Buzz
It's a fact we must objectively recognize; One Piece is highly successful in both revenue and fame.
One Piece has had a promising start in 2022
Concluding 2021 with remarkable milestones like the 1000th anime episode, 100th manga episode, and the 1000th chapter, One Piece is increasingly triumphant in both revenue and fame. As of January 2022, One Piece manga officially surpassed 500 million copies, poised to become the best-selling manga of all time.
Most recently, the sales figures for consecutive volumes 99, 100, and 101 are soaring. At the end of March, volume 102 was officially released, focusing on the climax of the Wano arc. With these successes, One Piece manga is a strong contender for the best-selling manga of 2022.
In addition to revenue, One Piece's fame is gaining attention on social media. One Piece chapter 1045 became the most searched global trend within 24 hours, and the term 'Luffy Gear 5' was also highly searched. Clearly, Oda has elevated the revenue and fame of One Piece in 2022.
Some fans still criticize the plot becoming more nonsensical
This is a reality seen frequently in recent One Piece chapters. If you scroll through Vietnamese One Piece social media, phrases like 'dirty buff' appear quite often. Many readers are displeased with Oda tweaking Luffy's Devil Fruit abilities and find this power escalation illogical. Even Gear 5 and battles with a Western cartoon style disappoint many readers.
However, looking deeper, Oda's moves are proving effective. Clearly, the author is targeting Western readers, steering One Piece towards them more overtly than the previous Eastern creative styles. In fact, Oda has succeeded as One Piece not only trends on social media but also gets coverage on a famous French television channel.
Therefore, it's time for us to assess One Piece more objectively and gently. While entertainment value has been heightened in recent One Piece chapters, the tight plot, interconnected hints forming a cohesive narrative, is still maintained.
What do you think about One Piece becoming a hot trend on social media? Why do many readers still feel the 'plot is getting more absurd'? Share your thoughts!
