Usopp

Creation and conception

In original concept art, Usopp was labeled the Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat crew. His character is based on Pinocchio, and his name references the Japanese word uso (lie) and Aesop’s Fables, particularly The Boy Who Cried Wolf. When asked what real-world nationality the Straw Hats would have, Oda replied that Usopp would be "African". Usopp has black hair, an abnormally long nose, and typically wears a dark yellow diamond-patterned kerchief, special sniper goggles, and brown coveralls with a white sash and no shirt underneath, though he wore a dark green shirt in Skypiea.

He inherited his long nose from his mother, while the rest of his face resembles his father. After the two-year timeskip, Usopp becomes much more muscular with longer hair, and dons a new hat, goggles, and headphones. His fighting style evolves around Pop Greens, rapidly growing seeds from the Boin Archipelago, which may have been inspired by original concept art featuring a male botanist. Usopp is one of the most emotionally expressive Straw Hats, often crying or getting angry under emotional stress.

Initially a compulsive liar and easily frightened, his cowardice stems from fear and insecurity, yet he can overcome his fears for the sake of friends or even strangers.

Appearances

Usopp was born to pirate Yasopp and Banchina in Syrup Village, inheriting his long nose from his mother. After his father left to serve Red-Haired Shanks and his mother died from illness, Usopp began lying about pirates and fantastical scenarios to amuse her. He befriended three children and formed the "Usopp Pirates", and also told lies to the rich heiress Kaya. When Luffy arrived in Syrup Village, Usopp befriended him upon learning Luffy knew his father through the Red-Haired Pirates.

Usopp discovered that Kaya's butler was actually pirate Kuro, plotting to assassinate her for her fortune. He warned the village but was not believed due to his lying habit, and Kaya also rejected him. Despite this, Usopp fought the Black Cat Pirates with Luffy, defeated the hypnotist Django, and prevented Kaya's assassination. He kept the incident secret, left the village, and joined Luffy's crew on the Going Merry, a ship gifted by Kaya. After demonstrating his cannon skills, Usopp became the Straw Hat Pirates' sniper.

Reception

Usopp placed among the top ten characters in the first three Shōnen Jump popularity contests, and within the top fifteen for the next four. He appears in six of the manga’s ten most emotional moments: the farewell to the Going Merry, Robin’s declaration that she wants to live, the Straw Hats’ departure from Alabasta, the Going Merry’s rescue of the crew, the story of his mother’s death, and his plea to rejoin Luffy. In a 2007 Oricon survey, fans ranked him tenth among characters they most wanted to see in a spin-off, and fifth among male respondents.

Bryce Coulter of Mania Entertainment described Usopp as a source of comic relief who can also be irritating. Sean Cubillas of Screen Rant highlighted his most powerful scene: as Sniper King, he follows Luffy’s order to burn the World Government’s flag, a moment that resonated deeply with fans. Cubillas also noted Usopp’s habit of using elaborate lies to fool enemies and fake illnesses, like the “Can’t-Get-On-This-Island-Disease,” to avoid trouble.

Christian Markle of Comic Book Resources argued that Usopp shows the strongest character growth among the Straw Hats, evolving from a coward into a reliable crewmate, and pointed out he is the only member who left the group for personal reasons before returning.