20 Years In The Making

Exactly 20 years ago today, on July 19th 1997, an aspiring manga artist by the name of Eiichiro Oda had just gotten his first manga series called One Piece published at shōnen manga company called Weekly Shōnen Jump. One Piece is a Japanese manga series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body gained the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit. With his crew of pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy explores the Grand Line in search of the world's ultimate treasure known as "One Piece" in order to become the next Pirate King. Eiichiro Oda claimed that at age four he resolved to become a manga artist in order to avoid having to get a "real job". In late 1996, Oda drew two pirate-themed one-shot stories called "Romance Dawn", which were published in Akamaru Jump and Weekly Shōnen Jump respectively in late 1996. "Romance Dawn" featured Monkey D. Luffy  as the protagonist, who then became the protagonist of One Piece. 

After the serilzation of One Piece in 1997, Oda actually did not expect his manga to last very long but not only did it become one of the most popular manga in Japan, but the best-selling manga series of all time. It sold 100 million collected tankōbon volumes by February 2005, over 200 million by February 2011, and had 416 million volumes in circulation worldwide as of April 2017. The series' popularity also resulted in him being named one of the manga artists that changed the history of manga.

One Piece has brought many fans together from all corners of the globe and has such a unique charisma of it's own as once you open the first volume of the manga or watch the first episode of the anime you are hooked and there is no turning back. You get pulled into the world of One Piece and you start to share in the adventures that Monkey D. Luffy goes on with his crew, the straw hat pirates who are notable for being one of the most varied, if not bizarre, pirate crews in the One Piece world; due to having a cyborg, a shape-shifting reindeer and an un-dead walking skeleton as members. But instead of getting weird out and turning our noses away it only peaked the fans into tuning in more and wonder what kind of adventures they would go on together next. 

One Piece fans have all shared in the good times and the bad times with the Straw Hat pirates as we followed Luffy and his pirate crew as they entered the Grand-line in search of legendary treasure "One-Piece", along the way we watched as they gained new friends, allies and crew members, we got to meet some of the most notorious diabolical villains that were such assholes we wanted to see Luffy kick their egotistical butts so badly. We also shared in the sad times as well as we watched the Straw-hats lose their first ship "The Going Merry" and the shocking death of Luffy's big brother, Ace at Marineford that not only shook the world of One Piece, but fans around the world too as both scenes were just enough to make anyone want to cry . We have also bared witness as our favorite swordsman Zoro lost one of his precious swords Yubashiri during the Enies Lobby arc, which he would later replace in the thriller arc with the sword known as Shusui which is considered the national treasure of the Wano Country. We have also seen certain characters who at the beginning of the series who started out not much as fighters but after entering the Grand Line and all the adventures they have been in so far have come to realize their certain flaws and weakness and starting to realize their own abilities have gained weapons of their own and have turned themselves around and become valuable, even formidable fighters in their own ways (ex: Nami). We have also joined in as we watch the Straw-hats seperate for 2 years to train and become stronger before entering the other half of the Grand-line, the New World. When they reunited we watch our favorite pirate crew kick some major butt in the Fishman Island Arc with new skills and abilities they required during their 2 long years of extensive training and we the fans could not be prouder of them.  
 
20 years later with 85 volumes, 800 episodes and 13 featured films One Piece is still going even stronger then before. No one would have expected that people from all parts of the world would fall in love with this wonderful manga series, it's wonderful cast of characters especially the main protagonist who is not your like most of your stereotypical types of heroes that you usually get especially in westarn comics where they are all muscle. Monkey D. Luffy is one of a kind indeed as he is a kind-hearted and strong spirited individual who has taught many fans over the years to always follow their own dreams and to not let either minor or major obstacles stop you from reaching those dreams and to even believe in yourself and your own strong spirit. Plus, to also always stand up for what you think is right and believe in. 

20 years ago I was only 13 years old and was just starting my first year of Junior High and I was into anime and manga back then but my two most top favorite ones were Pokemon and Sailor Moon and when I heard about One Piece for the first time I thought to myself, *This sounds stupid; it won't last.* Now, 20 years later I am still a strong hardcore Manga/Anime fan and just like many others I have become a HUGE fan of One Piece and now I am eating those words now . 

The best thing about One Piece right now is that their adventures are far from over yet. In recent volumes we finally learn how they can find the island Raftel, the island at the end of the Grand Line which supposedly holds the treasure One Piece. Just like most fans I was on the edge of my seat when this was revealed and was more eager to follow their adventures now more then ever. 

I have heard many fans of One Piece tell me how they will follow this wonderful series "Until the day I die." which only shows just how much of an impact this series has made on many and the dedication they show to it. 

Creator Oda-san says the story is about 65% complete, then there is another 35% left to go. I don't know if the other 35% will take another 10, 15 or even another 20 years until it ends but all I can say is that I am glad it's not over yet as I am not ready to see these wonderful characters go or for their adventures to stop either. I have no doubt that One Piece will continue to go strong for the rest of it's run with the strong, dedicated fans they have indeed. 

Now, on a final note to this. 

This is for Mr. Eiichiro Oda. 

Eiichiro Oda-san, 

THANK YOU!!          


For 20 wonderful, glorious years of non-stop action and adventures as you took so many fans along on Luffy's adventures and let us share in all of the thrills, joys and even the sadness with them all. We continue to show our support to you through these times and will still will as you continue on with your wonderful manga writing. Thank you for the impact you have made on fans not only in Japan but all throughout the world. But to me, just like Luffy will one day without no doubt become King of the Pirates; you are already literally the KING of manga.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful creativity and story-telling with us as we are forever grateful to you indeed.


      



I do not own One Piece or the screenshots; they belong to Eiichiro Oda.