ONE PIECE

Why the Journey Never Ends

Eiichiro Oda's historic series OnePiecehas been a long standing goliath in the manga industry for over two decades now. It has broken nearly every literary sales record and cultivated some of the most iconic characters in ction.

The longevity of the series serves as a testamenttotheconsistentquality presentedbyOda.Butwhatmany seeasanongoingmasterpiecethe likesofwhichtheyhopewillnever end,anequalmajorityisintimidated bysuchamassivecatalogofstory alienatingthemfromstartinginthe rstplace.AsofJanuary2023,there standsover1070publishedchapters andnearlyasmanyanimeepisodes adaptingthestory.Thisinvestment intotheworldisquitethetalltaskto askforamainstreamaudience, especiallywhentheanimedates backallthewayto1999.

OnePiecefollows pirate Monkey D. Luffy along with his crew members across the seas as he attempts to become King of the Pirates. The strengths found in the series are too many to count, adding so much depth to an otherwise childish premise. Themes of inherited will, friendship, being true to oneself all highlight the colorful world that our main cast inhabits. The underlying tenet drawing each character together however is the simplest of all, a dream.

As a reader, you follow these different aspirations and witness how how they shape your beloved characters. Some are physical destinations that they wish to visit and some stand more ambitious spanning over generations of cultivated hopes. Each step forward in their adventure garners applause and each failure elicits heartbreak. The arc by arc experience of climbing the indomitable ladder of Luffy’s dream in a world packed with larger than life antagonists is nearly unrivaled in its storytelling. The events that take place stir up emotions almost childish in nature.

Leaving us to wonder, with the same determination could we achieve our dreams?

OnePiecedirectly challenges that notion, acknowledging the infinite vitality of dreams and the free will to choose how we go about fulfilling them. Characters in the story find themselves challenged, belittled and mocked for aspirations that sound ridiculous in nature which presents perfect symmetry to how they are received in the real world.

Fictional characters achieving their dreams through unwavering tenacity is nothing new in literature, let alone in manga. There are countless good and bad examples of shows hammering home this message and its potency varies.

Where OnePieceexcels in this regard is not always the method towards the dream but the dream itself and how it is a reflection of the reader. Luffy’s goal is abstract, there isn’t a clear definition of what the title King of the Pirates means in his world. It is a goal that encapsulates the freedom and wonder that we all at some point were striving towards. And that is the biggest strength the series offers.

We all come to a stalemate with our desires where we are faced with two options. Either moving forward or taking a different path. For some this may mean abandoning a hobby for a more financially fulfilling occupation or refusing to sacrifice the effort for a dream that has a statistically miniscule chance of coming to fruition.

Except, those who succeed in the context of this story don’t abandon this joyous desire they have in their lives, choosing rather to dedicate themselves fully to their passions regardless of the praise or resentment.

The expansive story is just a greater illustration on where these dreams have the power to take you and the lengths life challenges you along the way. Both success and failure within the story are met with prior dedication and effort that, similar to real life, aren’t always rewarded.

OnePiecehas found its place as a historic piece of fiction due to its ability to infuse the true depths of every person into a compelling story exemplifying the beauty of dreams. It leaves you pondering whether the once insurmountable trails of our own lives can be overcome.

And in a similar fashion, it gives you strength to chase down a never-ending wish that you alone have the power to embrace or abandon.