and Nami were the first crew mates of Luffy’s. They have come to be seen as an iconic trio which has led to a poly ship to form for some fans as well. ZoNami fans also ship LuHan and Frobin.

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Trivia

 * The animal that represent Zoro is the tiger and Nami a cat, both of which are felines. Zoro has also been representated by a shark.
 * Both Zoro and Nami hated pirates at first. Nami stole from them whilst Zoro hunted them.
 * Zoro and Nami are polar opposites when it comes to navigation. Whilst Nami is very skilled Zoro is hopeless and easily gets himself lost.
 * On numerous chapter covers there has been potentially a few ZoNami moments.
 * On the cover of chapter 568, Zoro is looking for a lion who is hidding among the sunflowers. The lion in question has been seen on Nami's shirt on the cover of chapter 263.
 * For the color spread chapter 771, Nami and Zoro can be seen desperately trying to stop Luffy steering the carriage they are in.
 * In the color spread chapter 79 Zoro is sitting on a panther with a scar on it's left shoulder, exactly where Nami scarred herself with a knife. Nami is leaning against a panther who has three bottles of beer in it's mouth. Beyond this, they are both wearing a very similar bracelet.
 * In the color spread chapter 422 Nami drives a shark-shaped vehicle.
 * For the color spread on chapter 692, Nami looks at Zoro whilst Brook's hands point to the numbers two and three (the 12 o'clock hand is tilted to the two) Zoro and Nami's specific numbers are 2 and 3 respectively.
 * On the cover art for chapter 481 Zoro is drawing caligraphics whilst near the door is his observing sensei in a form of a cat. In the background there are waves.
 * In chapter 426 colour spread, a sleeping Zoro and Nami are on the same cloud with Usopp standing at the back.
 * Zoro and Nami are the only ones among the crew to wear earrings. The number of Nami's earrings is two and Zoro's is three.
 * Despite Zoro having known Nami the longest, alongside Luffy, he is one of very few crew members to not have seen her naked.
 * In chapter 955 Nami can be seen blushing after Zoro cuts a cliff in half.
 * Nami and Zoro both have a great tolerance for alcohol and love to drink.
 * During the Thriller Bark saga, One Piece creator, Eiichiro Oda, designed Nami's wedding necklace to an identical style of Zoro's earrings.
 * In a crossover with Dragon Ball, Zoro and Nami are paralleled to the married Vegeta and Bulma.




 * So far, Zoro is the only member of the crew not to receive a hug from Nami.
 * Zoro has often been the first to notice if something is irritating Nami or notes any changes:
 * Once when Nami was bitten by a spider in Little Garden Arc.
 * When he arrives on Zou with Luffy he is the first to notice Nami's distress.
 * He noticed Nami's change of weapon first on their way to Enies Lobby.
 * When Hody states he has succeeded in Arlong's will he takes note of Nami due to her personal history with Arlong.
 * In the movie "One Piece: Film Z" Nami uses a technique called "Gust Sword" which can be seen as a reference to Zoro's swordsmanship. In the same film, Zoro also uses a technique called "Water Stream" which can also be seen as a reference to Nami's fighting style with her clima-tact. Both of these moves were used on the same enemy, Ain.
 * According to the statistics of the most popular het ships in the One Piece fandom, ZoNami initially turned out to be most popular ship in the fandom, while now it is in seventh place.
 * In an SBS, Oda drew sketches of the Straw Hats when they are older. Zoro and Nami, at the age of 60, have similarities with the married Silvers Rayleigh and Shakky.


 * Zoro's favorite season is autumn, where the theme color is orange, while Nami's favorite season is summer, where the theme color is green.
 * There is a theory among the ZoNami shippers, in case Zoro and Nami end up together, they will open a booze bar once the crew disband, like Shakky and Rayleigh did. Nami may be able to be Zoro's "GPS", as Nami is the navigator and Zoro the one who gets lost. (Fanon curiosity)
 * Nami has worn accessories similar to Zoro's earrings three times.
 * Once in the Thriller Bark saga when she wore the wedding dress.
 * Another time in the color spread chapter 796 around her waist.
 * In the color spread chapter 802 in her hair.
 * Zoro has saved Nami from danger 4 times whilst Nami has saved Zoro once.
 * Nami has touched or taken Zoro's swords several times.
 * The first time in the Syrup Village saga, while Zoro was sliding on the oil and Nami clings to his sword in order to reach the top.
 * Another time when they disguised themselves as a marine and Zoro not seeing her received a blow on the head. Soon after she takes his swords.
 * Another time in the movie "One Piece: Dead End" when Nami tries to impress a little boy with the sword of Zoro. (non-canon film)
 * Then in the color spread of the movie “One Piece: Z” made by Oda, Nami is seen touching Zoro's sword.
 * In a poster made by Oda for the film “One Piece: Z” Zoro and Nami are close, and Nami is also holding the precious sword of Zoro Wadou Ichimonji. Zoro is always very cautious with his swords, he also gets annoyed when someone touches them or when they are used in a way that has nothing to do with the art of the sword.