29 Years Ago, One Piece Began the Journey That Saved Shonen Jump

For several years now, Luffy has been the face of Shonen Jump as a testament to the series’ legacy and massive popularity. Since One Piece is the best-selling manga of all time, almost everyone is familiar with Luffy’s face, even those who haven’t caught up with the manga. However, WSJ covers always include characters from ongoing series, and since One Piece is in its Final Saga, Luffy will eventually stop being the face of the magazine. While there are still a few years left before that happens, there’s no doubt it will be the end of an era, as other ongoing series will have to fill in the shoes. Eiichiro Oda’s beloved Weekly Shonen Jump manga One Piece began serializing in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1997 and has taken the crew to several islands since then.

The manga is currently in its Final Saga, and we have seen several of Luffy’s victories on every island he visits. Coming from a small village tucked away in the corner of the East Blue Sea, Luffy has dreamed of nothing more than becoming the Pirate King. However, the journey ahead is brutal and full of trials that he can’t pass alone. This is why he gathered a crew of like-minded people who all have their own dreams and aspirations. The crew has been facing one problem after another ever since they began their journey, but it’s thanks to these challenges that they are able to become powerful and are now a part of the Yonko crew.

One Piece Kept Its Legacy Alive Even Now

On the surface, the cycle of Luffy fighting to protect an island doesn’t seem much special. But during each battle, not only Luffy, but also his crew members grow exponentially powerful as they push past their limits. Every part of the story reveals something major about the world or the Void Century, contributing to the spectacular world-building of the series.

One Piece is more than just fights, and its true strength lies in the world-building and the layers of mysteries. This is why, while the premise of each Saga seems to be just fighting to protect an island, it’s never the main focus since the backstories and lore drops often grab more attention, and for obvious reasons.

In each island he saves, Luffy meets new allies, most of whom have crucial roles to play in the Final Saga. It’s thanks to the repetitive pattern of Luffy saving them that these characters, including Princess Vivi, Princess Shirahoshi, and many such influential figures, end up admiring him and taking his side even though he is a pirate.

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