The initial arc of the Final Saga of One Piece has been truly remarkable. With 42 chapters released so far, the arc delves deep into the intricate world that the Straw Hats are exploring. The narrative has already seen some significant battles, with more yet to come. With new developments emerging, fan theories are attempting to unveil the mysteries that creator Oda has kept secret for over twenty years.
In recent chapters, readers have gained insight into Kuma’s past and the reasons behind his transformation into a heartless servant of the World Government. At the same time, a new fan theory suggests that Kuma’s soul may still have hope for redemption. Here are all the details.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.
One Piece theory suggests the Ancient Robot might be Kuma
The character Gorosei Saturn is depicted in the image from One Piece (Image via Toei Animation).
Gorosei Saturn emerges as the primary antagonist in the Egghead arc of One Piece, with his presence on Egghead Island and the unjust actions he committed against Ginny, Bonney, and Kuma in the past, as depicted in extensive flashbacks. A theory proposed by @writingpanini speculates that Saturn may have played a role in Ginny contracting Sapphire Scales, ultimately leading to her demise.
Ginny's kidnapping by a Celestial Dragon and her forced marriage while wearing a blue sapphire ring was unveiled in the manga. With the astrological connection of sapphire to the planet Saturn, this detail may subtly hint at Eiichiro Oda's intention to link Gorosei Saturn to Ginny's destiny.
Bonney as seen in One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)
The theory delves deeper into Kuma's desperate search for a cure for Bonney, which led him to make a pact with the World Government. This pact, often likened to a deal with the devil, ties in with the number 666, commonly associated with Saturn. This connection to Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun, and the sixth day of the week, known as Saturday, suggests a significant surrender of Kuma's autonomy and free will, as depicted in One Piece chapter 1100.
The connections between Gorosei Saturn and the devil are numerous, including his emergence from the ground, the presence of a pentagon at the scene, and the devilish horns in his Awakened Devil Fruit form. Sabo's description of the room where the Five Elders and Imu gathered during the Reverie as being similar to hell on earth is also striking. Most notably, Gorosei Saturn’s Awakened Devil Fruit form seems to resemble an ushi-oni, a yokai from Japanese folklore.
Kuma, as depicted in the animated series One Piece by Toei Animation.
The hypothesis also posits that Kuma's only hope for liberation lies with Nika, the sun god. The sun is traditionally associated with Sunday, the start of the week, symbolizing a fresh start. The theorist contends that the significant event slated for the following day, symbolically representing Sunday, will be Luffy's overthrow of Gorosei Saturn. As a result, Sunday will replace Saturday.
There are rumors circulating that Kuma's body might no longer contain his soul. In the One Piece world, a scientist named Peroroncino conducted an interesting experiment and found that when a person dies, their body loses exactly two grams of weight. He suggested that this weight loss could be linked to the departure of the soul from the body.
If this theory is correct, it could mean that Kuma's soul has already achieved freedom by transmigrating into the Ancient Robot.
Additionally, it is implied that Kuma holds the highest authority in commanding the Pacifistas, as he did not require an authority chip when previously ordering them to stop. As the giant Robot, Kuma may direct the Pacifistas to battle the Marines.
It seems Egghead is soon going to turn into quite the battlefield.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the potential resurrection of Kuma's soul in the Egghead Incident arc of One Piece. The theory that Kuma's soul may still have hope for redemption adds an exciting layer of intrigue to the story and provides a potential path for his character development.
The connections between Gorosei Saturn and the devil, as well as the significance of the number 666, suggest a deep and complex mythology within the One Piece universe. I am eager to see how these elements play out in the ongoing narrative and how they contribute to the overall story.
The idea that Kuma's soul may have already achieved freedom by transmigrating into the Ancient Robot is an intriguing concept that raises many possibilities for the character's future. I am excited to see how Oda explores these themes and expands upon the rich lore of One Piece in the upcoming chapters. Overall, the Egghead Incident arc has been a captivating start to the Final Saga, and I can't wait to see what Oda has in store for us next.