The One Piece Podcast – Episode 863
Title: “All Firefighters! All Sports!”
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Hosts: Zach, Ed
Guests: Stephen Paul (Translator), Dr. Raylene Gomez ("Doctor of One Piece"), Steve Yurko, Kirsten Carey, Sam
Episode Overview
This lively episode marks the triumphant return of the One Piece anime from its six-month hiatus, deep-diving into both the latest manga chapter (1145) and the new developments in the anime. The team unpacks the new opening and ending themes, muses about the evolving landscape of fandom, and delivers classic, heartfelt banter sprinkled with humor and personal anecdotes. Special guest Dr. Raylene Gomez brings academic insight and fan energy, while the crew looks at the many faces of Elbaf—giants, sports, firefighters, and card games. The manga recap covers a chapter brimming with comedy, teamwork, and essential lore, as Elbaf’s flames ignite action and set the stage for a possible deep-dive into Rocks’ mysterious past.
Main Discussion & Key Points
1. Catch-Up with Dr. Raylene Gomez
--[02:09]
- Dr. Gomez updates everyone on personal and professional projects: conventions (C2E2, Anime Expo), teaching manga in higher education, and encouraging students to get into One Piece (“I got 25 students up to date in six months… their grades may be slipping, but they’re caught up!”).
“All my students love One Piece. This is a very proud accomplishment of mine…” – Dr. Gomez [03:24]
- Reflection on balancing various anime/manga interests and how One Piece sets the benchmark.
“I keep comparing stuff to One Piece standards, and that is, I think, what’s making it hard.” – Dr. Gomez [04:27]
2. Anime News: The Return!
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- The anime is back after a long hiatus, debuting new opening (“Angel and Devil” by Green Boys) and ending themes (“The One” by Muke).
- The new opening is praised for its visuals—heavy focus on Kuma & Bonney’s story, foreboding visuals of Saturn, and slick animation.
“It is very clearly foretelling the story of Kuma and Bonney… just throwing a lot of visual images and metaphors at you.” – Stephen Paul [07:21; 09:56]
“There’s one where Bonney is standing and… Saturn’s eye is just looming over her, and it’s beautiful.” – Dr. Gomez [09:40] - Day-and-date English lyrics now posted on YouTube; lyrics praised for their emotional resonance.
- Subjects shift to “dad rock” and musical styles:
“They’re very Mr. Children-esque, in my opinion.” – Zach [09:06]
- Structure change: Anime now airs at 11:15pm, no longer on Dream 9 block.
3. Jump Cover & Endings Talk
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- Luffy headlines the new Jump cover on an old-school TV (“Radiation King”) with wood paneling—a nod to nostalgia and anime’s new slot.
“It feels almost Toriyama-esque, that TV.” – Zach [12:00]
- Discussion on the new ending theme: first episode aired it over black/credits, thematic alignment with Bonney, possible foreshadowing for more character-centric endings.
4. Anime Spin-Off & Canon Conversation
--[16:14]
- "One Piece in Love: Koizuru" gets a web anime—four vertical shorts on YouTube/TikTok/Instagram.
- Oda provides a doodle assuring fans it’s an official spin-off, but the hosts clarify “official” ≠ “canon,” referencing the many layers of what constitutes “canon” in One Piece lore.
5. Card Game Phenomenon & Merch
--[20:14]
- One Piece card game’s popularity explodes: card promos announced, major displays in Japanese grocery stores in the US.
“The fact that they're able to have that kind of stuff is so cool… Any time I see One Piece in that kind of ubiquity, it blows my mind.” – Zach [22:12]
- Dr. Gomez offers expertise, hinting at a future deep dive episode on the card game.
6. Manga Recap: Chapter 1145 — ‘Wildfire in Forest Sector 2 Branch Route 8’
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a. Color Spread & Cover Story
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Celebratory cover spread by animator Midori Matsuda; straw hats depicted as a family around the TV, gently ribbing each other about late-night anime watching.
“This is actually teaching the children how to have a good time with their friends…” – Dr. Gomez [26:56]
“Drinking what has to be alcohol.” – Zach [27:10]; “That’s definitely apple juice!” – Dr. Gomez [27:14] -
Yamato's Golden Harvest pilgrimage continues (Vol. 30): hints at cover story links with prior week.
b. On Elbaf: Giant Teamwork & Classic Gags
- Zoro & Sanji reprise their classic ‘Arme de L’Air’ tag team move to slay a massive Strong World Grogisaurus, leading to comedy about eating giant dino meat.
“This looks like good eating!” – Zoro/Sanji [37:38]
“I've never seen such a graceful, soaring broccoli!” – Sanji [43:32] - Goldberg’s talking shield “Nash” turns out to be a homie, created during Elbaf’s expedition to battle Big Mom. Differences between One Piece’s “homies” (Big Mom’s soul-infused objects) and others like Sugar’s toys debated.
c. Lore Drop: Rocks & Loki’s Past
- Loki recounts his childhood dream of joining the pirates, leading to a flashback confrontation with heavily shaded “Rocks” (almost certainly Rocks D. Xebec).
“I didn’t come here to meet a whelp like you.” – [52:27]
- Speculation abounds about a future Rocks flashback, his role in One Piece history (“He's fine stabbing some kid…” – Zach [90:44]).
d. River of Comedy: Feeding Loki
- Luffy’s attempted “care” for Loki leads to classic slapstick: burning meat, spilling scalding soup, roasting the giant’s face.
“You’re burning me! Are you trying to kill me?” – Loki [45:08–46:51]
“Jeez, so fussy. I could eat in any position, anytime…” – Luffy [46:51]
e. Elbaf Under Threat: Fire, Children, & Firefighters
- Wildfire rages in Forest Sector 2; Straw Hats, Giants, and Elbaf’s firefighter team try to save sleepwalking kids lured by the villains (Holy Nights’ Summers & Gunko).
- Jimbei’s heroism with “sea clouds” extinguishing the fire wins the admiration of all—Chopper, Robin, and especially Colin, who learns a lesson about true friendship.
f. On Upcoming Battles
- Chapter ends on the arrival of Gunko (villainess), setting up a potential Nami vs. Gunko confrontation and a running gag about “panties,” referencing Brook’s famous jokes.
“Girl, put on some pants.” – Ed [72:37]
7. Anime Recap: Episodes 1123–1124
--[94:12]
- Sam and Steve Yurko unpack the new anime episodes’ structure: new cold opens with minimalist logo, recap via News Coos, and scenes tying all corners of the world to Egghead.
- Immediate reactions to:
- New opening: praised for Bonnie/Kuma focus, music, visual storytelling.
- Ending: “Elevated shonen” vibes, serious art style, rich symbolism.
- Controversy over Sanji's “heart eyes” for Bonnie in the anime, dissected and ultimately dismissed.
“In the context of this scene, it’s Sanji being chivalrous to a lady. How is it any different than what Sanji’s ever done?” – Steve Yurko [115:29]
8. Piece Together: Q&A, Theories, and Games
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- Hopes for a Nami vs. Gunko fight, excitement for further Brooke–Gunko interactions.
- Homie hierarchy (who is the “most exalted homie”); more “mehmeh/meh” jokes (“most exalted homie”).
- Trivia game: episode-closing rapid-fire round based on ages, heights, and introduction volumes of obscure One Piece characters.
“Go Jimbei! Shlomo Elbaf Incorporated.” – Zach [83:17]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On One Piece’s everlasting appeal:
“I just finished Solo Leveling… but I was like, it’s not One Piece level.” – Dr. Gomez [04:27]
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On the new opening:
“If I had my eyes closed and no context, I’d have thought it was Mr. Children.” – Zach [09:12]
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On feeding Loki:
“Started burning his skin… Are you trying to kill me?” – Loki [45:08]
“You sound good to me already.” – Luffy [45:59]
“Jeez, so fussy. I could eat in any position, anytime you name it!” – Luffy [46:51] -
On lore speculation:
“Who else could it be?” (re: Rocks) – Dr. Gomez [54:09]
“I want to see a reveal of the face… the whole look.” – Dr. Gomez [78:54]
“He’s fine stabbing some kid or doing whatever with a knife to do this to Loki.” – Zach [90:44] -
On fandom & the card game:
“Anytime I see One Piece in that kind of ubiquity, it blows my mind.” – Zach [22:12]
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On fan drama:
“What a weird thing, why do we got to get so defensive about fandom?” – Steve Yurko [114:39]
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On Jimbei’s impact:
“It’s good that the children are safe… Jimbei is cool, and everybody recognizes this. You love to see that.” – Ed [73:44]
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On Gunko:
“Girl, put on some pants.” – Ed [72:37]
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On Elbaf, Giants, and Sports:
“All firefighters, all sports!” – The episode’s running joke/title, riffing on Elbaf’s themes and hosts’ interests [70:16; 70:22]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:09 – Dr. Gomez intro & life update
- 07:02 – Anime returns, recap of new opening/ending
- 12:16 – Jump cover & endings discussion
- 16:14 – “One Piece in Love” anime spin-off; canon discourse
- 20:14 – Card game news, merchandise chat
- 23:31 – Manga recap: Chapter 1145
- 26:02 – Color spread analysis
- 37:38 – Action: Zoro/Sanji teamwork
- 52:27 – Loki/rocks lore flashback
- 45:08 – Luffy tortures Loki with food/comedy
- 59:00 – Sports references, Elbaf culture
- 65:30 – Jimbei saves the children
- 72:37 – Gunko appears, setup for next fight
- 94:12 – Anime recap: Episodes 1123/24
- 137:28 – Piece Together: Q&A, trivia game
- 155:12 – Steve’s trivia/lore fun
- 196:55 – Wrap-up, plugs, and next episode preview
Final Thoughts
The episode characteristically blends deep lore speculation with good-humored friendship, nostalgia for One Piece’s history, and infectious excitement for its present and future. With a new anime era, tantalizing hints at Rocks’ backstory, and classic community games, episode 863 keeps the One Piece fandom this side of the Red Line—always eager, never jaded.
Tune in next week for either manga break banter or possibly a deep dive into One Piece’s recent volume.