Not Even One Piece's Creator Expected the Anime's Saddest Death to Hurt So Much
Eiichiro Oda's One Pieceis, at its core, a story of adventure and the freedom that comes with the journey. As a result, the series is not particularly known for emotional moments, especially those involving the deaths of beloved characters. One Piece has rarely depicted the deaths of major characters, and even those who seemed to have died, such as Jarul or Dr. Vegapunk, were later revealed to be alive, adding unexpected twists to the narrative.
However, there is one pivotal death in the series that profoundly impacts both the story and its main character. Portgas D. Ace's death is undeniably the most emotional moment in One Piece. His loss sent shockwaves through the pirate world, ushering in a new era. Even Eiichiro Oda himself has reflected on Ace's death in hindsight, expressing curiosity about why Ace had to die.
Ace’s Death in One Piece Surprised Even Its Creator With How Devastating It Was
Oda’s Reaction to Ace’s Death Mirrors That of Any Fan
A Fuji TV special featuring the One Piece editorial team shed light on Eiichiro Oda’s reaction to Ace’s death, revealing how deeply it affected him despite his firm decision to go through with it. As the series built up to this pivotal moment, Oda received countless letters from fans pleading for Ace to be saved. Even the editorial team repeatedly questioned his choice, suggesting that killing Ace might not be the best idea.
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Ultimately, Oda remained committed to his original decision, but he didn’t fully grasp the emotional weight of Ace’s death until he saw it unfold in the anime from a different perspective. In the interview, he reflected on the moment, curiously stating, "I wonder why Ace had to be killed in such a harsh way." This remark underscores the depth of Ace’s death as one of the most significant in the series. Despite how difficult it was, Oda’s decision ultimately reshaped One Piece for the better.
Ace’s Death in One Piece Was an Unexpected but Needed Moment
The Series Needed to Have at Least One Major Death
Despite how heartbreaking and unexpected Ace's death was in One Piece, it remains one of the most pivotal moments in the series, fundamentally altering its course. His death highlights how devastating events are an inevitable part of life, and overcoming them is the only way to move forward stronger. No one is more affected by Ace’s loss than Luffy, yet it serves as a harsh lesson about the realities of a pirate's journey, one that ultimately motivates him to pause, reflect, and grow stronger through training.
The rest of the Straw Hat crew are similarly impacted. Since none of them were with Luffy during this crucial moment, each member feels a deep sense of regret for not being able to support their captain in his darkest hour. This regret transforms into a powerful drive to grow stronger, which is why the Straw Hats emerge as entirely different individuals after the time skip. Thus, while Ace’s death stands as one of the saddest moments in One Piece, even surprising the creator with its emotional weight, it also serves as a crucial turning point that propels the Straw Hats' adventure to the next level.
Source: @sandman_AP on X for translation.
- Created by
- Eiichiro Oda
- First Film
- One Piece: The Movie
- First TV Show
- One Piece
- Cast
- Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ôtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi
- Character(s)
- Monkey D. Luffy, Roronora Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbei (One Piece)
- Video Game(s)
- One Piece: Unlimited World Red, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, One Piece: World Seeker, One Piece Odyssey
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a multimedia franchise that began as a manga series and follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as led by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a thirst for adventure, is afflicted by a mysterious curse that gives him various powers he uses to protect himself and his friends. The manga eventually gave way to the anime series, with the two being some of history's longest-running anime and manga series. Along with over fifty video games made over the years, the series entered the live-action world with Netflix's 2023 adaptation.
