A passionate statement made by Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the hugely popular manga series One Piece, gives insight into why the franchise has such a dedicated following.
Oda once told his editor at the time, Naoki Kawashima, “Be prepared to sacrifice everything for One Piece! If you destroy your health by overworking, I will provide financial support for your family.”
Being an editor for Oda is extremely demanding, with most not lasting very long in the role. According to a chart tracking editors at Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, where One Piece is serialized, Kawashima was Oda’s fourth editor in just 10 years.
When editor Kawashima met Oda for the first time, Oda told him, "Be prepared to die for One Piece!". Kawashima was shocked but was impressed at how Oda is dedicated to his work. Oda added, "If you destroy your health due to overwork, I'll take care of your family financially."💪 pic.twitter.com/X0AIUqGU2Q
— sandman (@sandman_AP) January 2, 2024
Kawashima himself did not remain in the position for long either, leaving less than a year after taking on the job.
Oda’s intense dedication to his work and the sacrifices he expects from his team show why One Piece retains such devotion among its fans, who view it as one of the greatest manga series of all time.
The quote demonstrates Oda’s uncompromising creative vision and commitment to delivering an epic story, no matter the personal cost.
Eiichiro Oda’s Unyielding Dedication to One Piece
Eiichiro Oda’s intense dedication to creating his epic manga One Piece is legendary, with the artist famously sleeping only about 4 hours per night.
This extreme workload has led to significant health issues for Oda like sleep deprivation. He has openly discussed sending his blood pressure readings daily to doctors, who warned the levels were dangerously high.
Yet Oda brushed off their concern, replying that normal blood pressure standards don’t necessarily apply to everyone.
This blasé attitude toward his own well-being further demonstrates how Oda is willing to make immense personal sacrifices to fully devote himself to One Piece.
For over 25 years, he has maintained a grueling production schedule to deliver new manga chapters weekly with extremely detailed art and dense storytelling.
Oda’s uncompromising creative vision and drive fuel the nonstop epic adventure that has captured fans’ imaginations.
While the personal toll on his health is undeniable, Oda remains committed to completing the masterwork he envisions, no matter what it takes.
The Disparity in Dedication Within the One Piece Franchise
Though Eiichiro Oda tirelessly pours his heart and soul into creating the One Piece manga, there has been frustration among his employers that other companies involved with the One Piece franchise are not matching Oda’s level of effort and quality.
After the announcement of a One Piece remake, old interviews resurfaced where Oda’s publishers criticized the anime studio Toei and merchandiser Bandai for producing what they felt was subpar animation and products compared to Oda’s acclaimed manga.
Despite this discrepancy in devotion to the series, Oda’s hard work has clearly paid off. In 2023, One Piece was again one of the best-selling manga series.
It has spawned one of the longest-running anime adaptations ever, as well as a live-action show that earned critical praise.
Though Oda has sacrificed his health and personal time, his single-minded dedication to creating a manga masterpiece has made One Piece a multimedia sensation beloved by fans for over 25 years.
While other stakeholders have been accused of coasting on Oda’s efforts, the manga remains the driving force in making One Piece a historic franchise.
Sailing Beyond: One Piece’s Unrelenting Journey Across 107 Volumes
The ever-expanding story of Eiichiro Oda’s epic manga One Piece reached 107 collected volumes as of January 2024. In North America, VIZ Media has licensed and translated the series up through Volume 104 so far.
Their description of that volume hints at the stakes for protagonist Luffy’s climactic battle with villain Kaido to free the land of Wano: “As the fight enters the final round, everyone in Wano risks their lives to protect their home. But even if Luffy wins, will there be anything left for a new shogun to rule?”
One Piece continues to barrel forward, with Volume 105 set for international release on March 12, 2024. For over 25 years, Oda has churned out new manga chapters weekly, building an intricate fictional world and mythos.
Fans eagerly await each new installment that advances the sweeping narrative about pirates chasing dreams of freedom and friendship.
While Oda’s health suffers under the grind, his epic tale passionately envisioned since childhood continues unabated.
