Yamato and Luffy
One of the hallmarks of Oda’s ONE PIECE is the technique of self-homage.
This blog has introduced many examples, but the most famous are the covers of Volume 1 and Volume 61.
By deliberately using the same composition, the restart of the adventure is powerfully emphasized.
I thought this technique might also be used in Yamato’s cover art series, so I looked into it —
“Yamato’s adventure is a digest of Luffy’s adventure.”
That’s the hypothesis I arrived at.
The deciding factor: the same backpack as Luffy.
This article will be updated weekly until Yamato’s cover art series concludes.
Departure
Roger was able to become Pirate King with Oden’s help.
So for Luffy to become Pirate King, someone like Oden — that is, someone like Yamato — will be needed.
It’s unthinkable that these two won’t eventually join forces.
Trouble Right After Departure
Both ran into trouble almost immediately after setting out.
The cover art series title includes the word “Oni’s Child” — traveling through Wano as Kaido’s child won’t be easy.
This also evokes Ace, Yamato’s best friend who shared a similarly difficult position.
Yamato, the child of the man who turned Wano into hell — yet also the hero who helped bring Kaido down.
Being both the family of the perpetrator and a hero at the same time is a complicated position.
How will the people of Wano receive Yamato?
It seems like a rocky road ahead.
The Captured Child is Coby
Denjiro, who spent years enduring as a spy under Orochi — and Coby, who was treated as a slave by Alvida.
Their situations overlap quite nicely.
Zoro and Coby Bonded Over a Meal
In ONE PIECE, rumors are never right. It’s better to trust what you see with your own eyes and what you feel.
This is especially true when you’re young.
The Kidnapping Prevention: Nami
I was a bit surprised this scene was chosen for the Nami digest, but compositionally it works, so let’s go with it.
Carpenter — But That’s Usopp
This homage took me some time to figure out.
But Usopp got the title ‘3rd member’ during the Enies Lobby arc, and he’s paired with Franky — so this works.
The Soba Shop: That’s Sanji
No complaints here.
So far, the digest follows the order in which the crew members joined.
Listen — Chopper
I was worried because ‘5th member’ hadn’t appeared in the title yet, but that doesn’t seem to matter.
The next one was Vivi.
Comrades Who Stayed Behind Are Training
Obviously a Vivi homage.
Vivi is the one Chopper recognized as a member after himself, so the order is right.
Robin and Gulliver
Robin’s Dressrosa arc was a homage to Gulliver’s Travels. And now, Yamato’s cover art is a homage of that homage.
The main story is in the Elbaf arc — the land of giants — which is essentially Gulliver’s Travels itself.
Chase the Stolen ○○
The pun with Otama and ‘ball’ (Otama = O-tama = ball) was a nice touch — a good analysis, if I do say so myself.
Just Bones, Like a Frame
Jinbe of Justice
Both the cover art and the main story featured ‘Jinbe of Justice’ as the theme.
With this, all of the crew member homages are done — which means the Wano arc homages, through when Jinbe officially joined the crew, are also complete?
Does the next one move on to the Egghead arc?
Otama, Grown Strong
The cover art self-homage has advanced to the Egghead arc.
I can’t predict what comes next, so I’ll just sit back and enjoy it!
Elbaf Arc Self-Homage
The Egghead arc homage wrapped up quickly, and we’ve moved into the Elbaf arc self-homage.
In a cover art series with no dialogue, what will happen to Yamato’s journey?!
Personally, I hope Yamato gathers more followers.
Specifically, I’d love to see descendants (daughters) of Ugetsu and Kazetsu appear.
Castle Gate Guardians
Honestly, this one might not be a self-homage at all.
Maybe it was just a scene to advance the original story?
Let’s wait and see.
Feline Homage
In the main story, Cerberus’ head flew off like a helicopter.
That was a self-homage to the Sasaki vs. Franky scene.
So it focuses on the battle on Onigashima.
Is this a sign that supplementary Wano arc content will be shown in the main story?
Is Yamato Starting to Gather Allies?
The silhouette captured at Who’s-Who’s hideout — that’s definitely Ulti and Page One, the sibling duo.
Just as Oden made Izou and Kikunojo, a sibling pair, his retainers, Yamato will probably make Ulti and Page One her retainers too!
She’s already brought along Otama, a kunoichi, in place of the ninja Raizo.