One Piece is a series that keeps fans on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns, and the release of its Vivre card packs is always an event of excitement for fans eager to learn more about their favorite characters.
The latest Vivre card folder, Folder 4, Part 2, was released in Japan on September 4, 2024, and it did not disappoint.
Titled Breakthrough! Pioneers of the New Genesis!! and Threatening! The Strong of the “New World”!!, these two volumes provided a wealth of new information about many characters, from beloved fan favorites to lesser-known figures.
The covers of these volumes feature Shanks, one of the most mysterious and powerful characters in the series, as well as Mononosuke, a character who has grown considerably over the course of the story.
However, among the many revelations contained in these volumes, one particular detail stood out to fans: the fate of Guernika, a character who some might have forgotten but whose story turned out to be deeply intertwined with key moments in the Wano arc.
Not only did the latest Vivre card reveal the proper pronunciation of Guernika’s name, which ties him to an important figure in the One Piece world, but it also confirmed that this CP0 agent met a tragic end during the intense final moments of the Wano arc.
Guernika’s Introduction in One Piece and Role in CP0
Guernika was first introduced in the Dressrosa arc as part of Cipher Pol 0 (CP0), the strongest and most elite branch of the World Government’s secret intelligence agency.
While CP9 had been feared for their ruthless efficiency in earlier arcs, CP0 was a step above them, both in terms of power and influence.
Guernika, like other CP0 members, wore a distinctive mask that concealed his true identity, adding to the air of mystery that surrounded him and his colleagues.
At first, Guernika’s role seemed relatively straightforward. He and his fellow CP0 agents were dispatched to Wano with a mission to negotiate a new supply of weapons.
The Wano arc revealed that the country, ruled by the tyrannical shogun Orochi and the fearsome Yonko Kaido, was a major supplier of weapons to the World Government and other factions.
The CP0 agents, including Guernika, were sent to secure these weapons and ensure that Wano continued to produce the materials necessary for the ongoing balance of power in the world.
However, things took a turn when the CP0 agents found themselves stuck in Wano far longer than anticipated.
Orochi’s selfish demands and manipulations kept the agents involved in the chaotic situation unfolding in the country.
As the Raid on Onigashima began and the war between the Pirate-Samurai alliance and Kaido’s forces escalated, Guernika and his fellow agents found themselves witnessing firsthand some of the most climactic battles in the series.
Guernika’s Involvement in the Raid on Onigashima
As the battle for Wano reached its peak, Guernika’s role became more prominent.
After receiving orders from Rob Lucci, one of the most dangerous and skilled agents of the World Government, Guernika and the other CP0 agents were given a new mission: capture Nico Robin.
The World Government had long sought the capture of Robin, who is the sole survivor of the Ohara Incident and the only person in the world capable of reading the ancient Poneglyphs, which hold the key to the location of the One Piece and other hidden truths of the world.
Despite their formidable abilities, the CP0 agents faced stiff resistance from the Pirate-Samurai alliance, who were determined to protect Robin and secure their victory over Kaido.
During the intense skirmishes, one of Guernika’s fellow agents, Maha, was killed in action. But Guernika, undeterred, continued to pursue his mission.
In a dramatic turn of events, Guernika found himself at the center of one of the most pivotal moments in the entire arc.
As Luffy and Kaido prepared to deliver their final blows in their climactic battle, Guernika, using his CP0 technique Tekkai (an ability that hardens the user’s body to the point where they can withstand powerful attacks), stepped in to disrupt the fight.
He held Luffy back just long enough for Kaido’s devastating attack to hit the Straw Hat captain.
This interference enraged Kaido, who had grown increasingly furious over the course of the battle due to multiple interruptions.
Kaido’s rage at having his duel with Luffy interrupted once again led to a devastating response.
In a moment of sheer brutality, Kaido struck Guernika with his massive kanabo (a spiked club that Kaido wields with terrifying strength), fatally injuring the CP0 agent.
Guernika, knowing that his fate was sealed, accepted his death without resistance.
However, before he died, he witnessed something extraordinary: Luffy’s awakening of his Devil Fruit power, the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika.
Guernika managed to send a final message to the World Government, revealing that Luffy had achieved this powerful new form before succumbing to his injuries.
Revealing the Details of Guernika’s Fate in the Vivre Card
While the events leading up to Guernika’s death were depicted in the Wano arc, the confirmation of his death and additional details about his character were revealed in the latest Vivre card release.
For those unfamiliar, the Vivre cards are official data books that provide detailed information about various characters, including their birthdays, heights, favorite foods, Haki abilities, and more.
These cards often serve to clarify or expand upon details that might not have been fully explored in the manga or anime.
In Guernika’s case, the Vivre card revealed several key pieces of information that shed new light on the character.
According to the card, Guernika was born on October 25, 2024, which would make him 42 years old at the time of his death.
His height was listed as 243 cm, marking him as a physically imposing figure, though still smaller than some of the other giants of the One Piece world.
Vivre Cards: Guernika (with a "k", like "Nika" 👀)
Birthday: October 25th
Age: 42 (time of death)
Height: 243cm
Origin: West Blue
Favorite Food: Garlic
Observation and Armament haki user pic.twitter.com/TVm5cCqo7f— Artur – Library of Ohara (@newworldartur) September 4, 2024
Guernika hailed from West Blue, one of the four seas that surround the Grand Line, and his favorite food was revealed to be garlic.
The card also confirmed that Guernika was proficient in two forms of Haki: Observation Haki, which allows users to sense the presence, emotions, and intentions of others, and Armament Haki, which grants users the ability to harden their bodies and enhance their attacks with an invisible armor.
These abilities, combined with his Tekkai technique, made him a formidable opponent, though not enough to save him from Kaido’s wrath.
Significance of Guernika’s Name and Its Connection to Nika
One of the most intriguing revelations from the Vivre card was the true pronunciation of Guernika’s name. Prior to the release of the card, fans had speculated that the name might be a reference to Pablo Picasso’s famous painting, Guernica, which depicts the horrors of war and suffering.
In fact, Guernika’s name had previously been rendered as Guernina, further fueling this connection.
However, the latest Vivre card revealed that the correct pronunciation of his name is Guernika, a name that has a deeper connection to the mythology of the One Piece world.
Specifically, the name is now understood to reference Nika, the legendary figure who Luffy’s Devil Fruit is modeled after.
Luffy’s fruit, the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, allows him to transform into the form of the “Sun God” Nika, granting him incredible powers and the ability to reshape the world around him in a cartoonish, exaggerated manner.
This revelation about Guernika’s name suggests that his character might have had a deeper thematic connection to Luffy and the concept of Nika, even though he ultimately died before these connections could be fully explored.
Had his name been revealed earlier, fans might have been able to predict Luffy’s transformation into Gear 5, which was one of the most surprising and internet-breaking moments in the entire series.
Guernika’s Death and Its Impact on the Story
While Guernika may not have been a major character in terms of screen time or narrative focus, his death served as an important moment in the Wano arc.
His interference in the battle between Luffy and Kaido, and his subsequent death at Kaido’s hands, underscored just how brutal and unforgiving the world of One Piece can be, even for powerful agents of the World Government.
Moreover, his final act of transmitting the information about Luffy’s awakened form to the World Government set the stage for future conflicts, as the revelation that Luffy possesses such a powerful Devil Fruit will likely have far-reaching consequences in the ongoing struggle between the Straw Hats and the World Government.
Guernika’s death also highlighted the complex dynamics within the One Piece world.
As a member of CP0, Guernika was part of the World Government’s elite, yet even he was ultimately expendable in the grand scheme of things.
His sacrifice demonstrated the lengths to which the World Government is willing to go in order to achieve its goals, even if it means losing valuable agents in the process.
The release of the latest Vivre card provided fans with a wealth of new information about Guernika, a character whose role in the Wano arc was both impactful and tragic.
From the confirmation of his death at the hands of Kaido to the revelation of his connection to Nika, Guernika’s story is a reminder of the many layers of intrigue and depth that One Piece continues to offer its fans.
As the series moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the information he transmitted about Luffy’s awakened Devil Fruit plays into the larger narrative, and whether other revelations about CP0 and the World Government will come to light.
Though Guernika’s journey ended in Wano, the consequences of his actions will likely continue to resonate throughout the world of One Piece as Luffy and his allies prepare for the next stage of their adventure.
