One Piece: How Oda Almost Had To End The Series in 2013

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

Summary

  • Oda’s health suffered tremendously due to weekly manga publication schedule
  • Oda was hospitalized in 2013 during Dressrosa arc
  • Oda now takes breaks more frequently, improving his schedule

One Piece” stands out among other manga series due to its impressive longevity, while consistently delivering high-quality content. The mastermind behind this, Eiichiro Oda, has crafted a captivating story that has catapulted him from an unknown mangaka to Japan’s top manga creator and one of the most renowned authors globally.

For more than two decades, Oda’s One Piece has consistently provided exceptional storytelling, and it’s no secret why fans are hooked. Since its debut, readers have been captivated by the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, and now, we find ourselves in the Final Saga, where Luffy is on the brink of obtaining the ultimate treasure and becoming the Pirate King. It’s worth mentioning that it took Oda a considerable amount of time to get to this point in the story; however, many fans might not realize that One Piece almost concluded in 2013.

How Oda Almost Ended One Piece In 2013

  • Oda’s Health Suffered Tremendously
  • Oda Was Hospitalized

It’s no wonder that the arduous task of penning ‘One Piece’ has taken a heavy toll on Eiichiro Oda, its creator. The relentless weekly schedule of the Shonen Jump magazine where ‘One Piece’ is serialized is notorious for pushing even seasoned mangaka to their limits. Newcomers often struggle to keep up with this pace, leading many series to conclude prematurely today. Some opt for a monthly release, affording them more time to craft their chapters meticulously. However, Oda has been persistently delivering weekly installments since 1997, and now, he’s maintained this rigorous routine for nearly 28 years.

From here onwards, I’ll reveal all the mysteries of the world! — Oda on the Final Saga

Typically, Oda manages to sleep for only three hours a night, and when he has to meet deadlines, he lives apart from his family. Completing a chapter in just five to six days is an incredibly demanding task for any manga artist, but Oda is no exception. Despite this grueling schedule, he’s consistently maintained top-notch quality since the beginning of One Piece, making the series even more remarkable.

Despite appearances, it wouldn’t be wise to dismiss the idea that Oda’s health has taken a significant toll due to the demanding nature of the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. Back in 2013, Oda experienced one of the toughest periods of his career as a One Piece author. His deteriorating health required hospitalization, which occurred during the Dressrosa arc of One Piece. The situation was so severe that the editors of Jump were concerned that One Piece might have to be abruptly concluded. This incident eventually resulted in the editors granting Oda more frequent breaks, providing some relief. Here is what Oda had to express about this event:

[Oda’s quote]

After my hospitalization in 2013, the editors of Shonen Jump feared they might have to halt One Piece due to my health issues, prompting them to allow me occasional breaks. Upon collapsing, I pondered, “I guess it’s finally sunk in for the editors that if I overwork myself, I’ll eventually fall ill.” – Eiichiro Oda

Has Oda’s Schedule Improved

Oda Plans Breaks More Often Now

In 2013, while Oda took more frequent breaks, it’s clear that they weren’t enough. Typically, he would only rest after around 6 or occasionally even 5 consecutive chapters. However, since then, his work has significantly improved.

During the Wano Country arc, Oda began taking breaks following every four chapters. Later in the same storyline, he switched to a break after three chapters, a pattern he’s been following since then. Occasionally, he even takes a break after just two chapters.

Oda Should Take Even More Breaks

It’s clear that the long-term commitment to Weekly Shonen Jump magazine may be taking a toll on Oda’s health. To ensure his wellbeing and strengthen his abilities, it would be beneficial for him to take more frequent breaks, perhaps after completing every two chapters. This would not only rejuvenate him but also provide opportunities for spending quality time with family or focusing on personal health improvement.

One Piece’s new chapter, number 1146, will be published soon, most likely by this coming Sunday for global readers. In Japan, the release happens at midnight on Monday (JST), but fans worldwide will generally access it on April 20th. The official date of release for One Piece Chapter 1146 is set for April 20, 2025. You can read this chapter for free on Manga Plus.

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2025-04-17 00:14