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Tears of Frustration Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 27: “Tears of frustration won’t stop.” Ulti, her beloved Page One taken hostage and her strength stripped away by Seastone, forced to simply watch as they threaten to kill him… This situation and line belong to Robin — from a specific moment in the past. That means … Read more
The Darts on the Cover Page Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 26: Ulti — “If anything happens to Petan, I’ll hunt you down to the ends of hell.” The silhouettes from last week were indeed Ulti and Page One. Just as Oden had Izou and Kikunojo by his side, will Yamato save this sibling duo … Read more
Yamato Begins to Become Oden Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 25: “Two defiant ones being taken away.” With Who’s Who’s reappearance, self-homages to Onigashima are multiplying in both the cover page and main story. The cover page from the chapter where Who’s Who first spoke Nika’s name is the key to interpreting this week’s silhouette. … Read more
The Feline Café Recreated Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 24: “It was Who’s Who’s hideout!” Inside were remnants of the Feline Café from the fourth floor of Onigashima Castle. The hideout even recreated the torii gate with the “Cat” sign — and there was Kouzaburou’s stolen sword and the kidnapped daughters. Does that make the … Read more
The Black Cat Pirates? Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 23: “Breaking into a suspicious hideout!” Yamato’s Cover Page Series is a digest of Luffy’s adventures. Last time was a self-homage to the scene where Loki and Luffy met. So this time it must depict what follows — perhaps a homage to the scene where Gunco … Read more
Nika, Who’s Who, and Loki Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 22: “A mysterious hideout deep in Udon.” Yamato’s Cover Page Series is a digest of Luffy’s adventures. Last time was a self-homage to the Egghead arc; this time looks like an Elbaf arc self-homage. The castle in the cover page is clearly Who’s Who’s symbol. … Read more
Otama Got Strong in No Time Yamato’s Cover Story Vol.21: “I’m Different From Who I Was Back Then!!” Last time, both the cover and chapter were rich with symbolism around Jinbe — the man who saved Luffy on Whole Cake Island, returned the sake cup to Big Mom, pledged his loyalty in Wano, and officially … Read more
Is This a Foreshadowing of Franky’s Power-Up?! Yamato’s Cover Story Vol.22: The star is Franky!! This cover page coincides with the announcement of the new voice actor for Franky in the One Piece anime. …or so it seems — but I actually think this is a genuine foreshadowing of Franky powering up to a flying … Read more
Jinbe, Knight of the Sea Yamato’s Cover Story Vol.20: “Raid on Holdem! Leave Everything Behind!!” Just as I predicted, this was a Jinbe homage — the crew member who joined after Brook. The composition references this scene below. This is the scene where Jinbe defeats Opera, rescues Luffy, and makes his first overt act of … Read more
Soul King’s Concert Composition Yamato’s Cover Story Vol.19: “Udon Prison Being Rebuilt at the Mine” Just as I predicted, this was a Brook homage — the crew member who joined after Franky. The composition references the scene below. “Bone!” “Yes! Bone-voyage — get it?!” Mapping that onto this week’s cover: the “skeleton framework” of Udon … Read more