Bara Bara no Mi

Bara Bara no Mi
Statistics
Japanese Name:	バラバラの実
Official English Name:	Chop-Chop Fruit The Fruit of Dismemberment (Odex)
Meaning:	Scattered; in pieces
Fruit Debut:	Chapter 19; Episode 8
Usage Debut:	Chapter 9; Episode 5
Type:	Paramecia
Current User:	Buggy

The Bara Bara no Mi is a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows the user to split their own body into pieces and levitate said pieces at will, while granting a passive immunity to all slashes and cuts, making the user a Splitting Human (バラバラ人間, Barabara Ningen^?, English: "Chop-Chop Man/Person"). It was eaten (accidentally) by Buggy.

Its power was first demonstrated when Buggy lifted and choked one of his underlings with a detached hand, though its exact nature was only clarified later.

Etymology

• Barabara (バラバラ/ばらばら^?) is a Japanese onomatopoeia meaning disconnected/disperse/in pieces/asunder. Barabaraninaru (バラバラになる^?) means "to come/fall apart".
  • More specifically, the fruit's workings can also refer to a body in pieces: e.g. barabarajiken (ばらばら事件^?), meaning "a murder case in which the victim is chopped into pieces."
• In the VIZ manga, 4Kids, and Funimation dubs, it is called the Chop-Chop Fruit.

Appearance

The Bara Bara no Mi is an oval-shaped orange-red fruit composed of small spherical parts with swirls, and a green leafage sprouting on top of it. It was small enough to be held by one hand. Its overall appearance looks like an oversized raspberry or a miniature pineapple.

The Bara Bara no Mi in the anime at night.

The fake Bara Bara no Mi created by Buggy.

The Bara Bara no Mi in 1998 Jump Super Anime Tour promotional material.

Strengths

The Bara Bara no Mi in use by Buggy.

The fruit's major strength, as demonstrated by Buggy, is that the user becomes permanently immune to damage from being cut or pierced, regardless of what form. Instead of the body parts being permanently dismembered from such attacks, the dismembered parts of the user's body fully remain in the direct control of the user. They can then be freely manipulated to either execute unique attacks or reattach them back to the body's remaining portion. In the anime, Buggy has even demonstrated being able to re-constitute himself in a Logia-like manner after getting reduced to fine strips by Dracule Mihawk.

Buggy letting Zoro "cut" his body.

Aside from this passive immunity, the user can also manually split their body apart by themselves without the need of being chopped up by others in the first place. This is a convenient ability during battles since it allows the user to attack through enemy blocking attempts or avoid any incoming moves as long as they see it coming. The user is also able to live without being connected to vital limbs and organs of his body for long periods, as evidenced by Buggy's Crew Adventure Chronicles.

Additionally, the levitation effect given by the freeform control of the parts seems to extend to things in contact with the user, allowing them to bypass gravity by lifting objects regardless of how heavy they are for as long as Buggy has a firm grip on them. With this aspect of the Fruit's power, Buggy has shown to be able to easily lift individuals much larger (and probably heavier) than himself, such as the Blue Gorillas and Jinbe.

Weaknesses

Though the user is immune to slashing and piercing attacks, they are still susceptible to other forms of engagement, such as blunt attacks like punches and kicks. This can be mitigated by having the attacked body part "fly off" to deflect the force of the attack.

Buggy having his separated body parts restrained by Nami.

Also, even when a body part is separated, the user can still feel sensations of whatever happens to that part. This can be a major weakness even when the user is split up, as an enemy can do all sorts of things to the other body parts. This includes tickling, pinching, groin kicks, and tying up most of the user's body parts.

The range of which a user of the Bara Bara no Mi can use their body parts.

The user can only control their separated pieces up to a certain distance. If a part goes any further than this distance, the user loses all control of that part. This includes levitation and the user consciously using that body part altogether, though vital functions from that body part continue, as it is shown that one can survive with their abdomen outside of the radius. This distance is a 200 Bara Bara diameter sphere around the point where the person touches the ground. For the user to be able to levitate any of his body parts, his feet must stay on the ground at all times, as they are the only body parts incapable of levitation. This can be rectified a bit if someone else carries their feet, as it serves as a foothold for them to stand on. However, Buggy has been seen running in midair while separated at the waist. Whether or not this is a continuity error is unknown.

Additionally, in Impel Down, Buggy's head was drawn toward his body once his feet left the ground and his body fell down the hole to the second floor, as though his parts are connected by an invisible force. This somewhat conflicts with the mechanisms of his power when his head and body were separated and Luffy blasted his body away, but his head did not follow. This may be because his feet were with his head, not his body, at the time.

Other than that, the user is also affected by the standard Devil Fruit weaknesses.

Usage

While Buggy originally had no interest in the fruit beyond selling it, he nevertheless adapted to its powers after unwittingly eating it. Over time, he has mastered them to a considerable (though still unexceptional, by the standards of most Grand Line veterans) degree.

Luffy using Buggy as a shield against Mihawk's slashes.

Buggy has used his fruit's powers for fighting, protecting himself (by either ejecting body parts before enemy impact or picking up other people as meat shields), and punishment towards those who fail or annoy him (usually by using his split-off hand to suffocate or hold them up in front of a cannon shot). Buggy's versatile abilities also mean he is often (unwillingly) used by others for convenience, like as a decoy against a swordsman or as a method of transportation due to his floating abilities.

By combining his splitting with his penchant for trickery and skill with knives, Buggy can easily catch opponents off-guard in case they attempt to block his moves. Because of this ability automatically triggering when his body is cut by external forces, Buggy is completely fearless towards any swordsmen, contrary to his usual cowardice against more powerful enemies. This aspect of his devil fruit means Buggy can sometimes surprise foes who think they may have successfully killed him.

Buggy in his "Chibi Form".

During the aftermath of his defeat at Luffy's hands, Buggy was forced to travel around East Blue in a chibi-like form of sorts, consisting of only his head, hands, and feet, which greatly limited his capabilities. The rest of his body remained motionless until he managed to reunite with his missing parts and become complete once more.

After the timeskip, Buggy is shown using his Devil Fruit powers in conjunction with an oversized cloak to make himself appear much taller and more threatening, likely to better fit his new image as a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and leader of Buggy's Delivery, a strategy that he continued using when he formed the Cross Guild with Crocodile and Mihawk which led to him unwittingly being named one of the Four Emperors.

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The following events are non-canon, and therefore not considered part of the canon story.

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Buggy can also use this ability to gather intel by splitting off his ear and hiding it on other people.

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Concludes non-canon section.

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Techniques

The named techniques that involve the Devil Fruit powers are as follows:

Bara Bara Ho.

• Bara Bara Ho (バラバラ砲, Bara Bara Hō^?, literally meaning "Split Split Cannon"): Holding a weapon, Buggy shoots his hands at the enemy. This was first seen being used against Zoro after he learned of Buggy's powers. This is called Chop-Chop Harpoon in the VIZ manga and 4Kids dub (and once in the Funimation dub) and Chop-Chop Cannon in the Funimation adaptations (and sometimes the VIZ manga).

• Chi o Hau Bara Bara Ho (地をはうバラバラ砲, Chi o Hau Bara Bara Hō^?, literally meaning "Earth-Crawling Split Split Cannon"): A variation of Buggy's Bara Bara Ho, Buggy shoots his hand across the ground to grab an opponent's legs. This was first seen being used in an attempt to pin Zoro down for Cabaji's attack (though Luffy easily stopped it by stomping on the detached hand). This is called Low Flying Chop-Chop Cannon in the VIZ manga and 4Kids dub, and Ground Hugging Chop-Chop Cannon in the Funimation adaptations.
  

Bara Bara Ho Kirihanashi.

• Bara Bara Ho Kirihanashi (バラバラ砲切り離し, Bara Bara Hō Kirihanashi^?, literally meaning "Split Split Cannon Dismember"): A variation of the Bara Bara Ho, Buggy adds 1/3 of his forearm to his fist, so that if the opponent attempts to stop the attack by grabbing the forearm, Buggy can simply detach his fist and continue the attack. Between his fingers, Buggy holds four knives in this attack. This was first seen being used to battle against Luffy. This is called Chop-Chop Harpoon-Separate in the VIZ manga and the 4Kids dub, and Chop-Chop Cannon-Separate in the Funimation adaptations.

• Bara Bara Senbei (バラバラせんべい, Bara Bara Senbei^?, literally meaning "Split Split Rice Cracker"): After extending his shoe-knives, Buggy detaches at the waist and sends his lower half cartwheeling towards an opponent like a makeshift buzzsaw (in some adaptations, the "buzzsaw" apparently levitates despite including his feet). This was first seen being used against Luffy. This is called Chop-Chop Buzzsaw in the VIZ manga and 4Kids dub (and once in the Funimation dub), and called Chop-Chop Rice Cracker in the Funimation adaptations.

• Bara Bara Kinkyu Dasshutsu (バラバラ緊急脱出, Bara Bara Kinkyū Dasshutsu^?, literally meaning "Split Split Emergency Escape"): When there is an incoming attack aimed at his head, Buggy quickly separates his head from the rest of his body to avoid harm. This was first seen being used to escape from one of Luffy's attacks. This is called Chop-Chop Quick Escape in the English adaptations. It was at one point called Chop-Chop Quick Dodge in the VIZ manga and is later called Chop-Chop Emergency Escape in the Funimation dub.

• Bara Bara Festival (バラバラフェスティバル, Bara Bara Fesutibaru^?, literally meaning "Split Split Festival"): Buggy's ultimate attack, he separates all his body parts into tiny chunks and spins them around. Then he can either surround his enemy to block their escape or pummel his enemy with his body parts at intense speeds. This attack also makes it difficult to hit Buggy while he is using it, however, his feet remain on the ground during this move, leaving them open for attack. This was first seen being used to attack Nami for stealing his loot. This is called Chop-Chop Festival in the English adaptations.

Buggy's Bara Bara Car.

• Bara Bara Car (バラバラカー, Bara Bara Kā^?, literally meaning "Split Split Car"): Buggy uses a set of wheels and a bomb for a motor and uses his powers to reconfigure himself into become a small car for quick getaways. Buggy seems to be able to go about as fast as Alvida's Sube Sube Spur. This was first seen being used to chase after Luffy in Loguetown. This is called Chop-Chop Car in the VIZ manga and Chop-Chop Buggy in the 4Kids and Funimation adaptations.

• Kuchu Kirimomi Dai Circus (空中錐揉み大サーカス, Kūchū Kirimomi Dai Sākasu^?, literally meaning "Midair Tailspin Big Circus"): Buggy detaches his hands and grabs onto an opponent with them before lifting them high into the air. He then turns them so that they are facing the ground before sending his hands flying in a corkscrew pattern back down to earth, throwing them on the ground with high impact. This was first seen being used against a Blue Gorilla in Impel Down. In the VIZ manga and Funimation adaptations, this is called Aerial Tailspin Big Top.
  

Non-Canon Techniques

During the battle between Buggy and the Kumate Tribe, the anime expanded the battle, and Buggy revealed several anime-exclusive techniques against them.

• Bara Bara Hade ni Gattai (バラバラ派手に合体, Bara Bara Hade ni Gattai^?, literally meaning "Split Split Flashy Union"): A "flashier" attempt at recalling all his body parts, Buggy starts to chant "Bara Bara" ("Chop Chop" in the Funimation dub) endlessly while performing this move. The way that Buggy reassembles himself in this technique resembles the lengthy mecha-combining sequences commonly found in the Super Sentai series. This was first seen in the anime adaption of Buggy's Cover Story, where it was used to escape from the Kumate Tribe. In the Funimation adaptations, this is called Chop-Chop Flashy Reassemble.

• Bara Bara Kick (バラバラキック, Bara Bara Kikku^?, literally meaning "Split Split Kick"): Buggy detaches his lower half and simply kicks at the opponents. This was first seen being used against the Kumate Tribe in the anime adaption of Buggy's Cover Story. In the Funimation adaptations, this attack is called Chop-Chop Kick.

• Bara Bara Punch (バラバラパンチ, Bara Bara Panchi^?, literally meaning "Split Split Punch"): Buggy detaches his fist and punches the opponent. This was first seen being used against the Kumate Tribe in the anime adaption of Buggy's Cover Story. This is called Chop-Chop Punch in the Funimation adaptations.

• Bara Bara Carnival (バラバラカー二バル, Bara Bara Kānibaru^?, literally meaning "Split Split Carnival"): Buggy detaches his upper half and clasps both hands together, then slams them down onto the opponent's neck. This was first seen being used against the Kumate Tribe in the anime adaption of Buggy's Cover Story. This technique is called Chop-Chop Carnival in the Funimation adaptations.

History

Buggy accidentally lets the Bara Bara no Mi slip down his throat.

At least 27 years ago, when Shanks and Buggy were apprentice boys to the Roger Pirates, the crew took the Bara Bara no Mi from an enemy ship. Buggy was at first dismissive of Devil Fruits as a whole, and valued his swimming skill higher—especially given his recent gain of a map to an undersea treasure. However, on learning the fruits could sell for millions, Buggy forged a replica and publicly ate it, successfully convincing his crewmates it was powerless; this done, he stole away with the real fruit, planning to fund his own pirate career with it. Unfortunately, his gloating drew attention from Shanks, and as the panicked Buggy hid the fruit in his mouth, Shanks unwittingly startled him into swallowing it whole. To Buggy's horror, the fruit instantly took effect, leaving him unable to even swim after his treasure map after it fell overboard.

Though Buggy ultimately adapted to the situation (by resolving to use his powers to capture all treasure on land instead), he would continue to begrudge Shanks for it well into adulthood. When the two pirates reunited during the Summit War of Marineford, Buggy wasted no time deploring his lost chance to sell the fruit.

Adaptation Differences

Anime Differences

The manga's introduction of Buggy deliberately uses shots that hide his detached hand, implying his power is some form of general telekinesis (in order to set up a surprise reveal during his battle with Zoro). The anime does not fully replicate this, having at least one head-on shot where the detached hand should be in plain sight; here, the hand is made "invisible," with finger grips seemingly appearing by themselves on the strangled pirate's neck.

(A similar discrepancy exists with the Hana Hana no Mi's introduction at the end of the Whisky Peak Arc.)

Live-Action Differences

The live-action series changes the fruit's parameters (much like Luffy's) more drastically:

• In addition to general immunity against blades, the user's body detachment also appears to protect against blunt force (a la the Beri Beri no Mi), at least when done consciously.
• The user can control detached parts at a greater distance; in addition, the user's feet do not need to remain grounded.
• The user will lose control over any detached part that is enclosed in a container (until said container is opened).
• The detachment itself appears to have a strict(er) time limit, after which the detached parts will automatically try to reconnect.

Trivia

• A fan asked Eiichiro Oda if Buggy's penis can split off and fly, which Oda confirmed.
• According to Oda in response to a fan, if he made Buggy bleed while splitting apart, he would be too scary looking with all the blood gushing out everywhere.
• Oda claimed in One Piece Blue's Q&A column (ca. 2002) that if he could eat any Devil Fruit, it would be the Bara Bara no Mi. However, in Volume 62's SBS (ca. 2011) he implied it would be the Suke Suke no Mi.
  • Another Q&A from the July 2010 issue of the North American Shonen Jump claimed that Oda's preferred fruit would be the Hana Hana no Mi. Though this was sourced to an interview from 2008's Jump Festa, no Japanese corroboration or documentation is known to exist.
• In offering its user complete immunity to blades, the Bara Bara no Mi can be considered the opposite of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, which offers immunity to blunt attacks.
  • The Beri Beri no Mi appears to be an even more direct opposite, allowing its user to split into many floating parts when hit by a blunt attack.
  • Furthermore, the Ope Ope no Mi can be considered an inversion of this fruit, as it can divide other people while the Bara Bara no Mi divides the user; however, Law has been seen using his fruit's power to remove his own heart whereas Buggy's split-off limbs are still vulnerable to damage.
• It is unknown whether Armament Haki-imbued attacks can negate this fruit's defenses, as it has many others' (including the Gomu Gomu no Mi). However, Oda once indicated that Buggy could easily escape Donquixote Doflamingo's Torikago technique, which implicitly relies on Haki for its cutting power.
• A plushie was made of Buggy in his Bara Bara Car form.
• Given later revelations of the Gomu Gomu no Mi's Mythical Zoan nature, the Bara Bara no Mi is technically the first "true" Paramecia-type Devil Fruit introduced in the series.
• The fruit inspired the official name of baramicin, a gene found in fruit flies that encodes a protein that splits into multiple parts.