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One Piece holds a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for its remarkable number of copies sold. While coming close to a whopping 1100 chapters, the content and context of this manga have nearly reached 21000 pages.
Do you think you know everything in those 20K+ chapters? Even if you’re an avid fan of Mugiwara’s adventures, there’s a lot you might not know about them.
So, let’s dive into a list of intriguing and lesser-known facts about One Piece.
#1 Armani Exchange Designed Outfits for the Characters
Anime, while a simple entertainment source in Western countries, holds unparalleled significance in Japan, where it has grown to be a way of life.
Its influence extends to commercials, advertisements, and public transportation, where popular characters are prominently displayed.
The protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, literally has a large statue in Kumamoto Prefecture of Japan (Eiichiro Oda’s hometown). Furthermore, anime’s global popularity has created a booming market in fashion.
For instance, the characters from One Piece have served as animated models for A|X Armani Exchange. In a significant milestone, Luffy became the first manga character to grace the 24-year-old Japanese fashion magazine Men’s Non-no cover.
This groundbreaking achievement also marks Oda’s inaugural cover design unrelated to a manga.
#2 Early Character Designs and Plans
Like any other evolving storyline, certain plot elements and character changes occur in the early stages. In the case of One Piece, there are notable differences in the initial drawings of several characters compared to their final appearances.
For instance, Tony Tony Chopper’s adorable character was originally portrayed with a more realistic reindeer-like appearance and even carried a sword!
According to an interview with Shōnen Jump reported by Comicbook.com, Oda revealed,
“If I had designed him as originally planned, he would have been overshadowed by other characters, making it difficult to appreciate his unique qualities. Therefore, I eventually made him smaller and cuter.”
Similarly, other characters had unique beginnings, such as a more mechanized Nami wielding a massive battle ax and “Pirate Hunter” Roronoa Zoro serving as a bodyguard for the Buggy Pirates.
However, one of the character plans had to be altered due to an upcoming manga competition…
#3 One Piece was Only Supposed to Last for Five Years
One Piece started 25 years ago, may be long before your birth! Interestingly, the author, Eiichiro Oda, initially intended to conclude the story in 2002, after a mere five years.
However, he postponed the ending for numerous years while he crafted remarkable characters, epic battles, and thrilling adventures. In fact, he already has the conclusion planned out!
By the way, the One Piece series will be released soon. This is a Netflix adaptation of the manga, and it is obvious that it will be available on the platform first. If you want to be one of the first lucky ones to watch it, install VeePN and switch to a different region. The problem is that in most regions, the Netflix library is severely curtailed. A VPN allows you to change your virtual location and unlock the entire library.
#4 Avril Lavigne’s Music Appeared In ‘One Piece Film Z’
Avril Lavigne is a Canadian musician known for her pop-punk style. You might have heard some of her popular hits like “Sk8er Boi,” “Girlfriend,” and “Complicated.”
But here’s something interesting – did you know that two of her songs became the theme songs for One Piece Film Z? It all started when Lavigne covered Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me.”
Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, loved her rendition so much that he personally wrote her a letter to express his gratitude.
As they continued to correspond, Oda shared his admiration for Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation,” as it resonated with the characters’ attitude towards life. Lavigne, in turn, offered to cover the song for the film.
Although she had already done a previous version, she created a fresh arrangement for this collaboration. This marked a significant milestone for One Piece as it was the first movie in the franchise to have its own theme song. It also showcased the international appeal of Lavigne’s music.
#5 Historical Pirate References
The Straw Hat Pirates encountered different pirate crews on their journey. Interestingly, none of them sport the clichéd eye patch, but many of these characters are inspired by popular pirate tropes and characteristics we associate with them.
To further develop the depth of these characters, quite a few draw inspiration from real-life pirates from history. Notably, the grand story of One Piece commences with the execution of the infamous Pirate Gol. D. Rogers. On the day he was to be executed, he defiantly challenged anyone to uncover his coveted treasure, known as One Piece.
This declaration and execution took inspiration from the French pirate Olivier Levasseur. As a final act, he tossed his cryptogram necklace into the crowd, suggesting that whoever solved it would attain his treasure.
Conclusion
One Piece is an extraordinary series that has captivated millions of fans around the world since its debut in 1997.
From taking inspiration from famous works such as Dragon Ball and incorporating real-life references, Eiichiro Oda expertly crafted a story filled with unique characters and thrilling adventures like no other. If you think you know everything there is to know about One Piece, think again!
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