One Piece: Oda’s Shocking Original Ending

by

This article contains spoilers from One Piece’s Final Saga.

Summary

  • Oda wanted One Piece to end in 2002, but it continued due to the involvement of the Shichibukai.
  • The Yonko were initially planned to be the main enemies in One Piece’s final saga.
  • Oda hoped to wrap up One Piece in 5 years, focusing on a battle against the Four Emperors.

The anime series “One Piece,” which began in 1997, continues to captivate audiences after 28 years. In fact, it seems to grow more engaging with every new chapter, showcasing Eiichiro Oda’s remarkable storytelling abilities. Now, we find ourselves in the Final Saga, where some of the most significant plot twists are expected to unfold.

As I stand here, it’s no secret among fans that the grand tale of One Piece is nearing its conclusion, implying Luffy’s quest to find and claim the elusive treasure will culminate sooner than we might expect. However, as the story reaches its final chapters, it’s fascinating to consider that Eiichiro Oda’s original plans for this epic saga were vastly different.

Oda Wanted One Piece To End In 2002

  • Oda Hoped One Piece Would Last For Five Years
  • The Yonko Were The Main Enemies

One startling disclosure from mangaka Oda in recent times is his initial plan for One Piece to conclude within five years. Considering the series has run for a remarkable 28 years so far and seems to have no end in sight, fans can easily see how off this prediction was. Since at least 1999, Oda has been developing the Final Saga of the story, which demonstrates his extensive planning for future events in One Piece.

The mysteries of the world, I’ll draw them all! — Oda on the Final Saga

Initially, Eiichiro Oda envisioned the climax of One Piece, known as the Final Saga, to occur about 3-4 years after the series began. Interestingly, Oda originally planned for One Piece to be a battle against the Four Emperors, though this is just one aspect that has been woven into the ongoing storyline. However, it’s not the sole or main plot point of the series.

The Shichibukai Became The Biggest Reason For One Piece’s Length

Oda Blames The Shichibukai For One Piece’s Length

If it weren’t for the Shichibukai, Oda claims he could have wrapped up the “One Piece” series within five years. However, these powerful characters have significantly shaped the storyline, making it plausible to assume that “One Piece” would have taken a completely different course without their presence. Here’s what Oda shared about his initial ideas for the conclusion of “One Piece”, and the Shichibukai’s impact on the plot.

Originally, One Piece was planned to be a story that would conclude within 5 years, focusing on the battle against the Four Emperors. However, the introduction of Warlords has prolonged the series. In retrospect, I should have limited their number to either 2 or 5, as I now feel a bit regrettable about having seven of them. – Eiichiro Oda, 2017

When Will One Piece End?

2022 saw Oda express his readiness to conclude “One Piece,” suggesting a possible end within three years. However, as of 2025, the story is merely starting the Elbaf arc, which will likely take another 2-3 years to complete. This means there are still several more arcs left for Oda to address, pushing the potential end of “One Piece” beyond 6 years.

In just two weeks, we’ll be getting our hands on One Piece Chapter 1149! Typically, new chapters of One Piece are published on Sundays. For those in Japan, the release happens at midnight JST on Monday. But for most international readers, you’ll have access to it on May 11th. The official global release date for One Piece Chapter 1149 is set for May 25, 2025. Good news for fans – you can read it for free on Manga Plus!

Read More

2025-05-16 22:44