After getting a first look at the Human Torch’s upcoming Swimsuit Special costume,Marvel Rivalsfans believe they’ve spotted a clearOne Piecereference. Speculations started when some fans sharedMarvel Rivals' Summer Spectacular Gallery Card online, revealing Johnny Storm’s upcoming summer-themed outfit.
This isn’t the first timeMarvel Rivalsfans have claimed to spotOne Piecereferences. 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.
In short, the new theory is that Human Torch’s upcoming Swimsuit Special is inspired byOne 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 officialOne PieceTwitter account responded to the rumors about a Doflamingo reference inMarvel Rivalsby 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 inMarvel Rivalssometime 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 theMCU’s newFantastic Fourfilmhits 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 costumeincludes tributes to two separate iconic comic books. In other words, confirmed references to non-Marvel IPs have been rare, making the potentialOne Piecenod a unique case.
Whether fans are spot-on with theOne Piecereference 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 joinMarvel Rivals' universe.
