I want so many of those books so bad, the pop-up book and 10th Treasures looks too awesome!! I’ve heard about Oda’s one shots and Romance Dawn but haven’t read it yet, looking at this convinced me to check it out though. It’s so interesting to see his early art styles, I can see Toriyama’s huge influence on his art in the cover of God’s Gift For the Future. Reading the summaries of the shorts, it’s nice that even back then Oda has always had his sense of humour that we see now in One Piece. Knowing that somehow makes him and his work feel more sincere, that that’s who he really is.

A bit disappointed you didn’t point out the parallels between Oda and Luffy in becoming legends in their own right after being inspired by a legend from their previous generation and starting a second Golden Age of manga/pirates. That in itself is such an inspiring story. It’s a really rare thing to have someone inspired by their predecessors proving to be such a great talent in his own right and to even surpass their idol. I’m so happy for him for that and for giving us One Piece.

And now if I may continue to gush, I really love One Piece! It’s the one story I can see myself still following decades later if it actually does go on for that long without losing it’s immense enthusiasm, sense of adventure and heart, the characters feel like lifelong friends. It really says something that after 13 years the story is still fresh and creative, it’s actually gotten better throughout the years without making the earlier chapters feel irrelevant. In the latest arc he makes a story about racism against a fictional race believable and strangely relevant without making it too complicated or pretentious, just like he has for the rest of the story (not that it’s completely without flaws). Knowing nothing about One Piece and looking at the wacky art style you’d never guess. That said, I’m glad to be on board, stay healthy and live long Oda Eiichiro!!!

Kuma Kuma no mi Model: Black Bear

Physical form: red grapes

Power: to transform the consumer into a black bear

Kuma Kuma no mi Model: Polar

Physical form: blue apple

Power: to transform the consumer into a polar bear

Kuma Kuma no mi Model: Panda

Physical form: green apple

Power: to transform the consumer into a panda