One Piece Could Explore Portgas D. Ace’s Untold Past Through an Anime Spin-Off Based on His Two Prequel Novels

Portgas D. Ace remains one of the most beloved characters in One Piece, even years after his death during the Marineford arc. While the main story continues to follow Monkey D. Luffy’s journey, fans have had comparatively few opportunities to explore Ace’s adventures before he became a member of the Whitebeard Pirates.

As comicbook.com recently argued in a feature discussing the character’s potential, a dedicated Ace spin-off anime could fill that gap by adapting the two-volume One Piece: Ace’s Story novel series. The books explore his early pirate career, the creation of the Spade Pirates, and his journey toward the New World. They were written by Sho Hinata and Tatsuya Hamazaki, with an original concept credited to series creator Eiichiro Oda.

Rather than attempting to bring Ace back into the present-day storyline, an adaptation could focus entirely on his past. This would allow the anime to expand an important part of the franchise without undermining the emotional impact of his death.

How Ace Formed the Spade Pirates and Obtained His Devil Fruit

The first volume, Formation of the Spade Pirates, follows Ace after he becomes stranded on a deserted island alongside Masked Deuce. The two eventually work together to escape, forming the beginning of a partnership that leads to the creation of Ace’s pirate crew.

Their early adventures also explore how Ace obtained the Flame-Flame Fruit, which granted him the fire-based abilities that eventually earned him the nickname Fire Fist Ace.

The story offers a closer look at Ace’s personality before his rise to prominence. Although he carries the legacy of his father, Gol D. Roger, Ace is determined to establish his own identity rather than simply follow in Roger’s footsteps.

His willingness to help others, including people who could be considered his rivals, also highlights the similarities he shares with Luffy.

New World Adventures Could Expand Ace’s Connection to Whitebeard

The second volume, New World, follows Ace and the Spade Pirates as they enter a more dangerous stretch of the Grand Line. The crew encounters powerful pirate groups competing for territory and treasure, while Ace begins pursuing a reputation that could change the balance of power across the seas.

His ambitions eventually lead him toward the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the strongest crews in the world. This period is particularly important because it explores the events that eventually bring Ace under Whitebeard’s protection and establish his place within the crew.

According to VIZ Media’s official description of the second novel, Ace’s journey through the New World and his growing interest in Whitebeard form the central parts of the story.

Interestingly, Ace’s prequel has already received a manga adaptation titled One Piece: Ace’s Story—The Manga. Illustrated by Boichi, the adaptation covers his journey with the Spade Pirates and was published in two volumes. However, a dedicated anime adaptation of the novels has not been announced.

An anime adaptation could give these adventures more room to develop through animated battles, character interactions, and additional exploration of Ace’s relationships with his crew. A standalone film or short television series could cover both novels while giving viewers a closer look at the pirate’s life before Marineford.

Ace’s story also offers a different perspective on the franchise’s central themes of family, inherited legacies, and personal freedom. While Luffy continues pursuing his dream of becoming the Pirate King, an adaptation of Ace’s earlier adventures could show how his brother built his own reputation and eventually became one of the New World’s most recognised pirates.