One Piece Creator Oda Shares His Biggest Dislikes in Manga

Warning: This article contains spoilers related to One Piece’s Post-Timeskip events.

Essential Insights

Oda prefers intricate narratives over singular-focused plots.
The combination of action, emotion, and humor is key to Oda’s One Piece success.
The concluding saga promises to deliver unparalleled battles, humor, and emotional storytelling.

Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind One Piece, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished mangaka ever. Undoubtedly, Oda stands out as one of Japan’s leading artists, with his epic tale resonating with audiences around the globe. The immense success of One Piece, topping global manga sales, is a testament to Oda’s consistent excellence.

As One Piece embarks on its Final Saga, Oda vows to present the most extraordinary chapters yet. He has shared his vision for the narrative over the years, and recently discussed his aversions in storytelling, revealing insights into his creative process and the elements that contribute to the manga’s remarkable success.

What Oda Dislikes in Storytelling

Oda Rejects Monotonous Narratives
Oda Embraces a Fusion of Dynamic Concepts

One Piece narrates the journey of Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates as they pursue their dreams. Luffy’s ultimate goal is to become the Pirate King, but each Straw Hat has their unique aspiration. The series boasts a captivating blend of intriguing story arcs, including the enigmatic Void Century, deeply moving scenes, and a sprinkle of humor.

This combination is a major factor behind the manga’s phenomenal success. Oda’s favorite narratives are the ones that weave together multiple storytelling elements. He finds stories restricted to one facet, whether action, seriousness, or humor, to be tedious. Oda reflected on what bores him the most:

Oda (2012): I get bored easily. So if One Piece was solely focused on action, comedy, or tear-jerking moments, I would be the first to lose interest. To maintain my motivation, I often alter my artistic styles and envision new plots when I feel fatigued.

This clearly indicates Oda’s preference for narratives that incorporate diverse elements rather than confining themselves to one specialty. While some mangas excel in action, they may falter in delivering profound stories, and others might offer great humor but lack emotional depth. According to Oda, these unidimensional works lack inspiration.

For Oda, if his manga leaned too heavily on one aspect, it would become mundane—more so than for his fans. He revitalizes the narrative by interweaving multiple plotlines, ensuring a balance of humor and intense emotional moments. This approach is what retains One Piece’s status as one of the greatest manga of all time, and it is likely to continue this way moving forward.

Achieving Harmony in One Piece

Oda’s Narrative is Incredibly Diverse

One Piece consistently showcases top-tier storytelling, never confining itself to a single narrative dimension. Every arc intertwines action, profound emotions, and touches of humor. A prime example is the Paramount War Arc within the Summit War Saga, acclaimed for its tension and excitement. In this arc, Luffy’s brother, Ace, faces execution at Marine HQ, prompting Whitebeard to rally his allies to save him.

The Marineford arc stands out as one of the most chaotic and intense battles, featuring the clash between the Whitebeard Pirates, the formidable Marines, the Seven Warlords, and the Blackbeard Pirates. Amidst the relentless action, emotional turmoil surrounds Ace, emphasizing Luffy’s determination to save his brother and the deep bonds of brotherhood. This emotional thread captivates readers alongside the thrilling battles.

Moreover, this arc cleverly incorporates comedic elements, thanks to Buggy, who often provides comic relief while also contributing to significant plot developments. Notably, Marineford exemplifies Oda’s meticulous planning and ability to craft a gripping storyline, standing tall among the greatest arcs of One Piece, rivaled only by other exceptional arcs like Wano Country and Enies Lobby.

The variety in One Piece’s arcs—each masterfully blending action, emotion, and humor—has undeniably contributed to its remarkable success, assuring fans that Oda will continue to uphold this winning formula in the future.

One Piece’s Final Saga Holds Exciting Prospects

Oda has expressed that the Final Saga of One Piece will be spectacular, with battles set to surpass the intensity of Marineford. Additionally, humor will remain a core element throughout, even as the stakes grow higher, especially with the introduction of Gear 5. Fans can anticipate poignant storylines that evoke powerful emotions, ensuring that the concluding saga will be an unforgettable experience.

Readers can enjoy One Piece through Viz Media or access it for free via the Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus app. Be sure to catch the upcoming chapter, One Piece 1131, scheduled for release on November 11, 2024.

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