One Piece: Oda Sets Up Marineford 2.0 In The New World

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

Summary

Ace’s Capture Led to the Paramount War
Marineford-style battles continue in the New World.
The Great War will surpass Marineford in magnitude.

Among the most stunning storylines in “One Piece”, none surpasses the Marineford arc in terms of impact and quality. From its inception to its conclusion, this arc was nothing short of extraordinary, earning a place in the hearts of countless “One Piece” enthusiasts as the best arc produced by the series thus far. Admittedly, there are other arcs that hold their own, but Marineford stands out for significantly contributing to the massive popularity surge of One Piece, ultimately propelling it to become the highest-selling manga in history.

Following their introduction to the Marineford Arc, enthusiasts found themselves yearning for additional content. Fortunately, this desire will be satisfied as Oda isn’t finished crafting battles reminiscent of Marineford, and it appears that further instalments are on the horizon. The narrative’s post-timeskip has already laid the foundation for a similar confrontation.

How Marineford Marked The End Of The First Half Of One Piece

Ace’s Capture Set Up The Paramount War
Luffy And The Whitebeard Pirates Attempted To Rescue Ace

The Massive Conflict, sometimes referred to as the Height War or simply, the Marineford Battle, marked the most significant war within the realm of One Piece. This battle, which occurred during the Grand Pirate Age, was waged primarily over Portgas D. Ace, the son of the ex-King of Pirates, Gol D. Roger. Ace, who sought vengeance for Thatch, the Fourth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates who was slain, was apprehended by Blackbeard and handed over to the Navy. The Navy were ecstatic at this turn of events, as they had long been attempting to capture Ace. Given that Ace bore the bloodline of Gol D. Roger, his execution was seen as crucial. Consequently, a date for Ace’s execution was swiftly set, and war ensued. The individual who took up arms in support of Ace was none other than one of the Yonko and the world’s strongest man, Edward Newgate.

Things have now been set into motion that cannot be reversed. – Law

The colossal battle that Whitebeard led for his son Ace was nothing short of monumental. It unfolded within Marine Headquarters, where an armada of 43 ships belonging to the Whitebeard Pirates joined forces with him, sailing towards the Marine Plaza. This marked the beginning of a titanic struggle, one that attracted not only other ruthless criminals from Impel Down but also due to Luffy’s involvement. The Seven Warlords, 100,000 Marines, and several pirate crews with complex agendas were drawn into the fray, leading to a tumultuous conflict. From every angle, fans could see that this war was enormous in scale. In the end, the pirates managed to rescue Ace from the clutches of the Navy, despite the odds being heavily stacked against them.

Regrettably, Ace made the ultimate sacrifice for Luffy, and Whitebeard, who had given everything to ensure Ace’s liberation, met his end too. The Paramount War served as a catalyst for the pivotal part of the story, pushing Luffy to become stronger still so he wouldn’t suffer another heart-wrenching loss. In the wake of the timeskip, Luffy hasn’t experienced such losses yet, but it remains uncertain how long his journey will remain untroubled.

Major Battles Just Like Marineford Are Coming Soon

The Hachinosu War Could Pit The Navy Against The Blackbeard Pirates

It’s clear that the Marineford Arc was an epic battle unlike any other, pushing the boundaries of what we understand as a war arc. Fans are thrilled to see that Oda seems to be setting up more battles similar to Marineford within the story. For instance, just like Ace was a fascinating captive in the Marineford Arc, it appears that Garp is shaping up to be an equally intriguing captive in the current narrative. Previously, Ace, a pirate, was held captive by the Marines, leading to the massive battle at their headquarters. This time, however, the roles are reversed: instead of a Marine being captured at the Marine Headquarters, it’s a Pirate – Garp – who is currently imprisoned on the Pirate Island, Hachinosu.

The winner itself becomes justice! – Doflamingo

Similar to how Marine HQ was attacked by pirates in the past, there’s a chance that this time, the pirate headquarters on Hachinosu could be targeted by the Marines. This potential conflict may resemble the previous war and stir up tension on the island, with the objective being to rescue Garp. Regardless of perspective, this upcoming battle promises to be spectacular. Key figures like the Admirals, Smoker, Sengoku, and Tsuru are likely to participate, offering fans a peek into the powerhouses such as Blackbeard, his commanders, and Kuzan, among others.

The reason for this impending conflict is that Blackbeard aims to use Garp as a bargaining chip to gain control over Hachinosu, aspiring to be its king. He believes that trading Garp with the government will grant him his wish. However, it’s evident that the Marines won’t appear weak by giving in to a pirate’s demands, especially one seeking the title of King of the Pirate Island. This would essentially mean they are endorsing Blackbeard’s ludicrous piracy. The Navy will never agree to his terms and cannot let Garp, who symbolizes the Marines, be killed. Consequently, a battle for Garp is inevitable on Hachinosu, possibly orchestrated by figures like Sengoku and Tsuru.

The War Over Straw Hat Luffy

In the world of One Piece, not just the Hachinosu War is captivating; it shares striking similarities with the Paramount War. To refresh your memory, prior to the Paramount War, Ace shared a Vivre Card fragment with Luffy. This Vivre Card was a storytelling tool used by Oda to bring Luffy and Ace together after Ace’s execution. In this new instance, Oda has employed a similar strategy. Now it’s Luffy who is sharing the Vivre Card, but instead of one recipient, he gives them to Sabo and all the captains of the Grand Fleet. Each of them now carries a piece of Luffy, and in his hour of need, they will rally to him, as Oda has already established in the narrative. This suggests that Luffy might be captured during the series, which could trigger all of the Straw Hat Pirates’ allies to fight for him and secure his release. This war could resemble the Paramount War, adding another thrilling event that fans might witness in the post-time skip era.

Will The Marineford Equivalent Be The Great War?

There Are Even Greater Wars To Come In One Piece

From what I can tell, the epic battle we’re witnessing seems to surpass the magnitude of Marineford in the One Piece universe post-timeskip. Oda, our master storyteller, is subtly hinting that the showdown for Garp and perhaps Luffy’s capture could be the new defining event akin to Marineford. But let me tell you, this is just the beginning! The Great War, as Oda himself teases, will dwarf Marineford in scale. In fact, it’ll make Marineford look like a mere playtime squabble compared to the colossal showdown that awaits us. So buckle up, fellow One Piece enthusiasts, because we’re about to witness a war so immense, it’ll make every other conflict in this series seem like a walk in the park!

Concurrently, additional conflicts will unfold in the narrative for viewers, with Garp and possibly even the Straw Hat Grand Fleet playing significant parts. The suspense is palpable in One Piece now more than ever, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next developments as the storyline becomes increasingly complex.

You can access “One Piece” for reading through Viz Media. Fans are able to read the series officially and at no cost on both Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The next chapter of “One Piece,” titled “One Piece 1136,” is scheduled to be released on January 19, 2025.

2025-01-10 03:34