@Crossword:
I was thinking of something. If you pay attention, you'll notice that whenever Zoro fought in the East Blue Saga (save against Mihawk), he was rather impassive, bored, or just annoyed. After the Baroque Works Saga began, he started to exhibit his crazed psycho grin during fights, even against fodder, and became fairly bloodthirsty at times, all the way to the present. What brought about this change in behavior?
Well, there are two things that I thought of. The first possibility is his aquiring Sandai Kitetsu in Loguetown. It was stated to be a cursed and bloodthirsty sword, and it's possible that its nature has been rubbing off on him ever since.
The second is that his meeting Tashigi in Loguetown made something inside him subconsciously break. He's quite an introvert in the present day, but in his flashback we saw how torn up Kunia's death got him. He had probably tried to bury most of his grief in an attempt to forget it, and with meeting Tashigi, it all came back, so he's been subconsciously channeling his frustration and grief into his swordplay ever since, resulting in his more aggressive comabt behavior ever since.
I really like the first possibility! As we know Oda, he really loves to put care in such little details. The sword itself was the center of a really awesome scene in the weapon-shop. And all swords are known to have a certain "spirit", so it sounds quite possible.
@igetownd:
It's Aikido. Unlike Jujutsu and Judo, Aikido requires very little strength to throw opponents. The art uses the enemy's power against himself.
Nice infos there! You train one of those styles?
Talking about Asian-fighting techniques: Boa Hancock will fight with Kung Fu Snake style, cause I'm a sucker for puns.
Thinking about it, she's the only shichibukai, that I absolutely can't imagine in a tough pysical battle.
You know, with her silky robes and golden earrings… Curious what Oda will pull with that one.