Oda’s Most Dangerous Mistake Is Now Threatening One Piece’s Finale

For years, One Piece fans joked that the series would never end. But now, the final saga is full steam ahead, major mysteries are opening up, and the story is finally racing toward its finish line. Still, not everything in this last stretch is landing well — and one major issue is starting to overshadow the entire ending.

Mixed Reactions Hit the Elbaph Arc Hard

Japan just got Volume 113, and the response has been a lot sharper than expected. Many readers say the Elbaph Arc feels messy, rushed, and visually overwhelming. Some even claim Oda’s editor may be holding back criticism instead of guiding the story like before.

One viral post on X — now sitting at more than 7.5 million views — sums up the frustration:

“The editor isn’t functioning anymore… the paneling can’t even show one clear image from the author’s mind.”

Heavy words, but they echo what many longtime fans have been saying.

The Manga’s Charm Is Changing — And Not For the Better

One big complaint keeps popping up: the artwork is too busy.

When you compare today’s chapters to early East Blue or Alabasta, the difference is wild. Back then, Oda used simple layouts with plenty of clean white space. The panels were easy to read and allowed every punch, kick, and expression to breathe.

But now? Japanese fans say the pages feel overcrowded:

• Too many characters crammed into every panel
• Heavy backgrounds on top of already detailed scenes
• Little to no open space
• Action that’s harder to follow at a glance

One reader put it perfectly:

“I love One Piece, but since Fish-Man Island… the white space is just gone.”

Even Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama was praised in comparison for keeping his fights readable and clean — something One Piece used to be known for.

The Bigger Problem: One Piece Doesn’t Feel Like a Pirate Story Anymore

The criticism isn’t just about the art. Many fans believe the final saga has drifted far from the core identity of One Piece.

One comment summed it up with brutal honesty:

“It’s not a pirate manga anymore. It feels like a magic war.”

And readers aren’t imagining it:

• Luffy’s Gear 5 changed the tone of battle
• Imu’s powers look straight out of a fantasy series
• The story now leans more toward god-like abilities and mythical lore
• Naval battles — the heart of pirate storytelling — are almost nonexistent

Even the latest covers sometimes show Luffy without his straw hat, which fans take as a symbol of how far the series has shifted from its roots.

With the final saga teasing a massive global war, it’s becoming clear that it may not be a pirate war at all… but something closer to a supernatural showdown between gods.

Not All Fans Agree — And the Manga Is Still Selling Strong

Despite all the criticism, the Elbaph Arc still has huge support. Many readers are loving the new lore, the scale of the world, and the insane level of detail Oda is putting into every chapter.

Volume 113 is selling extremely well in Japan, and the hype will only grow when the English release drops.

One Piece is still a global force — but the worries from long-time fans show how high the expectations are for the final saga.