One Piece volume 109 cover brings back Kuma and Sentomaru with Bonney

Fans can look forward to the official release of One Piece volume 109 in Japan on July 4, 2024. This highly anticipated installment, which marks the conclusion of the Egghead Arc, will delve into the emotional backstories of Bartholomew Kuma and Jewelry Bonney, a narrative that has deeply resonated with readers.

Following the conclusion of the flashback, which explores the origins of Kuma and Bonney’s father-daughter bond, the story returns to the present events occurring on Egghead. As the release of One Piece volume 109 draws near, fans eagerly anticipate its stunning cover, crafted by the talented Eiichiro Oda.

Please be aware that this article includes significant spoilers from the One Piece manga up to chapter 1118.

The cover of One Piece volume 109 is a heartwarming piece of art

Vegapunk, Sentomaru, and Kizaru: Nika Dance with Kuma and Bonney

The release of One Piece volume 109 is scheduled for three weeks from now, and the franchise’s official account on X has already shared a glimpse of what the cover will look like. Additionally, a video has been released showcasing Eiichiro Oda’s creative process for the project, from the initial sketch to the final product. The video also reveals some of the mangaka’s discarded ideas for the cover.

From the video, it can be inferred that Oda’s original plan was to depict Bartholomew Kuma and a tearful Jewelry Bonney fleeing from a member of the Five Elders, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn. However, the author ultimately chose to replace this scene with a more comforting one.

The front cover of One Piece volume 109 features a cheerful Kuma holding a young Jewelry Bonney in his arms, with Bonney happily embracing her adoptive father. Standing in front of them are Dr. Vegapunk and his bodyguard Sentomaru, as well as Marine Admiral Borsalino “Kizaru.”

As Vegapunk, Sentomaru, and Kizaru dance the signature Nika, they are joined by the smiling Egghead employees. Stussy, the CP0 agent and clone of Miss Buckingham Stussy, observes the scene with a grin. The futuristic Egghead headquarters looms in the background, against a picturesque pink and partly cloudy sky.

Additionally, the illustration depicts Monkey D. Luffy unleashing his Gear 5 transformation, transforming him into the renowned “Sun God”Nika. Similarly to how Nika would bring joy and liberation to those who were oppressed, Luffy appears to dispel the darkness, symbolically bringing forth the sun’s radiance.

The One Piece franchise’s name is displayed in a pale orange hue. The cover of One Piece volume 109 uses soft, delicate colors to evoke a nostalgic and gentle feeling. This atmosphere perfectly complements the installment’s content, which depicts Kuma’s final moments as a human before being transformed into a mindless cyborg serving the World Government.

Bartholomew Kuma in the past (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite the heaviness of the situation, Kuma found solace in the knowledge that his sacrifice had been part of a deal with Saint Saturn to spare Bonney’s life. As he neared the end of his human consciousness, Kuma was filled with peace, reassured that his actions had ensured the safety of Ginny’s cherished memento, Bonney.

As the surgery was coming to an end, Vegapunk and the others were overcome with emotion and tears. In a flash, Kuma’s entire life passed before his eyes and he was able to remember all the faces of his loved ones.

The impact of this scene is intensified by the fact that One Piece volume 109 will also reveal the current happenings, featuring Kuma’s timely arrival on Egghead to rescue Bonney from Saturn’s malevolent grasp. Adding to the unexpected and somber atmosphere is the reunion of old acquaintances, with Vegapunk, Sentomaru, and Kizaru also present on the island.