Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, introduced a new transformation in the manga and anime series called Gear 5. The introduction of this new transformation received mixed reactions from fans all over the world. Some fans have already embraced the changes, while others have different opinions.
Oda stated that Gear 5 was designed to maintain the enjoyment and excitement in the storytelling process. In 2022, he candidly shared his opinion about it with the fans. He intentionally drew it with a touch of humor, even though some readers might find it nauseating. However, as the story progresses, there is hope that everything will become more serious in every battle scene in the manga.
Oda doesn’t like a very serious approach in One Piece. He enjoys drawing Gear 5 with its uniqueness and humor during battles against Kaido, thus retaining One Piece’s trademark style that combines serious and silly elements to keep the story’s enjoyment and uniqueness.
In creating Gear 5, Oda drew his inspiration from Tom and Jerry. He faced challenges in striking a balance between the humor of Luffy and the seriousness of Kaido. Nevertheless, Oda always loved the traditional and unique elements in drawing manga, such as the spinning wheel-like feet when running.
Togashi once interviewed Oda about the final saga in One Piece. Oda revealed that it was important for him to maintain the humor element in the story, even if it meant that the audience might not find his ideas attractive. Nevertheless, Oda was proud of what he has accomplished so far.
Luffy is the central character of One Piece, and Oda has always been aware of how he portrays him in manga. In 1999, a poll was conducted to determine the best character in One Piece, and Luffy won. It came as a surprise to Oda, as he was worried that Luffy might lose to other popular characters among fans, such as Zoro or Shanks.
In 2012, Oda participated in the creation of Film Z, one of the movies of One Piece, solely to protect the character of Luffy. In 2018, he referred to Luffy as a perfect little boy, revealing his deep affection and respect for the character.
Overall, Eiichiro Oda’s dedication and creativity have made One Piece a beloved manga and anime series worldwide. His commitment to Luffy’s character and a balance of humor and seriousness have kept the audience’s attention and provide them with enjoyment and excitement.
