The One Piece Podcast – Episode 864, “Society.”

Date: April 14, 2025
Host: Zach (Maji Media)
Panelists: Steve Yerko, Stephen Paul, Delaney Jordan, Vero, Josh McKenzie
Main Theme: In-depth recap and discussion of One Piece Volume 111, SBS highlights, fandom trends, and playful social dissection of manga/anime culture.

Episode Overview

This episode features a full-length, insightful discussion on the just-released One Piece Volume 111 (“Adventure in Elbaf”), particularly its SBS (Q&A) section, volume extras, and fan culture. The panel, featuring mainstays from the One Piece fandom and translator Stephen Paul, mixes detailed manga analysis, translation insights, and humor with vibrant conversation on fandom trends, character branding, and fanfiction. The episode also includes the popular “Yaoi Thunderdome” trivia, where fan shipping statistics are hilariously dissected.

Key Discussion Points

1. Cast Introductions, News, and Fandom Banter

(01:34 – 11:20)

Introductions: Usual hosts and returning guests, especially One Piece translator Stephen Paul, are welcomed.
Casual Updates: The group jokes about age, personal anecdotes, and the One Piece Podcast’s long journey (since 2009).
Fandom News:
- The Baskin Robbins x One Piece collaboration in Japan is praised for its clever use of obscure characters in marketing, unlike typical western “put Luffy on it” collaborations.
- Discussion of how diverse and deep the character roster is for branding: “Thinking One Piece is super freaking long, and I think you could pull any character out there and they could be used for advertising the right product.” – Steve Yerko [04:15]
- Fanciful ideas for future cross-brandings (e.g., Zoro with car compasses, Pudding with Polaroids).
Running Jokes: Age comparisons with Smoker, mock battles over character “titles,” and Delaney’s “Kaiser Clown” crossover mishap.

2. Manga Recap: Volume 111 – “Adventure in Elbaf”

(12:02 – 89:13)

a. Volume Cover and Art Critique

Panel dissect Oda’s cover art for Volume 111: the Straw Hats in “Viking Power Ranger” outfits.
Josh critiques the rectangle’s composition: “This is a very superfluous rectangle. I think this rectangle is a compositional nightmare.” [14:23]
Group laments small compositional issues despite strong character art; playful banter about Oda’s layout choices.

b. SBS (Q&A) Roundup – Notable Summaries and Quotes

Structure and Nature:
- SBS is Oda’s Q&A section, a beloved feature in each volume. This time, it features playful, sometimes irreverent questions and a few heartfelt moments.
Selected SBS Highlights:
- Arlong’s Reaction to Jinbe Joining Straw Hats: Oda draws Arlong with a disgusted Whitebeard face – celebrated as “the best art Oda’s done in years.” [25:09]
- Luffy’s Vegapunk Satellites: All labeled greed/violence, “That seems bad. That’s not good.” – Oda [26:05]
- Cross Guild’s Business Model: Oda reveals Cross Guild’s bounties are funded by the criminal underworld and betting pools, not just by the primary trio. [28:00]
- Zoan Awakening Clarification: The infamous Jailor Beasts in Impel Down “were humans who had their humanity basically consumed by the fruit.” [39:55]
- Speech Bubble Design: Oda explains he moved away from vertical dialogue bubbles to aid global translation in horizontal scripts – Steven Paul’s translation featured in the Japanese reprint: “My writing is there in the Japanese volume. That was pretty cool.” – Stephen Paul [38:14]
Oda’s Humor and Underlying Wisdom:
- On the “noble opener” (Celestial Dragon’s banana-like hair): “Maybe I should open you guys’ heads, see how you like that.” – Oda (via Stephen Paul) [50:22]
- Re current society/Joker meme: “Society,” Oda responds to a schoolkid who did Sanji’s Diable Jambe and got ignored [64:43].
Fandom Lore Nuggets:
- Blue Planet: Oda finally reveals the planet’s canonical name: “The Blue Planet.” Surprising the panel. [44:23]
- Artificial Devil Fruits: They do not reincarnate when the user dies – “It’s just gone.” [46:49]
- Hanafuda’s (Edge Master’s) Legacy: Revealed as Ulti and Page One’s father. “He was so enamored of Kaido’s strength…willing to send his own children.” [61:34]

c. Q&A About Translation and Localization

Workflow: Stephen Paul discusses his process for updating and correcting the manga’s translation between digital release and finalized print edition. [94:22–96:57]

d. Usopp Gallery & Volume Easter Eggs

Panel highlights creative “fanart” submissions (Whoopslap as fashion icon, yaoi-coded Crocodile with banana dials, Blackbeard pirates in Straw Hat poses).

3. Fandom Engagement: Social Trends and Meta Commentary

(89:13 – 101:13)

Fanfiction and Ship Stats: Discussion on the surprising popularity of certain character pairings, and on how shipping patterns have changed with new arcs and media.
Audience Questions:
- “Have you ever cried over a manga panel?” Panelists cite classic heartbreaking moments (Robin and Chopper flashbacks) and recognize how Eiichiro Oda’s storytelling is uniquely moving. [101:11]

4. Yaoi Thunderdome: Shipping Trivia Showdown

(111:31 – 136:53)

Format

Teams: The “Tops” (Delaney, Zach, Stephen) vs. “Power Bottoms”/“Mature Alphas” (Josh, Steve)
Vero presents ship pairings and teams guess which is more popular on AO3/fanfiction sites, often to surprising results.

Memorable Matchups and Commentary

Frobin (Franky/Robin) vs. Ace/Sanji: Frobin wins, but Ace/Sanji is a strong contender (500+ fics). [114:40]
Yamato/Ace vs. Kaya/Usopp: The latter wins, to everyone’s shock. “Who is writing Kaya Usopp fic?” – Josh [119:05]
Audience-Disjointed Ships:
- Zoro/Tashigi (classic, wins) vs. Nami/Tashigi (“Lesbians, I need us to get it together.” – Vero)
- Zoro with all three Vinsmoke brothers vs. Nami/Reiju (the girls’ ship wins, highlighting fan preferences).
- Cross Guild vs. Buggy/Reader: The “Buggy thirst” is real; “People have always wanted to f*** clowns.” – Vero [128:30]
- Shanks/Mihawk vs. Ace/Marco: Ace/Marco dominates.
- Garp/Sengoku vs. Boa/Luffy: “Old Man Yaoi” gets a nod but canon’s canon wins; Boa/Luffy is more popular.
Panel Playfulness: The trivia is filled with sexual innuendo, fan community self-mockery, and camaraderie:
“You're the king of the yaoi.” – Vero to the winning team [136:08]

Notable Quotes & Funniest Moments

“Society,” Oda, in response to a child shunned for quoting Sanji [64:43]
“Secondhand smoke is a myth.” – Steve Yerko, on marketing Smoker with ice cream [05:51]
“This rectangle is a compositional nightmare.” – Josh McKenzie, on Oda’s cover art [14:23]
“Let’s get rid of those Charmin Bears. Just hire Wiper from, you know, Shandora.” – Steve Yerko [09:02]
“He uses a body sponge with a handle to brush his teeth. And he just grows new ones weekly.” – Oda, on Jinbe’s dental hygiene [70:07]
“Society is a great aunt. That’s good humor.” – Zach, on Oda’s meme-worthy answer [65:04]
“People have always wanted to f*** clowns.” – Vero, on why Buggy/Reader is so popular [128:30]
“Old man yaoi is having a real resurgence.” – Zach, on Garp/Sengoku ship stats [132:00]
“You're the king of the yaoi.” – Vero, after trivia [136:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

01:34: Episode and panel introductions, early jokes
04:04: News: Baskin Robbins collab and branding chat
12:02: Manga Recap and cover discussion (start of Volume 111)
20:00: SBS section – Eagle insignia, Oda’s author comment
29:15: Cross Guild bounties and economics
38:14: Manga translation/lettering process, dialogue bubble design
44:23: Lore: “Blue Planet” revealed
61:34: Hanafuda’s backstory as Edge Master and parent of Ulti/Page One
64:43: “Society” meme, Oda's reply to a fan
94:22: Stephen Paul on correcting digital to print editions
111:31: Yaoi Thunderdome – Fandom ship trivia begins
128:30: “People have always wanted to f*** clowns.” – Peak Buggy discourse
136:08: Yaoi Thunderdome winners crowned

Tone and Style

Language: Equal mix of technical, insightful One Piece discussion and chaotic, youthful, queer-coded banter.
Energy: High; quick wit, overlapping anecdotes, pop culture references, running inside jokes.
Audience: Tailored to long-time, spoiler-safe One Piece fans and fandom historians, but welcoming to casual listeners interested in manga/anime culture.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This ep is both densely informative and riotously entertaining, taking listeners behind the curtain on official translation work, authorial intent, and the intricate web of fan culture. While serious manga insights are delivered (especially about Oda’s process and lore tidbits), the episode shines by celebrating why the One Piece fandom is unique: its humor, self-awareness, diversity, and sheer imaginative force.

If you follow the manga, you'll get deep-dive reflections on Volume 111's themes, SBS, and art.
If you're a fandom participant or shipper, the Yaoi Thunderdome trivia will have you howling.

Don’t miss:

Personal translation and editing anecdotes from Stephen Paul
The infamous “Society” meme as immortalized by Oda
Genuine reflection on fan culture, character branding, and the experience of being perpetually online

For full details, exact timestamps, and all the funniest inside jokes, listen to the entire episode!

The One Piece Podcast – Episode 864, “Society.”

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Cast Introductions, News, and Fandom Banter

(01:34 – 11:20)

Introductions: Usual hosts and returning guests, especially One Piece translator Stephen Paul, are welcomed.
Casual Updates: The group jokes about age, personal anecdotes, and the One Piece Podcast’s long journey (since 2009).
Fandom News:
- The Baskin Robbins x One Piece collaboration in Japan is praised for its clever use of obscure characters in marketing, unlike typical western “put Luffy on it” collaborations.
- Discussion of how diverse and deep the character roster is for branding: “Thinking One Piece is super freaking long, and I think you could pull any character out there and they could be used for advertising the right product.” – Steve Yerko [04:15]
- Fanciful ideas for future cross-brandings (e.g., Zoro with car compasses, Pudding with Polaroids).
Running Jokes: Age comparisons with Smoker, mock battles over character “titles,” and Delaney’s “Kaiser Clown” crossover mishap.

2. Manga Recap: Volume 111 – “Adventure in Elbaf”

(12:02 – 89:13)

a. Volume Cover and Art Critique

Panel dissect Oda’s cover art for Volume 111: the Straw Hats in “Viking Power Ranger” outfits.
Josh critiques the rectangle’s composition: “This is a very superfluous rectangle. I think this rectangle is a compositional nightmare.” [14:23]
Group laments small compositional issues despite strong character art; playful banter about Oda’s layout choices.

b. SBS (Q&A) Roundup – Notable Summaries and Quotes

Structure and Nature:
- SBS is Oda’s Q&A section, a beloved feature in each volume. This time, it features playful, sometimes irreverent questions and a few heartfelt moments.
Selected SBS Highlights:
- Arlong’s Reaction to Jinbe Joining Straw Hats: Oda draws Arlong with a disgusted Whitebeard face – celebrated as “the best art Oda’s done in years.” [25:09]
- Luffy’s Vegapunk Satellites: All labeled greed/violence, “That seems bad. That’s not good.” – Oda [26:05]
- Cross Guild’s Business Model: Oda reveals Cross Guild’s bounties are funded by the criminal underworld and betting pools, not just by the primary trio. [28:00]
- Zoan Awakening Clarification: The infamous Jailor Beasts in Impel Down “were humans who had their humanity basically consumed by the fruit.” [39:55]
- Speech Bubble Design: Oda explains he moved away from vertical dialogue bubbles to aid global translation in horizontal scripts – Steven Paul’s translation featured in the Japanese reprint: “My writing is there in the Japanese volume. That was pretty cool.” – Stephen Paul [38:14]
Oda’s Humor and Underlying Wisdom:
- On the “noble opener” (Celestial Dragon’s banana-like hair): “Maybe I should open you guys’ heads, see how you like that.” – Oda (via Stephen Paul) [50:22]
- Re current society/Joker meme: “Society,” Oda responds to a schoolkid who did Sanji’s Diable Jambe and got ignored [64:43].
Fandom Lore Nuggets:
- Blue Planet: Oda finally reveals the planet’s canonical name: “The Blue Planet.” Surprising the panel. [44:23]
- Artificial Devil Fruits: They do not reincarnate when the user dies – “It’s just gone.” [46:49]
- Hanafuda’s (Edge Master’s) Legacy: Revealed as Ulti and Page One’s father. “He was so enamored of Kaido’s strength…willing to send his own children.” [61:34]

c. Q&A About Translation and Localization

Workflow: Stephen Paul discusses his process for updating and correcting the manga’s translation between digital release and finalized print edition. [94:22–96:57]

d. Usopp Gallery & Volume Easter Eggs

Panel highlights creative “fanart” submissions (Whoopslap as fashion icon, yaoi-coded Crocodile with banana dials, Blackbeard pirates in Straw Hat poses).

3. Fandom Engagement: Social Trends and Meta Commentary

(89:13 – 101:13)

Fanfiction and Ship Stats: Discussion on the surprising popularity of certain character pairings, and on how shipping patterns have changed with new arcs and media.
Audience Questions:
- “Have you ever cried over a manga panel?” Panelists cite classic heartbreaking moments (Robin and Chopper flashbacks) and recognize how Eiichiro Oda’s storytelling is uniquely moving. [101:11]

4. Yaoi Thunderdome: Shipping Trivia Showdown

(111:31 – 136:53)

Format

Teams: The “Tops” (Delaney, Zach, Stephen) vs. “Power Bottoms”/“Mature Alphas” (Josh, Steve)
Vero presents ship pairings and teams guess which is more popular on AO3/fanfiction sites, often to surprising results.

Memorable Matchups and Commentary

Frobin (Franky/Robin) vs. Ace/Sanji: Frobin wins, but Ace/Sanji is a strong contender (500+ fics). [114:40]
Yamato/Ace vs. Kaya/Usopp: The latter wins, to everyone’s shock. “Who is writing Kaya Usopp fic?” – Josh [119:05]
Audience-Disjointed Ships:
- Zoro/Tashigi (classic, wins) vs. Nami/Tashigi (“Lesbians, I need us to get it together.” – Vero)
- Zoro with all three Vinsmoke brothers vs. Nami/Reiju (the girls’ ship wins, highlighting fan preferences).
- Cross Guild vs. Buggy/Reader: The “Buggy thirst” is real; “People have always wanted to f*** clowns.” – Vero [128:30]
- Shanks/Mihawk vs. Ace/Marco: Ace/Marco dominates.
- Garp/Sengoku vs. Boa/Luffy: “Old Man Yaoi” gets a nod but canon’s canon wins; Boa/Luffy is more popular.
Panel Playfulness: The trivia is filled with sexual innuendo, fan community self-mockery, and camaraderie:
“You're the king of the yaoi.” – Vero to the winning team [136:08]

Notable Quotes & Funniest Moments

“Society,” Oda, in response to a child shunned for quoting Sanji [64:43]
“Secondhand smoke is a myth.” – Steve Yerko, on marketing Smoker with ice cream [05:51]
“This rectangle is a compositional nightmare.” – Josh McKenzie, on Oda’s cover art [14:23]
“Let’s get rid of those Charmin Bears. Just hire Wiper from, you know, Shandora.” – Steve Yerko [09:02]
“He uses a body sponge with a handle to brush his teeth. And he just grows new ones weekly.” – Oda, on Jinbe’s dental hygiene [70:07]
“Society is a great aunt. That’s good humor.” – Zach, on Oda’s meme-worthy answer [65:04]
“People have always wanted to f*** clowns.” – Vero, on why Buggy/Reader is so popular [128:30]
“Old man yaoi is having a real resurgence.” – Zach, on Garp/Sengoku ship stats [132:00]
“You're the king of the yaoi.” – Vero, after trivia [136:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

01:34: Episode and panel introductions, early jokes
04:04: News: Baskin Robbins collab and branding chat
12:02: Manga Recap and cover discussion (start of Volume 111)
20:00: SBS section – Eagle insignia, Oda’s author comment
29:15: Cross Guild bounties and economics
38:14: Manga translation/lettering process, dialogue bubble design
44:23: Lore: “Blue Planet” revealed
61:34: Hanafuda’s backstory as Edge Master and parent of Ulti/Page One
64:43: “Society” meme, Oda's reply to a fan
94:22: Stephen Paul on correcting digital to print editions
111:31: Yaoi Thunderdome – Fandom ship trivia begins
128:30: “People have always wanted to f*** clowns.” – Peak Buggy discourse
136:08: Yaoi Thunderdome winners crowned

Tone and Style

Language: Equal mix of technical, insightful One Piece discussion and chaotic, youthful, queer-coded banter.
Energy: High; quick wit, overlapping anecdotes, pop culture references, running inside jokes.
Audience: Tailored to long-time, spoiler-safe One Piece fans and fandom historians, but welcoming to casual listeners interested in manga/anime culture.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you follow the manga, you'll get deep-dive reflections on Volume 111's themes, SBS, and art.
If you're a fandom participant or shipper, the Yaoi Thunderdome trivia will have you howling.

Don’t miss:

Personal translation and editing anecdotes from Stephen Paul
The infamous “Society” meme as immortalized by Oda
Genuine reflection on fan culture, character branding, and the experience of being perpetually online

For full details, exact timestamps, and all the funniest inside jokes, listen to the entire episode!

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Episode 864, “society.”

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Summary

The One Piece Podcast – Episode 864, “Society.”

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Cast Introductions, News, and Fandom Banter

2. Manga Recap: Volume 111 – “Adventure in Elbaf”

a. Volume Cover and Art Critique

b. SBS (Q&A) Roundup – Notable Summaries and Quotes

c. Q&A About Translation and Localization

d. Usopp Gallery & Volume Easter Eggs

3. Fandom Engagement: Social Trends and Meta Commentary

4. Yaoi Thunderdome: Shipping Trivia Showdown

Format

Memorable Matchups and Commentary

Notable Quotes & Funniest Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone and Style

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

Summary

The One Piece Podcast – Episode 864, “Society.”

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Cast Introductions, News, and Fandom Banter

2. Manga Recap: Volume 111 – “Adventure in Elbaf”

a. Volume Cover and Art Critique

b. SBS (Q&A) Roundup – Notable Summaries and Quotes

c. Q&A About Translation and Localization

d. Usopp Gallery & Volume Easter Eggs

3. Fandom Engagement: Social Trends and Meta Commentary

4. Yaoi Thunderdome: Shipping Trivia Showdown

Format

Memorable Matchups and Commentary

Notable Quotes & Funniest Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone and Style

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode