In a revelation that shocked the One Piece fandom, creator Eiichiro Oda confirmed that Portgas D. Ace was never meant to live as long as he did in the story. Originally, Ace’s tragic death was planned to occur just one year after his debut. However, thanks to the overwhelming support and love from fans, Oda extended his lifespan by a full ten years before ultimately delivering one of the most heartbreaking deaths in anime history at Marineford.
Oda Rarely Kills Characters in One Piece
Unlike many other shonen series, One Piece rarely features the deaths of major characters. Oda has often explained that he prefers to draw celebrations, parties, and moments of joy after battles, rather than sorrow. Because of this, when a character does die, the moment carries significant weight — shaping Luffy’s journey and pushing the narrative forward in monumental ways.
Ace’s death, alongside Whitebeard’s, serves as the best example. Ace’s sacrifice fueled Luffy’s determination to grow stronger, while Whitebeard’s final words reignited the flames of the Great Pirate Era.
Ace Was Supposed to Die in 2001
According to Oda, Ace’s original death was planned for One Piece Chapter 201, published in 2001 — just one year after his first appearance in Chapter 154 (2000). This would have been long before the Paramount War saga ever took place.
However, Ace quickly became one of the most beloved characters in the series. Concerned about fan backlash, Oda decided to keep him alive for another decade, ultimately letting him fall during the Summit War arc — a decision that left fans devastated but gave the story one of its most defining moments.
Could Ace Ever Return?
Despite ongoing speculation, Oda has made it clear that he has no plans to resurrect Ace. While Ace may reappear in flashbacks, Luffy’s dreams, or Sabo’s memories, his revival is highly unlikely.
Still, given Oda’s unpredictable storytelling, some fans continue to hope that Ace might show up again — perhaps in the afterlife, alongside Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger.
Sources: GameK
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