Oda’s Shocking Revelation: Ace’s True Parentage in One Piece Unveiled

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

Summary

  • Oda plans details years in advance.
  • Oda is a master of foreshadowing.
  • Ace being Roger’s son was a last-minute decision.

Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, is renowned for his thorough planning, ensuring even minute details are carefully considered and future events meticulously plotted out years in advance. Remarkably, he has been known to plan certain aspects decades ahead, which sets him apart from other authors. Furthermore, Oda demonstrates exceptional skill at foreshadowing, subtly weaving hints of larger future events into the storyline, a talent that truly distinguishes him.

It’s worth noting that while many of Oda’s decisions in One Piece may stem from years of planning and careful foreshadowing, not all of them do. Occasionally, he makes spontaneous choices which lead to some of the most thrilling plot twists within the story. In fact, one of the series’ biggest surprises was a product of Oda’s improvisation. Earlier, Oda shared with fans the origins of a significant plot twist, and this revelation took many by surprise, particularly since it concerned one of the most cherished characters in the narrative – the pirate, Portgas D. Ace.

Oda’s Planning And The Art Of Foreshadowing

  • Oda Loves To Plan In Advance
  • Oda is the King of Foreshadowing

It’s evident to fans that Oda, the creator of One Piece, has a knack for plotting his story well in advance. Some significant developments in the latest saga are actually foreshadowed from earlier in the series, demonstrating that he likes to plan ahead. In fact, many major arcs in One Piece were carefully planned by Oda years before they unfolded on the pages. For example, the current Elbaf arc, which has been in the making for about two decades, is a testament to how far ahead Oda thinks when crafting his intricate storylines.

The Wano Country storyline, concluded not long ago, was initiated by Oda during the Thriller Bark arc. During this time, numerous intriguing characters tied to the region, like Ryuma, were also unveiled to the audience. It might come as a surprise, but it’s actually quite expected from Oda. What’s truly astonishing is that Oda has had the final scene of One Piece planned for approximately 30 years, which is an astounding fact.

Eiichiro Oda has made up his mind about the last panel and the conclusion of the story. In the ultimate series, he plans to delve not only into the Straw Hats’ journey but also significant global events. The challenge lies in determining when to commence the final saga. (1999)

It’s evident that Oda excels in these areas, but there’s more to his skills than meets the eye. Apart from being a master storyteller, Oda is also exceptional at foreshadowing events. He often subtly plants seeds for future plot developments within the narrative. For example, Ace’s tattoo hinted at Sabo’s death, while the revelation that Sanji was a prince was foreshadowed well before the timeskip. One of the most significant foreshadowings in One Piece occurred through Ace’s Vivre card, which eventually led to the Paramount War, the largest conflict in the Great Pirate Era up until then. Even the Smile Devil Fruits were hinted at by Oda during the Sabaody Archipelago arc via Doflamingo. More recent examples include Oda’s subtle hint that Momonosuke had time traveled during the Zou arc, and the clear foreshadowing of Luffy being the Sun God in Skypiea when he saved the country and defeated Enel.

Why Writing Doesn’t Have To Be All Planned Out

Writing As The Story Goes Is Perfectly Fine

Without a doubt, it’s remarkable when an author meticulously plans their work years ahead and then executes it perfectly. However, it’s important to note that while this method is impressive, it isn’t strictly necessary for a story to be crafted in this manner. Different writing styles exist, each with its unique merits. Writers tend to favor one style over the other, but no single approach can be deemed superior to the others as they cater to different creative preferences and narrative needs.

Some individuals frequently exhibit behaviors similar to architects, meticulously designing their actions ahead of time, much like an architect outlining a building’s blueprint.

In several aspects, Oda shares similarities with gardeners who nurture their plants without knowing their final form. These gardeners water their seeds and let nature take its course. It’s worth noting that this approach isn’t better or worse than any other, and Oda often adopts a similar style in his work as a manga artist. This is apparent in the spontaneous decisions he made throughout the series, such as introducing 11 Supernovas at Sabaody Archipelago, making Vivi a princess in Arabasta, choosing Rob Lucci as the main antagonist during Water 7 Saga, and, most significantly, revealing that Roger was Ace’s biological father.

How Oda Decided Ace Was Roger’s Son

Oda Simply Came Up With It At The Last Moment

Readers might find it intriguing to learn that Ace wasn’t initially intended to be Roger’s son, despite giving off strong familial vibes. The idea of making Ace Roger’s son was actually conceived during the Paramount War Saga. Oda shared this thought with his editor and appreciated his response so much that he incorporated it into the narrative. This fact was disclosed by Oda’s Editor in a Talk Show held in 2017.

“What do you think if Ace turns out to be Roger’s son? — Eiichiro Oda

Initially, during the Impel Down arc, Oda subtly suggested that Ace might be Roger’s son. However, it wasn’t until the Marineford arc that he unveiled the shocking truth to us all: Ace was none other than Roger’s biological son, not just Luffy’s blood brother. This plot twist, without a doubt, ranks among One Piece’s most significant, if not the most impactful, ever.

Of course, not every aspect of a story requires preplanning, and there’s no single superior writing style. The effectiveness of an author lies in their ability to integrate decisions seamlessly into the narrative and make them compelling for readers.

You can access “One Piece” through Viz Media. Fans are able to read it officially and for free on apps such as Shonen Jump and Manga Plus. The next chapter of “One Piece,” One Piece 1143, is scheduled to release on March 23, 2025.

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2025-03-14 00:24