One Piece is one of the greatest manga to ever grace the world. It is a cultural phenomenon that took the world by storm, and it doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. One Piece has perfected the art of storytelling and world building. In fact, it has been consistent in terms of quality throughout the years. The series has also been a source of inspiration for numerous authors of the newer generation.
But what are the manga that have inspired Eiichiro Oda to create One Piece or even get into manga? This is a very hard question because Oda is a genius and for him to be inspired by other manga seems surreal. But the truth is that even the greatest author in Shonen Jump has been indirectly inspired by other works. With that in mind, here are those few legendary manga series that have inspired One Piece.
6
Vicky The Viking-Inspired Oda Into Making A Pirate Manga
Vicky is a very old series that was released back in 1974. It was a huge success in Europe and Japan. It follows the story of a young boy who wants to be recognized by his peers. Oda saw the anime when he was a child, and it inspired him into making a manga series with pirates. He also researched real-life pirates and other aspects of them to use for One Piece itself. Oda himself used Vikings for the Elbaf arc in One Piece, where he portrayed them in a very good light.
5
Kinnikuman Inspired The Nature Of Luffy’s Character
Kinnikuman is a sports manga that has been a source of entertainment for many. It follows the story of a man named Kinnikuman who realizes that he is the prince of an alien world. To prove his worth, he has to fight to claim the throne. He goes up against damning odds, yet he doesn’t back down from any fight. His willpower is what makes him keep going and ultimately defeat his enemies. He is a very laid-back and humorous character, but in combat he becomes an entirely different person. This is the same blueprint that Oda used for Luffy’s character, and it couldn’t be more obvious.
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4
Lupin the Third Inspired The Straw Hat Pirates’ Chemistry
Lupin has a wide variety of main cast members, each of them with their own personalities, relations, and character. This makes the series very enjoyable to watch, and it can be said that each one of them is the hero/heroine of their own story. Oda followed this very blueprint while creating the Straw Hats. Each of them has a distinct persona with great depth and their own motivation. One thing that does tie the Straw Hats is their loyalty to Luffy and their love for each other.
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Akira’s Detailed World-Inspired One Piece Very Own
Akira is a name that is renowned throughout the manga world, and it has inspired numerous storytellers. Its reference can be found almost in all forms of media. Most fans praise Akira for its story, but a lot of the audience has enjoyed its world. In fact, there are many who believe Akira was responsible for the renaissance within the manga industry that changed how authors wrote their worlds. Akira’s world-building essentially proved to be the gateway for complex stories, and it obviously added a whole new layer to the whole thing. Oda also realized the importance of world-building, and it became one of the best aspects of One Piece.
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Dragon Ball Inspired The Echiro Oda Himself
What can be said about Dragon Ball that hasn’t already been said about this phenomenal series. It is the godfather of all shonen, as it laid down the groundwork for every manga within the same genre. While One Piece and Dragon Ball are vastly different in terms of quality, Oda is still extremely respectful of the late Akira Toriyama. The One Piece author has stated numerous times that Dragon Ball was his greatest inspiration and Toriyama was the reason why he joined the Shonen Jump. Luffy’s character is also inspired by Goku. It’s safe to say that no matter what type of Shonen manga comes out in the foreseeable future, Dragon Ball will always have some kind of influence over it.
1
Naruto Drove Oda To Keep The Quality Of Chapters High
The rivalry between Oda and Kisimoto was incredible, and it wasn’t driven by hatred but rather by admiration for one another. When both manga were part of the Shonen Jump, the creators wanted to one-up each other through their chapters. It kept Oda on his toes and ensured that every chapter was of the highest quality. So, Naruto essentially inspired One Piece to do better.
Their rivalry showed fans that even those aiming for the top can be friends. Oda himself has stated that Kisimoto was his rival and his friend. When Naruto ended, Oda expressed his sadness to see his longtime rival go.
