As the end of "One Piece" draws nearer, former editor Naoki Kawashima recounted creator Eiichiro Oda's hard works, sacrifices, and determination for the popular manga series. It is said that the 41-year-old manga artist only gets three hours of sleep (2:00 AM to 5:00 AM JST) with zero holidays.
During the "One Piece Gold" interview, as cited by Kotaku, Kawashima said the thing he remembers most when he took over as editor was Oda telling him, "Die for 'One Piece.'" Kawashima explained that Oda is that resolute in drawing the manga.
Though Kawashima initially giggled, he soon acknowledged Oda to be serious about the statement. The former "One Piece" editor then admitted that he was ultimately moved by Oda's dedication in developing the manga series.
"One Piece" follows the one-of-a-kind adventures of a young man, Monkey D. Luffy, whose body gained the properties of rubber after he unexpectedly ate a Devil Fruit. It is the best-selling manga series of all time, having more than 380 million copies printed around the world.
While many fans are glad to see the Straw Hat Pirates to keep sailing after eight years since they first appeared, earlier reports claimed "One Piece" manga is nearing its end. In July, current editor Suguru Sugita revealed in a late-night episode of Japan's "Gold Rush" show, according to The One Piece Podcast, that there is only 20-30 percent story left in the series.
Sugita said Oda told him that the first part of the story, the part prior to the time-skip, was around halfway through. The former added, "That was about 60 volumes, so maybe we're at 70 percent? I don't think it's at 80 percent yet."
Not long after it came to light, fans worldwide were quick to escalate that there is still approximately five to eight years of work before "One Piece" will be finished.
Watch Luffy uses Gomu Gomu no Mi or Gear Fourth technique below: