In 1997, Eiichiro Oda released "One Piece" and 26 years after the franchise has grown so much and has managed to still captivate the fans. Currently, the original anime series is already on its 1088th episode last December 17 and is in no way of stopping.
Over the years, the franchise has shown various story arcs like Enies Lobby Arc, Marineford Arc, Dressrosa Arc, and more. Currently, the series has been exploring the Wano Country Arc since 2019.
Aside from that, "One Piece" has partnered with Netflix to create a live-action adaptation and a new anime series. The live adaptation is officially cleared for its second season while the new anime series is in production period.
Want to know more about the never-ending popularity of "One Piece"? Here are some of Oda's secrets:
Compelling Narrative and Characters
"One Piece" is known for its rich and engaging storyline that has a lot of intricate plotlines. Despite having many characters throughout the show's run, all of them have their own development and adventure to tend to.
The characters also feature a diverse set of personalities that anyone can relate to. They all have backgrounds, abilities, and uniqueness tied to them. Fans are known for building emotional connections with the characters, making it one of the factors for its long-lasting appeal to the audience.
Consistent Quality
Probably the most important contributor to the popularity of "One Piece" is its consistent quality. Many shows have attempted to last for a long period but not all are capable of being consistent.
Oda is popular for his keen eye for the quality of his works. He works closely with the storytelling and the artwork in the series to ensure that they remain consistent in every chapter.
Long-Term Planning
The key to being consistent is to have the ability to plan and foreshadow events far in advance. Oda takes his time to plan the events in the franchise in advance. His long-term planning ensures that every storyline is knitted together.
Fans also contribute to this by engaging with fan theory or predictions about upcoming episodes. Sometimes they are also able to connect the dots by referencing other episodes.
Community Engagement
Being in the industry for almost three decades, "One Piece" has fans that cover multiple generations. Over the years, the community is only getting more active and passionate.
Fans often hold events and forums, and even discuss fan theories, making the experience more exciting, especially for those who have just begun the series. The overall experience ties the community closer together.
Global Appeal
Originally from Japan, the manga and series were used to be released in the Japanese language. Over the years, the demand for the series got so huge that it now supported an English dub per release, which helped in creating a more global reach.
The recent partnership with Netflix also proved how massive the "One Piece" franchise has become as more people are engaging on the show and the upcoming shows there are.
