The One Piece Podcast

Episode 887: “Something Fishy About That Burger”

Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Zach Logan (Maji Media)
Guests: Steve Yurko, Sam Leach, Steven Paul

Episode Overview

This week’s episode, “Something Fishy About That Burger,” reflects a rare break in the usual One Piece manga and anime recaps due to the manga’s unexpected hiatus. The hosts, joined by One Piece translator Steven Paul, discuss the circumstances around the break, recap current One Piece news, discuss the global emergence of the Straw Hat flag as a protest symbol, and provide a deep dive “double anime recap” for episodes 1144 and 1145. The episode features a lively blend of analysis, humor, and in-depth fandom conversation.

Main Discussion Topics & Key Insights

1. Oda’s Break and the “Fish Burger” Incident (00:53 – 05:09)

• The episode opens with the surprising Oda author comment about loving fish burgers, leading to speculation—and amusement—over whether “eating too many fish burgers” led to the series’ break.

  • Steven Paul: “Boy, I just love eating these fish burgers. Nothing bad can happen when I eat so many fish burgers.” (03:03)
  • Lighthearted jokes about parasites and food poisoning are exchanged, referencing Futurama.

• Reality sets in: despite indications, there is no new manga chapter this week due to Oda feeling unwell, though he is reportedly already on the mend and a return is expected next week.

• Steven gives background on Oda’s production schedule, debunking long-held fandom notions:

  • “It’s much closer to the wire than people think… the scheduling is dramatically different now.” (04:43)

2. Manga & Content Talk: Akane-banashi and Magazine News (05:09 – 10:33)

• With no One Piece manga, the team debates recapping Akane-banashi, but note that it usually doesn’t provide enough material for a full podcast.

  • “What am I pontificating on? Just like, 'this was really cool…’” (05:45, Zach)

• Discussion moves to the latest One Piece Magazine (just released in Japan), revealing Oda’s rare interview and the fact that the artists for Akane-banashi and Ichi the Witch were formerly Oda assistants.

  • Steven Paul: “That’s a big deal. I had not known before that the Akane artist worked with Oda.” (09:12)

3. Anime Recap & Episode Schedule Update (06:14 – 10:11)

• Double anime recap planned for Episodes 1144 & 1145, just as the anime goes on a two-week break.
• Break includes a recap/special episode and a proper day off (cause unknown).
• Speculation over production pacing: possibly to give the team more time to finish the arc, which is “uncharacteristic, but good.” (07:51, Zach & Sam)

4. The Straw Hat Flag as a Global Protest Symbol (10:33 – 22:14)

• In-depth discussion of the unexpected rise of the Straw Hat/Jolly Roger as a protest icon worldwide (Indonesia, Nepal, Morocco, Madagascar, Peru, France, Italy, Palestine, Philippines, more).

  • “It’s being used as a symbol of protest, particularly against kleptocratic regimes…social progression... front and center in so many countries.” (10:59, Zach)

• Steven voices concern: how will Shueisha (One Piece publisher) react to their IP in a political spotlight?

  • “I do worry… what does Shueisha think about this? They’re still a business… It would be a shame if something that arose out of love for the series actually had a negative effect on the thing that we love.” (13:35)

• Comparisons to other franchises used in protest (Star Wars, Hunger Games):

  • “When you go to a protest, you see Star Wars stuff… One Piece is kind of more unusual: it’s Japanese, not a Hollywood movie… but it’s this level of ubiquity.” (16:11, Zach)

• Sam: “It feels like the kind of thing that One Piece was meant to influence… must be interesting for the author to see your image at real world events.” (19:39)

Anime Recap: Episodes 1144–1145 (23:00 – 68:58)

(Lead: Sam Leach & Steve Yurko, with Zach and Steven Paul)

Episode 1144 – “The Worst Nightmare: The Five Elders Come Together”

• Highlights:
  • Epic arrival of the Five Elders in their monstrous Mythical Zoan forms (sandworm, skeleton horse, boar, bird, and gyuki).
    • “The scale of these guys… this kind of otherworldliness… they’re more colorful, more cartoony than you’d imagine, which adds to their out-of-body, otherworldliness.” (32:10, Sam)
  • Emphasis on wild, “camera-flying” animation and continuous shots, especially Luffy weaving between the elders as destruction rains.
    • Steve: “Animating walking, especially… bird legs… that was [tough].” (28:39)
  • Saturn uses psychic attacks to pin Luffy; Jupiter the sandworm tries to swallow him.
  • Dorry and Brogy arrive, tag-team attack Jupiter, free Luffy in a callback to their Little Garden team-up.
  • Lucci vs Zoro dynamic fight, which includes anime-original comedic moments (e.g., Zoro’s sword flying in the air, “crayon style” sequences).
  • “This is going to be the modern Goku and Frieza Namek blowing up… Seven minutes in anime time, 40 minutes in real time.” (27:22, Steve)

Episode 1145 – “Friends Fight Together! Luffy and the Warriors of Elbaf”

• More giant action as Dorry and Brogy shield Luffy, and Warcury’s horn-attack causes wacky effects (including Luffy’s face/body parts blown off “like Mr. Potato Head”).

  • “It’s the most Looney Tunes [Gear 5] has ever been in the anime.” (57:50, Steve)

• Dynamic backgrounds, stylized comedy, and slapstick fight choreography (Luffy slingshots out of monster mouths, “baseball bat” gags).

  • “Luffy grabbing a palm tree, cartooning it into a bat…it’s just taking a long time making a show out of deflecting bullets.” (56:55, Sam)

• Five Elders recover/regenerate from damage, Jinbe carries Zoro away, Lucci’s brief “noble” moment asking Mars to rescue Kaku.

• Punk Records barrier under attack, ominous scene as the Iron Giant wakes (“Sorry, Joy Boy. Dun, dun, dun. To be continued.” (61:41))

General Reflections on the Episodes:

• Both recappers praise the animation and creative direction, particularly Vincent Chansard’s ambitious “camera” work.
  • “Just super ambitious… continuous shots… handled Gear 5 Luffy better this time, zany backgrounds, laser light show. It was a lot of fun.” (62:27, Steve)
• Noted the demanding cluster of overlapping action scenes, unique monster designs, and the promise that the series is delivering on the surreal and chaotic “Egghead” climax.
  • “A barrage of overlapping action scenes pulling your attention in different directions—exactly what I was excited for.” (67:23, Sam)

Piece Together (Listener Q&A and Theories) (71:19 – 126:20)

Highlights:

• Who is the final villain: Blackbeard or Imu?
  • Panel: General consensus is that Imu (and the World Government power structure) is the “big bad,” with Blackbeard as the final “pirate” rival, but it could be both.
  • “Emu feels like the antithesis to pirates… Luffy and Blackbeard at least are on the same axis of freedom, Emu is the opposite.” (72:27, Steven Paul)
• The Straw Hat flag’s political legacy and its impact, continuing manga themes about freedom vs. authoritarian destiny.
  • Notable theory about Blackbeard inheriting trauma and destiny narratives from Rocks, contrasting Luffy’s self-made freedom.
  • “You are free, no matter where you come from.” (91:34, ReverseEyepatch listener theory)
• Will Garp and Dragon interact in the flashback or final war?
  • Speculation on the rift between them, with Steven: “Dragon is following the model of Garp’s actual justice so deeply that witnessing the worst… forces Dragon out.”
• Various comic and off-color questions (e.g., “Are the Straw Hats circumcised?”) reflect the off-week’s looser structure and the hosts’ irreverence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steven Paul: “It’s much closer to the wire than people think… his scheduling has changed dramatically since then.” (04:43)
• Zach: “The One Piece flag is front and center in protests against kleptocratic regimes… it’s been in Peru, Philippines, Morocco, Madagascar…” (10:59)
• Steven Paul: “I hope Shueisha doesn’t freak out and feel like they can’t be seen in relation to international matters that aren’t their business… It would be a shame if something that arose out of love for the series hurt the thing we love.” (13:35)
• Sam: “It feels like the kind of thing One Piece was meant to influence… although if you’re the author, you probably never expected your image in front of real-world events.” (19:39)
• Steve: “Animating walking is tough… but bird legs? Oh, that was—” (28:39)
• Sam & Steve: “It’s the most Looney Tunes [Gear 5] has ever been.” (57:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:53 — Show proper begins, hosts/guests introduce, Oda health break and “fish burger” comment
• 03:03 — Steven Paul parodies Oda: “Boy, I love eating these fish burgers…”
• 05:15 — “Akane-banashi” & manga backup talk
• 06:14 — Upcoming anime break/recap explained
• 10:33 — Protest symbol: Straw Hat Jolly Roger, global reports, Shueisha dilemma
• 23:00 — Double anime recap starts
• 24:44 — Dorry & Brogy, Five Elders’ forms, anime spectacle
• 39:23 — Zoro vs. Lucci fight
• 55:05 — Luffy’s Looney Tunes antics, “Mr. Potato Head” face
• 61:41 — Iron Giant awakens; ending for anime recap
• 71:19 — Piece Together: listener Q&A
• 72:27 — “Final villain: Blackbeard or Emu?” discussion
• 91:34 — ReverseEyepatch’s listener theory on Blackbeard/bloodline vs. self-made freedom
• 103:46 — Garp and Dragon parent/son dynamic

Tone and Style

• The episode is lively, irreverent, and deeply engaged, blending thoughtful analysis with inside jokes and fandom banter.
• Hosts freely reference long-term series themes, inside gags (e.g., food poisoning, fish burgers), and meta One Piece lore, while maintaining strong accessibility for regular listeners.

Summary

Episode 887 is a classic “off-week” episode that turns the lack of new manga content into an opportunity for wide-ranging, humor-filled, and thoughtful conversation. The team explores One Piece’s influence in the real world, the ongoing anime spectacle, and burning fandom questions, all while keeping things lighthearted and deeply knowledgeable. Whether you’re a manga/anime follower or interested in One Piece’s cultural footprint, this episode is emblematic of why the One Piece Podcast continues to be a hub for lively fandom and smart analysis.