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The Color Page: Crane Game The color spread features the crew playing a crane game filled with chibi plushies — those cute, big-eyed, round-nosed map pin icons that One Piece uses for character location. Roger and Rocks have been added to the series this time around. (Rocks is adorable, by the way.) These would be … Read more
The Skypiea Homage Returns As I noted in my previous cover page analysis, the Skypiea homage is back. The Celestial Dragons hunting humans at God Valley and the hostage game at Elbaf are both callbacks to the trials Enel set in motion in Skypiea — and his plan to wipe out every islander along with … Read more
Dressrosa Arc Homage Shacky has been abducted, and the timeline has advanced to the day of the God Valley Incident. This chapter carried heavy echoes of the Law and Corazon flashback from the Dressrosa arc. Several lines from that flashback now feel like major foreshadowing for God Valley. How Rocks Dies From page one: Marlon … Read more
Roger and Shakky — Egghead Homage Timeline Before the God Valley Incident That means the God Valley Incident was only one year away… The God Valley flashback also ties into Bartholomew Kuma’s childhood, showing us how deeply the world’s history shaped key characters. In Chapter 1158 we see: This is clearly a homage to the … Read more
General Zombie Connection: Jigoro of the Wind Yamato’s cover story, Vol. 39: “He fought Kaido to protect the village, but died without leaving even a body behind.” The grave’s owner wasn’t named again this week—though by now it’s obvious. Last time, the cover showed characters arriving at a grave, most likely a homage to Shanks building … Read more
The Pirate King, His Wings — and a Queen? Absolute perfection from the lead color spread. Seeing them drawn side by side — “The Straw Hats have risen to the level of the legendary crew” — is genuinely moving. It makes sense that Luffy shares so much with Roger, since he is the future Pirate … Read more
Gunko’s True Age The current flashback places the story here in the timeline: The figure in the Flower Room who appears to be Gunko has been attending to Im since at least 50 years ago. Based on her childhood memories, she met Brook — back when he was still a royal knight — which would … Read more
The Cover Page: Paramount War Homage Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 38: “Born in the West Blue, raised in Bekou — please pay your respects at the hero’s grave.” Yamato biting into an apple in Bekou — at last. I was genuinely waiting for that pun. The hero’s grave Ochou leads Yamato to appears to … Read more
Reunion at the Paramount War Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 36: “Daimyo Kikunojo of Bekou and Boss Ochou.” A long-awaited reunion between Kikunojo and Yamato. Last chapter’s cover was Little Oars Jr. and Ace (Paramount War arc), so this week I looked at what follows from there. The memorable happy reunions in the Paramount War … Read more
A Giant Like Oars Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 36: “Delivery complete: Otama’s sedge hat to Daimyo Kawamatsuno of Hakunai!” Last chapter’s cover — Yamato throwing the sumo champion Sukune — was a homage to the Oars-gets-launched scene in Thriller Bark. Chaining off the keyword “Oars”: The cover was signaling: “The flashback of a colossal … Read more