That Time I Went to the One Piece Panel at Anime North and Forgot How to Breathe (Kinda)

Okay so—first off, yes I’m still emotionally recovering from the One Piece panel at Anime North last year (2024 I think?? The con days are all starting to blur together ngl).

I wasn’t even planning on going to that panel. I just kinda wandered in after buying too many keychains (again 😤), and I saw “25 Years of One Piece” on the panel schedule and went “eh sure, let’s cry.”

Spoiler alert: I did.

🍖 Luffy, Legacy, and Laughs

First off, the panelists were clearly hardcore. Not like, gatekeeping jerks—more like the “I’ve read every SBS and have a Buggy tattoo” kind of fans. The main guy had a straw hat, obviously, but the Nami cosplayer next to him had like a 12-slide breakdown of Zoro's growth arc and even brought up how he lowkey might be one of the most tragic characters. Like?? Yes. Preach.

They also had a section called "Who Actually Has the Saddest Backstory?" and the debate got heated. One person in the audience shouted “BROOKE DIED TWICE!!” and someone else just whispered “Robin” and everyone kind of nodded solemnly for 30 seconds. 😂

🗺️ Theory Time Got Wild

So the last half of the panel went full tinfoil hat mode and it was glorious. Here’s a few theories they threw around:

  • The One Piece is actually a metaphor (but like... also maybe a time machine?)

  • The ancient weapons might be connected to the moon somehow???

  • Someone claimed Bon Clay might return in the final arc to save Luffy (if that happens I will scream in 4 languages).

They showed manga panels with ridiculous zoom-ins like, “Look! The number 56 shows up again!” and we all just nodded like it made sense. Honestly, it kinda did in the moment.

🏴‍☠️ Straw Hat Vibes

The best part though? The energy. Everyone in that room got it. It didn’t matter if you were caught up to chapter 1100 or still back in the Thriller Bark arc—everyone was just vibing. We clapped when they played the "To The Grand Line!" soundtrack and someone even handed out candy during the “Favorite Devil Fruit” discussion (I voted for the Yami Yami no Mi—chaos mode forever).

Final Thought: Would I Go Again?

1000% yes. Even if it’s the same content next year. Even if the projector breaks and someone has to mime Gear 5 (that actually kinda happened).

Moral of the story: if you’re at Anime North and see a One Piece panel? Just go. Don’t think. Don’t hesitate. Just believe in the dream 🏴‍☠️✨

Anyway thanks for reading my ramble. Now back to rewatching Marineford for the 7th time. 😩


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