Few anime and manga series have ever achieved the huge popularity and lasting impact of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. This series has created a cultural phenomenon that captivates fans with its vast universe, fascinating characters, and clever storytelling. Yet, One Piece has also received its fair share of criticism, especially in light of its length.
For a long time, anime fans have complained about the fact that the series is simply too long, a seemingly never-ending tale. However, what initially appeared to be a possible flaw, now has been turned by fans into one of the strongest aspects of the series. This is particularly evident in contrast with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, a prequel series of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto.
Eiichiro Oda’s Brilliance through Long-Form Storytelling in One Piece
Many critics often believe that One Piece‘s expansive storyline may turn off new viewers and readers because they will be overwhelmed by the amount of content. However, the massive fan base of One Piece hasn’t let up in spite of this criticism, rather it keeps expanding. In fact, a lot of fans claim that One Piece‘s uniqueness stems from its very length.
One of the key reasons One Piece has maintained its popularity despite its length is Eiichiro Oda‘s unparalleled world-building. Oda has created a universe so rich in detail, lore, and history that it feels almost tangible. In light to this, User breezy_Jello has hosted a thread on Reddit to discuss highlighting the genius of Oda.
The series creates a universe that is both realistic and mystical by fusing mythology, real-world history, and social issues. Every chapter demonstrates Oda’s extensive knowledge and comprehension of a wide range of topics, from ancient civilizations to current modern challenges.
In addition to this, it’s obvious that Oda loves the universe he has made. No matter how long it takes, he spends the time necessary to fully develop every aspect of his work.
Oda’s dedication to his craft is what keeps fans engaged, even as the series has been running for years. Oda clearly loves every minute spent expanding the One Piece universe, and his enthusiasm for his work is apparent.
The Difference Between the World-Building of Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto
One Piece and Naruto differ greatly in how their different creators relate to their distinct universes. It’s evident that Oda adores the world he has made. Compared to that, Naruto‘s prequel series Boruto presented some serious challenges for Masashi Kishimoto to overcome in order to grow his franchise.
Boruto has frequently come under fire for not having the same depth and passion as Naruto, despite the fact that Naruto was a pioneering series in and of itself. Rather than feeling like a continuation of Kishimoto’s initial idea, Boruto seems more like a business venture. Thus, it leads to the speculation that Kishimoto’s heart was no longer entirely in it because the series has failed to maintain the same magic.
On the other hand, One Piece‘s success lies in its ability to maintain a high level of quality over an extended period of time, something few series can match. Although some may find One Piece‘s length intimidating, its epic grandeur is exactly what has made it one of the most beloved manga series ever.
You can watch One Piece and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations on Crunchyroll.
