One Piece: Oda Reveals Why He Doesn't Revive Dead Characters

As someone who’s been following One Piece for more years than I care to admit, I can confidently say that Oda’s approach to character deaths and resurrections is nothing short of refreshing. In today’s world of grim-dark storytelling, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a series as popular as One Piece maintain its heartwarming and positive tone.

This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Elbaf Arc.

Key Takeaways

Oda killed few characters pre-timeskip, but more have died post-timeskip.
Oda has strict rules against reviving dead characters in One Piece.
Deaths in the final saga will increase, but with purpose and not for shock value.

Eiichiro Oda, the creator of “One Piece,” follows a set of guidelines when writing his manga series. These rules have resulted in a work that is often regarded as the best manga ever written and an unforgettable tale for many readers. What makes “One Piece” unique can be attributed to Oda’s dedication to maintaining elements that resonated with his younger self. One notable aspect of this is his decision to not include character resurrections in his storyline.

It’s well-known among fans that “One Piece” typically avoids characters coming back from the dead. This topic is something that Oda, the creator, has delved into extensively before, as we’ll be exploring in this discussion.

The Many Dead Characters Of One Piece

Oda Killed Very Few Characters Before The Timeskip
More Characters Have Started Dying In Post Timeskip One Piece

Among fans of the popular series One Piece, it’s widely believed that creator Eiichiro Oda dislikes killing off his characters. While it’s true that Oda has expressed a preference for not doing so, this doesn’t mean he never kills characters. On the contrary, deaths in One Piece are impactful and have far-reaching consequences. For example, before the timeskip, the deaths of Whitebeard and Ace had profound effects on the world of One Piece. Oda strategically chooses to kill characters whose demise significantly impacts the overall plot and shakes up the entire universe of the story.

Following the time jump in One Piece, it seems that Oda has indeed taken the lives of several characters, a departure from the belief that he never kills off his characters. However, there are instances of false deaths or fake outs in One Piece, but a notable number of characters meet their end one way or another. For example, Vergo and Monet perished early on during Punk Hazard, Pedro met his demise on Whole Cake Island, and numerous other characters have followed suit throughout subsequent arcs. In Wano Country, fans witnessed the deaths of Izo, Ashura, and Shimotsuki Yasuie. As for the Yonko Kaido and Big Mom, their whereabouts are currently unknown following the events of the Wano arc.

In the Final Saga, Oda has significantly escalated the stakes by eliminating a greater number of characters than ever before. Notably, within the Egghead Island arc alone, Oda has skillfully written the demise of Vegapunk’s original body, Saint Donquixote Mjosgard, King Cobra from Arabasta, Vegapunk’s satellites, and even Saint Saturn. It’s evident that Oda is more committed than ever to character deaths, a trend we can expect to see continue as the series progresses and intensifies with the Elbaf Arc.

One Piece: Oda Reveals Why He Doesn't Revive Dead Characters

The concept of resurrecting characters arises when discussing their death in a story. Fans often develop strong emotional bonds with various characters and feel let down when these beloved characters are killed off. This is why there is a desire for characters to come back, but in One Piece, Oda has made it clear that characters will not return once they’ve perished. However, if a character’s fate remains unclear, like Saul, they might reappear at some point in the future. But those who die permanently don’t have the chance to come back.

Oda Reveals Why He Won’t Bring Back Dead Characters

Oda Doesn’t Want Dead Characters Returning

Previously, Oda has discussed his approach towards character deaths in One Piece, stating that while he inevitably needs to eliminate characters at certain junctures, he tries to minimize such occurrences. This is primarily because, after each arc, he intends to host grand feasts and if characters are constantly perishing, it would render these gatherings insignificant. Ultimately, Oda envisions ending One Piece with a grand celebration, and if all the valuable characters meet their end, Luffy’s voyage would be devoid of any meaningful purpose.

As a devoted fan, I’ve come to understand that when characters meet their end in the storyline created by Oda, there’s no chance of them returning. He’s shared this rule with us, explaining his rationale behind it.

Question: Why didn’t you create a manga like some other mangakas where dead characters revive?
Oda: Revival of a human isn’t natural, right? (laugh) If a mangaka ends up reviving the dead, he shouldn’t have killed that character in the first place. My characters don’t die even if they are thrown into a desperate situation.
Apart from that, I’ve always disliked the resurrection of old characters since my childhood days. It often left me questioning the creators, such as “Perhaps this creator brought back a particular character because it was popular…” However, I won’t follow in those footsteps of doubt from my youth, instead, I aim to act according to what I wish mangakas would do.
It’s been 10 years since OP began, yet the standards I set for myself remain unaltered; I must meet the expectations of my 15-year-old self. (Oda)

Why More Deaths Are On The Way In One Piece’s Final Saga

The Final Saga Will See More Characters Than Ever Before Die

As a dedicated fan, I can’t contain my excitement as we embark on the climactic chapters of One Piece! The Egghead Island arc has made it clear that the stakes have never been higher, with more deaths than ever before on the horizon. Even masterful storyteller Oda didn’t hesitate to bid farewell to over five characters on Egghead alone – a rare and shocking event in the world of manga.

In essence, the popular series “One Piece” consistently delivers captivating storylines without resorting to unnecessary character deaths. While some viewers may believe that death adds maturity and enhances a story for adults, this perspective is misguided. A story’s quality is not determined by the number of deaths; rather, it depends on the quality of the plot and the richness of the world created. “One Piece” will adhere to the formula set by its creator Eiichiro Oda, maintaining a warm and optimistic tone throughout, as he has previously announced that the story will conclude with a grand feast. Deaths in “One Piece” will never be included merely for dramatic effect, regardless of fan expectations to the contrary.

Readers can access One Piece through Viz Media. Officially and at no cost, fans can read the series on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The upcoming chapter of One Piece, One Piece 1132, is scheduled for release on December 1, 2024.

2024-11-24 01:04

One Piece: Oda Reveals Why He Doesn’t Revive Dead Characters