A clip from the forthcoming episode 1049 of One Piece has been released early, revealing an intriguing sequence of events. The recent release of an animated clip is indicative of the high anticipation for the forthcoming episode. This scene from One Piece episode 1049 marks the first time Luffy has transformed into Gear Fourth Snakeman since the Whole Cake Island arc. Additionally, the scene has alluded to the four-year anniversary of the form’s first introduction in the Whole Cake Island arc, which occurred in episode 870 of the anime. The leak of One Piece episode 1049’s Snakeman was released on Twitter on January 27, 2023, by user @JaydisHIM, which just so happens to be the exact four-year anniversary of the anime’s premiere of that particular form (Jay).
The user seems to be the first Twitter poster, but watermarks from two leakers in the video’s lower left corner suggest the leak originated in the Arabic scene. Here, we see Luffy, riding Momo nos uke’s adult dragon form, activate Snakeman upon their arrival at the Skull Dome Rooftop on Onigashima. Meanwhile, Yamato has started her own attack and is speeding towards Kaido. At the same time as Yamato fires an energy strike from her kanabo, Luffy utilises a Jet Culverin to land a far punch. Both assaults hit the stunned Kaido at the same time, sending a catastrophic shockwave through the area and knocking the Yonko back hundreds of yards.
The footage ends with a close-up image of Yamato and Luffy separately, after showing Kaido falling through multiple rocks on the rooftop. Toei Animation’s work on the scene in One Piece episode 1049 has been praised by fans all over social media for its high quality, which is especially noteworthy given the rarity of anime scene leaks. Fans are ecstatic that the leak occurred on the fourth anniversary of Snakeman’s first anime airing. Fans’ feelings over the leak of this scene have been amplified by the fact that they have begun comparing the series’ current art style to the appearance of Snakeman’s initial debut and have generally been happy with the improvement.