SUMMARY

One Piece released an official artwork for Luffy’s birthday.
Fans have since been split about whether the illustration is an original piece or a reference to another anime.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure comes to mind the most when looking at the image.

Eiichiro Oda has been crafting One Piece chapters almost every week, giving fans an essence of Luffy’s best and worst for decades now. Each chapter brings a new beginning and continuity at the same time. In the time that goes by, there are many occasions that come and go, celebrating achievements and the happy moments alongside it all.

Gear 5 Luffy in One Piece
As such, 5th May just so happens to mark the birthday of one of the most iconic characters in shonen anime and mangas, Monkey D. Luffy. Fans, expectedly so, gathered to celebrate the occasion as well. However, it is what came from Oda’s side that has caught their attention in many ways and not just one. An illustration just to celebrate the occasion.

Luffy Gets a Birthday Special Illustration

Eiichiro Oda recently shared a special illustration for the occasion of Luffy’s birthday (via Pewpiece on X). Falling on the 5th of May, the day becomes even more auspicious for One Piece fans. While many are already trying to connect the correlation of the date to that of Gear 5, the artwork is enough to turn heads for various reasons.
Official One Piece illustration for Luffy’s birthday
The illustration’s focus of attention, unsurprisingly is on Luffy alone. However, he is surrounded by different Straw Hat Pirates as well. Despite the many characters with him, Sanji and Nami seem to be missing from the artwork. Apart from that, Zoro, Robin, Usopp, Franky, and Chopper are all present.

Luffy seems to be engaging in a beetle fight with Usopp, channeling his competitive nature to be dedicated to defeating his competitor while having fun at the same time. Fans have since been speculating about whether the artwork is some form of a reference to another famous anime. Split between many, two those reigned on top include Pokemon and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

One Piece Made a JoJo Reference?

Luffy Imitates Eren Jaeger
Ever since the illustration met the public’s eye, they have constantly been trying to speculate if the artwork has a deeper meaning or holds on its own for the sake of Luffy’s birthday. While many wished to see the inclusion of Nami and other people near and dear to the protagonist, it is the beetle fighting in itself that has caught the fans’ eye the most. Heracross, a Pokemon has also been mentioned many times by them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other end of the fanbase sees another reference sprouting through the mist. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is one series that has references filled in the deepest, darkest, and most unknown corners that fans might not even realize. Such is the range that the manga and anime provide.

Beetle battles are far from uncommon in the anime and the manga, but what the scene puts into focus in the 8th story arc of JoJolion, Every Day is a Summer Vacation. What is different here than the rest of them is the fact that Josuke and Jobin engage in a beetle battle that eventually evolves into an all-out stand battle.

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