Marvel Rivals Players Think an Upcoming Costume is a One…

After getting a first look at the Human Torch's upcoming Swimsuit Special costume, Marvel Rivals fans believe they've spotted a clear One Piece reference. Speculations started when some fans shared Marvel Rivals' Summer Spectacular Gallery Card online, revealing Johnny Storm's upcoming summer-themed outfit.

This isn't the first time Marvel Rivals fans have claimed to spot One Piece references. A while back, many pointed out that some of Mr. Fantastic moves resemble Monkey D. Luffy's inflated form. Specifically, they suggested that attack animations like his inflated downward punch were likely inspired by Luffy's unique techniques, such as the Gomu Gomu no Ude Fusen. Now, many believe they've found yet another nod to the anime, once again connected to The Fantastic Four.

Marvel Rivals Fan Shows Off One Piece Skin Concepts

A fan of Marvel Rivals is sharing their stunning designs for a set of crossover skins with beloved anime franchise One Piece.

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By Michael Brandon Ingram

In short, the new theory is that Human Torch's upcoming Swimsuit Special is inspired by One Piece's popular villain, Donquixote Doflamingo. As seen on the Summer Spectacular Gallery Card, the outfit gives Johnny Storm a blonde pixie cut and a pair of thin white sunglasses with red lenses, both signature elements of Doflamingo's appearance. The costume also includes a flamboyant, unbuttoned pink shirt that resembles Doflamingo's iconic pink feather coat. Interestingly, the official One Piece Twitter account responded to the rumors about a Doflamingo reference in Marvel Rivals by posting a thinking emoji along with an artwork of the villain.

Human Torch's Upcoming Skin Could Be a Nod to One Piece's Doflamingo

The skin in question will likely arrive in Marvel Rivals sometime after Season 3.0, possibly during the 3.5 update. It remains to be seen whether the actual in-game model will look as Doflamingo-inspired as the illustration. The Human Torch will also receive a Special Team-Up with The Thing, set to arrive in the game on July 25, just one day after the MCU's new Fantastic Four film hits theaters.

So far, most of the game's references have been callbacks to the MCU films or Marvel Comics. For example, Marvel Rivals' Emma Frost X-Revolution costume includes tributes to two separate iconic comic books. In other words, confirmed references to non-Marvel IPs have been rare, making the potential One Piece nod a unique case.

Whether fans are spot-on with the One Piece reference or not, the Human Torch seems like the perfect character for such an Easter egg. Both Johnny Storm and Doflamingo are known for their flamboyant, showy personalities, and that flair is reflected in their styles as well. In the upcoming days, it'll be interesting to see whether the game confirms an actual connection between the two characters—and whether more of these "subtly anime-inspired" skins are planned to join Marvel Rivals' universe.

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