The Highly Anticipated One Piece Chapter Will Be Released Incomplete

One Piece's upcoming manga chapter will be released in an unfinished state, marking the first time in the series' history.

According to a recent post from a dedicated One Piece X (previously Twitter) account, Eiichiro Oda has been unable to finalize Chapter 1098 before the deadline. Rather than postponing the release, Weekly Shonen Jump has made the decision to publish the incomplete version of the chapter. Another One Piece-focused account has translated Oda's entire message about Chapter 1098 into English for his non-Japanese fans.

Oda stated that while the chapter is fully readable and contains all the vignettes and texts, there are some pages that are not completely drawn. Some vignettes only have preliminary sketches, though they have significant detail unlike Togashi's sketches in Hunter x Hunter. Other vignettes have certain parts that are fully finished while other parts remain as sketches. Some lack shading patterns and background elements. Oda expressed a strange feeling when observing these incomplete aspects. Despite potential dissatisfaction from One Piece fans, Oda reassured them that he and his editorial team will finalize Chapter 1098 for publication in One Piece Volume 108. In the meantime, the unfinished chapter will be released in Weekly Shonen Jump on Nov. 12.

Oda did not explicitly explain the reasons for not completing Chapter 1098. However, it is widely known that manga artists face strict deadlines that can be challenging to meet, even under optimal circumstances. The demanding working conditions in the industry often have a detrimental impact on the health of the artists and other staff. Many of Oda's peers, including Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of My Hero Academia, have had to take regular breaks to prioritize their well-being. Oda himself took a four-week hiatus in June 2023 to undergo corrective eye surgery for severe astigmatism, a condition that may have been exacerbated by his long working hours.

One Piece, the popular series that first premiered in 1997, is now in the midst of its final main story arc after over 25 years. In recent chapters, new information has been unveiled about the epic clash known as the God Valley incident, which involved the notorious Rocks and Rogers pirate groups. The renowned One Piece anime by Toei Animation just concluded the "Wano Country" arc, paving the way for the upcoming "Final Saga" storyline. English readers can access the One Piece manga through VIZ Media, while Toei's anime adaptation can be watched on Hulu and Crunchyroll.

Source: X (formerly Twitter)

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of One Piece, I am both excited and concerned about the upcoming release of the incomplete Chapter 1098. On one hand, I am thrilled to see the continuation of the story and learn more about the God Valley incident and the Final Saga. The fact that Oda is pushing himself and his team to meet the deadline, despite the challenges, is a testament to his dedication to the series and his fans.

On the other hand, I am worried about the potential impact of the incomplete chapter on the overall quality of the story. One Piece is known for its intricate artwork and detailed world-building, and I fear that the unfinished nature of Chapter 1098 may compromise the immersive experience that fans have come to expect. I understand that Oda and his team are working hard to finalize the chapter for its inclusion in Volume 108, but I hope that they prioritize their health and well-being above all else.

In the end, I believe that the decision to release an incomplete chapter is a bold and unprecedented move that reflects the unique challenges facing manga artists in the industry. While I may have mixed feelings about it, I remain optimistic that Oda and his team will deliver a satisfying conclusion to the One Piece story, even if it means taking the necessary time to do so.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.