Chapter 828 Homage — Confirmed
Yamato’s Cover Page Series Vol. 34: “Blade returned to the Enma-do shrine in Hakunai — pilgrimage complete.”
The little horned characters are going to be popular. Ulti was beloved even as an enemy, so their popularity is about to explode.
Two chapters ago in Chapter 1148 “Anya,” I explained how everything from the cover page to the main story was a homage to Chapter 828. This week continues that thread.
The broccoli-haired giant on page one is symbolic. That particular hairstyle evokes the “Brocco-li Island Civil War” that Ichiji and Niji once ended — setting up the Elbaf connection.
“How Dare You Take the Children”
Brogy directing his rage at the Holy Knights, who took children hostage and threw Elbaf into chaos — this echoes the dialogue of someone on the losing side when the Germa intervened.
The Devil’s Contract — Red and Blue
Driblo, transformed into a demon by Im’s ability “Devil Contract (Ah-Qual)” into “Domination Reversal (Domi-Libersi)” —
Red-demon Brogy and blue-demon Dorry, unbound by reason and controlled by force, are like Ichiji and Niji of the Vinsmokes — engineered without emotions through bloodline factor manipulation. Their hair colors are even red and blue, matching Driblo’s epithets.
Life in Exchange
In Chapter 829, following directly from 828, Big Mom in a feeding frenzy forced her son to choose: Life (lifespan) or Treat (offering). Im’s “Devil Contract” similarly grants immortal power and strength in exchange for lifespan — another parallel to Big Mom.
Chapter 830, which followed, featured Aladdin wielding a trident. The demonized Dorry and the giant soldiers under “Domination Reversal” carried identical weapons.
And further: a trident, demonic wings and horns — those also describe Hannyabal and Sardes from Impel Down.
Speaking of Impel Down — last week covered the parallels between Buggy and Gaban.
Incidentally, the demonized Brogy’s weapon inexplicably became a double-edged axe — the same shape Buggy was wielding in the Impel Down arc.
So the weapon design links Elbaf, Whole Cake Island, and Impel Down. A confirmed self-homage across three arcs.
Composition, color, dialogue, weapons — subtle elements throughout the work linking back to past chapters. That is the essence of the self-homage analysis I advocate.
Not just “these look similar” — but: which chapter does it correspond to? Which elements are being intentionally recycled? Putting that into words is where Oda’s craft becomes visible.