It’s been close to 19 years since creator Eiichiro Oda shared Nico Robin’s heart-breaking flashback in One Piece. While Jaguar D. Saul was initially assumed to be dead after the Ohara incident, Oda shocked fans with a surprise reveal. Much like Robin, we were in tears when we found out the giant man was still alive and kicking. Since then, we have been waiting with bated breath for Robin and Saul’s much-awaited reunion in One Piece.
That day is finally here. Oda finally gave Robin and the fans what we have been wanting for after two decades in chapter 1133. Keep reading to find out how the emotional reunion between Robin and Saul played out in the latest chapter.
Spoilers Warning: This post contains heavy spoilers for One Piece chapter 1133. You’ve been warned.
Nico Robin’s Dream Comes True in Chapter 1133
It has been close to 22 years in the story since Nico Robin first encountered Jaguar D. Saul on the shores of Ohara. Despite being part of Robin’s life for a short time, Saul became a parental figure in her life. Unfortunately, the Ohara incident followed their fateful encounter, and it marked the end of the connection between both.
As luck would have it, Saul survived the devastating Ice Capsule attack by Aokiji and the buster call. He was indeed a tough giant and went into hiding in his home country. Shaka, one of the Vegapunk satellites confirmed Saul was alive to the Straw Hat Pirates and revealed that he has been secretly living in Elbaf.
As the Straw Hats finally sailed to the Elbaf, Nico Robin’s long-awaited dream of meeting her pillar of support became a reality.
If you don’t remember Nico Robin’s first meeting with Saul, I suggest you re-read Chapter 392 or rewatch Episode 275. This is because Oda has masterfully made the reunion mirror Robin’s first encounter with the giant. Just when the Straw Hats were about to arrive in Elbaf, the news of Saul collapsing kept us worried. The creator perfectly encapsulated our concerns in this chapter as well. But it was nothing more than a friendly ploy by Saul to break the ice during his reunion with Robin.
The Tearful Reunion of Nico Robin and Saul
Oda set up this most-awaited reunion to be similar to how the first meeting unfolded 22 years ago. Saul was once again lying along the shore and tried to frighten Robin just like he did back then. Nico Robin stood with hands behind her back, but this time with a smile on her face. Saul remarked how Robin had grown old and looked like her kind mother exactly.
The two then chatted about how their lives had been changed and how Vegapunk carried out the voice of Ohara. But my heart skipped a beat when Robin asked Saul “Aren’t you going to praise me for being alive?” From a very young age, Robin was met with countless tragedies. The whole world cast her aside as the devil child but she survived on her own, thanks to Nico Olvia and Saul pushing her to stay alive.
Oda went to the lengths of extending Nico Robin’s flashback in this chapter to show the horrendous sight of how this world treated her. But that’s what made this reunion even more special and when Saul praised her for surviving against all odds, the two began to bawl their eyes out (grabs tissues to snort out my feelings). Oda has been outstanding in making his fans cry with joy this year, first with Kuma and Bonney’s story and now this reunion.
This reunion certainly had every corner of the fanbase in tears. As Luffy stated this reunion was 22 years in the making but it was worth it. This is undoubtedly my favorite One Piece moment of 2024. It is all thanks to Oda sensei for crafting it so flawlessly and even the Straw Hat crew couldn’t keep their eyes from welling up in the end.
Upon witnessing this reunion, I have no doubts that Oda will nail the most anticipated reunion of Luffy and Shanks. There is one more chapter left to be released in 2024, so let’s wait to see what he has in store for the final chapter of 2024. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts about Nico Robin and Jaguar D. Saul’s reunion in the comments below.
