One Piece
One Piece is a popular Japanese manga series created by Eiichiro Oda. It has been published in Weekly Shōnen Jump since July 1997 and is currently available in 110 volumes as of November 2024. The story follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, on their journey through the Grand Line to find the legendary treasure known as the “One Piece,” to make Luffy the next King of the Pirates.
The manga has expanded into a major media franchise, including an anime series by Toei Animation, which began airing in 1999. There have also been fourteen animated movies, one original video animation, and thirteen TV specials. The franchise has inspired various products like trading cards and video games. In addition to its release in Japan, One Piece is licensed for English-language distribution in North America by Viz Media and in Australia by Madman Entertainment. The anime was originally licensed by 4Kids Entertainment in 2004 but was later acquired by Funimation in 2007. In 2023, Netflix released a live-action TV series adaptation.
One Piece has earned widespread acclaim for its storytelling, world-building, art, character development, and humour. Critics, reviewers, and readers regard it as one of the greatest manga series ever created. By August 2022, it had sold over 516.6 million copies across 61 countries, making it the best-selling manga and comic series in history. Several volumes have broken publishing records, including the highest initial print run for any book in Japan. In 2015 and 2022, One Piece set a Guinness World Record for “the most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author.” It was the top-selling manga for eleven consecutive years from 2008 to 2018, and it holds the record for the most volumes with an initial print run exceeding 3 million copies. Additionally, it’s the only manga to have sold over 1 million copies in all its 100+ published volumes. Since 2008, One Piece has consistently ranked first on Oricon’s weekly comic chart every year.
Setting
The world of One Piece is a diverse and expansive place, home to many different races, including humans, dwarves (similar to faeries in size), giants, merfolk, fish-men, long-limbed tribes, Snakeneck Tribe (with long necks), and animal people known as Minks. It is governed by the World Government, an intercontinental organization made up of many member countries. The Navy serves as the military arm of the World Government, protecting the seas from pirates and criminals. Another key group is Cipher Pol, a secret police force working within the government.
Pirates are a constant threat to the World Government, but they face even greater opposition from the Revolutionary Army, which seeks to overthrow the government. This creates a central conflict in the series, where the World Government and pirates are in constant tension. The series explores the moral ambiguity surrounding the term “pirate,” showing that while some pirates are villains, others are simply individuals resisting the authoritarian rule of the World Government.
The world also features supernatural elements, such as Devil Fruits. These fruits grant incredible powers to those who eat them but at the cost of losing the ability to swim and becoming weak in water. Another powerful ability in the One Piece world is Haki, a mysterious force that enhances willpower, observation, and combat skills, and can be used to harm certain Devil Fruit users.
The world of One Piece is made up of two vast oceans, divided by the towering Red Line, a massive mountain range. Within these oceans lies the Grand Line, a dangerous and mysterious sea that runs perpendicular to the Red Line. The Grand Line is surrounded by the Calm Belt, areas of peaceful water that are home to massive, ship-eating creatures called Sea Kings.
These geographical features divide the world into four main seas: North Blue, East Blue, West Blue, and South Blue. Travel between these seas and into the Grand Line is challenging. However, there are unique methods of crossing these barriers. For instance, the World Government uses Sea Prism Stones to hide their ships as they navigate the Calm Belt. Another way to reach the Grand Line is through Reverse Mountain, where water from all four seas flows uphill into a dangerous canal leading into the Grand Line.
The Grand Line itself is split into two sections by the Red Line: the first half is known as Paradise, and the second half is called the New World.
Premise
One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a young man with the ability to stretch like rubber after accidentally eating the Gum-Gum Fruit. Luffy embarks on a journey from the East Blue Sea to find the legendary treasure “One Piece,” left behind by the late King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger, and takes his title as the new Pirate King. Luffy becomes the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, a crew that includes:
- Roronoa Zoro – a skilled swordsman and former bounty hunter
- Name – a thief and navigator obsessed with money
- Usopp – a sniper and habitual liar
- Sanji – a chivalrous cook with a love for women
The crew acquires a ship, the Going Merry, later replaced by the Thousand Sunny, and faces off against dangerous pirates. As the journey unfolds, new members join their crew, including:
- Tony Tony Chopper – a reindeer doctor who can transform into a human
- Nico Robin – an archaeologist and former assassin
- Franky – a cyborg shipwright
- Brook – a skeleton musician and swordsman
- Jimbei – a fish-man and former member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea who becomes their helmsman
Together, they sail the seas, encountering other pirates, bounty hunters, criminal organizations, revolutionaries, secret agents, and agents of the morally complex World Government. Throughout their adventures, they make new friends and face countless challenges in pursuit of their dreams.
Concept and Creation
Eiichiro Oda’s fascination with pirates began in his childhood, inspired by the animated series Vicky the Viking. This sparked his desire to create a manga about pirates. Oda’s reading of pirate biographies also influenced the development of characters in One Piece, with real-life pirates like Edward “Blackbeard” Teach inspiring the creation of characters such as Marshall D. Teach. In addition to pirate history, Oda’s biggest influence was Akira Toriyama and his manga Dragon Ball, one of Oda’s favourites.
Oda started working on One Piece in 1996 while assisting Nobuhiro Watsuki. The initial concept began as two one-shot stories called Romance Dawn, which would later become the first chapter and volume of One Piece. Both stories featured Luffy and included elements that would later appear in the main series. The first story was published in Akamaru Jump in August 1996, while the second was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump that same year. These stories were later reprinted in various collections.
In an interview, Takanori Asada, the original editor of One Piece, revealed that the manga was rejected three times by Weekly Shōnen Jump before it was finally accepted for serialization. Kazuhiko Torishima, the magazine’s editor-in-chief at the time, explained that the decision to serialize the series was debated for hours. Although the editors saw its potential, Torishima initially opposed it due to the work feeling “incomplete.” Ultimately, Asada’s persistence convinced them to approve the series, with one editor suggesting that both Oda and Asada would be devastated if it was rejected.
Development
Oda’s main inspiration for the concept of Devil Fruits came from the character Doraemon. Much like the gadgets in Doraemon, the abilities of the Devil Fruits reflect Oda’s daily experiences and personal fantasies, with the Gum-Gum Fruit, for example, being inspired by Oda’s laziness. When designing the appearance of the Devil Fruits, Oda aims to create fruits that would entice someone to want to eat them, thinking about human desires when envisioning their look.
Many of the names for special attacks and other concepts in One Piece involve puns, where kanji phrases are paired with unique readings. Oda often mixes languages for character techniques, and some of Zoro’s sword moves are intended as jokes. For instance, Zoro’s famous move, Onigiri, is written as “demon cut” in kanji, but it sounds the same as “rice ball” when spoken aloud in Japanese. Eisaku Inoue, the animation director, explained that these puns weren’t carried over into the anime to avoid losing the humour, while director Konosuke Uda believes that the anime stayed quite faithful to the manga overall.
Oda is known to be “sensitive” about how One Piece is translated, especially when it comes to maintaining the original feel of the work. For example, in the English version of the manga, one onomatopoeic sound is often used to represent multiple sounds from the Japanese version. In one case, “saaa” (representing light rain or mist) and “zaaa” (the sound of pouring rain) are both translated as “fshhhhhhh.”
Unlike many other manga artists, Oda personally draws every character and object that moves to maintain a consistent look, while his staff handles drawing the backgrounds based on his sketches. This results in a heavy workload, with Oda working from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day, taking only brief breaks for meals. His weekly schedule is split, with the first three days dedicated to writing the storyboard and the remaining days spent on inking the boards and adding colour.
In response to a reader’s question about Nami’s love life, Oda explained that there would likely be no romantic relationships within Luffy’s crew. He intentionally avoids including love stories in One Piece since it is a shōnen manga, and he believes the young male audience isn’t particularly interested in romance plots.
Conclusion
Oda initially planned for One Piece to last only five years and had already envisioned the ending. However, as he became more attached to the story, he realized it would take longer to complete than originally expected. In 2016, nearly 20 years after serialization began, Oda stated that he had completed 65% of the story he intended to tell. By 2018, on the 21st anniversary of One Piece, he updated that the plot was about 80% finished.
In a 2019 television special, Oda confirmed that One Piece was nearing its conclusion but would exceed 100 volumes. He also mentioned that he would be open to altering the ending if fans could predict it. When asked if the titular treasure of One Piece symbolized “family bonds,” Oda firmly rejected this idea, citing his dislike for stories where the reward of adventure is simply the adventure itself. Instead, he emphasized that while the journey matters, the goal is even more important.
By August 2019, Oda predicted that One Piece would end within five years but reaffirmed his commitment to the ending he originally planned. In August 2020, Shueisha announced that the manga was entering its final saga. In January 2021, One Piece celebrated its milestone of 1,000 chapters. In June 2022, Oda revealed that the series would take a one-month break to prepare for its 25th anniversary and the beginning of its final saga, set to start with chapter 1054.
FAQs
What is D in One Piece?
The “D” in One Piece represents a mysterious and significant lineage, carried by certain characters like Luffy, Gol D. Roger, and Blackbeard. It is linked to a rebellious will and a hidden history that opposes the World Government. The true meaning of the “D” is still a mystery and danger in the series.
When was One Piece made?
One Piece was created by Eiichiro Oda and first serialized on July 22, 1997, in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Why did One Piece stop?
One Piece was created by Eiichiro Oda and first serialized on July 22, 1997, in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
How many chapters of One Piece are animated?
As of November 2024, there are over 1,080 chapters of One Piece, and the anime has adapted most of them. The anime series has been airing since 1999, and it covers the majority of the manga’s chapters, although some chapters have been left out or adjusted for pacing. The exact number of chapters adapted can vary depending on filler episodes and arcs, but the anime closely follows the manga’s storyline, particularly in recent years.
Who is Shanks’ father?
Shanks’ father is Rocky D. Xebec (also known as Captain Rocks), who was a notorious pirate and the captain of the Rocks Pirates. He is considered one of the most dangerous pirates in history, though much about him is shrouded in mystery. Xebec was a key figure in One Piece lore, and his legacy plays an important part in the series’ overarching story. However, the full details of his relationship with Shanks have yet to be fully revealed in the manga and anime.
Who killed Gol d Roger?
Gol D. Roger, the former King of the Pirates, was not killed by any specific person but instead died by his own choice. He was captured by the World Government and sentenced to execution. However, before his death, Roger revealed the location of the legendary treasure, the “One Piece,” which sparked the Great Pirate Era. His execution was carried out publicly, but Roger’s death was not at the hands of a particular individual—he died due to the illness that had been slowly killing him.
Why is One Piece not popular?
One Piece is very popular, being the best-selling manga series ever. Some may find it less appealing due to its long length, filler episodes, slow pacing, and unique art style. However, it still has a massive global fanbase.
What is the longest arc in One Piece?
The longest arc in One Piece is the Dressrosa Arc, which spans 118 episodes in the anime and 102 chapters in the manga. It involves the Straw Hat Pirates’ battle against the warlord Donquixote Doflamingo and his crew.
What is the longest fight in One Piece?
The longest fight in One Piece is the Luffy vs. Donquixote Doflamingo battle, which lasts for about 11 hours in real-time. This fight takes place during the Dressrosa Arc and is spread across several chapters and episodes.
Who has never lost a fight in One Piece?
Characters who have never lost a fight in One Piece include Shanks, Dracule Mihawk, Gol D. Roger, and Monkey D. Garp.
Who is the most forgotten character in One Piece?
The most forgotten character in One Piece is often considered to be Vivi Nefertari, the princess of Alabasta. While she played a crucial role in the Alabasta Arc, she hasn’t appeared as frequently in the story after that. Many fans remember her fondly but she has faded into the background as the series progressed.
Who beats God in One Piece?
In One Piece, Enel, the self-proclaimed “God” of Skypiea, is defeated by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy defeats Enel during the Skypiea Arc, despite Enel’s ability to control lightning, by using his rubber powers, which make him immune to Enel’s electrical attacks.
Who is the most brutal character in One Piece?
The most brutal character in One Piece is often considered to be Donquixote Doflamingo. He is known for his ruthless and sadistic nature, causing immense suffering to both his enemies and allies. His actions, including manipulating people, causing mass destruction, and his cold-hearted execution of justice, make him one of the series’ most brutal characters.
Who scared Luffy’s chest?
As for the X-shaped scar on Luffy’s chest, it was inflicted by Admiral Akainu during the Marineford War. The scar resulted from Akainu’s magma-based attack, which was meant for Luffy. However, Jinbe intervened to protect Luffy, taking the blow himself and causing the distinctive scar on Luffy’s chest.
Who is the most loyal in Luffy’s crew?
Roronoa Zoro is widely considered the most loyal member of Luffy’s crew. His unwavering trust in Luffy and his willingness to follow him into any situation, no matter how dangerous, sets him apart. One of the most notable demonstrations of Zoro’s loyalty occurs during the Thriller Bark arc, where he sacrifices himself to protect Luffy. Zoro endures immense pain and near death to take on an attack meant for Luffy, showing his deep commitment to his captain and friend. This act is a defining moment in their relationship and highlights Zoro’s loyalty to Luffy above all else.