Almost 10 Years Ago, a Theory Predicted One Piece’s Epic Finale, And It’s Starting to Come True

As one of the longest-running series in anime, One Piece has garnered more than its fair share of theories regarding how this grand adventure is going to conclude, and knowing its creator, Eiichiro Oda, it’s bound to be something no one has thought of. However, one rumor 10 years ago that was spread around regarding the true climax of Luffy’s journey reported that Oda had divulged the truth of what two entities would meet together in One Piece’s final battle.

Allegedly, a Shueisha artist who had worked on panels for the manga had come forward stating that they knew how Oda planned to end One Piece, making a dramatic reveal eluding to many mysteries that still remained unsolved, as well as spoiling the ending to one of the most elusive ongoing series. While the supposed finale prompted by “Oda” is an interesting premise, the source that conducted the interview no longer exists, and the host website has been exposed to have potentially fabricated a story about Oda sharing the ending to a young child stricken with cancer.

As such, it’s difficult to conclude whether this interaction ever took place, and if the statements gathered in the interview actually came from the perspectives of the artist and Oda. What can be trusted is that the “true ending” does prompt one hell of a theory to dive into.

This Elusive Interview Led to the Most Dramatic Theory of a Final Battle Between Devils and Pirates in One Piece

And It’s Not Entirely Off the Mark With What One Piece Fans Know Now

According to the original interview, the artist allegedly stated that a war would conclude One Piece as its final battle between Luffy, who has already become the Pirate King, and the Devil, who will raise his army against the Straw Hat Captain’s band of pirates and the Marines. Now, given the Marines’ deep-seated corruption due to the World Government, the theory is already a hard pill to swallow since this group wouldn’t work alongside pirates unless there was a greater threat present.

While there are remarkable creatures and humans that exist in the world of One Piece, it’s also hard to imagine that there is going to be a similar figure to God, or Gan Fall from Skypiea, that takes on the role of the Devil, who suddenly becomes the new antagonist of the story. Oda has already mentioned that the ending to One Piece isn’t going to be a conclusion that is pulled out of nowhere, so introducing a late-stage protagonist isn’t likely to happen.

What this theory also proposes is that those who are given the D moniker are descendants of the Devil. Though it may be a stretch in the literal sense, it’s possible that Will of D could relate to “God’s Natural Enemy.” Given Oda’s tendency to weave in religious and historic themes into One Piece, it’s possible that the final battle may not conclude with Luffy fighting the Devil, but rather a representative of what the Devil stands for in the narrative.

One Final Climactic Battle Between the Devil’s Will and One Piece’s Most Liberated Pirate

Luffy’s Ideals of Freedom Come Together to Overthrow the Devil’s Temptation

Each momentous battle between Luffy and an antagonist has been a fight of both a physical nature, but also a philosophical one, where each is pitting their ideals against one another. The Straw Hat captain has been steadily learning just what kind of Pirate King he wants to be and is all the stronger for it by discovering just how powerful freedom is in a controlled world like One Piece under the Marines and World Government.

Related

This One Piece Theory May Have Figured Out Imu’s True Identity, And It’ll Change the Anime Forever

One Piece has gotten a new fan theory and this one is all about the mysterious Imu and who they really are within the One Piece universe.

If the theory surrounding members of the D clan being associated with the Devil is to be believed, then the final battle is likely to be against Blackbeard D. Teach, rather than Imu, who embodies a more god-like presence. Blackbeard is a character who has been represented as Luffy’s opposite from the moment he made his presence known, and is quite possibly one of the most corrupt villains to be seen in One Piece, whether that’s due to his nature as a member of the D clan or by the nature of his Devil Fruit.

Blackbeard could be the stand-in for the Devil Luffy is meant to be facing in the final climax of One Piece, as a fight against the corruption and temptation that the Devil is known for. However, Luffy is also a person who carries the Will of D, but without knowing what it is in canon, it could stand to chance that he disregards the meaning behind it. He has also been a character who wants to pave out his own destiny without outside forces interfering, whether it be his family, friends, or fate.

The final battle against Blackbeard would be Luffy fighting against the predetermined path that tempted him along the way, promising power and control because of his very existence. Every predecessor who has the name D has gone on to be a major player or role in One Piece, either by destiny or by the Devil’s hand. Luffy isn’t the type to allow himself to be led, however, and would most certainly end the battle of ideals to prove that every man or woman, regardless of what they want to become, should have the freedom to choose the path they want.

The Theory’s Greatest Flaw is that It’s Outdated and Reveals Have Yet to Confirm Imu’s Identity

The Devil is in the Details, and There’s a Lot Left to be Revealed

The biggest drawbacks of this theory are that it’s outdated for its time, either relegated to referring to Luffy’s battle against Kaido or instead inferring that Luffy’s greatest fight could be against Imu, who signifies control more so than Blackbeard. The Will of the Devil, while fitting for the occasional manga panel, can likewise inspire hope in instances of Yamato’s relief in finding out Luffy’s name. If it were such a dangerous concept, then why would Yamato express happiness rather than the usual wariness the World Government and other characters bring when referring to D.

While fans may not know how One Piece will ultimately conclude its story, it’s sure to follow the same themes and narrative consistency that Oda has brought along for the whole series. Through East Blue and Skypiea to Egghead Island and God Valley, the ride that has gone on for over two decades is sure to be worth the wait.

Source: Devils vs Pirates 1, Devils vs Pirates 2, Interview Transcription

Created by

Eiichiro Oda

First Film

One Piece: The Movie

Cast

Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ôtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi

Character(s)

Monkey D. Luffy, Roronora Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbei (One Piece)