In your opinion, how many years do you think it will take for One Piece to reach its conclusion?
Recently, Eiichiro Oda has once again set the goal for the One Piece manga to be completed within the next 3 years, although the author himself is uncertain about this.
However, here are the reasons why many fans believe that One Piece may not conclude within the next 3 years:
1. One Piece has entered its final arc
Since One Piece returned after the break with chapter 1054, it has begun its final arc. However, there are still many unresolved issues and mysteries to be clarified, so it cannot simply end abruptly.
Therefore, achieving the 3-year milestone that Oda envisioned seems quite challenging.
2. Comparing the final story with Wano
One Piece officially entered the Wano arc in 2018. Until 2022, the Wano storyline has yet to reach its conclusion. While the battle at Onigashima has ended, the Straw Hat crew remains in Wano. Additionally, there are still mysteries surrounding Wano that have been discussed from chapter 1055 onwards.
However, it's worth noting that the Wano storyline took over 3 years to complete, so could it be possible for the final story of One Piece to be shorter? Many believe that the final storyline will be even more epic than Wano.
3. Many characters will participate in the final story of One Piece
In the Wano arc, Kaido and Big Mom have been defeated by the Supernovas, but the pirate world still boasts formidable figures such as Buggy, Shanks, and Blackbeard.
Additionally, there are characters like Akainu and the Marines. As well as members of the SWORD group such as Koby and Drake. Then there's the Gorosei, Im-sama, former Warlords, Vivi, the Straw Hat Grand Fleet... Also included are Sabo, Monkey D. Dragon, and the Revolutionary Army.
In the final battle of One Piece, all these names could potentially join the fray.
We've witnessed the Onigashima battle lasting quite a while with numerous characters involved. So if the conclusion of One Piece involves even more characters, the story might extend much longer than Oda originally planned.
4. Many mysteries remain to be uncovered
Who is Im-sama? What happened to the Void Century? What does the .D signify? Where is the fourth Road Poneglyph located?... There are countless mysteries in One Piece waiting to be solved. If Oda intends to address all of these, then One Piece might not conclude even in another 3 years, even though revealing these mysteries might not take as much time as the battles.
5. There are still some points in the world of One Piece that Luffy seems destined to reach
There are certain places in One Piece that Luffy seems destined to visit. Firstly, the final island Laugh Tale. Then there's Elbaf - the land of giants that has been mentioned for a long time. Many speculate that the ultimate battle in One Piece might occur across different islands, with the climax being at Laugh Tale. Especially since there's still one Road Poneglyph whose location remains unknown.
As for Luffy's clashes with Blackbeard, Luffy against the Marines, and the Revolutionary Army against the World Government, they might also unfold in various locations.
Considering the storytelling style of One Piece, will the next three years be enough to introduce all these locations and their histories?