One Piece: Oda Confirms One Piece Would’ve Ended in a Year With This MC Instead of Luffy

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It’s clear that the epic pirate saga of One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda, shows no signs of ending soon. With more than a thousand manga chapters and numerous anime episodes, Luffy’s grand voyage as captain of the Straw Hat Pirates remains incomplete. Through his adventures across the seas, battling formidable foes, many fans have grown up alongside him. Yet, there are still uncharted territories ahead for Luffy in this iconic series.

According to Eiichiro Oda, a character – who isn’t Luffy – might have finished the story of “One Piece” in just a year if they had been the main character. This character is frequently disliked and overlooked within the series, but Oda, the creator, holds them in high regard. Perhaps it’s long overdue to acknowledge their worth? I think Oda would concur as well.

One Piece Has Been Running for Over 27 Years Now

Luffy’s Journey Continues After Two Decades

In older times, One Piece was originally a straightforward story featuring the main character Monkey D. Luffy. His world at the time was limited, but Luffy’s ambition was evident: he aspired to be the next pirate king, with a dedicated and powerful crew standing by his side. Though he hasn’t yet claimed the title once held by Gol D. Roger, he swiftly gathered allies such as Zoro, Nami, and Sanji.

Eiichiro Oda has set Luffy on an unforgettable journey, and there’s no slowing him down as he pursues his goals. Over the span of more than two decades, Oda’s dream, along with Luffy’s and the Straw Hats’, remains vibrant and enduring. From a humble one-shot in the 1996 Summer Special of Shonen Jump to an expansive story cherished and esteemed across the globe, their journey has been long but shows no signs of altering any time soon.

A significant chunk of the fame and triumph of One Piece can be attributed to Luffy. He is an engaging lead character, admired for his steadfast resolve, contagious optimism, and identifiable imperfections. Fans adore him not just for his persona but also for his powers. Luffy stands out as one of the most powerful characters in One Piece, fated for greatness since day one. However, Oda acknowledges it’s tough to keep writing Luffy as the main character now that he has become more powerful. It would have been even more difficult if Akainu were the protagonist instead.

Eiichiro Oda Says Akainu Could End One Piece in a Year

Akainu Is Too Powerful to Become a Protagonist

  • If Akainu were One Piece’s MC, he would have ended the series in one year.
  • Eiichiro Oda believes Akainu is too powerful to be One Piece’s MC.

In the world of One Piece, Akainu remains a highly controversial character due to his fatal action against Luffy’s dear brother, Portgas D. Ace, during the Battle of Marineford. This decision has left a lasting impact among fans, who often view him unfavorably. However, it’s important to acknowledge that despite this negative public perception, Akainu is still highly respected for possessing one of the most powerful abilities within the series. Furthermore, his impressive feats, including killing Ace, defeating Aokiji, and consistently outmaneuvering Whitebeard, have solidified his status as a formidable force in the storyline.

When developing a main character, it’s crucial to avoid making him excessively powerful. For instance, Akainu possesses such immense power that he could potentially conclude the One Piece story within a year. However, it’s important to note that Akainu, portrayed by Bunta Sugawara, is renowned for his striking good looks, and I find him particularly captivating.

-Eiichiro Oda (2012 Sound & Recording Magazine Issue 4)

It’s reasonable to infer that Eiichiro Oda would concur that Akainu is among the most formidable characters in One Piece, given his immense power. In an interview with Sound & Recording Magazine Issue 4 in 2012, Oda himself acknowledged that if Akainu were the main character instead of Luffy, he could potentially conclude the entire One Piece storyline within a year. This implies that Akainu might have been capable of defeating characters like Kaido, Big Mom, and even Blackbeard in such a short span. Additionally, he may have even discovered the One Piece treasure and assumed the role of the next Pirate King.

I won’t forgive the evils of piracy.—Akainu

Oda’s disclosure clearly illustrates Akainu’s immense power. He is so strong that he wouldn’t fit the role of a protagonist in Oda’s story. If Akainu had been chosen as the main character instead of Luffy, there would likely be no tension or excitement in the battles and conflicts. The series One Piece might have lost its sense of peril and urgency, and moreover, it could have diminished or rendered less impactful the supporting characters.

Eiichiro Oda Thinks Highly of Akainu

Oda Cherishes Akainu

Among all the characters in One Piece, what stands out most about Akainu is his unwavering sense of justice, a trait that significantly influences his persona and individuality. It’s no surprise then, that Eiichiro Oda holds Akainu in great esteem, despite his personal favorite being Gaimon. Interestingly enough, during an interview, Oda went as far as to proclaim Akainu as the most handsome man in the world from his perspective, a character he deeply admires and will always cherish.

It seems that Akainu shares a striking resemblance with the Japanese actor Bunta Sugawara, who appeared in three films titled “Sakazuki”. Given that Akainu’s real name is also Sakazuki, it’s not hard to see that Oda likely modeled him after this accomplished Japanese actor.

In summary, although many fans perceive Akainu as the ultimate antagonist, Oda views him differently. Akainu’s immense power and impressive accomplishments merit recognition. It is widely understood among fans that Akainu is set to assume an even more significant and weighty role near the conclusion of One Piece.

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2025-08-26 14:35