The One Piece Podcast
Episode 914: “Wait, I Have A Backstory Too!”
April 13, 2026
Episode Overview
This week, the One Piece Podcast crew—led by Zach and featuring translator Steven Paul and archivist Ken O’Connor—deliver news, dive into the newly released One Piece Volume 114, and tackle Piece Together questions. The main focus is the God Valley flashback and the SBS (“Shitsumon o Boshū Suru,” or “I’m Taking Questions”) section, where Oda reveals long-awaited lore and fun reader questions, including Geoff Moria’s backstory and the fabled “Billy the Ripper.” This episode is full of genuine reactions, One Piece fandom news, and characteristically goofy banter.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. Opening Banter & Fandom Talk
[00:00–05:43]
- Humorous promo for “K Pop Demon Hunters” and McDonald’s meals.
- Quick touch on past interviews and behind-the-scenes of the OP Live Action (OPLA) cast.
- ”He was genuinely interested in wanting to be part of the fandom... just so cool.” — Ken [03:04]
- Patreon sticker poll: Lego Nami on Elbaf vs Give a hoot Luffy with a biblio.
- Listeners encouraged to vote; Ken stores stickers “like collectible cards” for fear of losing them forever [04:58].
2. News Segment
[09:43–42:10]
a. Popeyes x One Piece Collaboration
- Collab only at six U.S. locations with collectible bento box
- General consensus: underwhelming, “lame,” but ripe for fan memes.
- “This is dumb” — Ken [13:04]; “Why could they only give this in six locations if that's all it is?” — Zach [14:32]
b. Anime Update: New Opening & Ending
- Opening feels more like an ending, ending like an opening—Steven, echoing Steve’s Discord take [16:05].
- “Visually it looks incredible… good subtle spoilers, just enough to reward manga fans but not ruin anything for anime-only” — Ken [18:22]
- “Just having fun on the ship is my favorite One Piece thing” — Zach [19:26]
c. One Piece LIVE ACTION (OPLA) News
- Season 3 title: “The Battle of Alabasta”—debate over wording (“of” vs “for”).
- Hopes and skepticism over Netflix’s future support past a few seasons despite PR hype [25:51].
- “Could I see this going four or five seasons? Yeah, I could. Could I see this going 12? No, I really don’t.” — Zach [26:26]
d. LEGO x One Piece Announcements
- Netflix LEGO One Piece special coming Sept. 29; new sets include Wapol’s castle (only a facade) and Garp’s ship “SS Ruff Ruff.”
- “The show’s getting too popular. We might be past the Popeyes thing—the Popeyes is the tipping point.” — Zach [32:14]
- LEGO “Unluckies” minifigs get a special shout-out.
e. One Piece Magazine Vol. 21 (“Heroines”)
- Release Sept. 4, Amazon Japan exclusive card bonus.
- Oda/Toei now differentiating between card/no-card editions after previous sell-out fiascos.
- Scalping and card collectibility is the new “Beanie Babies/401k” for the fandom [43:16].
- “It’s basically like the new NFTs... a market softness that people take advantage of.” — Steven [39:10]
3. Manga Recap: Volume 114 – “The God Valley Incident”
[45:50–139:55]
a. Volume Structure
- Entire volume is the God Valley flashback; Luffy absent except for ads and inside cover.
- SBS and cover commentary: Stussy omitted from main cover (“forgotten” by Oda; added in the undercover art blowing a kiss) [49:02].
- Pandaman eagle-eyed sightings: two cameos in the cover illustration (one inside Prometheus’s flame, one in Wang Ji’s wine glass) [50:01].
b. SBS Corner Highlights
-
SBS #1: Billy the Ripper [62:13]
- Reader jokes about the person always tearing off wanted poster bounties—Oda introduces "Billy the Ripper," a weird stick figure destined for fan-favorite status.
- “He’s got to look exactly like this.” — Ken [65:00]
-
Roger’s Jolly Roger Udon Theory
- Roger’s mustache on the crew’s flag: “Is that udon?” “Yes, that’s udon.” — Oda [67:58]
-
Rocks’ Ship Name
- The “Rocks Fury.” [70:46]
-
Gekko Moria’s TRUE Backstory [101:42, 104:46]
- Moria was washed up on Wano as a youth, warmly welcomed, given the Kozuki name, became attached, then lost to Kaido, fled, and was presumed dead.
- “It’s just text on a page…not really changing how I actually feel about him.” — Steven [105:01]
-
Shamrock/Shanks Clarification [78:45]
- The man at Mariejois during Reverie (volume 90) was not Shanks, but his twin, Shamrock; in the anime, his line was still voiced by Shanks’ seiyuu due to manga confusion.
- “That was Shamrock. ... Glad that’s cleared up.” — Zach [79:02]
-
Yamato at 40 and 60 [89:11]
- Two timelines: one “good” where Yamato is still waiting for Luffy “Come visit Wano someday” (age 40/60); one “bad” where Yamato takes the “I am Oden” meme too far and essentially dies in a boiling cauldron.
- “Ken, you have to accept your love in all its flaws and potentially bad futures.” — Zach [95:01]
-
Fruit Succession & General Zombies
- Confirmed: Captain John, Ganzui, and Gil Bastar all previously had the Bomb Bomb, Magnet Magnet, and Horo Horo no Mi fruits, respectively, and are now zombies on Thriller Bark.
-
Fun Details
- Straw Hats’ party mini-games: Usopp’s quiz, Jinbei’s dice gambling, sumo contests, Jenga, arm wrestling, and “impression shows.” [116:35]
- Denden Mushi care: Kept in Robin’s flower beds, Nami’s orchard, fed cabbage/lettuce, love being watered. [96:21–100:57]
- Shanks's mother’s name: Magnolia [120:41]
- Rocks D. Xebec’s sword: Eclipse [115:06]
c. Usopp Gallery Highlights [128:46]
- Stained glass Gear 4 Luffy art.
- “Sleep Tids” (giant nightmare monsters) as drawn by children—hilarious and adorable.
- Fanworks of character cookies, meme entries, and the perennial sadness of Chopper’s tear.
d. Final Reflections
- Recognition that, despite being a deep lore volume, Oda is “clearing house” of lingering mysteries in prep for story’s endgame [138:36].
- Anticipation for next volume’s cover (“gotta be a giant dragon”), fate of certain threads (Loki/Lola), and more.
4. Piece Together Segment
[140:00–169:33]
a. Questions from Fans
- On channel rivalries: Sonata’s YouTube has more subs; crew debates the impact of “lewd content.”
- Emu’s motivation: The accelerator for intervening now (Vegapunk’s message, food shortages, other crises).
- “The revolutionaries are really getting the upper hand.” — Zach [145:14]
- Chopper’s bounty and Emu: Joke theory that low-bounty Chopper was selected for the “Domi Reverse” because he was most easily manipulated [147:21].
- Emu’s gender and design: Discussion of Emu’s androgyny, devil motifs, and possible inspirations from Western (alchemical, demonic) mythology.
- Adaptation philosophy (Opla/Wit Studio): To retcon or not to retcon? Wit adaptation should stick as close to the manga as possible; Oda’s authorship is key [157:03].
- Blackbeard vs. Emu: Would Blackbeard’s powers negate Emu’s? Potential set-up for an “Achilles’ heel” confrontation [165:30].
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On the Popeyes collab:
“This is dumb.” — Ken [13:04]
“I apologize to everyone who works at Popeyes in those locations.” — Zach [12:50]
-
On New Anime Opening/Ending:
“The opening feels like an ending and the ending feels like an opening.” — Steven [16:05]
-
On Netflix’s ambitions:
“Could I see this going four or five seasons? Yeah, I could. Could I see this going 12? ... No, I really don’t.” — Zach [26:26]
-
On One Piece collectibles:
“It’s basically like the new NFTs.” — Steven [39:10]
“The card game is too popular... it’s become our generation’s 401k.” — Zach [43:16]
-
On SBS: Billy the Ripper
“He’s got to look exactly like this.” — Ken [65:00]
-
On Gekko Moria’s Backstory:
“It’s just text on a page… not really changing how I actually feel about him.” — Steven [105:01]
-
On Yamato’s Age Drawings:
“Ken, you have to accept your love in all its flaws and potentially bad futures.” — Zach [95:01]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Start Time |
|---------------------------------|-------------|
| Opening & Banter | 00:00 |
| Patreon Polls Talk | 04:16 |
| News Segment | 09:43 |
| Popeyes x One Piece | 09:55 |
| Anime Opening/Ending Reaction | 16:05 |
| OPLA / Netflix Future | 22:20 |
| LEGO & Merch Updates | 29:50 |
| Magazine Card Collectors | 36:33 |
| Manga Recap Start | 45:50 |
| SBS – Billy the Ripper | 62:13 |
| SBS – Roger Flag/Udon | 67:54 |
| SBS – Twin Shanks (Shamrock) | 78:45 |
| SBS – Yamato at 40/60 | 89:11 |
| Maria's Wano Backstory | 101:42 |
| Usopp Gallery & Fanart | 128:46 |
| Piece Together Segment | 140:00 |
| Emu Discussion | 148:14 |
Closing & Next Episode
- Shenanigans with bracket competitions (Ark Madness, “Glup Ship Beards”), invitation to join Discord and Patreon.
- Next week: Return to main story in chapter 1180. Golden Week is soon.
- “Until then, everyone… goodbye, Sam.” — Zach [178:19]
Summary for Non-Listeners
This episode is essential if you love lore, SBS shenanigans, and the meta-fandom culture of One Piece. The team gives a full, honest, fan-first reaction to the new volume, tackling everything from meager fast food collabs to “who really was at Reverie” and Gekko Moria’s secret past. It’s part appreciation, part roast, part work therapy, full of the banter that’s made the One Piece Podcast a mainstay for over a decade.
For fans who missed the episode:
You’ll get everything you could want from Volume 114’s SBS, a masterclass in deep lore, all the news on collabs and merch, staff takes on anime/live action adaptation, and a healthy dose of that OP fandom spirit—plus “Billy the Ripper,” tailor-made for the memeverse.