One Piece Creator Breaks Silence on The Long Story: “I Want to be The King of Wasting Time”

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First published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997, One Piece has steadily grown in popularity over the years. Now, nearly three decades later, the manga has gained a massive following and become the first of its kind to reach over 600 million copies in circulation. While incredibly popular in Japan, One Piece hadn’t achieved the same level of recognition internationally. To broaden its reach, creator Eiichiro Oda collaborated with Netflix on a live-action adaptation, which proved to be a huge success.

After a popular first season, the show returned with Season 2, which was again well-received by critics and fans. Following the new season, Netflix released a six-part podcast. The first episode featured interviews with Iñaki Godoy and Eiichiro Oda, who shared stories about making the show, discussed their favorite moments, and hinted at Oda’s future plans.

One Piece Creator Wants Fans to Read The Manga Casually

During their discussion, Godoy suggested Oda try explaining the series to someone unfamiliar with it. Oda replied that while One Piece is a very long and complex story, what he truly cares about is people enjoying the fun, everyday conversations between the Straw Hat crew and the connections they make with people on different islands. He feels those small moments are the most important part.

He adds, “I hope you enjoy it without taking it too seriously. I often say that manga is just a fun way to relax and pass the time. I want people to view my work as easygoing entertainment, something to read and watch casually.”

After nearly thirty years, One Piece is still continuing its epic story! It began its final arc in 2022 and is now focusing on the Elbaph storyline. There’s still much to be revealed before the Straw Hat Pirates reach Laugh Tale and the ultimate conflict begins. With almost 1200 chapters, starting such a long series can feel daunting.

The live-action series streamlines the story by cutting out some parts and condensing multiple plotlines into fewer episodes. Even with these changes, it will still take three seasons to cover the Alabasta Saga, and the story will continue to build in excitement. While the live-action version stays true to the overall feel of the original, the manga truly captures the heart of the story.

Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the manga, wants fans to enjoy it, but also emphasizes it’s meant to be a fun, lighthearted pastime. Though the story touches on deep ideas, it’s fundamentally about the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates and the easygoing relationships between its crew members. The pirates have a fantastic bond – they trust, support, and playfully tease each other, which adds a lot of heart to the story.

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2026-03-17 21:45