The One Piece Podcast – Episode 899: “We Didn’t Save The Children”
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Zach Logan (Maji Media)
Guests/Panelists: Stephen Paul, Kirsten Cary, Jill Knight, Ken O’Connor
Episode Overview
As 2025 draws to a close, the One Piece Podcast team assembles for a raucous “office party spectacular.” This episode blends holiday banter with a deep dive into all that’s happened in the world of One Piece over 2025. The hosts recap the manga’s biggest developments, reflect on the monumental God Valley and Elbaf flashbacks, debate character arcs, and poke fun at the weirdest and most emotional moments. Additionally, they offer teases for Episode 900’s charity livestream and take numerous questions from their audience.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Annual Reflections and Mandatory Fun
Timestamps: 01:29–03:51
- The crew opens with jokes about forced holiday cheer, arguing about who’s having the “most fun.” The tone is playful and self-aware.
- Zach introduces key guests: translator Stephen Paul, musician Kirsten Cary, contributors Jill Knight and Ken O’Connor.
“This is great mandatory fun. You all must have fun on this episode of the podcast. I will not giving you a choice.” – Zach Logan (03:33)
2. Previewing Episode 900 & Charity Livestream
Timestamps: 03:53–11:52
- The podcast will host a special 900th episode charity livestream on January 4, 2026, supporting Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and National Immigration Law Center.
- Planned segments include “Arc Madness” (a One Piece arc ranking tournament), manga recap for chapter 1170, special guests, trivia, and performances.
- Announced guest list includes Delaney, Roger’s Base, Greg, Dr. Bentley, Melanie, and others.
“We are doing a special episode 900 charity livestream on Sunday, January 4th of 2026…We have some really cool, some cool stuff and cool guests planned.” – Zach Logan (04:49)
3. Kirsten’s Announcement: New Podcast Ending Theme
Timestamps: 13:45–15:22
- Kirsten and her bassist partner will debut a jazzy new podcast end theme during the livestream.
- Zach jokes about keeping a bassist "just around the house" for such occasions.
- General excitement over the new, catchy theme.
“My partner, bass handy bass person around the house and I will be doing a little performance of the new end theme of the podcast which is gonna be a little jazzy version of us.” – Kirsten Cary (13:45)
4. One Piece Manga 2025: Year in Review
Timestamps: 15:22–99:16 (Interlaced throughout show)
Chapter-by-Chapter Recap & “We Didn’t Save The Children” Theme
- The group runs through each chapter released in 2025, using comical custom episode titles, and reflects on big turns in the story.
Major Character/Plot Debates:
- Gunko: Mixed reactions to her lack of pants and alignment with Emu. All agree she’s possibly the most interesting new character.
- “She needs to put on pants. I don’t understand the outfit…” – Ken (17:31)
- Shamrock: The “evil twin” concept is polarizing but amusing to the panel.
- Gabon: Outshines Rayleigh as ex-Roger pirate, with a great introduction and “hot wife” status. Panel loves his design and role.
- Sleep Tids Delaying Tactic: Ranked as one of Oda’s more creative “stalling” devices compared to past arcs.
- “Of delaying tactics Oda has used, this is one of the better ones…” – Zach (30:47)
- Domi Reversi Power: Too overpowered for some on the panel; theorizing about how it’ll be countered.
- God Valley Flashback (Ch. 1154–1165): Heavily debated as a highlight and pacing challenge.
- Revelatory for long-time readers (“Finally got the Rocks stuff!”) but structurally odd due to its two-part nature and intrusion on Elbaf.
- The Rocks/Harold/Loki dynamic is dissected: panel praises the “well-intentioned idiot” tragedy of Harold and the banana-leaf innocent stakes of Rocks’ era.
- “His heart is in the right place…and he’s so earnest about it…” – Jill (89:47)
- Loki’s Prospective Straw Hat Membership: Severe size logistics discussed humorously, with possible “shrinking fruit” solution debated at length.
- “Loki is too big for the ship, guys.” – Jill (44:58)
- Elbaf Setting & Current Arc: Speculation on how much tragedy is still to come, what’s left unsolved, and hopes for a big Straw Hat battle soon.
5. The State of the Manga and Fandom
Timestamps: 91:48–106:10
- Feelings about One Piece’s “endgame” and its perpetual expansion.
- The panel muses about when and how the series could wrap (“not before 2030,” says Zach).
- Brief discussion of upcoming anime hiatus, live-action projects, and probable next steps in the manga.
- Gripes about social media/YouTube proliferation of “AI” character redesigns and meme trends.
6. Piece Together: Listener Q&A
Timestamps: 121:14–151:31
- Wide-ranging questions from Discord and Patreon supporters:
- Favorite/least favorite moments of the manga in 2025 (mural, God Valley, Gabon introduction popular picks).
- Best and worst new characters (e.g., Kamabakka volcano woman, Gabon, Ripley, etc.).
- Eating rituals while consuming One Piece (includes chili cheese fries and breakfast rituals).
- Thoughts on integrating the movies chronologically with the manga/anime experience (most agree: not vital, but fun).
- Who among the Straw Hats would make New Year’s resolutions? (Consensus: only Sanji.)
- Most awkward character combos to meet (Buggy and Shamrock, Dragon and Usopp).
- Hopes for 2026: Usopp doing something important, Straw Hats getting more spotlight, closure of Elbaf before 2027.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On God Valley Flashback:
- “It answers so many questions and yet there’s just so many more afterwards… Like, who the hell was that woman with the volcano on her head? She was incredible.” – Jill (57:00)
- “I love seeing all the young pirates in their heyday at their full strength. I don’t think we’re done with God Valley either. The fact that the island just crumbled and sank, that part is interesting…” – Ken (58:17)
- On Tragedy & Themes:
- “Harold’s story is so compelling. It’s the well-intentioned idiot. His idealism has been his undoing.” – Zach (69:43)
- On Year-End Sentiment:
- “This year, between God Valley and that mural, like, it was a big year for Lore. It is starting to feel like One Piece’s endgame…” – Kirsten (92:42)
- “Flashback years are always very strange. Realistically, the story hasn’t actually moved forward that much… But we did get a ton. My God, we got all of God Valley.” – Jill (91:48)
- On Straw Hat Resolutions:
- “Sanji has a planner.” – Jill (136:24)
- “Maybe Luffy and Zoro resolve to take showers more than one or two days a week.” – Kirsten (135:43)
- On Loki and Shirahoshi:
- “If Loki does have that power, that could be a canon thing that happens, guys. We could have the vore back.” – Jill (46:20)
- On Oda and the Series’ Pace:
- “It’s gonna—the end of One Piece is so many years away still.” – Kirsten (93:36)
- “I think Grand Fleet is—I think there’s a level between Grand Fleet, the Captain, and Straw Hat.” – Zach (50:46)
Episode Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Mandatory Fun & Introductions | 01:29–03:51 | | Charity Livestream Preview | 03:53–11:52 | | Kirsten’s Music Announcement | 13:45–15:22 | | Manga 2025 Recap (Elbaf/God Valley, etc.) | 15:22–99:16 (interspersed) | | Fandom/Year-End Reflections | 91:48–106:10 | | Piece Together (Listener Q&A) | 121:14–151:31|
Listener Piece Together Highlights
- Favorite 2025 Moment: “The mural,” “God Valley flashback,” “Gabon just as a character,” and “Loki climbing the tree” stand out.
- Least Favorite Moment: Mixed feelings about the Kozuki Moria “reveal,” some God Valley pacing.
- Hopes for 2026: Usopp’s spotlight and closure for Elbaf arc, “lore and fighting” in balance, and seeing special new character combos meet.
Tone & Final Impressions
The episode is festive, irreverent, and nostalgic—full of inside jokes and warm camaraderie. The panel’s banter is sharp but affectionate, often breaking into laughter over their own memes or Oda’s narrative tricks. Despite poking at pacing issues, everyone expresses excitement for what's to come, and genuine appreciation for One Piece’s scope and heart.
“There’s not a year where I’m like, ‘Wow, that was shitty.’ You know, like, I’m always happy to see what happens next.” – Jill (92:19)
For listeners new and old, this episode is a boisterous snapshot of a thriving fan community, seamlessly blending deep manga analysis with humor, fandom in-jokes, and anticipation for more One Piece lore and action in the year ahead.