Eiichiro Oda has come a long way since One Piece first began. The series’ journey is one that not many can achieve yet he was able to do it anyway. The manga and anime are both acknowledged to be extremely lengthy. The unusual length is something that has always made it unique.
The manga and anime always stood out due to the increasing number of chapters and episodes. So much so that it is one of the only few mangas to have over a hundred volumes with above a thousand episodes and chapters respectively. The length of the franchise can undoubtedly be intimidating but that hasn’t stopped One Piece’s fanbase from growing exponentially.
Eiichiro Oda Changed His Plans
During an interview with Kohei Horikoshi (via Edomonogatari), Eiichiro Oda admitted that his initial plans for One Piece had been nowhere near what the series ultimately became. There is a stark difference between having an idea and putting it on paper. The moment the pen starts flowing, ideas flow with it. What once was just a thought quickly becomes reality. This changes the pace of what was initially planned as well.
It’s already triple the intended length.
While Eiichiro Oda had a certain plan in mind, it derailed just as quickly as it began. As he started drawing One Piece, there was a certain number of volumes in which he had planned to conclude the series. However, as revealed during the interview, that thought was soon abandoned.
There was much he needed to add in terms of the story and the details. The arcs lasted for over 60 chapters, some even stretching over a hundred. They could go on for years and years and the series would still need more to be added. Had he stuck to his original plan, the manga would have ended years ago.
One Piece Hasn’t Lost Its Touch
It is common for series to lose their touch the longer they run for. Bleach lost its touch the more it continued on for. Naruto’s need to introduce sequels one after the other jeopardized the reputation of an otherwise wonderful story. This pattern isn’t subjected to manga alone but even shows and movies. The more sequels come out, the less likely it is to succeed. Some of the best shows and movies get ruined in a heartbeat because of this need to produce more.
One Piece has been an ongoing manga for two decades now and if things keep going the way that they are, there are still many more years left before it finally reaches the end. Surprisingly enough, the series hasn’t declined in popularity, so much so that it outlasted new and popular mangas while still maintaining its position.
Moreover, its quality only increases as the chapters progress, showcasing that Eiichiro Oda isn’t going to let his series die down so easily after having invested so much. Fans too have been following it without a second doubt, knowing that whatever promises the mangaka makes always come to fruition.
One Piece is available to read on Viz.
