Seeing Vegapunk crying his eyes out is when it really hit me cause it shows how impactful who Kuma was and what he stood for was to him

The final panels of Kuma literally running through his life as it's being recapped was devastating. The man's life was NEVER easy. But he always chose to sacrifice. Kuma is the true hero of One Piece.

The last panel of bonney crying was just heartbreaking. 😢😢 It was easily the best panel of the chapter in my opinion.

Adding to the page where Kuma is running: After the adult Ginny panel, he stumbles a bit, but gets back up after the panel with Bonney. Insanely emotional page.

The running sequence of Kuma from child to priest to Revolutionary Army member to The Pacifista while his departed friends and loved ones calling his name prior to Vegapunk pulling the lever really tug a lot of heartstrings. And it made me feel UNYIELDING RAGE at Saturn who's the reason why Kuma suffered.

I cried my eyes out this chapter, especially the last page seeing Vegapunk and Bonny be emotionally destroyed was the worst part. Happy 10th Birthday Bonney 😭

I actually managed to never cry during Kuma's flashback, until this chapter. I cried when Vegapunk and Bonney cried. Kuma was such a sweetheart that doesn't deserve all of this 😢

I always knew Kuma wasn’t a “Tyrant” but I wasn’t prepared for him to be a literal priest and borderline angel. I love my bear man 😭

This chapter actually made me cry, the way it covers and sums up kuma's life is tearsome.

I haven’t felt this much emotion since. “Thank you for loving me”. And then there were two devastating quotes. “Tell her happy 10th birthday” “I hope I haven’t caused too much trouble” it’s just so moving

I love how as time goes on Luffy's decision to punch a celestial dragon is more and more vindicated. Not only did it save Hatchan and Cammie but it got two warlords on his side. The most satisfying punch in the series keeps getting better.

Having recently lost my mom, this chapter and the ones leading up to it hit especially hard. It's amazing how a parent or anyone else can love someone enough to willingly throw themselves into hell with a smile on their face for the sake of those that they love.

This chapter was a masterpiece, on the scene that shows Kuma running, not only he is shown in the Nika Pose, but on the one that Ginny Died and Bonnie called him DAD, you can see the terrain is unleveled, and he almost tripped and fell, but recovered for his daughter. Incredible

Another thing that destroyed me with this chapter was Vegapunk. He tried so hard to convince Saturn to spare Kuma and then right before he has to erase his memories is shown everything we've seen in this flashback. Suddenly what was already a painful thing for Vegapunk to do becomes unbearable now that he's fully aware of how many lives this man helped. He is tasked with effectively ending the life of one of the best people to ever live.

I want Kuma to live through this arc and series. But regardless of Kuma surviving or not, his silent mark will be known throughout the world and history and his legacy will shape and save every single person.

I shed tears of happiness at the end knowing Kuma’s letters to Bonney finally reached her through his memories and that Bonney received confirmation that her father loved her all this time. At the same time, Kuma received no confirmation or justice, just sacrifice. I’m wishing for a happy ending for him, please Oda, please Luffy, save Kuma.

This is the first time I actually cried in a weird way to a manga, I think I've gotten sad at times and shed a tear but for this chapter it just made me straight up cry, Kuma is just too great not just as a character but as a father.

I cried like never before. Kuma is one of my favourites if not the most favourite character in One Piece. The saddest and most touching backstory without question. Rest In Peace, Bartholomew Kuma.

I feel like Kuma is without a doubt one of the single most important characters in this story. It broke me seeing how much this man suffered for and still he wanted to give his child one last happy birthday. You lose your parents before you realize it and this chapter solidified that thought for me. Oda really ended this year on a serious reality check.

Another detail is that Kuma trips when Ginny and gets up and runs even more intensely when Bonny comes out. which shows how much Kuma suffered with Ginny's kidnapping and death and how Bonny's presence not only saved Kuma but made him try to be better. greetings from Spain

If the manga already made you cry, I can't even imagine how it will make us feel when it gets animated.

This chapter was quite the emotional trip down memory lane. It's crazy how much Oda pays attention to detail. For example the two restaurant customers that notice Kuma can be seen right before Bonney's introduction in chapter 498.

Kuma's flashback is what every "recap episode" should aspire to be lmao. It proves that you can still push the narrative forward, reveal new info, and give character's more depth and development while reminding the audience of "the story so far". The only other recap that I've ever encountered in fiction that is as well done as Kuma's flashback is "The Ember Island Players" from Avatar Last Airbender.

The silhouette of Vegapunk on his knees in despair after flipping the switch, Kuma dying fulfilled and genuinely smiling, this whole chapter hurt but was a masterpiece, how dare this man make me feel so much emotion for fictional pirates

unreal chapter.. Kuma is just incredible and the emotion when Kuma saw what Luffy did just gave me goosebumps all over. Kuma is Luffys biggest believer! Draagon was also going to Louguetown to see Luffy enter the GrandLine. Kuma also giving his reaason for doing what he did at Thriller Bark and Archipilago was a perfect touch, Kuma needed to show Luffy the power he needs to make it through the New World

It had been a while since I legit cried cos of a manga man, this really caught me off guard :( Poor Kuma, if anyone deserves a happy ending in this story, it's gotta be him.

I remember being genuinely scared for the strawhats when Kuma first showed up and every other time he appeared until I found out what he actually did for the strawhats and protected the sunny. From there I knew this man's story needed to be told. It took a while but I'm so glad it payed off. Truly beautiful. By far the best character backstory so far

the insane panel of kuma's life was heartbreaking but what made me cry was VP exploding just after this, feels like kuma was everyone's best friend in the series and i totally join you on the fact that it makes the gorosei even more influent, powerful and violent

1102 chapter in and this man still outperforming himself This remake was really needed , it pain that some people are missing on this epic because of toei pacing

I've believed this for a while now, but this chapter really hammers in the idea that Bonney is gonna join the Straw Hats, even if not as an official member, she'll at least travel with them.

Kuma's live flashing before his eyes and seeing him run like Nika for some reason reminded me of Forest Gump when he starts running across America the music from that scene was playing in my head when I read this chapter. Kuma is a monumental character in One Piece.

When I read the “self-destruct device” part, I didn’t think Saturn would be the one to activate it. My mind went to Kuma. Remember, Vegapunk gave him bionic hearing so he heard that information as well. Kuma will pop everyone nearby away one last time and will activate it himself in an attempt to either take down Saturn or buy his daughter time to escape.

This backstory was so wholesome yet so painful

I have genuinely never sat there sobbing for 5 minutes over a manga chapter. Ever. 1102 will go down in my favorites, and I will probably never forget the Kuma Flashback.

Am I the only one who always thought Kuma has robotic eyes..? But this chapter shows that it's actually just spectacles?? Oh and I also teared up reading it.

seeing Vegapunk just shake and cry as he was pulling the leaver absolutly destroyed me, I often shed tears in One Piece but there are only very few moments that made me actually weep and for it to only be the manga and I will have to go through this again in the anime with voice acting and music god..its gonna probably be the most emotional I will ever be in an anime

This was one of those chapters you can read many times, the animation with the tragic background music and Bonney’s tears will shatter my heart, I can feel it. A blend of nostalgia and insane sadness that still end up with a bit of hope. So many emotions in a few pages

It feels crazy to say this after all the other incredible backstories Oda has drawn up for his characters, but I really think Kuma's is in the conversation for the best one in the series

not only that, but Kuma's last panel running into the open was full of so much vigor he shouted UOOOOO right after hearing Bonney can be cured by Vegapunk, in much contrast to how in his previous runnign panel,he was almost out of breath on the brink of lost hope for finding a cure for Bonney

This chapter made me sob so much. Easily my personal favourite chapter. Oda’s mastery of emotional writing is incredible and his display of love here with Kuma is so beautiful.

Genuinely shed a tear for that final page. What a wonderful display of love. 😢

10:43 That's kind of an inaccurate translation though...he actually says "Kuma-ko" meaning "Kuma-boy", a term suggesting much more of a consistency with Sentoumaru's familiarity with Kuma on a friendly basis as revealed in the current Egghead arc. That aside, another epic and tear-jerking chapter...and revisiting those past moments hits so differently now.

Even just for Bonney to absorb Kumas memories and to find out EVERYTHING. Its just beyond painful. She found out he doed for her, carried the worst pain inflicted upon him and yet he is like a saint. A true saint! He is the biggest believer of Luffy and he singlehandedly is one of the most important figures for fate to let Nika come into existence. Kuma. You are a hero. A true hero of the story. And a saint. For you to remain a cuddlebear after all the horror you have been inflicted upon.. you are a true saint

I cried so so hard. Honestly thought Kuma's backstory and this chapter specifically was sadder than the death of Ace

The change my diaper moment by Saturn... had me laughing

You know, when you said that the flashback showed how much of Kumas life was struggling. I suddenly made the connection that Kuma is oddly similar to Guts from Berserk in many ways. At the very least, how they both kept moving forward no matter what life threw at them. And life was kind to neither most of the time

I can already imagine the hype of this getting animated, it will be a tearjerking nostalgic experience seeing the adventures of luffy from the perspective of kuma, and seeing all that kuma had been through with flashbacks.

Kuma turned out to be one of the most interesting characters and I'm finally at ease knowing the reason why he has considered the most obedient warlord and why he sacrificed himself to be a mindless cyborg

The paneling where Kuma runs from one stage of his life to another and ends up nowhere to go is just brilliant. Also, its good that Oda cleared that the Luffy pain bubble was really painful. The disrespect some people did to the Nothing happened scene during this flashback was really annoying.

genuinely think this is the best written chapter of one piece in a while. maybe ever. oda has broken me as a man and i shall never recover

Kuma has gone from Terminator 1 T-100 to Terminator 2 T-100 in the span of just a handful of chapters. We knew from the moment we saw him protecting the Sunny that he would likely have one of the most intriguing backstories, but it’s safe to say no one could’ve imagined this. Oda portrayed Kuma masterfully. He will go down as not only one of the best written and pivotal characters in the story, but also very likely many of peoples favorite by the time the story is finished. I wasn’t prepared for Kumas potential exit before the flashback. I can easily say now that I’m dreading the prospect of it, just like the judgement day Terminator.

I am 100% sure that even if oda didnt make the supernovas and seven warlord he still had kuma flash back in mind like way he did with wano,its such an oda thing to take old event and recontextlise them in a way that made me go back to old chapters and read them at the same time as the new ones that add another scene to that moment

Wow, the quality if this video is amazing! Of course once more great writing, but the artworks and animations were fantastic. Kudos to your channel artists!

One of the greatest backstories of all time for this series. The way this last chapter had woven in Kuma’s involvement (or presence) with the story events of OP was well done. Bonney finally learning the truth about everything. Wow

It just kept adding up more & more with every chapter. And goddamn, did Oda manage to finaly break me and make me tear up. My fiancée literaly ran up to me after the chapter and hugged me, asking if I was ok. Like goddamn Oda

Bonney kneeling on the floor where Kuma's memory bubble was, just sobbing hit me so hard.. She finally got to hear happy birthday from him and coming to the realization of all the suffering he went through on top of the fact that we now know she's still just a little kid despite her looks from the devil fruit. Poor girl went through so much trauma at such a young age 😭I vividly remember watching an episode of One Piece for the first time when I was about 6 years old and I'm now turning 28 on Christmas; I never could have anticipated the journey that first experience would put me on with this series.

This chapter just awaken the compassion that has long died inside me. Kuma you trully are the hero and also THE MAN WAY TO GOOD FOR ONE PIECE WORLD

Oda: *releases Chapter 1102* Everyone: *suffers EMOTIONAL DAMAGE of Kuma's final moments before losing his humanity*

Man this chapter was so heartbreaking, I’m still thinking about it and it makes me tear up, Bonney is so strong for even sitting through all of that alone. I think it’s safe to say that this is the best backstory in the series.

I just SHOKED when I saw Kuma getting out his memories like: "Dont ya worry, I will come here anytime and just overcome your sci-fy thingy recovering my good ol' memories by touching this" and remembering how desperate Vegapunk was to stop Bonney from touching them!!! I hope Vegapunk evolved this "Bubble memory reader" so he could copy them and "install" the memories to Kuma, having a Franky version of Kuma at the very end of the Pacifista project. Such a GREAT chapter

When I was reading the Saboady part I was thinking that we didn't get to see Bonneys reaction to Kuma pacifista but then I remembered that we *did* see her 1st reaction to that and it was during the Marineford war when she was distraught see "something"

And the audacity of the people who was hating on Oda on the last chapter. I swear sometimes man sometimes.

This chapter hit me in the gut, especially the last page. Bonneys reaction was heartbreaking.

What a amazing Character Kuma was...really hope vegapunk did us all a favor and went behind Saturn's back to give him his memories near his life's end

Kuma is the Warlord that has greatly participated in the 2 great powers that have been devoting their lives to protecting the people from evil , the Marines and the Revolutionaries that is.The one group protects the people from pirates and the other protects the weak countries and nations that cannot pay the holy tribute to the World Government from the World Government itself.Kuma is the pinnacle , the figure of peace and prosperity in the One Piece world.He found these 2 groups where he created his new family , with all these people , Dragon , Sabo , Betty , Hack , Karasu , Koala , Garp , Kizaru , Sentomaru , Vegapunk etc.The people he fought or forced to surrender were either the World Nobles of the Sorbet Kingdom or malicious pirates committing every ill act a pirate can.He was also shown questioning Bonney's plan on becoming a pirate initially , but since his time to have his memories erased was coming close , he accepted it and wished Bonney to become the best pirate she could be.That's a very important notice because one can deduce that whether Joyboy was a pirate or not isn't confirmed , Kuma only knows Nika not Joyboy and it really seems he doesn't like pirates pretty much too.However , not long afterwards Luffy punched Charloss and Kuma witnessed it with his own eyes.If there was one single pirate to place faith at least , that was Luffy and since Kuma knew an invasion to arrest all the 11 Supernovas (he was also in an elite Marine task force about quickly terminating pirates , with Kizaru and Sentomaru , so he'd be summoned too) would commence , he'd quickly take his time to ensure Luffy and Bonney would safely escape together.Sengoku probably ordered Kizaru's unit not yo harm Law too since Sengoku couldn't do anything against Doflamingo thanks to his World Government associate Warlord title , Law would be the one most fit to take him down.From all the writting of Oda , it seems the 4 most important Supernovas are Luffy , Zoro , Law and Bonney , again most important , not necessarily the strongest , for instance X Drake , Kidd and Killer were captivating too , but now we're at the Final Saga and it doesn't seem they will be anymore important in the story , other than say some interesting S.W.O.R.D missions for X Drake or allegiance to Luffy taking them all into account.Since all the themes of Skypiea keep on coming back as if that country hasn't been repeatedly shown to have strong ties with the Void Century and the Ancient Kingdom , Urouge might make a comeback.Luffy and Bege's co-operation looked very interesting in Whole Cake island and that arc involving famous criminal families was a good way to explore Bege and the Fire Tank pirates more in the story.Other than them also pledging allegiance to Lufgy in the Final War , I don't see anything left for them in the story. As for Apoo and Hawkins , does anybody still care , I think they got enough attention in the Wano arc.

So there was the big theory that the memory-bubble could return to S-Bear to restore Kuma or that Vegapunk secretly planned to restore Kumas ego in another way with this memory bubble at least. Imagine that gets confirmed and Bonney indirectly took that chance away by consumin it ._. might explain why Vegapunk wanted to stop Bonney from reaching the storage room for the bubble so badly aswell.

Something that I noticed is that on the third panel that he is running is right after Ginny's face. He is still running but his head is down. The next panel we see Bonney. And his head got up again. It is a tiny detail but it shows the impact that Ginny's death had on him. And that he knows he had to continue for Bonney's sake with his head up.

This is one of the best chapters oda has given us, and it doesnt even have any action scenes. It shows just how great of a writter and artist he is to deliver such an emotional gut punch. Last few pages are the best, but i just want to point out Vegapunk. Before meeting kuma, he was pretty much only focused on bettering the world no matter who he worked for. Now... when he was at the lever, saying to himself "this is just a procedure, i gotta keep it clinical", he is doing everything in his power not to break down. But Kuma said that line wondering how many people he hurt... and Vegapunk is just utterly destroyed. Hes about to kill maybe his best friend and kuma is still just worried about others. The tears, the face, him just falling down to his knees as he pulls probably the heaviest switch in his life. Vegapunk most likely never felt that sort of sadness ever before in his life, and i feel it changed him. And then theres bonney. That last page. After she saw her dads whole life. All the suffering he endured, her mom, and finally reading all his letters to her, that he was always watching her, and his last ever thoughts before he died was to wish her a happy birthday. Shes only 12 years old and she. Probably has seen more suffering and pain then anyone in the world. And one last thing. Its just one panel at the very end. A small one, but seeing kuma with the life gone from his eyes was just awful. The man is truely gone, unless vegapunk did sneak in that chip somehow

It’s 4:32am in Texas! Good morning! ☀️ RIP KUMACHI! 💔

Sometimes I think he’s just a genius sometimes I think he’s just making it up as it goes on know, but I agree this chapter was something else, a real showcase of his skill at connecting past chapters

The part the broke me the hardest was Vega Punks reaction, he's a man of science, not emotion, he had already created the satellites cause he has his apple head and he just breaks down and starts sobbing like a baby. Is adorable.

The life flashing before his eyes while running is when i started tearing. He was a child slave, a prophet, a revolutionary king, a cyborg warlord. Most of all, an amazing friend and father. What a life

Your insight, wit and enthusiasm brings the one piece manga to life. Thanks for your consistently brilliant podcast and merry Christmas

I was outside, eating lunch when I was reading this weeks's chapter. And let me tell you, it was freaking hard to keep the tears from falling.

Anyone notice how kuma had a similar scene to simba during the hakunamatada song when we witness him growing up. Only kumas may very well be better because of the emotions behind knowing his past and seemingly his destiny.

Last panels really make me cry every time I read them

Every new chapter just makes me cry so much 😭😭

it's been quite a while one piece made me actually cry. sure there have been tough situations and all, but nothing that actually put me to tears.. but this chapter broke me. kuma being grateful while it is the whole world that should be grateful was heartbreaking to me

Just hearing you talk about the final panel made me cry a second time 😭

This chapter sealed it for me, I need Bonney to become a straw hat, just so she can have a supportive family structure

Somebody should have gave kid a your not ready moments on Sadoby 😂😂

Easily the saddest and heartbreaking back story

What broke me as well in the Chapter was Vegapunk. He was crying like hell and plus the last sentence of Kuma (Happy 10th Birthday Bonney) i couldnt stop crying.

The classic One Piece feeling is really back on full force. And it also shows these were the parts Oda already planned when he mentioned OP was ending in the early days. People who are comparing this to Water 7 to marineford is right on. Specially now that you mentioned the last time you felt this was Merry's Funeral.

Am I the only one who thinks that maybe it would be better if the manga changed to a Bi-Weekly model? Not only would this give Oda more time to work calmly, we wouldn't have to hope every week whether or not there will be a break next week.

It has been a very long time since the last time I legit cried with one piece (I'm one of those who cry every time he sees the merry funeral scene). This chapter is a banger. Since the supernovas (Bonney presumably included) were created in the span of a day or so, I wonder, what was supposed to be the Kuma story before that, without Bonney in his life? might be an interesting topic for a video.

You have to remember that the ursus shock scene and desperate serious mode straw hats are being viewed from Kuma's perspective, so they might look less serious and more cute and endearing to someone with his powers. To him it was a cute memory of the straw hats and not a desperate one like it was from their perspective back then.

I think the Kuma backstory will go down as the greatest manga backstory ever.

Wow, awesome video GLR.

Before this Kuma flashback, Kuma was a OK character for me, but now, his one of my top OP characters. Best father in OP.

I really thought that Vegapunk's research on Kuma's memories would result in him eventually being given his humanity back. But the panel of Vegapunk sitting with his hand on the down-turned lever made that come crashing down

It made me cry, what a chapter, that's our oda Sensei for ya.

Happy Birthday 😢

This chapter hurted 🥺

that last few panels, especially the cut to bonney finishing Kumas memories and crying made me shed a tear, genuinely so good

Commentary (which is amazing) aside, I want to commend and shout out your animators for the innovation in this video. Amazing job guys!

I just finished that chapter like 15 minutes ago and i was like OMG WHY DID MY FAVORITE ONE PIECE CHANNEL NOT REACT TO THIS YET 😭😭😭 I needed someone to suffer with me. Thanks you are here dude.

The chapter was amazing...However, I have a feeling that maybe Oda will pull a Pell with Kuma and he will end up surviving thanks to some Deus Ex Vegapunk

Kuma's self destruct button being what helps the Straw Hats escape and/or killing Saturn would be such good literary irony. The thing Saturn forced Vegapunk to create to contain Kuma ends up as his ultimate undoing. It would be brilliant

If Kuma's self destruct is more of the "explosion type" than of the "shut-off type", it would explain why he left the revolutionaries and tried to be in Mary Geoise. He should already know that running from the celestial dragons would only result in his termination, but maybe he programmed himself to be around them just in case he has a case of "being exploded".