Bartholomew Kuma

The Bartholomew Kuma card, cataloged as OP09-108, was released as part of the 'Emperors in the New World' expansion for the One Piece Card Game. This set was designed to reflect the shifting power dynamics of the series' narrative, focusing on key figures who occupy the highest tiers of influence, such as the Four Emperors and those connected to the Revolutionary Army. The card draws its imagery from the post-timeskip era of the character, emphasizing his transition into a Pacifista and the complex tragedy surrounding his role under the World Government.

The visual direction for this series leans heavily into the high-contrast, dynamic art style established by Bandai for the One Piece trading card line. In designing this specific iteration, the creative team aimed to capture Kuma's stoic, mechanical presence through bold line work and thematic color palettes that align with his character's dark backstory. Upon release, the card was received as a significant tactical piece for players utilizing Black-color decks, valued by the community for both its strategic utility in board control and its thematic representation of one of the series' most profound characters.