There’s no denying that in recent months, the One Piece anime has delivered stunning visual experiences. Aside from occasional pacing issues, most episodes have been rated above average, with some reaching outstanding quality. However, episode 1152 has ignited intense debate by drastically altering a character’s power.
A Critical Mistake: Giving Conqueror’s Haki to Bonney?
During the showdown between the Five Elders’ Saturn and the Luffy-Bonney alliance, the anime shocked fans with a new detail. When Bonney transforms into a “Nika-like future form” and delivers a massive punch to Saturn, her fist is surrounded by vivid red lightning.
In the One Piece world, deep red lightning is a hallmark of advanced Conqueror’s Haki. This led many viewers to mistakenly believe Bonney had awakened this extremely rare power. However, the corresponding manga chapter shows Bonney only using Armament Haki to strengthen her punch. The anime’s addition of red lightning effects not only causes confusion but also distorts the power system that creator Eiichiro Oda carefully established.
Toei’s History of Inconsistencies
This isn’t the first time Toei Animation has taken liberties with the story. During the Wano arc, fans were surprised when Prometheus, Big Mom’s sun spirit, dived into the sea to save her, despite the original manga clearly stating Prometheus fears water and would dissolve upon contact.
The trend continues in the Egghead arc. For example, in the Sanji vs. S-Shark fight, the manga shows Sanji dominating and rescuing Nami and Brook. But the anime reverses this, making Nami the one to save Sanji, which diminishes the Straw Hats’ combat dynamics.
Recently, the anime has been generous in adding red lightning effects to many minor characters, even those unfamiliar with Haki, seemingly just to make scenes look flashier.
Why Bonney Can’t Have Conqueror’s Haki Yet
For a young character like Bonney to wield Armament Haki proficiently is already impressive. Conqueror’s Haki, however, is a skill that even legends and the Four Emperors spend decades mastering. Granting Bonney this power boost instantly is not only illogical within the story but also undermines the hard-earned achievements of characters like Luffy and Zoro.
If Bonney ever awakens this ability, it should be a long, deliberate journey crafted by Oda, not a careless mistake by the anime’s editors.
The One Piece anime remains an excellent entertainment product with thrilling battles and epic music. Still, for an accurate and complete understanding of the story and characters’ true powers, reading the manga is essential.