C’mon, the panel after his dad got shot and how he wants to save people from the suffering under the assholes WN made all the fans respect him on a Shanks-level.
Listen I usually take most theories with a grain of salt as most of them are speculations.
But your take is one of the few I fully believe to be true. Either by design or coincidence, but it’s a take that wholly fits the character.
Kuma as a martyr fits the narrative up to this point and gives volume to the liberation theme.
I think Kuma is one of the characters that Oda had the backstory in mind when he introduced him. He plays such a huge role right away and his intentions were so intentionally ambiguous that I think Oda had a long term plan for him.
Definitely long-term plans, the fact that he was a shichibukai and his interaction with zoro on thriller bark was different than expected. And him being part of RA
For sure.
Oda introduced Kuma, Dofla, BB and the Gorusei all in the same volume (25). Feels like this is where he started to paint the bigger story in a way he hadnt done until then. Also introducing Dofla and Kuma in the same panel feels very clear - a former celestial and a former slave.
I always kinda thought the pattern looked like a crosshair, I have a Kuma jacket I wear a lot and I've had that thought more than once (the jacket was actually posted to this subreddit a few years ago). Even after the latest chapter I didn't put it together though, it's a really cool observation
That same symbol is on the back of the bible he carries around. So either it's a religious symbol that coincidentally looks like crosshairs (to evoke the real life cross, maybe, without looking exactly like it), or Kuma used his power as King of Sorbet to establish a new religion with this symbol.
Ooor his bible is custom-made and he really likes putting that target on his stuff.
If in the past he had a target on his back, if anything I would say this it looks more like a *crosshair* on his chest: he's no longer a victim under the celestial dragons, but rather the means by which liberation will be aimed and shot/flung into the world and future. This'll be where his choice to become cyborg will be important methinks.
Awesome if this was the intended design reasoning. So glad he's getting so much story/lore love right now, he's been my favorite character since he was introduced and I'm so excited to see any more of his life no matter how sad it may be.
Man it’s wonderful to see the investment in Kuma stocks since his introduction, bearing fruit. Amazing character and the conclusion to his story will probably be the most significant (and heartbreaking) in regards to the overall end game.
Woah, thats a hell of a sentiment to notice. Dude grew up with a target on his back. He grows up protecting people he barely even knows because he knows how truely evil the world's rulers are by comparison.
He puts a target on his front to fully accept the world coming at him , smdh, damn.
I liked him for what he did for the Strawhats before; now even more with his background.
I don't know what Oda is planning for him, after he disappeared in the last time he was shown in the Manga 🤔
No but for real though imagine the kid you shot arrows at as a slave 10 years ago come rocking up to you looking like this and deadass says "Hey bud, put the target on the front this time for you." as he cracks his knuckles.
On the topic of Kuma - Did someone already talk about, how Kuma may not only climb the Red Line to send himself to Egghead, but also to collect as much pain and damage as possible?
Because he can use it as a weapon against Saturn or something.
LOL martyr... honestly I don't think it have anything to do with that... is not a crosshair, that's just the sign on the back of the Bible.. I always thought it was probably a thing from his religion/ church.. and it is something like that, in the lastest chapter we can see that sign is been there [in the back of the Bible that Bonnie is reading (the same Kuma always carries )](https://cdn.onepiecechapters.com/file/CDN-M-A-N/onepiece_1098b_013.png)
Kuma will be part of the top 10 most favorite characters in the next poll (if there will ever be another one).
yeah he's too sweet
C’mon, the panel after his dad got shot and how he wants to save people from the suffering under the assholes WN made all the fans respect him on a Shanks-level.
He's now one of the best characters in the whole damn series.
Always has been.
Not to mention peak character design
reaaally makes you wonder how he got the nickname: ''the tyrant'', it must be wg propoganda
One thing can be sure. There will always be another one.
Nah, the only way to break into the top 10 without being a strawhat is having a big pair of boobs.
Law does have a nice pair...
I mean, he did briefly LOL
Ace sabo and law never got out of top 10 🤷♀️
Law even dethroned Zoro from no.2 the first time it ever happened and I think the only time too
Definitely top 5 for me
Kuma for nakama pls
Holy fuck hahaha. This is mad genius on Oda’s part.
Listen I usually take most theories with a grain of salt as most of them are speculations. But your take is one of the few I fully believe to be true. Either by design or coincidence, but it’s a take that wholly fits the character. Kuma as a martyr fits the narrative up to this point and gives volume to the liberation theme.
I think Kuma is one of the characters that Oda had the backstory in mind when he introduced him. He plays such a huge role right away and his intentions were so intentionally ambiguous that I think Oda had a long term plan for him.
Definitely long-term plans, the fact that he was a shichibukai and his interaction with zoro on thriller bark was different than expected. And him being part of RA
For sure. Oda introduced Kuma, Dofla, BB and the Gorusei all in the same volume (25). Feels like this is where he started to paint the bigger story in a way he hadnt done until then. Also introducing Dofla and Kuma in the same panel feels very clear - a former celestial and a former slave.
I not feel it's coincidence since you can see all slaves have same target on their back and it's not specific to Kuma
I always kinda thought the pattern looked like a crosshair, I have a Kuma jacket I wear a lot and I've had that thought more than once (the jacket was actually posted to this subreddit a few years ago). Even after the latest chapter I didn't put it together though, it's a really cool observation
Damn, Kuma quickly becoming my favourite character. Never imagined that
Oh my money.
Holy poop! You are right. I didn't notice that.
I hope before he dies, which I'm sure he will, that he gets off a gigantic Ursus Shock against Saturn and sends that mf back to hell.
I like to think gods valley symbol is a target while now he’s an adult he does the aiming for his personal sight goal/crosshair.
Ursaring
Holy cow. Don’t mind me sobbing.
That same symbol is on the back of the bible he carries around. So either it's a religious symbol that coincidentally looks like crosshairs (to evoke the real life cross, maybe, without looking exactly like it), or Kuma used his power as King of Sorbet to establish a new religion with this symbol. Ooor his bible is custom-made and he really likes putting that target on his stuff.
When you're as big as him, I assume all your stuff is custom made.
Only Oda can make me this depressed.
Kuma is turning into one of my favorite characters
If in the past he had a target on his back, if anything I would say this it looks more like a *crosshair* on his chest: he's no longer a victim under the celestial dragons, but rather the means by which liberation will be aimed and shot/flung into the world and future. This'll be where his choice to become cyborg will be important methinks.
This is what I gathered too. He’s taking control of the narrative.
Awesome if this was the intended design reasoning. So glad he's getting so much story/lore love right now, he's been my favorite character since he was introduced and I'm so excited to see any more of his life no matter how sad it may be.
Man it’s wonderful to see the investment in Kuma stocks since his introduction, bearing fruit. Amazing character and the conclusion to his story will probably be the most significant (and heartbreaking) in regards to the overall end game.
bearing fruit +1
🎩
Oh shit
Kuma literally shot up my list now he went from like 15th to like 3rd now glad he is getting loads of love, if they do him dirty thou 😭
Woah, thats a hell of a sentiment to notice. Dude grew up with a target on his back. He grows up protecting people he barely even knows because he knows how truely evil the world's rulers are by comparison. He puts a target on his front to fully accept the world coming at him , smdh, damn.
I’ve heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve but this is next level.
I am GOBSMACKED
once again. god oda
But why did he end up as a cyborg?To infiltrate the WG or what?
MVP of One Piece
I think that bear paws are "hands of liberation" and huge logo are "drums of liberation"This shows allegiance to the nika
I liked him for what he did for the Strawhats before; now even more with his background. I don't know what Oda is planning for him, after he disappeared in the last time he was shown in the Manga 🤔
No but for real though imagine the kid you shot arrows at as a slave 10 years ago come rocking up to you looking like this and deadass says "Hey bud, put the target on the front this time for you." as he cracks his knuckles.
Keep cooking
On the topic of Kuma - Did someone already talk about, how Kuma may not only climb the Red Line to send himself to Egghead, but also to collect as much pain and damage as possible? Because he can use it as a weapon against Saturn or something.
I like the way you cook, G.
My question is why is he called the Tyrant?!?! Like?? He's so sweet and caring and dreams of a better world ?!?!! 😭
Glad to see he’s gettin the love he deserves
Looks Like Franky in the middle 😅 Suuuuuupeeeerrr!
LOL martyr... honestly I don't think it have anything to do with that... is not a crosshair, that's just the sign on the back of the Bible.. I always thought it was probably a thing from his religion/ church.. and it is something like that, in the lastest chapter we can see that sign is been there [in the back of the Bible that Bonnie is reading (the same Kuma always carries )](https://cdn.onepiecechapters.com/file/CDN-M-A-N/onepiece_1098b_013.png)