A post-credit scene added to Netflix’s Monsters confirms that its protagonist Ryuma is indeed the same legendary samurai from Wano who bestowed Zoro with Shusui on Thriller Bark. The scene in question is a clip from episode #362 of One Piece where Ryuma’s zombie (animated by Moria using Brook’s shadow) throws Shusui to Zoro following their battle and Ryuma’s defeat, which further proves that the two are one and the same.

The anime adaptation of Monsters also makes other subtle changes such as giving Ryuma Shusui instead of the regular katana he carries in the manga, further painting the prequel as canon.

Netflix Makes Ryuma from Monsters Canon to One Piece

While the two do have their differences in that Shimotsuki Ryuma is known to have slain a dragon in Wano rather than a foreign land, this discrepancy is easily overshadowed by their similarities. Other discrepancies such as the gray hair observed on Ryuma’s zombie and the missing scar over his eye in Monsters can also be chalked up to his hair having grayed with aging and the scar being acquired later in life. Monsters especially takes care to refer to Ryuma as a warrior from a foreign land multiple times, urging viewers to make the connection to Wano.

Moreover, according to a comment by Oda in the SBS section of chapter #457 of One Piece, the legendary warrior of Wano was greatly inspired by his counterpart in Monsters. Hence, the decision to pivot the one-shot into a fully canon prequel doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Retconning Monsters as a One Piece prequel may have been an attempt to capitalize on One Piece‘s recent success and Netflix’s attempts to secure its One Piece monopoly seeing as Monsters has also been listed as part of its One Piece Collection.

Overall, while the two may have started as two different characters existing in two different canons, Monsters‘ anime adaptation has managed to bridge the gap between the two, making the story an excellent introduction to one of Zoro’s most intriguing opponents in One Piece. Although fans have only been given a glimpse of Ryuma’s journey thus far, his character has certainly captivated many with his endearing personality, which will hopefully culminate in his return as part of a full-fledged series, especially now that Monsters has been confirmed to be canon.