The Controversial Promotion of One Piece Unveils Kuma's Backstory to Chinese Fans
Chinese One Piece fans left in awe by an unprecedented promotional stunt that surpasses all expectations The series' most extraordinary marketing approach to date, creating an unforgettable experience for devoted followers
On Friday, December 29, 2023, the well-known One Piece leaker and former Twitter user @pewpiece shared an intriguing promotional event for the series from China. According to @pewpiece’s tweet, a recent promotion for the manga showcased the climactic final moments of Kuma’s flashback on a massive skyscraper in the country.
The exact location of this extravagant promotion in China remains unknown, as @pewpiece’s tweet only vaguely mentions it being somewhere in the country. Nevertheless, the promotion is undeniably distinctive and controversial, as it reveals a major moment from the recently concluded Bartholomew Kuma flashback.
Chinese One Piece fans spoiled by what could be series’ most unique means of promotion yet
The promotional artwork for One Piece showcases Kuma's birthday message being displayed in Chinese on different parts of the building. It is then followed by scenes from the manga capturing Kuma's final moments of his flashback, depicting the different stages and significant moments of his life.
The latest
Many One Piece fans have pointed out, in response to @pewpiece's tweet, that those without any context are likely unaware of the significance of what they have seen or are seeing. Even those who have read the opening chapters of the Egghead arc have the necessary context to be spoiled by the flashback and its revelations. While this may be an unfortunate result of the promotional methods used, it is still an impressive way to advertise the series and celebrate its latest flashback. The promotion also demonstrates the impact of the Kuma flashback on fans' reception of the series, particularly at a time when many have started to criticize the Egghead arc.
The promotion highlights Kuma’s increasing significance, particularly following the conclusion of his flashback. Only those up to date with the series will understand the connection, but it underscores Kuma’s growing popularity.
The 1102nd chapter of the One Piece manga was released on December 25, 2023, continuing the Egghead Island arc. The television anime adaptation will start airing the Egghead Island arc with episode 1089 on January 7, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. Japanese Standard Time, and will be available on Crunchyroll soon after.
Be sure to keep up with all One Piece anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 progresses.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen and a One Piece fan, I am both excited and concerned about this controversial promotion. On the one hand, I am thrilled that the series is getting such a massive and creative promotional campaign. The use of a skyscraper to showcase Kuma's backstory is truly impressive and shows the dedication of the One Piece team to their fans. I can only imagine how amazing it must have been for Chinese fans to see this in person.
On the other hand, I am worried about the potential spoilers for those who have not yet read the manga. The Kuma flashback is a major moment in the story, and revealing it in such a public way could ruin the experience for many fans. I understand that the promotion is meant to generate excitement for the series, but I think it could have been done in a way that was less spoiler-heavy. Overall, I think this promotion is a bit of a mixed bag. While I appreciate the effort and creativity put into it, I also think it could have been handled in a more considerate way towards fans who have not yet caught up with the manga.
