#Chapter 1115

[maximumqueer]

This is a bit more minor compared to all of the lore we got in this chapter, but this is now the second time we've had a crew member berate Zoro in these most recent chapters, and the third person overall.

First Rob Lucci referred to him as dead weight, then Sanji called him a liability, and now Nami is berating and blaming him for not being able to leave sooner. This is (if I remember correctly) the most we've seen Zoro's actions criticized in such a short period of time. And I really hope something more comes from it for Zoro as a character.

Because this has also (in a way) been an arc of failure for Zoro. And I don't mean that as a bad thing. It's good to have characters fail. But for someone like Zoro, who has fears centered around not being strong enough to protect the crew, the kind of failure he experienced is the kind that would hit at those fears.

He failed to take down Kaku because Stussy intervened. He failed to take down Lucci, and Jimbei had to step in and physically remove him from the fight. And while these aren't failures in the traditional sense (he didn't loose to Lucci or Kaku, he just wasn't the one to finish them off) to Zoro, who has been characterized as being incredibly hard on himself, they would probably register to him as failures. Then, to have those perceived failures be compounded upon by having his position on the crew questioned not just by an antagonist, but a fellow crew member?? I just can't help but think that Oda is going to break Zoro as a character (like how he did with Sanji at Whole Cake, or Robin at Ennis Lobby, or Luffy at Marineford).

I honestly think it would be incredibly poetic to have the first crewmate be the last one to break, to be the last one that needs to be saved. I also think it would be a good way to raise the stakes even higher as we get closer to finding the One Piece (by having conflict within the crew.)

Obviously this is all speculation and wishful thinking. And while I would a bit disappointed if these moments (that I could just be reading way too far into) don't culminate into something larger, it also wouldn't be the end of the world. I just think it would help to solidify the depth of Zoro's character by showing him actually having to confront his fears in a way that doesn't involve scenes of him training, or one off moments of him vowing to be stronger.

[basedkikuenjoyer]

Motherlode

And here I find myself again, circling back to the same basic thoughts about this arc that really only stretched itself out to about double what I and most others predicted. You get my angle right? While the world's watching, while the fandom's watching someone not named Nico Robin give a little nuggie of Void Century lore...200 chapters after Bakura Town, 100 after Kiku's fall, in a chapter after one with a folk lore allusion title. Stussy breaks the seal. Speaking more or less the same trauma. It's even the same central idea of Wano; ensuring the Straw Hat's escape was Stella's final command. It all runs on that old school Japanese take on ideal feminity; "A woman's happiness is taking care of those she loves." Self-sacrifice to repay kindness towards you.

Bonney has so much to compare and contrast, you're a solid candidate for someone who could kinda fuse Kiku & Yamato, but Stussy? You're our Tamataebako buddy with the same eyes. A trans woman and a clone, can't say it isn't relatable and they both have a demonic facade without an ounce of action girl tomboy tropes. Stussy can nab that torch now just like Bonney could have. But you still exist in that space. Why are we doing you now, after the others? We still have cards unplayed from Wano. When their theme is subtlety one should expect waiting until the final phase.

This chapter gives me a lot that has me excited.

We have a whole theme this chapter of people responding again and doubling down on the idea these different faces we know are reacting differently to Vegapunk's speech. Things different fans are reacting to. Wano the Joyboy lore, Carrot the weaponry, but it's one of those simple tricks that fuel a big deception. None of it is really that much deeper than clarifying what we as readers sorta knew. Of course, for Wano...it isn't the full group but we see a group. It'd make perfect sense for Kiku to be smiling and holding a tray with the implication she brought the dango, she could appear any example of this cover serial...but this is how you have to look at things when strategic absence is an established motif. Oh, and I guess Shino just got to stay youthful. Rock on mature woman, enjoy it.

The world is merely learning more or less what we know. The real story is still playing out. Stussy, the escape, this time we aren't breaking away. It's almost like a good rap track where the first two verses are smooth and melodic leading into a rapid-fire third verse to really hammer the message. I think we'll stick with that as the message unfolds. But this arc has just enough gas it's the opening act not the final point in and of itself. What makes me feel confident this time? Glad you asked:

Nojiko caring more about the farm bolsters this and her alone would have me freaking the fuck out but...bruh. Miss Goldenweek? Goldie!? Marianne and her hilarious in hindsight apple hat? Peep the suitcase, they're leaving to find Cross Guild. But yeah! Miss Friggin Goldenweek and Nojiko have an interesting response to this worldwide message. I love it too. They don't really seem to care much. Nami's big sister and a mellow girl that was one of Luffy's most vexing opponents. She got a cover serial, this little lady was always an oddball waiting to surprise us. For now though this is dope. Don't let her demeanor fool you, she was clearly a top agent for a reason and the reasons really aren't that different than the archetype I see out of Kiku.

What specifically does it though is how she's paired with the reaction focusing on the common people killed as collateral damage. Now let's take it altogether. Because something else going on under the message brings us back to where this felt most powerful:

Uh-oh. The big cloud layer is under attack. The Elbaf ship is getting surrounded. What if they weren't enough? For all the talk about other stuff that could happen if the Giants are the penultimate surprise addition...is it just gonna be the Grand Fleet after all? They make so much sense big picture. Robonosuke is still hanging around at the edge of all this too. Because things are getting dire on Egghead underneath the lore dump.

All in all...I love this shit right now because it's exactly what I've been on about since Wano ended. Wall to wall this chapter. 1115 is a straight banger.

[bobauthorman]

Black, I think you have a problem

[zonaenthusiast]

ONE PIECE CHAPTER 1115 SPOILERS

WHAT A FUCKING CHAPTER OH MY GOD I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE WORDS TO EXPLAIN HOW I'M FEELING RIGHT NOW WE REALLY ARE IN THE FINAL SAGA

So I will just mention what only I care about (and you, if you follow this tumblr, I suppose).

EVERYONE FUCKING CHEERED BECAUSE THAT'S NAMI TALKING ON THE DEN DEN MUSHI !!!!!

[fallensnowfan]

Chapter 1115! Turns out the first page yesterday is the one I had the most to say about, haha! Like a lot of moments all through out though.

This interaction cracked me up way more than it should have.

Genzo - "Nojiko don't go, the world is ending!"

Nojiko - "Imma go, Bellemere's tangerines need care."

Genzo - "NOJIKOOOO!" Then Genzo faints because he was shouting too much and ran out of breath.

Hi Kureha, hi Dalton, good to see you are doing well. And... could it be? Is... is it really her?! Miss Goldenweek!!!?? It is she! I've been waiting so long to see her again! Valentine and Merry Christmas too? This rules. New Spiders Cafe workers my beloveds. I love that she's still enjoying her favorite snack. #1 most fashionable apple hat wearer in One Piece for the record, sorry Vegapunk, you could never hope to compete with her natural swag.

Stussy is sad, noooo. Heartbreaking when people don't value themselves.

Her feeling like she no longer has a purpose makes me think of think of some of the sentiment from the Toki & Momo flashback in 1047. The way some things have come to an end, though there is still the future to move forward to. And in general, how the Scabbards felt after Oden's death.

You can find a new purpose. Perhaps helping to ensure the Punk Hazard kids are safely returned to their families one day?

[roydeezed]

The return of the king:

Also, this is the cutest thing ever, gosh I love Vivi so much:

And omfg Oda snapped so fucking hard with this:

So what is the One Piece? I wonder if it isn't a reclamation of this idea. That people could go wherever they wanted. Except instead of draining the sea or something, maybe everyone gets the ability to breathe and swim underwater. Cause Big Moms experiments on Giant Children makes me wonder, what if minks and all these other species aren't native to the world but rather experiments set on it to see how they adapt? Maybe Ancient Kingdom experiments to counteract the rising ocean? And the Devil Fruits are a world government invention alongside sea kings and what not. To divide and keep people out of the sea and far away from each other. Maybe they have a reason for it like the Anti Spirals from TTGL did, but at the cost of freedom. Anyways that's just spitballing. But I do love that line about not questioning the morality of the two factions. It brings to mind that Rayliegh quote again about how the Strawhats might come to a different conclusion. All's that to say, somethings fucky...

Also also! Stussy is going to be really important! Idk if y'all remember but a while back(i dont have the energy to go find it rn) but there was a pretty tucked away panel/dialogue about how Vegapunk had created a clone of Bakkin and he basically argued for her value as a human life iirc. There is anguish and deep emotion there and Oda's lowkey given her a really unique focus.

[chromatic-lamina]

Gonna have to read it again in depth later, but Artur's analysis of 1115. It's long but good! (as all of his analyses are).

[migila]

Okay but even if submarines can't go down deep enough, how come the world doesn't know about all the massive ruins through fishmen and merfolk? Do they have some centuries old rule that everyone actually follows that whatever is at the bottom of the sea must not be talked about with humans? Or could it be that such a rule was put in place 200 years ago when Ryugu Kingdom was recognized by World Government, perhaps in exchange for their silence? Maybe anyone they told something to were simply hunted down before it, but then something happened and WG decided they needed a new method to keep information from spreading?

...Or did I just discover a plothole?

[grizzlybearattack]

So grateful for this scale cuz i couldnt imagine the damage 200 meters would do

[moongothic]

Chapter 1115 mini reaction

All this lore is making me absolutely apeshit

And I don't even know what to say I'm just trying to Take It All In

But that aside HOLY SHIT IT'S MARIANNE AND CO

I don't think we ever saw her and the rest of the former BW agents who made Spider's Cafe after the Ms Goldenweek cover story, like they didn't even get cameos on any of the post-timeskip cover pages like most other characters did, so it's nice to see Marianne (and Miss Merry Christmas and Miss Valentine) again, if only briefly

Also I do want to note how last chapter we saw Marguerite and others at Amazon Lily, listening to Vegapunk's broadcast. More importantly, we did NOT see Hancock! Which adds to the likelyhood she has long left the island, making me question her current whereabouts

More importantly, we still have not seen Cross Guild listening to the news broadcast. You know I'm curious to find out what the fuck happened with Buggy's mutiny in general, I've been complaining about it for 6+ months by now. What's just making things worse is that, like, I just wanna know what Crocodile and Mihawk think about the news broadcast, how they're taking the info dump Vegapunk is doing.

So the fact that Oda has been refusing to let us see the gang would indicate to me that Something Is Fucking Up with them. Like Oda can't show Cross Guild to us right now because shit's going down there and he can't have them distract us from the important shit (the lore bomb)

Like who knows, maybe Buggy's mutiny went off and they're on the seas, maybe they're currently fighting off the three Seraphim and kinda busy, maybe they're currently in talks with Hancock and/or Moria to get them to join the crew, maybe they're on their way to Egghead to fuck with the Gorosei, WHO THE FUCK KNOWS

Whatever is going down with the CG, it's killing me, I want to know so bad, ODA LET ME SEE THEM, I WANT TO SEE MY HUSBANDILE

[maximumqueer]

Chapter 1115 Spoilers

Okay. So. That was a lot. Let's start with the lighthearted stuff first:

Never in a million years did I think we would see Demaro Black again, let alone dressed up as Kid, trying to pull off the same scheme he did with the Strawhats. It had me cackling. Man has one (1) trick and he's sticking to it.

Honestly just jumping around from place to place and seeing all the characters react to Vegapunk's message was very enjoyable. It's such a nice touch and helps to make the world feel large and lived in, and that the characters populating it (even if they aren't all the involved in the current arc) feel important.

Now to the more serious stuff:

The current One Piece world being built on the remnants of an ancient, advanced civilization that sunk into the ocean is such a good reveal. I thought (and hoped) this would be the direction we would be going in when we first learned that the world was sinking, so I am very happy with this.

Oda has done such an good job executing this plot twist, and honestly, genre change. We went from an adventure fantasy to a post-apocalyptic scfi. And normally I'm not a big fan of these types of plot twist genre changes. They have a tendency to hand wave away any interesting magic systems with (in my opinion) the boring and kinda lazy reveal that it was just super-advanced tech all along, and that the characters were simply too ignorant to realize it.

Why I think this works so well in One Piece, and doesn't fall flat as a plot twist, is because Oda had both advanced tech AND magic (in the form of haki and devil fruits) exist in his world for a while before this reveal, allowing for the possibility of even more advanced tech down the line (whether in the form of further innovation or the reveal of highly advanced ancient tech). As such there is no need to even consider rewriting the existing power systems to be a product of the ancient tech introduced, as they have already been established as separate entities from the tech we've previously seen.

And when there is a blurring of the lines between the two, like with the creation of the Smiles, they are distinct from devil fruits and do not remotely work in the same way. The only example of an artificially created devil fruit we have is Momo's, and even then we have no idea if it will behave in the same way as the natural fruits (if it will respawn after his death, if it has a will like Zoans are supposed to have etc.)

Anyways this has kinda gotten off topic, but absolutely incredible chapter (as always). Can't wait to see where this goes!

[basedkikuenjoyer]

1115 Bonus Round! Because it's such a favorite for so many little things. First, hilarious. Masterful. Fake Straw Hats but now they're the Fake Kid Pirates. I have so many questions. I don't want answers to taint the incredulity.

I love you Vivi. You're very invested in the message because it makes sense for you to be but of course Vivi knows how to keep a big birb quiet. Now show us Carue dammit!

Real shit, the Seraphim are also free now and ready to add another threat on the table that could go a lot of ways.

[quinloki]

Quin did you see the op manga spoilers for 1115?

-🐺(tall anon)

I did.

I'm looking forward to reading the chapter, but for now just kind of hoping for the best.

No matter what I bet the internet is going to explode. ^^;

[calekinnieplus]

Derrick subconsciously looked around and swept his gaze across the various items in the hall. He saw two murals with ancient characteristics.

Darn, not another Mural...

[fallensnowfan]

Chapter 1115's first page has been posted on the official website! As is the tradition of all new OP chapters, on Thursdays in my timezone. Will talk about the rest of the chapter tomorrow, once it's out on Manga Plus.

OH. MY. GOD USOPP. AHAHAHAHA! Demaro Black and co. have moved onto impersonating Kidd's crew. In-cre-di-ble! That's sooooo amazing! It'd be fantastic if the anime has the Seiyuu of Kidd's crew voice them this time around. I want them to cosplay the Grand Fleet captains next.

Love seeing Kin'emon, Shinobu, Tama, and Momo listening together, what a fun group. Them no longer having to worry about where their next meal comes from is making me a bit emotional. And waaah! The flag Luffy gave them has been put up! It looks great. Wonder if the lovely Otsuru is back in the Flower Capital and got those dumplings for them.

That snail they found is one Orochi had around, I imagine for contacting Doffy about weapons trading & the SMILE fruit production, when he was in power. Curious if the group listening here learned anything from Toki or from Oden's Journal that will influence how they think about the info Vegapunk is speaking of.

[algumaideia]

WOW WOW I didn't expect that WOW

So this is the power of the great weapons

I was worried this wasn't the final saga

But with how things are going it truly is