Episode 1133 of the One Piece arrived with strong emotions and an unexpected surprise. Besides showcasing Kuma , Toei Animation surprised fans with a subtle reference to the Willem Dafoe meme. And internet otaku didn't let that detail go unnoticed.
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The fight that revealed more than just strength
In this episode, Kuma finally faces an entire Marine fleet to defend the Sorbet Kingdom. Although known for avoiding conflict, he uses the full power of the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi Devil Fruit to protect Bonney and prevent Bekori from regaining tyrannical control of the kingdom. Even with the victory, Kuma shows anguish for having used his ability so destructively.
#ONEPIECE1133
— 𝙍𝙀𝙓⚡𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙇𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙮🏴☠️👑 (@Rexplorer) June 15, 2025
They really sneaked the meme into an animation 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/hCYLQ6IoAO
However, what also caught the attention of fans was the expression of one of the sailors during the battle. The character makes a face of astonishment extremely similar to that of actor Willem Dafoe, in a famous meme taken from the film At Eternity's Gate . As they said on social media, the moment is quick, but memorable.
The confirmation came from one of the episode's animators, who subtly commented on the X network (formerly Twitter) that the inspiration from this meme was intentional. This small homage went viral, showing how anime knows how to capture details of Western pop culture, albeit discreetly.
One Piece continues to surprise with its balance of emotion, action, and cultural references. By delivering visually powerful yet humorous scenes, the anime reinforces its dominance as a global phenomenon.
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