Over 25 years, Eiichiro Oda has captivated several viewers by spreading epic tales of adventure, friendship, and dreams. One Piece has set up a high example for many new-gen animes and further continues to keep fans anticipating.
With the recent manga chapter 1122, One Piece has once again hit its peak with Oda finally revealing the secrets of the forgotten Void century. In Chapter 1122, the mangaka ends the long debate about the strongest Haki user, and it isn’t Luffy. Regardless, keeping the audience captivated for over 1000 episodes isn’t an easy task for any creator. Interestingly, Eiichiro Oda once talked about the one guiding principle he always adhered to while creating One Piece, and it might just surprise you.
The Surprising Guiding Principle Behind Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece Narrative
Eiichiro Oda has consistently proven One Piece to be a cinematic masterpiece with its intricate plot, dynamic characters, and breathtaking world-building. Over decades of splendid storytelling, the mangaka has managed to create a vast audience through Luff’s journey to find the One Piece treasure.
Besides our beloved protagonist, Luffy, One Piece‘s narrative beautifully highlights the tale of friendship, and Oda’s in-depth work in every Straw Hats member’s character development is admirable. Unlike most shonen animes where the protagonist is always the center of attention, One Piece perfectly showcases every character’s shining moments, which leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
Interestingly, in an interview, Eiichiro Oda shared the guarding principle he abides by while creating One Piece. He shares:
My rule is to never put any messages in my manga. That said, if watching Luffy and his crew makes you feel a certain way, then you should react accordingly. Among 100 different people, there should be 100 different reactions.
Eiichiro Oda has given life to every One Piece character which connects fans deeply and emotionally with their beloved Straw Hat members. In Oda’s eyes, Luffy is still an adorable kid that he never desires to grow up. He further reveals he sees Luffy as an ideal child and loves to highlight his playful side. However, Oda clarifies he loves to leave most things up to readers’ imagination by never highlighting any messages in his manga.
Why Luffy’s Journey Might Go Beyond Becoming the King of the Pirates
In Chapter 1122, Oda finally starts to highlight the secret of the forgotten Void Century. The chapter starts with Vegapunk’s broadcast reminding the world about the One Piece treasure. Vegapunk’s broadcast has thrown the entire One Piece world into deep chaos by revealing the rising sea level threatens to sink the entire planet. Apart from that, Luffy and Straw Hats finally escape Egghead Island, thanks to Joyboy’s surprising assistance.
After getting overpowered by the Four Elders, Emet decides to unleash Joyboy’s sealed Haki in the final attempt to fulfill Joyboy’s last wish. Shockingly, Joyboy’s Conqueror Haki completely shifts the outcome in favor of Straw Hats, while Imu crumbles in fear. Joyboy’s Haki was so strong that it instantly nullified Imu’s powers and teleported the Four Elders back to the Mary Geoise.
To everyone’s surprise, Oda even foreshadows Joyboy wearing the iconic Straw Hat. With the Emet’s flashback, readers view the awaited Joyboy and Iron Giant sharing their seemingly last moment together. The Iron Giant even reminisces about not assisting Joyboy in achieving his aim of becoming the King. Back in the Void Century, Joyboy must have desired to become the King of the World but failed to achieve it.
Joyboy was the previous owner of Luffy’s devil fruit, which is the Human-Human devil fruit, a mythical Zoan-type. We already know that the Zoan Devil Fruits choose people based on their personalities; thus, we may see Luffy fulfilling Joyboy’s dream at the end of the final saga.
You can read One Piece on Viz Media and watch the anime on Crunchyroll.
