The manga gives a different impression about Sanji and Zoro post Time-Skip

[ahill1]

I was used to the anime and got the impression Zoro was really made to be a parallel to Rayleigh mainly post the TS... but the truth is that the anime illustrated some moments that the manga simple didn't have.

Like when Zoro is the first to arrive and sees Rayleigh, who noticing his presence smiles. No such thing in the manga. It's only mentioned Zoro was the 1st to show up and then his debut is portrayed as him cutting the ship.

When the monster trio shows their progress everyone comments on Sanji's amazing speed on the water but Zoro's showing goes uncomment. In the anime Sanji was like "how did he do that?" when he cuts Haken's tentacles.

The crew all comments on Sanji's sky walk on Fishmen Island, but Zoro's showing goes without a note from them too.

So yeah, the anime seemed to add some tidbits that give Zoro a higher impression, but the manga seems to have a pretty neutral view on the aspect of Zoro developing more and assuming the post of the 2nd hand man next to Luffy.

 

[SSJ2]

Zoro does parallel Rayleigh in some ways. In Shanks' flashback we see Rayleigh disciplining he and Buggy and being the voice of reason. Zoro has also been the one to step up when in instances where a captain-like voice has been needed.

The two of them have been portrayed similarly until Wano imo.

 

[ahill1]

It's also worth noting that the manga focuses on both Zoro and Sanji when Luffy thanks Rayleigh and says he'll be the pirate king, while iirc the anime focuses on Zoro moreso. Rayleigh seems to hit up on women tho, a trait found in Sanji.

I think they're referenced more than once as the king's wings. I sometimes have the impression they are portrayed equally in this aspect. Sanji also fought alongside Luffy when he was battling the marines with Law and Kid at Sabaody, when all the Captains had their wing men, interestingly.

 

[Yoshi]

I think Zoro and Sanji both have leadership roles in the Straw Hat crew, second to Luffy of course. This is one reason why I dislike when Zoro fanboys assume Zoro is the first mate without the title actually being given to him.

 

[SSJ2]

To be fair, the only reason he doesn't have one is because the SHC are not hierarchical in structure aside from the captain. Zoro has been the one to step up when the captain was absent or when there have been problems within the crew. Sanji has mostly remained silent in those situations other than affirming whatever Zoro had said. They are both leaders of the crew in their own right. It's very similar to what we see in the Roger pirates in the flashback.