The Epic Clash: Kuma's Origin Fuels the Never-Ending Battle Between One Piece and Naruto Fans

The recent conclusion of the Kuma backstory flashback in author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s globally acclaimed One Piece manga series has become one of the most celebrated storylines in its recent history. The flashback delves into Bartholomew Kuma’s origins from his birth to the eventual death of his consciousness, shedding light on the backstory of one of the series’ most enigmatic active characters.

Fans of One Piece were incredibly impressed by the Kuma backstory flashback, especially following its thrilling and impactful recent conclusion. Some have even gone as far as to claim it as the best flashback in the series, although this may not be the case for those who favor other backstories.

Recency bias seemingly spurring One Piece fans to take shots at Naruto fandom’s favorite in-series backstory

Some fans of One Piece have even gone to the extent of drawing comparisons between Kuma's backstory and that of other anime characters, with Naruto's main character being one of the targets. Predictably, this has sparked another conflict between the two fandoms as they debate over whose character backstory is better.

The war, explained

It is unclear which specific tweet, if any, initiated the recent social media conflict between fans of One Piece and Naruto. However, there are numerous instances that illustrate how the feud has developed. Both fan bases have posted extensively on the topic, with supporters passionately advocating for their chosen series to come out on top in this hypothetical social media showdown.

Fans are particularly drawing comparisons between Kuma's backstory and Naruto's, as well as comparing Kuma's Egghead entrance to Naruto's iconic entrance during the Pain's Assault arc. While much of the focus is on comparing the two characters' backgrounds, their respective entrances have also inevitably become part of the debate.

Fans of One Piece and Naruto often clash over their main characters, but the surprising point of contention is the comparison of Kuma, a side character in One Piece, to Naruto, the protagonist of Naruto. This has led to heated debates and the Naruto fandom arguing that Kuma is overrated. The comparison of the origins of the two characters has definitely stirred up emotions among the series' fans.

Fan reaction

One Piece and Naruto fans' reactions as seen online (Image via Our Website)

Not surprisingly, the reactions from both fandoms are generally as expected based on the opinions expressed online. One Piece fans continue to argue that Kuma's backstory and latest appearance exceed those of the titular Uzumaki ninja, citing Kuma's greater depth as a character.

In response, Naruto fans are asserting that Kuma is becoming one of the most overrated anime and manga characters of all time, thanks to the way his series' fandom is elevating him. They also claim that these comparisons are unfounded and are simply being made to create drama between the two fandoms.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the recent developments in the One Piece manga, particularly the conclusion of Kuma's backstory flashback. The depth and emotional impact of Kuma's story have truly resonated with me, and I believe it stands as one of the best flashbacks in the series. The way Eiichiro Oda has crafted Kuma's journey, from his birth to his tragic fate, is simply masterful.

However, I find it somewhat amusing that some One Piece fans are drawing comparisons between Kuma and Naruto, the main character of the Naruto series. While both characters have compelling backstories, I believe it's unfair to compare a side character to a protagonist. Kuma's story is undoubtedly captivating, but it doesn't quite match the scale and significance of Naruto's journey. Moreover, the comparison seems to have sparked unnecessary conflict between the two fandoms, which is rather unfortunate.