One Piece: Oda Admits His Editor Tried to Stop This Character’s Death

The epic saga of One Piece continues to astonish its followers with its remarkable narrative. Eiichiro Oda has spellbound countless enthusiasts worldwide as they follow Luffy’s arduous quest for the One Piece treasure, aspiring to become the next Pirate King. Yet, the intricate plot reveals that Luffy encounters characters entering and exiting the story, even some who are deeply cherished by both him and fans alike.

Observing here, it’s no secret that “One Piece” isn’t shy about character deaths. Bellemere, Ginny, Hiriluk, and even Whitebeard have all met their end in this story. Among the fallen, there was one character whose life touched Oda so deeply that his editors pleaded for a reprieve. This editor was just one of many fans who implored Oda to spare Portgas D. Ace during the Battle of Marineford.

Portgas D. Ace Died in Marineford Arc

Ace Died With a Smile on His Face

In the iconic anime series, One Piece, Ace’s demise is undeniably unforgettable. Many anime enthusiasts are likely familiar with his story, regardless of whether they’ve watched him directly in the show. Given his immense popularity, Ace’s death left a profound impact on fans worldwide, an emotion that persists to this day. The experience was akin to losing a devoted and cherished elder brother forever.

Ace’s death in Marineford was unavoidable due to his connection to the legendary pirate Gol D. Roger. His demise served as a harsh wake-up call for Luffy. Losing Ace refocused Luffy on his pirate ambition, teaching him a valuable lesson. To protect his comrades and overthrow the established order represented by the Marines and World Government, Luffy recognized he needed to become stronger.

I’m sorry, Luffy. -Ace

Regarding Ace’s passing, he expired with a content smile, having achieved his cherished dream. Previously, he felt his life was devoid of worth due to his father, but observing his surrogate father, brother, and comrades risk their lives at Marineford solely to rescue him, he came to understand the depth of his love and recognition.

Eiichiro Oda’s Editor Tried to Stop Ace’s Death

Editor Hattori Thought It Was Not a Good Idea to Kill Ace

Oda’s editor, Hattori, thought killing Ace was not a good idea.
Many fans wrote Oda letters asking him to save Ace’s life.

During the times when Portgas D. Ace was imprisoned in Impel Down and subsequently transported to Marineford, numerous fans of One Piece felt compelled to pen letters to series creator Eiichiro Oda, expressing their fervent hope that Oda would spare Ace’s life at any expense. Even one of Oda’s editors, Akira Jean-Baptiste Hattori, inquired whether Oda truly intended to end Ace’s life. This clearly demonstrates the significant impact Ace’s demise had during that period, even leading Oda’s editor to try and prevent it.

Hattori conveyed to Eiichiro Oda that eliminating Ace was perhaps unwise. Although many enthusiasts, who adore Ace and anticipate his potential role as the next generation Whitebeard, might disagree, some are convinced his demise was necessary. Indeed, Ace’s passing is often regarded as one of the most impactful deaths in anime history, not just One Piece. It intensified Luffy and Blackbeard’s rivalry, and it spurred Luffy to recognize the need for strengthening himself.

I know I’m dying! My guts have been burned out! I’m not gonna last long. -Ace

It’s fortunate that Oda, the creator of One Piece, often treats fans kindly regarding the character Ace, despite his death in the series. In SBS 89, fans were given a glimpse at what Ace might look like at ages 40 and 60, respectively, in two alternate timelines. Had Ace lived, he could potentially have become one of the Yonko, powerful pirate lords, in the future. This would have significantly altered the course of One Piece’s storyline, particularly its conclusion.

Eiichiro Oda Said Ace’s Death Was Harsh

Akainu’s Magma Fist Killed Ace

In a heart-wrenching moment, Portgas D. Ace sacrificed himself shielding his dear brother Luffy from a lethal magma blow by Akainu. The punch struck Ace squarely, with Akainu’s fist penetrating his body and igniting his internal organs. Essentially, it was a grisly demise, reminiscent of scenes from a horror movie. Interestingly enough, when Eiichiro Oda watched the episode depicting Akainu’s killing of Ace, he expressed surprise at the harshness of Ace’s fate, despite having penned Ace’s death in the One Piece manga himself.

It’s likely that Ace’s death impacted Oda differently in the anime due to the animation, as well as the voice acting, sound effects, and music which made it more emotionally intense than when he initially illustrated it in the manga. Unfortunately, it was already too late for Oda to change his mind about Ace’s fate, but if possible, he might have brought him back to life. However, a resurrection of Ace is unlikely since Oda generally avoids reviving dead characters within the world of One Piece.

2025-08-24 16:36