This post contains spoilers for One Piece.

Summary

  • Oda doesn't focus on powerscaling in One Piece, prioritizing world-building and storytelling.
  • Recent arcs introduce powerful characters like Scopper Gaban, bypassing immortality effortlessly.
  • Fans should speculate but not impose beliefs, as stronger characters will always emerge in due time.

One Piece is known for its storytelling and world-building. Eiichiro Oda has meticulously worked on the series, which is why it has become a major hit. There are hundreds of strong characters in One Piece, all of whom are equipped with powerful abilities.

Fans like such characters because of their strength, and they often discuss their abilities extensively. These debates usually turn sour when a person tries to prove that their favorite character is stronger than the rest. While fans care about the powerscaling aspect of the story, Eiichiro Oda doesn't pay much attention to it.

Featured 'It's The End Of Toei': One Piece Studio Confirms It Will Use AI In Anime
'It's The End Of Toei': One Piece Studio Confirms It Will Use AI In Anime

Toei Animation has confirmed that it will start using AI.

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Oda Doesn't Care About Powerscaling

Luffy reveals his new Gear 5 form - One Piece

However, Eiichiro Oda does not care about powerscaling. He has absolutely no interest in paying too much attention to the strength of strength. A good example is how Luffy's greatest power, Gear 5, is the most childish and cartoonish. Oda wants to keep things light, and he doesn't want to follow the usual norms of shonen manga. Normally, Oda introduces several strong characters in an arc, and fans immediately put them under a microscope to understand how strong they are.

As previously stated, Oda doesn't pay too much attention to a character's strength. For instance, in the Wano Country arc, fans learned that Kaido was a cut above everyone else; after all, he was the strongest creature in the world. He was said to have the toughest skin that couldn't be pierced by any attack. But Luffy and Zoro were able to hurt him with Advanced Conqueror's Haki.

Each Arc Introduces New Strong Characters

St. Topman Warcury Fengxi Yokai

In the Egghead arc, Saint. Topman Warcury produced an even better feat than Kaido. He was able to withstand Luffy's Gear 5th attack without any repercussions. In fact, Luffy was the one who ended up hurting his fist. This gave fans the impression that the Gorosei were even stronger than the Yonko.

Once again, the narrative shifted in the Elbaf arc when Scopper Gaban managed to bypass the immortality of the Holy Knights with ease. It is worth mentioning that Scopper Gaban is way past his prime and is on the same level as Rayleigh. With Gaban beating one of the Holy Knights, there are debates in the fan community about the pirate's power level. All these examples show that Oda is not interested in powerscaling as he prioritizes world-building and storytelling over it.

Should Fans Give Up On Powerscaling?

No. Fans can speculate as much as they want, but they shouldn't force their beliefs on someone else. They should also remember that even the strongest character will be surpassed in due course of time. Last but not least, fans should remember that Oda doesn't hold the same beliefs. He can portray a character as invincible in one arc, and in the next arc, there will be several individuals who'll be better.

There Will Be More Powerful Characters In Elbaf

Oda Might Introduce More Holy Knights

  • There are already three Holy Knights in Elbaf
  • Oda could reveal more members soon

Oda has already introduced multiple strong characters in Elbaf, but it doesn't look like he is going to stop anytime soon. At the moment, Scopper Gaban is engaged in a battle against the Holy Knights. The group was responsible for kidnapping all the children in Elbaf, including Collun, Gaban's son. Naturally, Gaban was furious that they had targeted his son. So, he wasted no time in going after them.

In One Piece Chapter 1148, Gaban lopped off Sommers' right hand and followed it up with a strike to his torso. Previously, the Holy Knights had displayed the ability to regenerate, which effectively made them immortal. Neither Usopp nor Robin were able to damage the Holy Knights with their attacks. So for Gaban to bypass their immortality easily is a game-changer. Even if Sommers is beaten, there are still two more Holy Knights remaining in Elbaf. If they feel threatened, they can call for backup and swing the pendulum back in their favor.

Fans have already seen Shamrock's strength, so if he returns, the Giants will be in big trouble. There are other Holy Knights who have yet to reveal their powers, and Elbaf is the perfect place for them to do so. In such a situation, the only way Elbaf can survive is if Gaban teaches Luffy and his friends how to nullify the Holy Knights' immortality.

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One Piece
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Release Date
October 20, 1999
Network
Fuji TV
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  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Mayumi Tanaka
    Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Kazuya Nakai
    Roronoa Zoro (voice)

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