Overview
- Oda recognized Luffy’s lack of strength to confront Yonko without a significant timeskip.
- During the two-year interval, Luffy underwent training with Rayleigh, enhancing his abilities.
- Absent a timeskip, Oda would have needed to diminish Yonko’s power for Luffy to prevail.
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One Piece has now progressed beyond the timeskip phase for a longer duration than the preceding storyline, marking a significant turning point devised by Oda that greatly affects the narrative trajectory.
Eiichiro Oda has shed light on the reasons behind the two-year hiatus before the characters ventured into the New World, a critical plot element in the series.
Insights on the Timeskip Decision
Luffy’s Insufficient Strength Against the Yonko
Having been serialized for nearly three decades, One Piece presents a vast narrative landscape where Luffy’s character has had ample time for growth, notably in terms of strength. Despite having conquered numerous foes pre-timeskip, he remained ill-equipped to tackle the formidable adversaries waiting in the New World. This recognition prompted Oda to implement a timeskip, allowing Luffy to undergo crucial training over a two-year period.
During this interval, Luffy received rigorous instruction from Rayleigh, the first mate of Gold Roger, which enabled him to harness Haki and develop transformative abilities like Gear 4th.
In 2018, Oda articulated the rationale behind the timeskip, along with the specific choice of a two-year duration. His insights included:
“Luffy, at 17, had no chance of defeating powerful enemies like the Yonko. The two-year timeskip was necessary to leave his growth to the reader’s imagination. I kept it relatively short because One Piece is a shonen manga, and I didn’t want Luffy to become too mature.” — Eiichiro Oda
The narrative developed significantly over the years, with Luffy ultimately emerging victorious against a Yonko after a journey that captivated fans for over a decade. His recent triumph over Kaido during the Wano arc came as a result of unlocking advanced Haki forms and finally achieving the highly anticipated Gear 5.
In Luffy’s words: “I don’t care if you’re a king or not. There are things that matter more than power.”
Had there been no timeskip, Oda would have been compelled to reduce the Yonko’s strength to accommodate Luffy’s ascent or grant him an unrealistic power-up, neither of which would offer the impactful character development witnessed through years of training and struggle.
Oda’s strategic choice in establishing the timeskip catered not only to Luffy’s growth but also to the evolution of other Straw Hat members, all of whom required this interval to enhance their capabilities. Currently, as One Piece embarks on its final saga, fans eagerly anticipate further intensities and developments in the story. Presently, Luffy is navigating the realm of Elbaf, a land governed by giants.
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