Despite fan complaints, the creator of “One Piece“ has a practical reason for not showing every fight.
“One Piece” creator Eiichiro Oda has finally addressed a long-standing complaint from fans: why some battles in the manga are skipped or only shown in aftermath. Known for his epic storytelling and intricate world-building, Oda admitted that his biggest limitation isn’t a lack of ideas — but the physical space allowed for each chapter.
In an earlier message shared in 2021, Oda revealed, “If I were allowed to draw 30 pages every week, I’d have my manuscripts submitted in no time.” This comment shines light on his biggest creative challenge: Weekly Shonen Jump’s strict 17–18 page limit per chapter.
Oda shared that he often struggles to compress all his ideas into the restricted page count, which leads him to prioritize story progression over fully illustrated fight scenes. “If it were up to me, I’d include everything in more pages so readers could see things in greater detail,” he expressed.
Many fans have voiced frustration over the years, noting that “One Piece” often skips minor battles or reduces them to a few panels — especially when there’s hype around certain matchups. However, Oda emphasized that these choices are not about cutting corners but about making necessary sacrifices to fit the narrative within the allowed space.
In fact, when given the opportunity, Oda always ensures that the most pivotal battles — like those in the Wano arc — receive full, detailed attention. The skipped fights tend to be on a smaller scale, and even then, they’re part of a carefully considered trade-off.
Ultimately, Oda’s passion for storytelling is clear. If industry constraints didn’t exist, “**’One Piece’** would be much more elaborate and detailed,” he insists. While the manga’s format forces him to make tough calls, fans can rest assured that each decision is made with thoughtful consideration of what best serves the story.
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