Oda's Deep Thoughts
Weekly
Shonen JUMP Table of Contents Comments Guide
Project
Overview
Introduction
Every week, the manga artists, authors and editors of Weekly
Shonen JUMP are given a small space on the table of contents page
located at the back of each issue to express a personal message. They range
from trivial to tantalizing with comments the likes of which lament a recent
trend of poor weather to bombshell wedding announcements. Authors may also use
this space to promote their work as it appears in other media such as video
games, movies etc. When read individually the comments don't usually reveal
compelling information, however, when one follows a thread of similar comments
over time, as a collective they may reveal telling patterns of how the author
works or what challenges he or she faces.
This is the first complete list of its kind and I would like to
consider it the magnum opus of my contributions to the One Piece
fan community. As this list includes not only every weekly comment, but also
the release dates of every Weekly Shonen JUMP since the
start of the series, the possibilities for statistical research regarding One
Piece are now limitless. Graphs that compare attack usage. Character appearances per year, month or even week. Rates at which new Devil Fruits appear. Frighteningly
detailed analytical potential is now easily accessible. I certainly won't be
doing any of that, but I challenge you fans out there to take that step and
start helping us look at the series in ways we never thought possible.
Request to Readers
This project was a labor of love and I request that in the event
you wish to use this the release date data to aid in
unique data creation, please cite and link to my work where/when applicable. Note that prior to this
list's release, a certain commonly incorrectly sourced One
Piece network only had One Piece's weekly release dates
listed from chapter 544 to current; not to mention the incorrect street date of
chapter 1. Furthermore, while I urge readers to utilize release date data in
their own endeavors, I do not grant permission to use my translations, as they
exist in English under any circumstances. We live in an age of digital piracy where
almost anything can be obtained instantly. I promise this guide didn't come
about instantly. It took four years to gather, translate and compile from start
to finish and cost hundreds of US dollars in transportation, library and
duplication fees. If you're interested in reading just how that happened, I
urge you to read the full story here. It's pretty cool so check it out.
Before you begin checking the list, READ THIS How to
Read section. It has some cool background info on JUMP,
can help you learn the best way to read this guide and most importantly, a few simple rules that
will keep this page viewable as long as possible from our servers each month.
Special Thanks &
Dedication
I'd like to extend a huge 'thank you' to those who helped make
this possible through the years in its various incarnations in no particular
order: Jason Sackel, scorpedo, bandit_legend, Stephen, The Dude, Reuder and
Zach Logan. But when it comes to top spot, well, how could it be anyone else
besides my wife? This project took over 300 hours and that’s over twelve days
straight being glued to a computer screen or my nose buried in comics. She
never once complained or looked down on me for following my hobby and instead,
was always there to help me whenever I had questions, even when I took time out
of weekends or vacation to sneak in some time to work on the guide.
As for dedicating this work? This one is for you, the
fans of One Piece. I hope from the bottom of my heart that even
just a few of you will read this and be inspired to take on similar projects to
help spread the understanding and appreciation of this historic series.
Relation Charts
These charts gather together all of the comments regarding a
significantly broad topic. Depending on how much time I can spend on creating
more, the number of these may or may not increase over time. For the time
being, I took the liberty of gathering what I thought might be the most useful
categories:
Oda's
Weekly Comments
Issue |
Sale Date |
Chapter |
Comment |
Related Comments |
Monthly JUMP Original |
10/25/1993* |
Kami kara mirai no Present (one-shot) |
Nice to meet you,
my name is Oda. I'm extremely thankful to have been granted the opportunity
to debut my work here. If you read this work and think to yourself,
"Hmmm, that was pretty neat.", or even, "Hmmm, that was pretty
lame.", by all means, please let me hear your
thoughts and opinions. [*Although listed as an October 25th release, it seems likely that
the actual release was sometime before that date.] |
|
Spring Special |
4/10/1994* |
(one-shot) |
Ooohkie-dokie,
guess it's 'bout time to show you guys what I've got… Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm
Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm.* [*This is an ominous and
cocky type of laughter which is extremely similar to the laughter of
Doflamingo.] [*Although listed as an April 10th release, that seems improbable even
for a special none-weekly publication as that was a Sunday. Since I'm not
familiar with special publications such as this I'm only capable of listing
the advertised date, however, it seems highly likely that the actual release
was sometime before that date.] |
Kushima*-The incredible
powerful sense of speed emanating from this piece is a perfect ten!! All of
you out there would do well to remember the name, 'Eiichiro Oda'. Hmm Hmm Hmm
Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm.** [*Kushima: Oda's second editor and the last editor before he officially
started One Piece. Evidently they had some serious fights but
Oda learned a great deal from him and respects him very much.] [**He and Oda seem to have played off each other on this ominous laughter.] |
41 |
9/9/1996 |
ROMANCE DAWN (JUMP
Version) |
Wa-hoooW!! So this
is the real deal, JUMP huh, well it feeeeels GREAT and on days like this what
I'd reeeeally like are your thoughts and opinions [on my work]
|
|
33 |
7/15/1997 |
Asada*-ROMANCE DAWN,
originally published in Issue 41 from 1996, has been powered up even more and
will begin serialization in the next issue!! Be sure to look forward to what
Oda-sensei has in store when he draws Luffy traversing far-off seas!! [*Takanori Asada aka 'Daasa'
aka 'A'da: The first of Oda's editor during the serialization of One
Piece. His most well-known nickname is ‘Daasa’ in katakana, a
rearrangement of the characters which spell his name. [See also: Chapters 89, 105, 107, 149, 173, 177, 560 & 2012 Issue #19 (One Piece break)] ] |
||
34 |
7/19/1997* |
|
When I was in
middle school, I decided that I would draw a pirate comic in JUMP. I'll
ignore the atrocities of historic facts and just draw a bunch of jolly
pirates. 'Cause hey, it's summer. But what I really wonder is why JUMP uses a
pirate mark. Why is that? [*It's unfortunate that I have to add a qualifier to the very
first chapter of One Piece but as it currently stands, this is
only fair for such an important date. What is listed to the left is the
'actual' release date of One Piece, not the 'official'
street-date of July 22nd as advertised in the back of Weekly
Shonen JUMP Issue #33 1997. For a detailed explanation on JUMP 'street-dates'
I suggest you read the yellow asterisk mark for 2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 below before proceeding.
|
Nobuhiro
Watsuki* [Rurouni Kenshin]- Oda-sensei who helped out [on my staff] in the past
will finally be starting his new serialized comic from this week.
Congratulations. Let's do our best together. [*Nobuhiro
Watsuki: Author of popular Weekly JUMP series Rurouni Kenshin.
Oda worked as an assistant for Watsuki prior to starting One Piece.
Several assistants that worked under Watsuki with Oda went on to become
successful authors gaining themselves the nickname, 'The Watsuki Gang'.
The members are: Eiichiro Oda, Hiroyuki Takei, Shinya Suzuki, Eiji
Kumazawa (Shinga Gin) and Mikio Itou. [See also: Chapters 6,
38, 109, 2004 Issue 52 (One Piece break)
& 379] ] Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko, Takeshi]- I've been
waiting for Oda's serial [comic]. I hope you'll all read One Piece and become pioneering
pirates!!
|
35 |
7/28/1997 |
2 |
The morning sun as
seen from my window at work is incredibly beautiful!! Seeing it the first
thing in the morning is what I think about just before going to sleep. |
|
36 |
8/4/1997 |
To Asami-sensei*
and your staff members, thank you for the flowers celebrating the start of my
series. Wild Half is drawn by such a nice person. [*Yuko Asami: Author of the series Wild
Half from Weekly Shonen JUMP.] |
|
|
37+38 |
8/11/1997 |
A comic by
Mizumoto-san*, a buddy of mine from my early days [as a manga artist], will have his work run in Akamaru
JUMP. Use that as a first step towards us drawing serials together!! [*Akitsugu Mizumoto: A long-time
manga artist and assistant. He has had multiple pieces published in various
Shueisha publications. His most successful work thus far is the Toriko
spin-off series, Gourmet Gakuen Toriko published in Saikyo
JUMP. The particular work Oda mentions here was called Ga-ROW
which actually did reach the pages of Weekly Shonen JUMP the next year but
only for 11 issues. |
|
|
39 |
8/25/1997 |
Whoa! I went to
see Mononoke Hime*!! It's so good!! And so cool!! Things are compellingly 'Mera'** at the office. [*Princess Mononoke: A Studio
Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki.]
|
|
|
40 |
9/1/1997 |
During my
assistant years both Tokuhiro-sensei* and Rurouni's Watsuki-sensei**
took great care of me. I hope that Tokuhiro-sensei will be able to return to
JUMP as soon as possible. [*Masaya Tokuhiro: A manga author
who found success with many series such as Jungle King Tar-chan,
Kyoshiro 2030 and Fundoshi Kenji Ken-chan to Choko-chan
in Shueisha publications. Oda worked as an assistant under Tokuhiro and
frequently had his name hidden in Tokuhiro's work. Tokuhiro actually
introduced Oda to his idol, Akira Toriyama, and chronicled the event as a short
comic in the volume edition of his series Mizu no Tomodachi -Kappa Man-,
a series which Oda worked on as an assistant. Oda's name may be found hidden
throughout the series. [See also: Chapter 333]
]
|
|
|
41 |
9/8/1997 |
7 |
I bought a Lego
pirate ship. What a fun creation. It's respectable that the Lego designers
haven't lost their child-like hearts. But they're aimed at 5-12 year olds!!
Aw, shucks. |
|
42 |
9/13/1997* |
8 |
I hear that One
Piece will be running in Hong Kong and Taiwanese publications as well.
I'm looking forward to what the title will be changed to. I bet it'll be all
Chinese characters. [*Interestingly, the official release date of Issue #42 was listed
in the back of JUMP Issue #41 as '9/15 (Tues.)' however, this was apparently
an editorial mistake as September 15th of 1997 was actually a
Monday. With Monday as a national holiday, this would seem to indicate that the
issue was 'actually' released on 9/13 Saturday. A Saturday release for JUMP
in the event of a Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP
practiced from at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not
being officially recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25
Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release
date details] ] |
|
43 |
9/22/1997* |
9 |
Let's try to think
about what the Hong Kong and Taiwanese titles of One Piece might be. Adventurous
Elasticity Boy. Straw Hat Pirate. Young Girl's Clothing. I
wonder. [*9/22 was a Monday and Issue
#43 was advertised as a Monday release in Issue #42 due to a national holiday
on Tuesday the 23rd. Advertising a Monday release, despite readily
being available in most places across Japan on Mondays, was a rarity at the
time, even in the event of holidays. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date
details] ] |
|
44 |
9/29/1997 |
10 |
Seems there's been
an emergence of 'towelers'* on my home [island] of
Kyushu. Amateurs... Why, I've been a toweler while working since way back. [*Toweler: A Japanese term for
youths that wrap a white towel around their head as opposed to a scarf or bandana.] |
|
45 |
10/6/1997 |
11 |
I've been in
serialization more than 10 weeks now but I still can't keep up with the
weekly pace. Man, the professionals are amaaaaazing. |
|
46 |
10/13/1997 |
12 |
Thank you for the
fan letters that come in week after week. I think the best way I can thank
you at this point is by turning your words of support into the energy of the
characters. So that's what I'm gonna do!! |
|
47 |
10/20/1997 |
13 |
Now it's been
decided that One Piece will be appearing in Thailand. The art will
have to be mirrored from right to left. I'm a little concerned that it might
mess with the designs. |
|
48 |
10/27/1997 |
Volume 2 of Butsu
Zone by Hiroyuki Takei-sensei*, a personal and neighborhood friend, was
released. Bought it. Just like I thought, it's right up my alley. [*Hiroyuki Takei: author of Shaman
King and Oda's friend with whom he worked as an assistant for Nobuhiro
Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin. He's a member of 'The Watsuki
Gang'. His younger brother is manga author Hirofumi Takei who has
collaborated with Oda on One Piece-related projects.
|
|
|
49 |
11/1/1997* |
Toriyama-sensei's*
serial has begun!! I'm so happy!! Maybe too happy!! I'm looking forward to
being able to read it each week!!! [*Akira Toriyama: Author of Dragon
Ball and a figure that Oda looked up to ever since he was a young
reader. In this particular issue Oda is referring to Toriyama's short work COWA!
[*The official release date of Issue #49 was listed in the back of
JUMP Issue #48 as '11/4 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was
released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is special
since 11/3 Monday was a national holiday so the issue was probably actually
released on 11/1 Saturday. A Saturday release for JUMP in the event of a
Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced at least as early
as the start of One Piece despite not being regularly officially recognized
until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276
for more information on JUMP release date details] ] |
|
|
50 |
11/10/1997 |
16 |
In my childhood I
read a book called Elmer and the Dragon and it gave me culture shock.
I don't think there's any other imaginary creature as beloved as dragons. Who
the heck thought them up? That person was awesome!! |
|
51 |
11/17/1997 |
17 |
SO COLD!! I hate
the cold!! Ahh, I know what this means. Yep, drinking a warm and bitter cup
of coffee while doing my job good and dandy. |
|
52 |
11/22/1997* |
18 |
There were some
domed stickers in a fan's letter. I've seen them placed on things before but
noooow I get how they're used. [*The official release date of Issue #52 was listed in the back of
JUMP Issue #51 as '11/25 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was
released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this was a special
case since 11/24 Monday was a national holiday so the issue was probably
actually released on 11/22 Saturday. A Saturday JUMP release in the event of
a Monday holiday is a schedule routine that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from
at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being
regularly officially recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25
Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release
date details] ] |
|
1 |
12/1/1997 |
Kazu-sensei* and
Mizumoto-sensei**, congratulations on your new serials! We used to go
drinking a lot back in the day but now we're war buddies!! [*Hajime Kazu: A manga artist best
known for her series Mind Assassin. Here Oda is mentioning the
serialization of her work Meiryoutei Gotou Seijurou]
|
|
|
2+3 |
12/8/1997 |
20 |
Alright then. You
ready? It's coming. At long last One Piece Volume 1!! It comes out on
Christmas!! There are some extra special pages as too. |
|
4+5 |
12/22/1997* |
This calls for a
celebration!! Two of my buddies will [have their work] published in Akamaru JUMP. I'm cheering for you Shinyacchi*
& Matsuicchi**. Push forwaaaard!! [*Shinya Suzuki aka 'Shinyacchi'
aka 'Shinyappo': One of Oda's nicknames for Shinya Suzuki whose first
installment of the work TETSUJO appeared in this issue. Suzuki
would go on to write the popular series Mr. Fullswing. He is a
member of 'The Watsuki Gang'. [**Katsunori Matsui aka 'Matsuicchi':
Oda's nickname for manga artist Katsunori Matsui whose work Platinum
-Hello! Fantastic Formula- appeared in this issue. Matsui would later
to go to use the pen name KIYU which Oda later used for him. Matsui
later found success with his series La Sommelière. [See also: Chapters 86,
151 & 156] ] [*Listed as a Monday (22nd) release. This is an interesting case
where the editorial staff actually changed the release date knowing that they
couldn't guarantee that JUMP would be available in all areas on Tuesday. The
reason for such a bold choice which stood to anger and
confuse readers? That year Tuesday, December 23rd wasn't
just any normal holiday, it was the emperor's birthday. At least during the
course of One Piece's publication, JUMP has never once had a December
23rd release date. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276
for more information on Weekly Shonen JUMP release date details] ] |
|
|
6 |
1/5/1998* |
22 |
WOAH!! THE YEAR'S
ALREADY STARTED!! Happy New Year. I worked very diligently last year. That's
coming from me so there's totally no reason for you to doubt me and stuff.
Right, so carrying on that grand tradition, you guessed it!! I'll do my best
[this year too]!! Looking forward to this year with you. [*Interesting to note that January the 5th was the
advertised release date in Issue # 4+5 which was rare at the time since it
was a Monday. Since the previous weekend had a very important national
holiday fall on Saturday (3rd) it doesn't seem that there was a chance of a
weekend release despite convenient stores operating as usual. Even the major
routine Friday deliveries seem difficult since the 2nd was also an
important holiday. Thus it's a rare case where the oddly timed street-date
would appear to be valid. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276
for more information on Weekly Shonen JUMP release date details] ] |
|
7 |
1/12/1998 |
23 |
The boom box I
bought with money from my very first high school part-time job* has been with
me for six years. Recently CDs started skipping. Hang in there!! [*Part-time job: It's possible Oda
is talking about his job at Baratei the steak restaurant where he
worked that inspired the name of the restaurant ship in One Piece.] |
|
8 |
1/19/1998 |
I went to the
party for the 'Big Two' Awards*. It's been a while since I let loose singing
and partying like that. Feeling rejuvenated** is sooo important. [*Big Two: An abbreviation of the
annual Tezuka & Akatsuka Awards. The Tezuka Award is
bestowed on superb story-driven manga by amateur authors. The Akatsuka
Award is granted to superb comedy-driven manga by amateur authors. [Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 90,
142, 235, 302, 511, 667
& 671] ] [**He literally wrote 'refresh' in
katakana but the nuance is slightly different in English.] |
|
|
9 |
1/26/1998 |
25 |
Thank you for the
incredible amount of postcards we received for last year's 'Cover Page
Illustration Idea Contest'. Selecting them is tough! |
|
10 |
2/2/1998 |
It's so funny!!
I've been watching Masaru-san* on TV and it's crazy that a TV cartoon
can make me laugh this hard. [*Masaru-san: An abbreviation of
the title of the animated television comedy Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi
yo!! Masaru-san based on the manga of the same name by Kyosuke
Usuta**.] [**Kyosuke Usuta: Author of the
popular Weekly JUMP series, Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san
and Blow with a Fwoosh! Jaguar. He's
the same school-year as Oda and they seem to have a friendly mutual respect
for each other. |
|
|
11 |
2/9/1998 |
I went to the [Weekly Shonen JUMP] New Year's party* where I was able to meet Toriyama-sensei**.
If you can believe it we actually played rock-paper-scissors!! AND I LOST!!
He really IS a living legend. [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 37,
75, 216, 442,
465 & 611. These
are comments regarding the annual Weekly Shonen JUMP New Year's party. They
pertain only to the manga and are not the same as the anime New Year's
party.] [**See Chapter 15] |
|
|
12 |
2/16/1998 |
28 |
At last the
unveiling of the [winners
of the] 'Cover Page Illustration Idea Contest'*. Since I love drawing
pictures I'm going to put some extra effort into the next six weeks. Of
course that goes for the series too. [*A special contest where readers sent in
ideas for Oda to draw as cover pages. From Chapter 28 through Chapter 34, the
winners' entries were drawn as cover pages. Chapter 28 was a full color
spread and Chapter 32 was a rare single-page color cover. The rest were black
and white.] |
|
13 |
2/23/1998 |
Crap. My wisdom
tooth* feels kind of weird. Is this all because I stopped going to the
dentist mid-treatment last year? [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 33,
162, 163, 164 & 165] |
|
|
14 |
3/2/1998 |
30 |
FAIL!! I woke up
the same time I went to sleep. I SLEPT OVER 24 HOURS!! This week's
manuscripts are probably gonna be hell. |
|
15 |
3/9/1998 |
31 |
The Olympics,
which will be long over by the time this goes to print, have got me all
emotional right now. Sports are amazing. |
|
16 |
3/16/1998 |
32 |
Valentine's
chocolates have arrived! Thank you so much!! The characters and staff
included, we're all enjoying them. I love chocolate. |
|
17 |
3/23/1998 |
About that funky
wisdom tooth* I wrote about in Issue 13, after I brushed it with ApaXXrd** all
the ridges [on my tooth] were missing. THE HECK!? [*Related comments: See Chapter 29] [**Apagard: Oda couldn't mention
the brand name but Apagard is a Japanese-developed toothpaste that supposedly
restores tooth enamel.] |
|
|
18 |
3/30/1998 |
34 |
April 3rd, One
Piece Volume 2 will be out!!! You can look forward to the lively antics
of the Buggy Gang. There are also some special extra pages for a handicraft
project. |
|
19 |
4/6/1998 |
35 |
Did you guys know
this!? If you put Kappa Ebisen* in shoyu ramen it tastes delicious!! Just be
careful of how much you put in. [*Kappa Ebisen: A brand of
shrimp-flavored rice cracker from the snack company Calbee.] |
|
20 |
4/13/1998 |
36 |
Thank you for
sending me all the One Piece cosplay pictures. If I did it I'd be a fabulous
Nami ♥
Yikes. |
|
21 |
4/20/1998 |
Regarding the DVD
[player]* I
got at the [Weekly Shonen
JUMP] New Year's party.** To tell the truth
I wasn't too interested in it but I hooked it up the other day. Oh yeah, it's
the Age of DVD!!! [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 216] [**Related comments: See Chapter 27] |
|
|
22+23 |
4/27/1998 |
Golden Week is
coming. Three buddies from my amateur days will be published in Akamaru JUMP.
Fukushige-san*, Shinyappo** and Yamakawa-san*3, good luck-po. [*Masakazu Fukushige aka ‘F-san’:
A manga artist that, as of this writing (2013), hasn't broken it big.
Fukushige also worked as an assistant to Oda for at least 10 years, quite
possibly from the very start, however, Oda doesn't
name him as an assistant here. A short interview with him can be found in the
fan book One Piece 10th Treasures. Also, it was Fukushige's
wife, Tomoko Fukushige, who was arrested in 2009 for sending Oda over
100 texts reading, "DIE!" at the termination of her husband's time
working as an assistant for Oda. The work Oda mentioned here is Kaikyou
Keibitai UZURA. [See also: Chapter 105]
] [**See Chapter 21.
The work Oda mentioned here is the second installment of TETSUJO.] [*3Kaori Yamakawa: A
manga artist that, as of this writing (2013), hasn't broken it big. Her work
that Oda mentioned here is PRADA.] |
Nobuhiro Watsuki* [Rurouni Kenshin]-
Shinga**, Takei*3 and Oda, all three sensei dropped by
unexpectedly. It helped me feel refreshed. THANK YOU*4. [*See Chapter 1 entry]
[See also: Chapter 233]
] [*3See Chapter 14] [*4He used the katakana
spelling for the English 'thank you'.] |
|
24 |
5/11/1998 |
39 |
At last it's here,
the season of warmth. For a lazy guy like me, getting along by wearing just a
t-shirt is too awesome to handle. |
|
25 |
5/18/1998 |
40 |
Recently been
pouring over comics I read a long time ago. It's weird because just reading
them now like this I can recall specific events from my life back then. |
|
26 |
5/25/1998 |
41 |
Went around to
some big bookstores for the first time in a year to gather materials. I
naively thought three hours would be enough to buy up what I needed. Gotta
make another trip to Jimbocho*. [*Jimbocho: A neighborhood of
Tokyo's Chiyoda district literally overflowing with used book stores of all
varieties. Also home to the editorial offices of Shueisha and therefore
Weekly Shonen JUMP.] |
|
27 |
6/1/1998 |
Purchased a new
stereo receiver* during Golden Week. Is it one of those teletext ones? Can it
handle dual Minidiscs? Anyway, it's cool. [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 88] |
|
|
28 |
6/8/1998 |
I was shocked when
I saw the May 17th episode of Sazae-san*!! Katsuo's voice actor
changed!! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED...!! [*Sazae-san: The incredibly popular
animated program based on the comic strip by Machiko Hasegawa of the
same name based on a family of multiple generations living together in
post-war Japan. [See also: Chapter 182]
] |
|
|
29 |
6/15/1998 |
Went to the One
Piece anime's voice acting audition to learn more about it. How to
describe it. The power [of
their voices] in person is
amazing. I can't wait to see Luffy and the gang actually talking.* [*Oda is talking about the cast of the One
Piece short film Defeat Him! The Pirate Ganzack which
was shown at the 1998 JUMP Super Anime Tour. It's important to note
that the cast is completely different from the regular animated series. |
|
|
30 |
6/22/1998 |
45 |
I don't care if we
get flak for this but we're on a yo-yo kick at the office. Sure, might be a
bit late to the fad but yo-yo's are all the rage
here. I'm currently practicing the 'loop the loop'. I'll do my best. |
|
31 |
6/29/1998 |
The whole planet
is into the World Cup!!!* I wanna watch it so badly and it's
distracting me from my WORK!! But I'm going to watch anyway!!! Even if you
are getting in the way of what I should be doing, I'm rooting for you JAPAN!! |
|
|
32 |
7/6/1998 |
47 |
I might be
'Swedistic' but I'm taking a break from Swedish music and listening to some
Irish tunes now. They're so carefree. |
|
33 |
7/13/1998 |
48 |
Wonder what it
means to be 'cool'. Right now I think Sachiko Kobayashi* is cool. And so was
the late Yoshie Utsumi**. [*Sachiko Kobayashi: A famous enka
songstress who, in addition to her voice, is known for frequently donning
intricate stage-filling outfits on NHK's live year-end concert, Kouhaku
Utagassen.] [**Yoshie Utsumi: A comedian who
frequently used traditional Japanese artistic practices and music as part of
her routines with partner Keiko Utsumi.] |
|
34 |
7/18/1998* |
Right, it's been
four weeks since that manga everyone's been talking about started. There was
an oath we took to have our serials run together in JUMP back when we were
assistants on Rurouni. I've forgotten how long ago that was but we finally
did it. Well, Takei-san*, what more can I say than congratulations. [*See Chapter 14
entry. Here Oda is congratulating him on the serialization of Shaman
King.] [*The official release date of Issue #34 was listed in the back of
JUMP Issue #33 as '7/21 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was
released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is special
since 7/20 Monday was a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was probably
actually released on 7/18 Saturday. A Saturday release in the event of a
Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at least
as early as the start of One Piece despite not being
regularly recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date
details] ] |
Hiroyuki Takei* [Shaman King]- I didn't mention
anything because conspiring like that is so cheesy but I can't keep it in
anymore. We did it Oda-kun!! Let's give it our best
|
|
35 |
7/27/1998 |
The voice actors
were chosen for the anime so I went to the recording session to learn about
it. I was so moved by their stunning performances which were even better than
I imagined. [Related comments: See Chapter 44] |
|
|
36 |
8/3/1998 |
WO----AAA~~~~H!!!
I went to see it, the One Piece anime advance screening!!! It is
aweSUUUUUM!! Please don't miss it!!! [Related comments: See Chapter 44] |
|
|
37+38 |
8/10/1998 |
My debut work*
from 6 years ago will be in Akamaru JUMP. It's a Western. Speaking of which,
seems there's gonna be an unrelated Western story published in the same
issue. The author is a Mikio Ito**? I know I've heard that before but...
wait, it couldn't possibly be!? [*WANTED: Oda's award-winning debut
comic which he wrote when he was only 17-years old. [**Mikio Itou: A manga author who belonged to 'The Watsuki Gang' of
artists along with Oda. Mikio frequently appeared early in One Piece
as a hidden bounty poster character. Mikio has had his own work published in
Weekly Shonen JUMP like Normandy Himitsu Club, but none of them
have been collected in more than five volumes. In this entry Oda is referring
to his work Romantaji-no. |
|
|
39 |
8/24/1998 |
53 |
When looking
through an old Lego catalog I found a pirate ship even bigger than the ones
they sell now!! Was it discontinued!? Mr. Lego Japan Representative-Man, [are
you out there reading this]!? |
|
40 |
8/31/1998 |
54 |
I can't get, 'A
SAD MOMEEEENT!!', out of my head. Itsumo Koko Kara*
is a weird comedy duo name but they're funny. [*Itsumo Koko Kara: A comedy duo
that enjoyed popularity in the late-90's and are perhaps best known for their
'Algorithm Exercises' segment on NHK's after-school program Pythagoras
Switch. One of their comedy routines involved shouting the above
phrase repeatedly while presenting humorous and topical subjects.] |
|
41 |
9/7/1998 |
55 |
Lately I find
myself not feeling the least self-conscious when I go to a toy store and
stand alongside other kids looking at the merchandise. Wonder if that's
because I've awakened to the fact that I draw comics [for a living]. |
|
42 |
9/14/1998 |
56 |
Ran out of room to
lay down the futon so I cleaned up my room. Kinda lonely without the stacked
up magazines and clothes. I remain hopeful that things will be back to normal
in a few weeks. |
|
43 |
9/21/1998 |
Japan has just
lost the greatest entertainer of this era. Let's reflect on it once more. The
spirit of Akira Kurosawa*. [*Akira Kurosawa: The world-famous
Japanese film director. [See also: Chapter 138]
] |
|
|
44 |
9/28/1998 |
58 |
I put some beef
jerky in orange jelly and it tasted like MSG. Also made me feel sick. |
|
45 |
10/5/1998 |
I bought a Akiko Wada* album. SHE IS THE SOOOWL-SHOUTIN' SINGER! [She]
shouts from her SOOOWL**. [*Akiko Wada: A towering
Japanese-born singer of Korean ancestry famous for her deep voice which she
applies to soul-style music.
[**SOOOWL: Meaning 'soul'. Oda was
playing with the spelling of, 'tamashi' which he wrote as 'tamasui-'.
'Tamashi' is what Japanese people believe to be one's soul. Years later, Oda
would reuse a VERY similar variation of the term for Brook to refer to his
soul when he learned how to manipulate it.] |
|
|
46 |
10/12/1998 |
60 |
The fifth One
Piece volume was released. The Usopp arc wraps up. Yosaku & Johnny
appear along with Sanji. It's a lotta fun!! |
|
47 |
10/19/1998 |
61 |
Those who
participated in the 'Character Popularity Vote', thank you very much. I'm
really happy that Luffy came in first. I was worried that Zoro or Shanks
might overtake him. |
|
48 |
10/26/1998 |
I watched Tenten-kun*.
That song in it is so funny. I'm sure it's gonna be a hit. This is the start
of a really great anime!! [*Tenten-kun: An anime based on the
manga of the same name Hanasaka Tenshi Tenten-kun by Mataichiro
Oguri**. The song is likely "Kurasu de Ichiban Sugoi Yatsu",
the opening theme song.] [**Mataichiro Oguri aka
'Kazamata Oguri': Author of the Weekly Shonen JUMP series Hanasaka
Tenshi Tenten-kun. |
|
|
49 |
11/2/1998 |
63 |
I'm getting more
and more letters with Tare Panda* envelopes. Seems popular. But did you know
if you look reeeally closely, that panda is actually droopy!! [*Tare Panda: A popular panda
character which appears to be extremely droopy. The characteristic comes from
the 'tareru' in its name which means 'to droop'. Oda is being somewhat
facetious as it's blatantly obviously that the panda is droopy.] |
|
50 |
11/9/1998 |
64 |
I got my hands on
the legendary out-of-production Lego pirate ship, The Dark Shark!! A huge
thank you to S-san, employee of a certain Kiddy Land, for the tip that you
had one in stock!! THREE CHEERS FOR LEGOS |
|
51 |
11/16/1998 |
Shinyappo*, whose
one-shot debuted this week, helps out on One Piece from time to time.
His selling point is definitely 'power' manga!! [*See Chapter 21.
Here Oda is referring to the third and final incarnation of TETSUJO.] |
[*See Chapter 1] |
|
52 |
11/21/1998* |
66 |
Izumi Kato's* new
single is out. She's done it again!! I've got it playing on heavy rotation in
my room. [*Izumi Kato: A Japanese vocal
artist whose work has appeared in anime, video games and television dramas.
The single Oda mentions here is probably Setsunaku Aoi Sora no Pe-ji which
was used as the ending theme for the television drama, Kiseki no Hito. [*The official release date of Issue #52 was listed in the back of
JUMP Issue #51 as '11/24 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was
released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is special
since 11/23 Monday was a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was probably
actually released on 11/21 Saturday. A Saturday release in the event of a
Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at least
as early as the start of One Piece despite not being
regularly recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date
details] ] |
|
1 |
11/30/1998 |
67 |
Lately there are a
lot of maxi-singles at CD stores. I buy them thinking they're albums but it's
only two or three songs. Kinda disappointing. |
|
2+3 |
12/7/1998 |
A manga by our
staff member Ejiri-san* will be in Akamaru JUMP which goes on sale the 14th.
Good work on those manuscripts. [*Tatsuma Ejiri aka 'Ejirin':
A manga author who worked as an assistant on One Piece. Ejirin would go on to
write P2! - Let's Play Ping-Pong- in
Weekly Shonen JUMP for approximately one year. He continues to work sparingly
in the manga field through various publication. The
work Oda mentions here is CHILDS. |
|
|
4+5 |
12/19/1998* |
69 |
Went to Nakano Sun
Plaza for the [Weekly
Shonen JUMP] Anime Tour. It
was a valuable experience to talk in front of more than 2000 people. Really
enjoyed it. [*This is the first instance I have found in my research of Weekly
Shonen JUMP's history (during One Piece's serialization) of a
release date being advertised on a Saturday. Since Monday the 21st was not a
national holiday the reason for this Saturday listing is uncertain and
something of an anomaly in the established release pattern.] |
|
6 |
1/4/1999* |
70 |
Happy New Year I wanted to try using a large font just once. But seriously
it's just like, definitely a happy time n'stuff. [*Listed as a Monday release.
New Year's Day, a national holiday, fell on a Friday which is the usual
distribution day. Deliveries across the country starting on Friday allow for
distribution to all stores in time for the standard release and
Saturday releases when Monday is a national holiday. [See 2003 Issue #25
Chap. 276 for more information on Weekly
Shonen JUMP release date details] ] |
|
7 |
1/11/1999 |
In the seventh
month of the year 1999, Mongol Man* will fall from the sky. Be wary of leg
lariats. [*Mongol Man: A character from the
popular wrestling comic Kinnikuman by the creative team Yudetamago
comprised of writer Takashi Shimada and artist Yoshinori Nakai.] |
|
|
8 |
1/18/1999 |
72 |
Recently kids from
the neighborhood have gotten into firecrackers. Nothing wrong with that at
all but, KNOCK IT OFF WHEN I'M SKETCHING! |
|
9 |
1/25/1999 |
73 |
Thank you so much
for the mountains of New Year's cards and birthday presents!! I'll return the
favor by 'moving your hearts' [with my manga]*!!! [*Oda writes kandou or 'emotional'
in kanji, but he writes defines the reading as manga indicating that
he'll move people through his manga. Interesting that he equates being
emotional with manga as, ever since One Piece Film STRONG
WORLD, it has been a goal of his to place excitement over dramatic
moments. Also interesting to note, he wrote this mere weeks before Nami's
backstory.] |
|
10 |
2/1/1999 |
74 |
Swing' is gonna be
big this year!! These snazzy gang-rock tunes will be my background music for
[drawing] One
Piece this year. |
|
11 |
2/8/1999 |
I went to [Weekly Shonen JUMP's] New Year party. I got to ask the thing I've been
wanting to ask about to the sensei I wanted to ask about it; was very
informative. [*Related comments: See Chapters 27] |
|
|
12 |
2/15/1999 |
76 |
The drama in each
and every single match is what makes professional wrestling so interesting.
May the great entertainer, Giant Baba*, rest in peace. [*Shohei Baba: A famous 6'10"
Japanese professional wrestler who passed away on January 31st 1999.] |
|
13 |
2/22/1999 |
77 |
Voices of
discontent [are pouring in] from Sanji fans regarding the One Piece title page in the New
Year's issue #6!! That was entirely my fault!!! (ROTFL)* [*Sanji's face was in the middle of the
page seam and thus rendered unviewable. That's why this particular artwork is
off-center in Color Walk 1.] |
|
14 |
3/1/1999 |
78 |
Nosebleed
FWOOOSH!! Thank you very much for all the chocolates!! They've got my brain
power running at full speed!! |
|
15 |
3/8/1999 |
Was shocked by the
new Gundam. Turn A Gundam*. As someone who has been a fan of
the first Gundam** series since elementary school I never thought it
would evolve into…that! So it's come to this!! [*Turn A Gundam: The final animated
Gundam series to be directed by the series creator Yoshiyuki
Tomino.] |
|
|
16 |
3/15/1999 |
I've got three
favorite watches. But none of them tick anymore. Batteries are shot. Off to
the watch shop. |
Masanori Morita* [Rookies, Rokudenashi Blues]- I cried when I read
Issue 14's One Piece. Oda-sensei, can I shake your hand♥ [*Masanori Morita: Author of the
popular manga series Rookies. Here he is talking about One
Piece Chapter 78, the chapter where Belle-mère confronts Arlong. |
|
17 |
3/20/1999* |
81 |
At long last [it's the return of] the Star Wars series [toys]!!
Gonna buy every last one of 'em without fail!! The only problem is finding
display room [*The official release date of Issue #17 was advertised in the
back of JUMP Issue #16 as '3/23 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time,
JUMP was released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is
special since 3/22 Monday was a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was
probably actually released on 3/20 Saturday. A Saturday release in the event
of a Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at
least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being
regularly recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date
details] ] |
|
18 |
3/29/1999 |
I was so moved by
Morita-sensei's* comment from Issue 16!! Phew, gotta do my best. Thank you so
much [*See Chapter 80] |
|
|
19 |
4/5/1999 |
83 |
I am not a man
that will simply lie down and allow myself to be a slave to the times. By the
way, aren't Japanese dumplings just to die for!! I am a man that forges my
own bold new path.* [*Oda is busting himself for being sucked
into the "Dango 3 Kyodai" (The Three Dumpling
Brothers) fad which was sweeping the country at the time which was a
children's song made popular on the NHK program Okaasan to Issho
(With Mother).] |
|
20 |
4/12/1999 |
Final
Fantasy* is getting in
the way of my work!! We can't have that. Thus I developed a breakthrough plan
to deal with the issue. I'm going to do my very best, to beat the entire
game. Yeah, that's the ticket. [*Considering the close release date, he
was probably talking about Final Fantasy 8. |
|
|
21 |
4/19/1999 |
85 |
There's this thing
called a 'foot-bath' but I think if you overuse it you'll probably
turn your 'foot bad'!! That's...all I have to say.* [*'Foot-bath' is the same but I altered
the punch-line of the pun. The Japanese pronunciation of 'foot-bath' can also
sound similar to another Japanese word futtobasu or 'to go flying
off'. There also appears to have been a grammatical error in the original
entry which I have amended.] |
|
22+23 |
4/26/1999 |
Former One
Piece staff member Kusanagi-san* and a figure yet veiled in mystery,
KIYU-san**, will have their manga in the Akamaru JUMP going on sale
April 30th. I'm dying to read 'em!! [*Tsutomu Kusanagi: Author of
several one-shot manga. This particular piece was P.K. - Attacking
Keeper -.] [**See Chapter 21.
This particular piece was Candy Sprinter.] |
|
|
24 |
5/10/1999 |
I've just
discovered a fantastic musician!! Her name is Yoko Kanno-san*. Miss, you are
just…wow, awesome!! [*Yoko Kanno: Composer famous in
the anime community for her extensive work on many series such as Cowboy
Bebop.] |
|
|
25 |
5/17/1999 |
The CD player on
the stereo set* I just bought last year broke. I called the repairman and he
fixed it. Thank goodness. [*Related comment: See Chapter 42] |
|
|
26 |
5/24/1999 |
Mr. Sagara, a
friend of my editor Mr. 'A'da*, thank you so much for setting up my Mac!! I'm
so happy I could cry [*See 1997 Issue #33] |
|
|
27 |
5/31/1999 |
I went to the
judges' meeting for the Tezuka Awards*. It was great to hear such amazing
stories from all those amazing people. [*Related comments: See Chapter 24] |
Habuta*- Kanazawa-kun who
helped out in the editorial room changed jobs and left us by saying,
"I'm off to find... MY OWN One Piece!" I dunno what he's looking
for but, g-go get 'em tiger!!
|
|
28 |
6/7/1999 |
There's just
something exciting about those German toy blocks, Playmobile!! Their pirate
series is outstanding |
Hiroyuki Takei* [Shaman King]- There's
just something exciting about those German toy blocks, Playmobile!! Their
knight series is outstanding.** [*See Chapter 14] [**No you're not reading double. Obviously these two wisenheimers got their hands on some toys together.] |
|
29 |
6/14/1999 |
92 |
About the
novelization* of One Piece that came out on June 3rd. If you can
believe it, there's a flip book comic in it!! [*Taose! Kaizoku Ganzack:
The first One Piece novel which, as with all novelizations of
One Piece, was written by Tastuya Hamazaki.] |
|
30 |
6/21/1999 |
93 |
"Ota-san,
it's raining!!" "Oh heavens, thank you for telling me." Ah,
listening to the conversations of the older ladies in the neighborhood.
Really warms the heart. |
|
31 |
6/28/1999 |
94 |
I WENT TO SEE STAR
WARS EPISODE 1!!! Oh MAN, I was in seventh heaven*. Good job!!! STAR
WARS!!! [*Oda's actual words were meromero
punch which, while not an actual phrase, is just equating the experience
to being hit over the head with happiness. Also, he actually wrote 'Good
job!!!' in English.] |
|
32 |
7/5/1999 |
95 |
So they're called
'Pipozaru', eh. Those monkeys. Gotta say they're pretty funny. That dance is
great. GET YOU* [*Oda is talking about the monkeys from
the PlayStation game Ape Escape known in Japan as Saru
Get You!. The monkeys are called pipozaru in the Japanese
version for their 'Peak Point Helmets'.] |
|
33 |
7/12/1999 |
96 |
“We are gonna chug Pepsi like there's no tomorrow!” “OKAY!!”
“We're not gonna stop until we've collected ALL the caps!!*” “YEAAAH!!”
That's essentially the resolution I just made with the staff. [*Pepsi
was running a bottle cap figurine promotion for Star Wars Episode 1.] |
|
34 |
7/19/1999* |
97 |
So the entire
staff is trying to tell me that the sound a shishi-odoshi* makes is
*Kahko~n*. But I'm positive the sound it really makes is *Kahpo~n*!! [*Sometimes called a 'deer scare' this is
a device commonly found in ornate Japanese gardens that was originally
supposed to startle deer by filling a bamboo cylinder with water which drops
at intervals making a sudden banging noise once its balance is disturbed by
the weight of the water.] [*The official release date of Issue #34 was advertised in the
back of JUMP Issue #33 as '7/20 (Tues.)' but that's impossible since 7/20 was
a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was probably actually released as
normal on 7/19 Monday. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276
for more information on JUMP release date details] ] |
|
35 |
7/26/1999 |
98 |
As of late, they
say that even compared to the rest of the world, the Japanese people are
getting more dumb. Not sure if that's a good thing
or a bad thing. |
|
36 |
8/2/1999 |
99 |
Was toiling over a
manuscript on the day of a deadline. That's when a Star Wars calendar
arrived from a reader. POWER UP!!!! THANK YOU!!! |
|
37+38 |
8/9/1999 |
|
AND THUS, IT WAS
DECREED, THAT IT WOULD BE AN ANIME~ SERIE~S!! And what's more is that three
of my friends will be [published] in the special edition going on sale August
18th!! Mizumoto-san* and One Piece staffers Ejiri-san** &
Takei-kun*3!! Alright, it's summer time!! [*See Chapter 4.
Here Oda is talking about the manga RAI.] [**See Chapter 68.
Oda is talking about his work Oasis Dancer.] [*3Hirofumi Takei:
Younger brother of Shaman King author Hiroyuki Takei. He
wrote ONE PIECE KIDS for JUMP Heroes and is the
author of Sore Yuke
Chopperman in Saikyo Jump. Here Oda is talking about
his work, Kinoko-tsukai no Kinokota. One can tell which (easy
to confuse) Takei brother Oda is talking about if one pays attention to
whether he uses 'san' or 'kun' in addressing them. He always uses 'kun' for
the younger brother. |
|
39 |
8/23/1999 |
101 |
Mitsuru Nakamura*
is an artist-lyricist and I thought he just drew the album covers for 19.
Turns out he's also a musician!! That's so cool. [*Mitsuru Nakamura aka '326':
Former visual producer and lyricist for the neo folk band 19
(pronounced 'juke'). The album that promoted this comment from Oda was
probably their first album Ongaku released July 23, 1999.] |
|
40 |
8/30/1999 |
102 |
How about [they make]
this, Kita no Kuni Kara Episode 1: Kunie's* Younger Years.** Is it hot in here or is it just me. [*Kunie Tanaka: A famous Japanese
actor and the model for Borsalino.] [**Kita no Kuni Kara (From a Land to
the North): A legendary Japanese drama which ran for two seasons in
1983 and 1984 (as well as many TV specials up until 2002) starring Kunie Tanaka.
Given Star Wars Episode 1's release, Oda is jokingly suggesting
they do something similar to explore the main character's younger years.] |
|
41 |
9/6/1999 |
103 |
It seems that
giraffes clean their ears with their tongue. They said so on TV. I had a
friend that could pick their nose with their tongue but ears, that's
incredible. Ears, just incredible. |
|
42 |
9/13/1999 |
This summer I was
given a priceless treasure. The opportunity to embark on the sailing vessel
'Kaisei'* into the open sea. Thank you!! [*Kaisei (Sea Star): A
sailing vessel built in Poland in 1990, it was originally named Zew
until it came under the ownership of the Sail Training Association of Japan
in 1991 and was renamed Kaisei. It arrived in Japan in 1993 and was
used as a training vessel. As of this writing its home port is in California
and she is used for research expeditions to help understand and combat the
resulting trash heap from the March 2011 tsunami which hit Northern Japan. |
|
|
43 |
9/20/1999 |
Staff member
F-san* became our hero when he captured the giant moth that invaded the
office. [*See Chapter 38] |
Tite Kubo* [BLEACH, Zombie Powder]-
Asada-san** (my editor) guessed Ulfina's cup-size in one shot. Weird way of
putting it but I guess that's really 'manly' of him. |
|
44 |
9/27/1999 |
106 |
The other day I
went to the One Piece anime [voice acting]
audition*. After much deliberation we personally selected individuals whom
the entire anime staff was pleased with. We'll reveal them in the next issue.
I can't wait!! [*According to a promotional page within
Weekly Shonen JUMP, the audition took place in August.] |
|
45 |
10/4/1999 |
Lately I'm uh, you
know. I'm having more fun than one guy should be allowed to. What with the
anime starting and talks about a toy line progressing. Gosh, I'm just so
happy I became a manga author (CRBT)*!! [*Oda didn't actually write 'crying real
big tears'. He wrote the Japanese equivalent, naku meaning literally,
'crying '.] |
Kazumata Oguri* [Hanasaka Tenshi Tenten-kun]- My editor changed from
Mr. Habuta** to the newcomer Mr. Aida. Habuta-san, thank you for all your
hard work!! [*See Chapter 62
entry] [**See Chapter 90
entry] Asada*- At long last on
October 20th the One Piece anime will hit the airwaves!! In order to
make it as fun as possible the entirety of the anime and editorial staff are
pouring as much energy as possible into it!! We're so pumped it's scary!! But no worries, we're OK! |
|
46 |
10/9/1999* |
108 |
A text I send
keeps being rejected!! What's going on here!? It's a text I promised I'd
send!! [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on
Monday the 11th. This is the first documented case of Weekly Shonen JUMP with
an advertised street-date of a Saturday due to a Monday national holiday
during the serialization of One Piece.] |
|
47 |
10/18/1999 |
I saw
Watsuki-sensei* for the first time in a long while. [My impression of him was thus,] Mr. 'I'm-not-being-hounded-by-work' Easy-Going Wakky. [*See Chapter 1.
The exact nickname he uses here in Japanese is Nonbiri Wakkii which is
basically how I translated it since it isn't any type of gag, just a silly
name. ] |
|
|
48 |
10/25/1999 |
110 |
Regarding the
pirate treasure chest campaign* commemorating the broadcast of the anime (see
page 32). The keyword is 'Gomu Gomu'!! [*This was a special contest that ran in
Weekly Shonen JUMP. You had to write the key phrase on a postcard and send it
in to be entered for a chance to win.] |
|
49 |
11/1/1999 |
111 |
Did you see the One
Piece anime!? Isn't it a phenomenal piece of work!! The second episode is
a ways off but while we're waiting let's watch the encore broadcast on the
13th and relive the excitement |
|
50 |
11/8/1999 |
112 |
Ah yes, I
currently find myself infatuated with the melodious sounds of classical
music. What a splendid form of musical entertainment. |
|
51 |
11/15/1999 |
113 |
Did you know that
Pandaman is in the opening of the One Piece anime? You can spot him in
slow motion |
|
52+53 |
11/22/1999* |
114 |
I started PosPe*.
I took a look around the related sites too and... this
world of ours, dang...it's just overflowing with cute stuff. [*PostPet aka PosPe: A
Japanese e-mail client service associated with a visual graphic software that
allowed users to send, receive and view e-mail via animated creatures in a
customizable room.] [*Another rare occurrence regarding Weekly Shonen JUMP's listed
release date. This issue was advertised (in Issue 51) as having a Monday (the
22nd) release despite their 'official' Tuesday release stance at the time.
The reason being Tuesday was a national holiday and Shueisha probably wanted
to avoid any confusion. Seeing as most (if not all) regions of Japan received
JUMP shipments before the listed 'official' Tuesday release by that time
anyway, it was probably just business as usual. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25
Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release
date details] ] |
|
1 |
12/6/1999 |
December 29th!!
Something amazing is going to happen!!* For now just be sure to write 'One
Piece' on that date in your calendar!! [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 117] |
|
|
2 |
12/13/1999 |
116 |
I received a
WonderSwan from the folks at Bandai. The whole staff is obsessed with Gunpey*. [*Gunpey: A puzzle
game series where the name is a tribute to the developer Gunpei Yokoi,
the man credited with being a key developer for the Game Boy and WonderSwan.] |
|
3+4 |
12/20/1999 |
It's getting
closer, the One Piece anime special with, three episode
airing back-to-back!? Be sure not to miss the broadcast on the 29th that will
be sure to reach all your homes along with the exasperated cries of the anime
staff!!* [*Related comment: See Chapter 115] |
|
|
5+6 |
1/3/2000* |
118 |
A Happy New Year
indeed. So what should I do this year. I think,
yeah, I'd like to write a really good manga. [*The release date of Issue 5+6 was listed in Issue 3+4 as January
4th which was a Tuesday. This was standard practice at the time,
however, considering how the national holidays fall, January 4th may have
been the actual street-date for the issue. Since December 31st of 1999
was a Friday, it seems likely that regular Friday Weekly Shonen JUMP
shipments were made as scheduled. Although local bookstores probably did not
open on Monday the 3rd, it's probable that convenient stores and major chains
which were actually open had JUMP available for purchase on Monday, hence my
listing of the 3rd. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276
for more information on JUMP release date details] ] |
|
7 |
1/17/2000 |
119 |
Bibiru* were
really nice guys. And for all of you that came to JUMP Festa, I absorbed the amazing spirit you all brought with
you!! [*Bibiru: A comedy unit in Japan
comprised of Jun Ooki and Noboru Ouchi. In 2002 Ouchi decided to leave show
business but Jun continued alone under the name Bibiru Ooki. Oda
mentioned them here because they probably emceed the One Piece
stage event, a job that as of this writing (2013) is
often performed by the comedy unit American Zarigani.] |
|
8 |
1/24/2000 |
120 |
I bought a hybrid
cell phone. I'm always in the house [so it's not like I'm actually out and about] but I just wanted one darnit!! |
|
9 |
1/31/2000 |
121 |
I'm writing this
on January 19th. Alrighty then, it's about time to start sending New Year's
cards. It's what they call 'finishing what you start'. |
|
10 |
2/7/2000* |
122 |
I received all
sorts of birthday presents. Thank you so much!! Gonna do my best!! [*Just interesting to note that there was no actual listed release
date for the next issue of Weekly Shonen JUMP on the table of contents which
is a rarity. It was listed in the traditional advertisement spread in
the back.] |
|
11 |
2/14/2000 |
123 |
This spring three
of my friends are getting married. That's the power of the millennium for
you!! Congratulations and here's wishing all of you years of happiness!!! |
|
12 |
2/21/2000 |
124 |
I went to one of
the anime's wrap parties. The One Piece anime is entirely made
possible by the remarkable people standing behind it. |
|
13 |
2/28/2000 |
Y-san* of our
staff is a SUPER sculptor. Using just putty rubber and some vinyl he can make
an incredibly realistic cockroach. Please stop. [*Yokoyama aka 'Y-san': It's
with some certainty that I believe the above Y-san is Mr. Yokoyama. In the
fanbook One Piece 10th Treasures it was noted that Yokoyama had
been working on One Piece for 7 years as of 2007 which adds up perfectly.
According to comments in Chapter 568's SBS (Volume 58) it seems that Yokoyama
was also in charge of the organization of volumes to some extent, even
choosing which fan art to include in Usopp's Pirate Gallery.
|
|
|
14 |
3/6/2000 |
Buena
Vista Social Club*.
It's all I listen to [these
days]. I've fallen in love with the legendary voices of Cuba. [*Buena Vista Social Club: A 1997
album that serves as a tribute to the songs and people that sang them in the
famous Cuban club of the same name in the 40's and 50's. [*Related comment *Root*: Chapter 159] ] |
|
|
15 |
3/13/2000 |
127 |
Hikaru Utada and
Misia. Our workplace is divided between which one is a more talented singer.
The winner is, Hibari Misora* [*Hibari Misora: Arguably the most
famous Japanese female entertainer of all time. She was a singer and actress
who left behind a career filled with songs long remembered after her passing
in 1989.] |
|
16 |
3/18/2000* |
128 |
Thank you very
much for all the Valentine chocolates!! When I eat these I'll be choc(olate)-full
of power♥♥** Okay that was bad. [*The actual pun is chokotto ganbaru
which means 'I'll try...but not too hard'. ] [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on
Monday the 20th.] |
|
17 |
3/27/2000 |
129 |
I went to the
advance screening of the One Piece movie. It flowed really well and
was a lot of fun!! It's packed with playfulness right through the ending
credits* [*He's referring to the cameo of Gill
Bastar and Wild Joe from WANTED!.] |
|
18 |
4/3/2000 |
130 |
I went to see a
K-1 [event]. The
match* between Kurosawa & Kakuta pierced straight through my heart. Here
it comes…YEAAAAAAAH!!! [*Oda went to the March 19th K-1
Burning 2000 event in Yokohama Arena. The match here was between fighters
Hiroki Kurosawa and Nobuaki Kakuda.] |
|
19 |
4/10/2000 |
131 |
Oh Madam, have you
heard the latest!?* The One Piece soundtrack CD!! It's perfect
for you and yours! You'll be sure to love it!! [*Oda's talking like he's part of an
infomercial targeting middle-aged married women.] |
|
20 |
4/17/2000 |
[One
Piece] staffer Y-san*
and his wife had a baby!! Congratulatiooons!! It's a girl!! You're a daddy
now Y-san!! [*See Chapter 125] |
|
|
21+22 |
4/24/2000 |
133 |
Smack in the
middle of constructing the snow country arc I coincidentally received a
The Snowman* CD from a reader. It allowed for a really good atmosphere
which helped speed up the creation process. Thank you. [*The Snowman: Oda wrote sunouman,
and this spelling is slightly different from the official Japanese spelling
of the 1978 children's story by Raymond Briggs but a search for such titles
came up with nothing in particular so I believe that this is indeed the
Howard Blake soundtrack to the BBC animated production of The Snowman.] |
|
23 |
5/8/2000 |
134 |
Recently I've been
browsing illustration websites from around the world in my downtime. SO MUCH
TALENT!!! The world sure is a big place. |
|
24 |
5/15/2000 |
135 |
When I'm
struggling to come up with a decent story or sketch I simply put things in
perspective. I simply remind myself that [it's okay]
because after all, WE LIVE IN THE MATRIX!!! …oh, I uh, went to see it
the other day. |
|
25 |
5/22/2000 |
136 |
I connected the [drawing]
tablet I've been dying for to my Mac!! Don't even know how to begin
describing how awesome this is!! It's siiiick!!! |
|
26 |
5/29/2000 |
I got hit pretty
hard. Here I was thinking I was invincible when I had my first fever in 10
years.* Now I know first-hand how bad Nami felt. Luffy! Hurry up and get her
to a doctor!! [*Related Comment *Root*: See Chapter 702] |
|
|
27 |
6/5/2000 |
I wanna watch some
Japanese movies. On DVD. Some Kurosawa* or even the Honor & Humanity**
series, I hope they come out. [*See Chapter 57] [*Related Comments *Root*: See Chapter 715] [**He's talking about the Battles
Without Honor or Humanity film series. These famous films with their
easily recognizable soundtracks depict yakuza life-style. Oda would later
borrow part of the title for his Jingi Nai TIME short comic
from 2006's omnibus The 5th Log: CHOPPER. Also of note, the
actor who served as the model for Sakazuki, Bunta Sugawara,
also appeared in these films.] |
|
|
28 |
6/12/2000 |
Somehow the
planning sheets for the One Piece video game keep chugging along.*
Wow, I cannot wait for it to be released. [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 187,
196, 212, 225, 255, 256,
367, 383, 510, 516, 538,
640, 660, 696, 704 & 707. This is a collection of comments regarding
console games developed around One Piece. It does not include
arcade or mobile games.] |
|
|
29 |
6/19/2000 |
I got an invite
from Shimabu~* to go see a recording of DOWN TOWN DX**. I laughed my
heart out at Macchan's real-time follies and Hama-chan's live wisecracks. [*See Chapter 1] [**DOWN TOWN DX (Deluxe): The
long-running Japanese variety program emceed by Masatoshi Hamada and Hitoshi
Matsumoto who make up the comedy duo DOWN TOWN. See the adjoining column for
more information.] |
Habuta*: They read my letter
on DOWN TOWN DX and I got a DX Toaster! Just like I suspected, toast
tastes way better with a DX mark on it. [*See Chapter 90
entry]
|
|
30 |
6/26/2000 |
141 |
I bought Alflex's
'The Seven Samurai' figures. Guh, this craftsmanship, IT'S GOT ME ALL
EMOTIONAL!!! |
|
31 |
7/3/2000 |
I got to meet
Kyosuke Usuta-san* for the first time at the 'Big Two' Awards**. We're both
from Kumamoto and we're the same age. Pretty cool [*See Chapter 26] [**Related comments: See Chapter 24] |
|
|
32 |
7/10/2000 |
I'm late with this
but Oguri-san*, congratulations for all your hard work on the Tenten-kun*
serial. Please get plenty of R&R. [*See Chapter 62] |
|
|
33 |
7/17/2000 |
144 |
The things I drew
on Nami and Vivi on this week's cover. Dunno what they're called but I wanted
to try drawing them once. They're all India-ish and stuff so I likes 'em. |
|
34 |
7/24/2000 |
Went to
Takei-san's* place and there was an owl there. It just kept glaring at me. [*See Chapter 14] |
|
|
35 |
7/31/2000 |
Didja see!? The One
Piece anime's new ending!! It's another new song from Otsuki-san*. I was
listening to it when I just started running** for the heck of it. [*Maki Otsuki: The singer of One
Piece's first two ending songs, "memories" and "RUN!
RUN! RUN!".] [**Oda talks about running since the title
of the song was "RUN! RUN! RUN!". It's
very likely that he didn't actually running.] |
|
|
36+37 |
8/7/2000 |
147 |
The second One
Piece novel is in stores now. It's a side-story from the Logue Town arc.
It involves the chivalry of a mysterious gunman and a bath scene with Nami.
Chock-full [of good stuff]. |
|
38 |
8/21/2000 |
This week staff
member S-san* came back from Hawaii with cigars which helped us do a
first-class job. [*Sakamoto: One of Oda's
assistants. I do not have his/her full name.] |
|
|
39 |
8/28/2000 |
I cried watching
the One Piece anime's version of the Belle-mère story. Good music,
acting and production. Anime is so unfair. |
Asada*: I like manga just fine
the way it is but there are times when I 'm jealous of how other forms of
media can deliver. That is of course, when I see something really good. [*See 1997 Issue #33. It's very likely that Asada, like Oda, is talking about the Belle-mère episode of the One Piece anime.] |
|
40 |
9/4/2000 |
I felt nostalgic
when I received a correspondence from the crew of the ship I sailed on last
summer. 'Fuu'-san of the 'Kaisei'*, thanks for the postcard! [*See Chapter 104] |
|
|
41 |
9/11/2000 |
There was a
Kunihiro Hayashi* CD I couldn't find in music stores no matter how hard I
looked. Found it instantly on the internet. Great times we live in. [*Kunihiro Hayashi: A guitarist and
singer for the rock band pictures.] |
'KIYU'* [Rocket de Tsukinukero!, La Sommelière]- Individuals lacking morals. I think those kids probably just
got cell phones for the first time and couldn't hold back from using them,
right Oda-sensei [*See Chapter 21] |
|
42 |
9/18/2000 |
Dragon
Quest 7, I got it but[…]. Final Fantasy 9, I got it but[…]. If
I start 'em I won't be able to hit the brakes on either so they remain
unopened. I got 'em but[…] [*Related comments: See Chapter 84] |
|
|
43 |
9/25/2000 |
153 |
You can have a
lotta fun with the 'Log Pose' from Bandai. In fact, I think I overdid it a
bit and my muscles are really sore. |
|
44 |
10/2/2000 |
154 |
The snow country
arc is finished. Phe~~w I sure drew a heckuva lot of 'em, 'circles'. Well, up
next is a kingdom of sand so I guess it's on to 'dots'.* [*Oda drew circles for snowflakes
throughout the scenery of the Drum arc. In the next arc he anticipated
drawing lots of dots for sand.] |
|
45 |
10/7/2000* |
155 |
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOAH
KARELIN* [LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOST]!!! Am I late to the party on this one? [*Aleksandr Karelin: A world-famous
Olympic gold-medalist Greco-Roman wrestler. He lost gold at the 2000 Sydney
Olympics to American Rulon Gardener.] [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on
Monday the 9th.] |
|
46 |
10/16/2000 |
I'm a bit late
with this but, good job on all the hard work of your serial comic Mr. KIYU*.
You might be a JUMP-published serial manga author but that won't stop me from
asking for your help around here; looking forward to working with you [*See Chapter 21.
Here Oda is mentioning the wrap of his unsuccessful serialization in Weekly
Shonen JUMP, Rocket de Tsukinukero!.] |
|
|
47 |
10/23/2000 |
157 |
What I intended to
be catnap turned into a one-way ticket to the very depths of a deep, deep
slumber. Ugh, it's despicable. I hate Winter. |
|
48 |
10/30/2000 |
Can't believe I
was asked to write an advocative message in the back of Kochi Kame*
Vol. 122. 122 volumes. That's, astonishing [*Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari
Kouen-mae Hashuchujo aka Kochi Kame: With respect to number of
chapters, the longest Japanese comic as of this writing (2013) by author Osamu
Akimoto**.
[*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 427]
] [**Osamu Akimoto: Author of the
Japanese comic series Kochi Kame. With respect to number of chapters,
it is the longest manga in Japan as of this writing (2013). |
|
|
49 |
11/6/2000 |
It shows just how
behind I am but I finally saw the Buena Vista Social Club movie*.
Sweeeet, super sweeeet [*Buena Vista Social Club: This was
a documentary covering the history of the famous club.] [*Related comment: Chapter 126]
] |
|
|
50 |
11/13/2000 |
I heard the One
Piece anime's new opening song, Folder5's* "Believe".
How can I describe it, it's a song that somehow just wants to make you burst
[with energy]. Looking forward to it airing [Related comment *Root*: Chapter 195] |
|
|
51 |
11/20/2000 |
I went to Nagoya,
the land where god resides. I visited an aquarium- I MEAN I went to the
Palace of Toriyama*. Had an awesome time. [*See Chapter 15.
Akira Toriyama lives in Nagoya City of Aichi Prefecture.] |
|
|
52 |
11/27/2000 |
ooowwWWWW!!! Of all the times why now at the end of the year......!!!
That wisdom tooth* I didn't have pulled out three years ago, it's…!!! [*Related comments: See Chapter 29] |
|
|
1 |
12/4/2000 |
Dentist Diary Part
1. "This is gonna be preeetty tough to take out.", so I'm told. I
see storm clouds ahead. [*Related comments: See Chapter 29] |
|
|
2 |
12/11/2000 |
Dentist Diary Part
2. Late to the removal appointment. Rescheduled for next week. CURSE YOU
ALARM CLOCK!! Oh wait, I forgot to set it [*Related comments: See Chapter 29] |
|
|
3+4 |
12/18/2000 |
Dentist Diary Part
3. CRUNCH! Grch Grch CRACK! GRACK!! POP!! Extraction complete. Oh look at
that, it's the end of the 20th century. [*Related comments: See Chapter 29] |
|
|
5+6 |
1/4/2001* |
166 |
Mmm, guess I
should choose an aspiration or something for the year. Sure would like to go
on a trip this year. Yeah, a trip out around the block'd be nice [*January the 4th was a Thursday. I've never seen this before but
it makes sense given past release-dates as related to the nationwide holiday
from January 1st-3rd. Given such a bold mid-week release date, I'm actually
hesitant to take a guess. Shipments were (probably) already completed by that
time which would allow for a Saturday release, but the listed street-date is
so far away that such a move sounds unlikely. Furthermore, Monday of that
week was January 1st, a date on which few bookstores were even operating even
though convenient stores were open.
|
|
7 |
1/15/2001 |
167 |
JUMP Festa is a
battle of stamina. A big thanks to all those that came, it must have tired
you out. Once again I was blown away by the incredible enthusiasm in the
convention hall!! |
|
8 |
1/22/2001 |
Went home [to Kumamoto]
for New Year's. I also saw friends I hadn't seen for years but it never felt
like we were apart. Something magical [about it] |
Mikio Itou* [Normandy no Himitsu Club, Nazo no Murasame-kun]- I'm late with this but I went to JUMP Festa!! I was the one
watching the One Piece Stage [Event] from the stairs. |
|
9 |
1/29/2001 |
Awww, didn't get
to eat hardly any mochi* this New Year's. My grand total was a pathetic two.
Mochi [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 440] |
|
|
10 |
2/5/2001 |
170 |
We're in the
middle of a slow-stewed nice and bubbly soup boom. It's got our workplace in
its clutches this winter. |
|
11 |
2/10/2001* |
171 |
Is everyone
watching the anime's original story-arc?* It's really entertaining!! So
jealous [*In the original entry there were no
signs of punctuation at the end of the question. I took the liberty of adding
a question mark.] [*Saturday release (advertised as such in previous issue) due to
national holiday on Monday the 12th.] |
|
12 |
2/19/2001 |
Break* |
[*Oda's very first break. 171 chapters
straight. I haven't checked, so please don't quote me on this, but I'd be
surprised if that wasn't some kind of record for Weekly Shonen JUMP.] |
|
13 |
2/26/2001 |
Sorry for taking a
break!!! If you can believe it, I went to America* and had fun for 10 days!!!
But what I gained from this trip, is HUGE.** [*According to Oda's comment on the
Chapter 175 color spread from Color Walk 2, it was a trip to
America that inspired the 'native' design. Certainly this is the trip that
Oda mentioned and when considering said design, it would appear to be
somewhere in the west or southwest.] [**Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 173.
The above pieces of evidence along with Asada's comments suggest that Oda
vacationed in Las Vegas.] |
|
|
14 |
3/5/2001 |
Nosebleed FWOOSH!!
I got some chocolates. Thanks very much. I'm gonna eat 'em all up and then
draw, draw draw! |
Asada*: Went to see a stage
show in Las Vegas**. [They] don't let anything embarrass them or hold
anything back for the sake of entertainment. Can't let myself lose to them [*See 1997 Issue #33.
Asada calls it a 'business trip' but it's likely he's using a diplomatic term
for 'vacation'.] [**Related comment: See Chapter 172. He mentions Las Vegas so in conjunction with the notes that accompany the 172 entry, Asada was probably on vacation with Oda to celebrate the closing of their time together.] |
|
15 |
3/12/2001 |
Did you know that
from April 15th the anime's time-slot is moving!? It'll be after Kochi
Kame* at seven-thirty!! FRESH NEW START!!!** [*See Chapter 158] [**He actually wrote 'restart' in
katakana] |
|
|
16 |
3/19/2001* |
Ejirin* who worked
here as an assistant for two and a half years is leaving. I don't know how
I'll go on. I mean, who am I supposed to push around
for kicks now!? Thanks for all your hard work [*See Chapter 68] [*Listed as a Monday release. Given that Tuesday was a national
holiday it's highly likely that the release was business as usual with no
chance of a weekend release; they simply didn't feel comfortable listing the
release date on a holiday. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276
for more information on Weekly Shonen JUMP release date details] ] |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Thanks for the souvenir from America Oda-sensei! I'm having fun
messing around with it. [*Masashi Kishimoto: Author of the successful Weekly Shonen JUMP series, Naruto. [See also: Chapters 200, 276, 296, Issue #52 2004 (One Piece break), 426, 437, 531, 625, 639, 676, 710] ] |
|
17 |
3/26/2001 |
176 |
To whoever sent us
the mountain of Dove Sables*. Thank you very sable. We're all munch-sabling
on them. [*Dove Sables: Shortbread (sable)
cookies that are a specialty of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture.] |
|
18 |
4/2/2001 |
Wow, four and a
half years. The editor with whom I shared many successes and hardships,
'Daasa'*. Time to change. Thank you for working so hard all the way. [*See 1997 Issue #33] |
|
|
19 |
4/9/2001 |
My new editor
Habuta-san* has arrived. He has a family so I might think about possibly
considering not asking too much out of him. [*See Chapter 90] |
Hiroyuki Takei* [Shaman King]- I love how the scenery
at Atagawa Bananawani Park** is done in miniature garden styles. It's awesome
if you walk around imagining you're in Resident Evil. [*See Chapter 14] ] [**Atagawa Bananawani Park: A tropical animal and fruit park located in Atagawa of Shizuoka Prefecture, hence 'banana' and wani or 'crocodile/alligator'. Not that the name of the park is the same as that of the 'bananagators' of One Piece. Since Takei and Oda are close, one might imagine that Oda gained inspiration for the creatures (which debuted in Chapter 72) from the park and possibly suggested it to Takei.] |
|
20 |
4/16/2001 |
179 |
Just warning you
guys okay, under no circumstances should you try listening to the One
Piece Grand Battle disc in a CD player. In particular the second
track…*heehee* |
|
21+22 |
4/23/2001 |
Mikio Itou's* [series] has
stoked the fires of inspiration in 'mongoose'** all over the country. Hey big
bro, here's to all the hard work on your completed serialization. [*See Chapter 52.
Here Oda refers to the completion of Normandy Himitsu Club.] [**'Mongoose': Oda wrote
mangaegaki or 'people who draw manga' but defined the reading as manguusu
or 'mongoose' which takes the word manga and twists it into something
that sounds like a half-English job or profession.] |
|
|
23 |
5/7/2001 |
It's been decided
where we're moving to~!! We went ahead and rented it out!! A brand new
workplace!! Alrighty, all that's left is to actually move…* [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 198]
|
|
|
24 |
5/14/2001 |
I heard that the
anime's ratings have gotten even better since moving to Sundays and I
couldn't be happier. I watch it too. From 6[PM]* [*He's inferring that he watches the
ratings juggernaut combination of Sazae-san** and Chibi
Maruko-chan as well as Kochi Kame.] [**See Chapter 43] |
|
|
25 |
5/21/2001 |
During Golden Week
I got together with my manga buddies and we discussed the Koizumi cabinet*.
…for like 10 minutes. [*Koizumi cabinet: The members of
popular Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's first cabinet which was
established on April 26th, 2001.] [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 210] |
|
|
26 |
5/28/2001 |
184 |
I received a
pirate sword as a gift from the manager of the weapons shop I visited a while
back in Kamakura. Thank you very much. |
|
27 |
6/4/2001 |
Katsura-sensei*
showed me his home theater. Uh…it's like…it might as well be a movie
theater!! [*Masakazu Katsura: Author of such
notable manga series as Video Girl Ai, I"s
and Zetman.] |
|
|
28 |
6/11/2001 |
186 |
I got Hikaru
Kawamura's* autograph. A lil' somethin' we call 'having connections' here at
Shueisha. Thank you very much! [*Hikaru Kawamura: A Japanese
gravure idol and TV personality in Japan.] |
|
29 |
6/18/2001 |
I was surprised
when my own named appeared on screen during the final post-credits screen of
the Game Boy One Piece game.* Now that you mention it, I am the
original creator [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
Habuta*: The One Piece illustration
collection book is scheduled to be released on July 19th!! The price will be
1260 yen (which includes tax)!! If you save up 41 yen every day from now
until the release, you'll be able to get it when it comes out! [*See Chapter 90] |
|
30 |
6/25/2001 |
188 |
I heard something
amazing at one of the anime's general meetings. That role and that other
role are going to be played by THAT person and THAT person!!!* [*It's extremely likely that he's hinting
about the casting of Chopper and Dr. Kureha.] |
|
31 |
7/2/2001 |
189 |
T.T-san, thank you
for sending the Chopper doll. It's so cute and well made; it's got rave
reviews from the staff. Wow. |
|
32 |
7/9/2001 |
190 |
The One Piece
illustration collection book to be released on July 19th is amazing!! Take my
word for it, it's reea~~~~~lly something. I dedicate
it to a world full of hardships. |
|
33 |
7/16/2001 |
191 |
Aw come oooon. What the heck, Capricorn is sixth this
week? What the- 'a revolving door'. THAT'S the lucky item. Well, might
as well go for a spin |
|
34 |
7/23/2001 |
Watched the Shaman
King anime. When I saw 'Original Creator Hiroyuki Takei'* I got all
emotional. That man I, I know him!! [*See Chapter 14] |
|
|
35 |
7/30/2001 |
Looks to be that
the anime's ending [theme] has changed. They told me that middle schoolers sang it.
That's so young!* [*He's talking about the fourth ending
theme song, "Shouchi no Suke" by the female pop-group
duo Suitei Shoujo who were famous (or infamous) for their risqué
attire and acting somewhat promiscuous with each other despite being middle
school students.] |
|
|
36+37 |
8/6/2001 |
194 |
I bought a super
functional chair that makes me want laugh out loud, "Shahahahaha!!"*
A good chair is a must for desk work. [*This is Arlong's laugh.] |
|
38 |
8/20/2001 |
I went to a
recording session of the anime to learn more about it. Hot damn, you won't
believe how awesome the voice acting line-up for the Drum arc is |
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I bought the Folder5**
album. I like it because the One Piece theme song in particular is
really catchy. [*Yoshio Sawai: Author os the popular Weekly Shonen JUMP gag series, Boboboobo
Boobobo. Yoshio appears to be a big fan of Oda and mentioned him
frequently in his weekly comments. [See also: Chapters 225,
254, 2003 Issue #17
(OP Break), 2003 Issue #36 (One
Piece Break), 304, 359,
407 & 463] ] [**Related comment: Chapter 160] |
|
39 |
8/27/2001 |
Only intended to
get my feet wet in Set Sail Pirate Crew!* but before I knew it I was
being sucked in deeper and deeper…!! They did a heckuva job putting this
together!! [*A PlayStation One Piece
RPG.] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
40 |
9/3/2001 |
I went to see a
stage production that Luffy's voice actress Mayumi Tanaka* is [performing]
in. Voice actors and actresses have such beautiful voices. [Mayumi Tanaka: The voice actress
who has portrayed Luffy since the start of the serialized One Piece
animated series. Oda revealed in an interview that before the anime had even
begun, he imagined Luffy's voice as that of Tanaka's. |
|
|
41 |
9/10/2001 |
WE FINALLY
MO~~~~~~~~~~~VED!!* SO~~~~~~~~~ SPACIOUS!! SO COMFY~~~~~~~~~~~!! SO
REFRESHI~~~~~NG!! [*Related comment: See Chapter 181] |
|
|
42 |
9/17/2001 |
The anime's voice
actor for Smoker, Ginzo Matsuo-san, has passed away. May he rest in peace. |
|
|
43 |
9/22/2001* |
|
I went to the
neighborhood pet shop and there were a ton of weird reptiles. I want one.
But…I wonder if I'd actually care for it* [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 647,
649 & 675] [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 24th.] |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Recently the crowd scenes in One Piece are amazing! It
must be a lot of work! But it really comes across as powerful! [*See Chapter 175] |
44 |
10/1/2001 |
201 |
There are adults
that kill people while declaring, "This is a holy war!", or "This
is justice!" And there are children that see that. One Piece will
continue for quite some time. All the while praying for world peace.* [*This comment was Oda's response to the
2001 September 11th terrorist attacks on
American civilians. He was the only author to comment on the tragic event.
The color spread that week was also in response to the event, hence the
presence of doves and quote from The Beatles' song, "Come
Together".] |
|
45 |
10/6/2001* |
202 |
I was outside at
one of my favorite little gardens under the rays of the sun just reading and
such when suddenly I was told it was bad for my eyes. [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 8th.] |
|
46 |
10/15/2001 |
203 |
Oh…you must pardon
me for listening to classical music as of late whilst I sketch. I propose a
toast, to the intellectuality of myself. |
|
47 |
10/22/2001 |
204 |
That's what it
comes down to. But ya' know. You can't just up and quit exercising. Not when
you get muscle cramps from riding an exercise bike, yeaaah. |
|
48 |
10/29/2001 |
I went to the
Fukuoka JUMP Festa. We were having a blast even from when we were planning
the pre-stage routine, what a great time. |
Habuta*: Hey you there, the
one lamenting that you haven't had a good cry lately. The One Piece
anime episode where we part with Hiruluk is absolutely certain to leave you
bawling! It's a must-see. [*See Chapter 90] |
|
49 |
11/5/2001 |
The anime's 'Drum
Kingdom flashback arc' left me wading in my own tears. Starting with the
director*, I've got nothing but gratefulness for the entire anime staff. [*Kounosuke Uda: The director of
many One Piece episodes including the above episode in question
(Episode #85); not to mention two theatrical incarnations of the series: One
Piece The Movie: Dead End Adventure and One Piece The Movie:
The Giant Mech Soldier of Karakuri Castle. He was part of the Creative
Talk interview included in the 2002 One Piece Animation Logbook. |
|
|
50 |
11/12/2001 |
Right now I'm in
the middle of trying to memorize all the names of the Morning Musume* [members]. If
I don't know 'em the staff make fun of me. [*Morning Musume: A J-pop group
comprised of an ever-changing roster of young female idols which was most
popular from the late 90's through the mid-2000's. Mari
Yaguchi** was a member of Morning Musume.] [**Mari Yaguchi: A former member of
Morning Musume. She is a self-proclaimed 'One Piece
maniac' and has lent her voice 'talent' to the series in the form of voicing
anime-only character Yoko (Episode #426) and singing the 11th One Piece
anime's opening theme song "Kaze wo Sagashite".
Yaguchi also served as a promotional mascot for One Piece Episode of
Alabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates. It is speculated that
due that role in supporting the series, the villain Perhona may have been
based on her personality. |
|
|
51 |
11/19/2001 |
208 |
I always feel like
eating the food served at Shueisha's buffet parties after I get home.
The timing of 'em is just soooo, you know. No way I'm the only one. |
|
52 |
11/26/2001 |
209 |
I'm going to try
to add some miso soup to coffee. Mmmhmm. The perfect bitterness of coffee
blended with the scent of miso…KER-COUGH! |
|
1 |
12/3/2001 |
The jealousy of
old men pierce through the Koizumi cabinet*. They should just lend him a hand
if they've got enough time to waste disagreeing with him. Bunch of weirdos. [*Related comment: Chapter 183] |
|
|
2 |
12/10/2001 |
211 |
Finally bought the
coffee maker for the office that I put off buying because I heard you gotta
wash the darn thing after every use. Aha, so this is it. This
is what they call coffee... It's... |
|
3 |
12/17/2001 |
Plans for a number
of [One Piece] video games are moving ahead and the farthest from completion
is coming out the year after next.* Th-...The year after next you say...
Guess it's pretty tough making games too. [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
4+5 |
12/28/2001* |
213 |
And so this year
too...is now drawing...to a close... Even though it's still coming to an end,
it's already the New Year's edition of JUMP. What's up with that? [*A rare Friday release (advertised as such) no doubt to avoid the
approaching important New Year's holidays.] |
|
6+7 |
1/7/2002 |
214 |
Alrighty, a happy
New Year to you. Ah~ a fresh new year. So I should probably state my goal for
the year, huh. This year I uh...yeah a good manga...that's what I'd like to
draw... |
|
8 |
1/21/2002 |
215 |
The year-end JUMP
Festa at Makuhari. It was a huge celebration and I had a great time. Did you
see the One Piece stage show at Bandai they spent 50 million yen* on!?
It was awesome. They should perform it all around the country. [*Roughly $500,000.] |
|
9 |
1/28/2002 |
The DVD player I
won at the JUMP New Year's party four years ago just broke.* The timing was
great because I got a new one at this year's New Year's party. THANK YOU.** [*Related comments: See Chapter 27] [*Related comment: See Chapter 37] [**Oda wrote sankyu in katakana,
the written way to imitate the English 'thank you' via Japanese
pronunciation.] |
|
|
10 |
2/4/2002 |
217 |
I slipped away
from working on drafts and went to Disney Sea for the anime staff's New
Year's party, had fun to my heart's content and went immediately back to my
manuscripts. |
|
11 |
2/9/2002* |
Break |
[*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on
Monday the 11th.] |
|
12 |
2/18/2002 |
218 |
Thanks for last
week. I'm sorry for taking a break. I'm in the middle of watching The
Godfather. I hate being controlled by others. So just call me 'Don'. |
|
13 |
2/25/2002 |
OOOOOH~~~ (blush)
I never ever thought I'd be faced with having to do voice acting.* How
can I put it? Th-The ebb and flow of the times? ...or just...me getting
sucked into it...!! [*He's talking about his bit role in the
animated short, The Dream Soccer King, that played in
theaters before the third movie One Piece x The Kingdom of Chopper on
The Island of Rare Creatures. He voiced a soccer player called (not
surprisingly) Odacchi.] |
Ryu Fujisaki [Sakuratetsu Taiwahen, Hoshin Engi]- Oda-sensei, thank you for so graciously accepting that somewhat forward request of mine. I just wanted to borrow this space to thank you. |
|
14 |
3/4/2002 |
We are now in The
Age of the iPod*. The iPod is niiice... I loaded it up with songs I love from
CDs I don't listen to anymore and I'm at 700 songs. Niiiiice… |
|
|
15 |
3/11/2002 |
221 |
I went to the test
screening of the One Piece movie. The response from the audience was
superb. Man, Chopper Kingdom is fantastic. That'd be an awesome
island. I'd lo~ve to go. |
|
16 |
3/18/2002 |
222 |
Nosebleed
FWOOOOSH!! I received so many chocolates thank you very much. I'm the kind of
guy that eats chocolate every week regardless of Valentine's Day. Now
recharging sugar supply~ |
|
17 |
3/25/2002 |
Lately Ando-kun*,
who has been helping me exclusively with final touches, has been on the ball.
He's the kind of guy that would climb the corporate ladder in a company. And
he's still so young. [*Ei
Ando: One of Oda's assistants and the subject of a number of hidden messages
in the series. Ando began work on the series
from post-Alabasta then departed a while later, only to return during
Thriller Bark up through to the release of his own serialization, Garudo
the Demon God for Saikyo JUMP. [See also: Chapter 698]] |
|
|
18 |
4/1/2002 |
224 |
I think it's the
first time this happened to me since I was born. I spilled my ink. But since
my desk is packed to overflowing with stuff it was more like, “Oh-my-gosh-the-ink-is-not
going anywhere actually.” It's all good. |
|
19 |
4/8/2002 |
The Straw Hat Gang
Voice Acting Brigade came to my place. Starting with a food run for
ingredients the main event was Sanji's [Hirata's*]
pepperoncino [pasta]. We carried on late into the night. [*Hiroaki Hirata: The voice actor
for (among others) Sanji in the One Piece animated series. |
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I bought a video game
for the first time in a long while. It's One Piece 'Grand Battle! 2'.** I just keep doing Gomu Gomu Storm. It's incredibly
refreshing. [*See Chapter 195] [**Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
20 |
4/15/2002 |
A popular song
called "Family" has been included in the One Piece
album. The [anime] producer, Shimizu-san, is busy running here and there trying
to make sure that as many people as possible can listen to it. Good lu~~ck!! [*Shinji Shimizu: The first
producer of the One Piece animation from Toei Animation who
worked on the series from episode 1 through 228. In addition to working on
several seminal Japanese animated series, interestingly enough, he was also
an editor on the 1986 film The Adventure of the American Rabbit.
Shimizu was part of the Creative Talk interview from the 2002 One Piece
Animation Logbook. [See also: Chapter 361]
] |
|
|
21 |
4/22/2002 |
I went to see Mr.
2's voice actor Mr. Yao* perform on stage with his troupe SWAT. The attention
to detail in the depiction of characters helped me see how interesting
stage productions is. So that's what real theater is. [*Kazuki Yao: The voice actor for
(among others) Jango, Bentham & Franky.] |
|
|
22+23 |
4/27/2002* |
228 |
The three pages I
drew last week for the picture book Norland the Liar held me back 15
hours in overtime. It turned out great and I'm totally satisfied with it. I
love picture books. [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on
Monday the 29th.] |
|
24 |
5/13/2002 |
229 |
I always thought
that 70's soul music was my favorite but lately I've started to pay attention
to modern soul. I'll start with some Grammy winners. Ooh, this is gooood... |
|
25 |
5/20/2002 |
Obata-sensei's*
illustration collection, Sai. I was deeply moved when I received a
signed copy. It's just sooo beautiful. I have nothing but unconditional
respect for those who have always been skillful artists. This is the real
deal guys. [*Takeshi Obata: Author of
Hikaru no Go and illustrator of Death Note and
Bakuman. [See also: Chapter 666]
] |
|
|
26 |
5/27/2002 |
231 |
I rented out a
whole movie theater!! YEAH-HE-HEAH!! I'm messin' with you, just wasn't anyone
else in it. It was a popular [foreign]
movie too but I guess it's because I saw the dubbed version. |
|
27 |
6/3/2002 |
232 |
I'm out of shape
so just walking around town gives me muscle cramps. There's a sports gym in
my neighborhood. Every time I pass it I think, “Whaddya know,
a sports gym.” (so go to it ya' bum) |
|
28 |
6/10/2002 |
Big brother Gin
Shinga* passed away. He was a dear friend from my assistant days when we
dreamed of being manga authors. I'll continue to draw for the both of us. [*See Chapter 38.
Oda made the opening page of One Piece black that week as a
tribute. It remained that way for the Volume 25 printing.] |
|
|
29 |
6/17/2002 |
234 |
This is something
that really ticks me off. When some guy puts important scenes from a movie on
the main menu of a DVD. Come oooon, isn't there something you can do
other than THAT. |
|
30 |
6/24/2002 |
What I feared most
at the 'Big Two'* awards ceremony came to pass. The winners were scared of me
because I wore beach sandals. Yeah I guess everyone else was wearing
full suits. ...I'm actually a really nice guy. [*Related comments: See Chapter 24] |
|
|
31 |
7/1/2002 |
I went with the One
Piece [*See Chapter 225] |
|
|
32 |
7/8/2002 |
The World Cup.* I
saw some booing from the crowd during a Korean home game. I thought that was
awesome. That's exactly what fans should be doing.** [*Related comments: See Chapter 46]
|
|
|
33 |
7/15/2002 |
238 |
Recently I've
started enjoying texting and whenever I've gotta chance I check for messages.
I get lonely if there aren't any. My dear friends,
please text me. Don't expect a reply though (・◇・) |
|
34 |
7/22/2002 |
239 |
I watched the DVD
of Rainbowman*. So an evil army, the 'Die Die Group', makes fake yen
bills in order to give Japanese currency the flu!! ...the hell kinda kid's
show is this. [*Rainbowman: A tokusatsu
television program that ran from 1972 to 1973. Its claim to fame is dealing
closely with Buddhist, Shinto and Christian themes, somewhat unusual for the
genre, as well as a group of enemies consisting of anti-Japanese foreigners
who commonly used defamatory slang that is now considered television-taboo.] |
|
35 |
7/29/2002 |
240 |
I'm playing Grand
Battle Swan Coliseum. This thing's crazy hard. SO TOUGH!! THE ENEMIES!!
It's kinda starting to get to me. TAKE THIIIIIIS!! |
|
36 |
8/5/2002 |
241 |
Whenever I have a
color cover I draw the color picture a week in advance and add what I think
the title will end up being but I made a huge mistake this time. This week's
chapter is called 'Heaven's Judgment'. |
|
37+38 |
8/12/2002 |
242 |
All I can hear is,
“It's so ho~t.”, or, “The heat is unbearable.” Simply preposterous, is there
anything left even resembling 'fighting spirit' in the Japanese today!!! P.S.
Okay, so I spend all day in an air conditioned room. |
|
39 |
8/26/2002 |
243 |
Sometimes I really
yearn to be a salaryman. Get chewed out by the section chief, drown my
sorrows in sake on the way home and wear a suit to work every day. But
[putting up] with rush hour, hell no. |
|
40 |
9/2/2002 |
Summertime means
scary stories. Or at least that's what people say; what scares me the most
are people who are quick to bare their fangs based on differences in status.* [*It's possible Oda is alluding to the
case of his mangaka colleague and friend Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro** who
was arrested on August 7th 2002 for paying a 16-year old girl for sexual
services and then later charged with paying two other 16-year old girls for
sexual services on earlier occasions against Japan's Child Prostitution Law.] [**See Chapter 1] |
||
41 |
9/9/2002 |
245 |
My staff are into those [weird]
mystery programs. They seem to be interested in strange events from around
the globe. But if [those shows] actually provided any solid answers they'd be
on the news instead. (meanie) |
|
42 |
9/14/2002* |
As a child I was a
little off-beat for liking rakugo* but I just found out that rakugo CDs are
available [for sale]. So first up iiiiis, Kosan Yanagiya**, an essential!! [*Rakugo: A popular form of
Japanese performance comedy. It's vaguely similar to 'Western' stand-up
routines (despite literally being performed sitting down) as a solo
performance involving word play. [See also: Chapters 253,
259, 581, 661 & 2013 Issue #16
(OP
break)] ] [**Kosan Yanagiya: Oda is probably
talking about the 5th in this line of rakugo performers. He passed away in
May of 2002. His real name was Morio Kobayashi.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 16th)] |
||
43 |
9/22/2002* |
247 |
'Pierrot' and
'Pure' were put together to make 'Puroland'*. I experienced the One Piece
4D Simulation Theater. It was way beyond anything I even imagined! Even
adults will love this. [*Puroland: An amusement park from
the Sanrio company. In 2002 it featured a One Piece 3D
attraction that also included immersive motion, sounds and smells, thus the
so-called '4D'.]
|
|
44 |
9/30/2002 |
Break |
|
|
45 |
10/7/2002 |
248 |
There's something
I absolutely had to see for an arc I'll be doing sooner or later so I headed
to Nagasaki. I'd like to personally extend my thanks to Mr. Matsumoto and all
of the workers at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries*. [*Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: A
division of Mitsubishi that deals in building ships. In all likelihood this
is where Oda went to gather ideas for the major set-pieces of Water Seven.] |
|
46 |
10/12/2002* |
249 |
There are a lot of
things about drawing a long arc that are quite 'trying' but I'm really glad I
did Alabasta. The wrap party for the animation was really emotional. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to national holiday on
Monday the 14th)] |
|
47 |
10/21/2002 |
This is late in
coming but congratulations on all your hard work in completing your
serialization Higuchi-san*. For the time being just take it easy. If you've
got time to kill come see me, and I'm not just saying that. [*Daisuke Higuchi- Author of the
soccer series Whistle! which started running in Weekly Shonen
JUMP in 1998.] |
|
|
48 |
10/28/2002 |
251 |
Playing Fighter
Maker 2 now. Pretty nifty. Oh the fun of actually making
movements. |
|
49 |
11/2/2002* |
252 |
Yeah it's
definitely the age of 'The Sear'. I had my first seared sushi at a sushi
place in Tsukiji. I'm telling you babe, it's either seared sooshee or no
sooshee.* [*Oda didn't actually say 'babe' and he
didn't say 'sooshee'. He used a cocky tone and said the word for sushi
elongated and reversed (shiisuu) which is/was a popular manner of pronouncing
words for well-off middle-aged male producers in Japan. Thus the
Hollywood-style of talking.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 4th.] |
|
50 |
11/11/2002 |
Man I just, I
really like 'Kyon Kyon'. How do you describe that sense of humor, that...
lightness of the laughter...isn't he great...
Kyotaro Yanagiya. [*Kyotaro Yanagiya- Nickname 'Kyon
Kyon' is a rakugo** comedian. His real name is Masya Kohara.] [**See Chapter 246] |
|
|
51 |
11/18/2002 |
Dear Readers. As
the breath leaving my mouth turned a whisping white I thought winter was
already upon us, but it turned out I was just smoking. As the sky was still
darkening after the six o'clock sunset I called my assistant; turns out it
was six in the morning. |
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- Oda-sensei, thank you
very much for your comment for the video game poster. I'm both amazed &
moved that they actually made a 'Boobobo' video game!! [*See Chapter 195] |
|
52 |
11/25/02 |
Treasure
Battle.* My assistants
are into 'Pirate Soccer'. It's really simple but after work they go nuts over
it. [*Treasure Battle: A local
multiplayer party game for Nintendo GameCube. Pirate Soccer is one of the
mini-games playable in the title.] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
1 |
12/2/2002 |
The
Grand Secret of Nanatsu Island on Game Boy Advance.* I knew about it from the early planning
stages but I'm pleasantly surprised with how well it turned out. The
characters are neat and the music and graphics are beautiful. I recommend it! [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
2 |
12/9/2002 |
257 |
Oh man. Do I ever
love drawing color spreads. And here I am stuck
doing piles of 'year-end wrap-up work'. But I'm churning out the spreads
without worrying about deadlines. Wahoo. |
|
3+4 |
12/16/2002 |
I read the comment
from Akimoto-sensei* where he said, "[Looking for an escape] to refresh yourself when you come across a difficulty is only
an excuse to avoid it." I was deeply moved [by those words of wisdom]!! [*See Chapter 158] |
|
|
5 |
12/30/2002 |
Bought the new
iPod*. 20 gigabytes. Up until now my playlist comprised of mainly 'soul',
'rock' 'mood' music and the like. This time I'll think I'll add some
'rakugo**' and 'manzai'. [*Related comments: See Chapter 220] [**Rakugo*3 and Manzai-
Two popular types of Japanese performance comedy. Rakugo is vaguely similar
to 'Western' stand-up routines (despite literally being performed sitting
down) as a solo performance involving word play. On the other hand manzai
typically involves two performers, a straight man and the stooge, performing
physical comedy similar to Vaudeville slap-stick.] [*3See also Chapter 246] |
|
|
6+7 |
1/6/2003 |
260 |
Happy New Year to
you. Last year was full of this and that but now it's this year. I'm
gonna state my ambition ......I~ wanna~~~!! DRAW AN AWWWWWESOME
MANGAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! |
|
8 |
1/20/2003 |
Hello there!! One
Piece is gonna be a stupid-ass manga this year too!! ...Was that a good
follow-up? So that bombshell I dropped at JUMP Festa.* Worried about that [choice]
after seeing I made fans cry. [*This was the infamous incident where Oda
said, "One of the crew will die.", before
heading off stage. [*Related comment *Root*: Chapter 302]
] |
|
|
9 |
1/27/2003 |
I met Ouji
Hiroi-san*. I always wondered what kinda dude he was and turns out he's an
adult that knows how to live in style. He's got great values. [*Ouji Hiroi: A media creator
perhaps best for the Sakura Wars series. [See also: Chapter 336]
] |
|
|
10 |
2/3/2003 |
One of my current
assistants, Y-kun*, gave me a Haro from Gundam** for my birthday. It's
one of those toys that randomly starts talking which
is annoying so everyone's always shutting it off. [*Yano aka 'Y-kun': Oda's
assistant, Yano. Note that Oda addresses one of his other assistants,
Yokoyama, as 'Y-san' but in the original Japanese he specifically
called this staffer 'Y-kun' indicating that this individual is younger
than Oda in contrast to the older Yokoyama. [See also: Chapter 375]
] [**Related comments: See Chapter 79] |
|
|
11 |
2/10/2003 |
Editor-in-Chief
Takahashi* was a man of manga that always listened to us and saw eye to eye
with us. I pray that he may rest in peace. [*Toshimasa Takahashi: The seventh
Editor-in-Chief of Weekly Shonen JUMP. He passed away unexpectedly on January
24th of 2003. In a dark twist, he collapsed during an announcement of the
fourth One Piece film which was subtitled, Dead End
Adventure. He was an editor of several Weekly JUMP series including
the very popular Kinnikuman.] |
|
|
12 |
2/17/2003 |
265 |
The meaning of
'(expld)' that I see written on fan letters and stuff. Apparently it's [short for]
(explodes into laughter). I thought it just meant (exploding). Was under the
impression flying all over the place was in fashion.* [*Oda is talking about the use of baku
or 'burst' which is an abbreviation for bakusho which means to 'burst
into laughter'. It's very similar to our 'ROTFLMAO'. I have translated
Oda's own use of the term elsewhere on this page as (lo-freaking-l)] |
|
13 |
2/24/2003 |
I met [the members of]
Bump of Chicken. They were really pleasant and we ended up talking for three
hours. Along with the new film their new song is really a work of art.
Please, go see the movie!!! [Bump of Chicken: A popular band
from Japan. They performed the film's theme song, "Sailing
Day". An interview with them was also included in an issue of
Weekly Shonen JUMP featuring the film.] |
|
|
14 |
3/3/2003 |
267 |
Thought up words
to the Godzilla theme. 'Purim, Purim, Purim has a festival*
(hypermetric)' are the awesome lyrics I came up with. I'm so good. [**Purim: A Jewish festival.] |
|
15 |
3/10/2003 |
268 |
Nosebleed
FWOOOOOSH!! Got chocolates! Thank you! In addition I also received personal
health devices, wine, tsukemono* (with miso) and a scrub brush...now that's
love ♥ [*Tsukemono: Pickled vegetables.] |
|
16 |
3/17/2003 |
STANDING ROOM
ONLYYYY~!! It's a hit across the country!! In one theater on opening day it
had four times as many customers as last year!! BEYOND INCREDIBLE!! Director
Uda* you're my hero~ ♥ It's in theaters until April 25th!** [*See Chapter 206] [**Oda is talking about One Piece
The Movie: Dead End Adventure.] |
|
|
17 |
3/24/2003 |
|
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I saw the One Piece
movie Dead End Adventure. Man, Luffy is just so freakin' cool when
he's angry. I was just as excited as the elementary schoolers there. [*See Chapter 195] |
|
18 |
3/31/2003 |
Went to Sky Island
to check out how to properly draw clouds. Was a perfect day and the smell of
the clouds was so revitalizing. Great food too. [Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 271] |
|
|
19 |
4/7/2003 |
So uh, about that
comment from last week... I haven't gone cuckoo or anything... It was for
April Fool's. You knew that right (lol) ? [Related comment: See Chapter 270] |
|
|
20 |
4/14/2003 |
In the middle of
drawing final manuscripts I sent a text to Takei-san*, "I'm totally
screwed!", to which he replied, "Ignorant
whelp! I'm the one who's screwed!!" That gave me the energy I
needed (lol). [*See Chapter 14] |
|
|
21 |
4/21/2003 |
273 |
When I'm just
standing around waiting or something while I'm outdoors I go right to Tetris
on my cell phone without even thinking about it. Be nice if they put Puyo
Puyo* in there next. Oh and Tekken and 'JSR'**. [*Puyo Puyo: A puzzle stacking game
series that is popular in Japan.] [**Jet Set Radio: The cult-hit
Dreamcast game.] |
|
22+23 |
4/28/2003 |
274 |
I'm now watching
'Oshin'* on DVD. I'm so not completely and totally addicted. "No
ya... Puhlease, ya' just cain't send that thar child away ta be a
servant!" OSHIII~~~~N!!! [*Oshin: The 297-episode NHK
morning drama that's considered one of Japan's finest ever produced. The
story was told across a year in 15-minute episodes and tells the story of
Oshin who faced hardships growing up in post-war Japan but became very
successful thanks to her perseverance.] |
|
24 |
5/12/2003 |
I just happened to
be listening to the radio when I heard that mega-star idol saying
that, "One Piece is really good." Well, well, well, looks
like he's got some taste, guess he's a pretty cool guy.* [*Oda is talking about SMAP**
member Takuya Kimura*3 who spent a significant amount of
time on his radio program What's Up SMAP discussing One
Piece.] [**SMAP: The eternally and
inexplicably popular boy (now middle-aged male) band from Japan. Its current
members are: Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi & Shingo Katori. [See also: Chapters 405
& 576] ] [*3Takuya Kimura aka
'Kimutaku': A member of SMAP who always seems to be voted
'the sexiest man in Japan'. He is a huge One Piece fan and has
been deeply involved in promoting the series via interviews, quiz corners on
the SMAP television program SMAP X SMAP and other
media outlets. Oda even drew him in full color dressed as Shanks once. |
|
|
25 |
5/19/2003* |
Smoke
Gets in Your Eyes produced
by Mr. Hirotaka Suzuoki* and Akatsuki 7 [performed]
by the troupe SWAT. It was all about stage plays this Golden Week. Both were
tour de force performances. Seeing live shows is so great. [*Hirotaka Suzuoki: A Japanese
voice actor who performed many roles including the original voice of
Tenshinhan in Dragon Ball.] [*From this issue on, Weekly Shonen JUMP's 'street date' was
officially changed to 'Monday' in the table of contents. Until this issue the
upcoming issue of Weekly Shonen JUMP was officially listed in the table of
contents as having a 'Tuesday' release. The reason for such a listing was
that the issues did not reach some areas of rural Japan until Tuesdays and it
was considered 'confusing' to list an earlier release date if certain buyers
weren't able to purchase the product on said date. However, many (if not
most) areas of Japan have had access to JUMP on Mondays as far back as I
know. Regardless, even TV commercials for JUMP from the eighties listed the
release date as 'every Tuesday'. In the event of Monday holidays, JUMP was
traditionally released on Saturdays at least
as far back as the start of One Piece. However that fact was
not officially advertised on the table of contents in JUMP until briefly in
Issue #4+5 1998 before being unexplainably abandoned only to reappear as a
customary practice permanently in
Issue #46 from October 1999. In the rare cases where holidays occurred
on Tuesdays, the editorial staff was somewhat 'creative' in listing release
dates; sometimes listing release dates on holidays, sometimes biting the
bullet and listing them on Mondays.] |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- I went to Oda-sensei's house to hang out. I was able to talk
with a bunch of other authors and had a great time. And on top of that he
treated us to yakiniku. [*See Chapter 175] |
|
26 |
5/26/2003 |
277 |
The CDs we're
playing at the office are from a genre called 'Polka'. Kinda like the music
used for when a clown appears; it's so silly and fun. |
|
27 |
6/2/2003 |
278 |
I wanna be able to
speak English. Even though it's something I've always thought about, it just
recently hit me [that
I really want to learn it].
What's a guy to do. I wanna study. *so tempted* |
|
28 |
6/9/2003 |
A little while ago
I went to see a performance by Mayumi Tanaka's* troupe,
Oh, Peretta**. Each of their unique personalities crack
me up every time. Mayumi-san's singing voice is splendid. [*See Chapter 197] [**Oh, Peretta: A play on
'operetta', this is a troupe formed by Mayumi Tanaka, Kankou Nagai (actor)
and Eri Takeda (singer) in 1988. [See also: Chapter 373]
] |
|
|
29 |
6/16/2003 |
280 |
Hello there. 'City
Boy' here. I bought the futuristic card 'Suica' that you simply flash at the
ticket gate to access the JR lines. And yet I never go anywhere. |
|
30 |
6/23/2003 |
281 |
I learned from a
back pain expert that sitting Indian-style on a chair is the worst possible
position for your back. But I can't stop doing that now. Do I have to
(*cries*) |
|
31 |
6/30/2003 |
282 |
What's the deal
with society revolving around high school girls.
Grown-ups are supposed to be at the center!!!... Changing the subject,
t.A.T.u* are really cute aren't they. [*t.A.T.u: A female Russian pop duo
well-known in Japan for dressing in female high school uniforms.] |
|
32 |
7/7/2003 |
283 |
Can you believe
how good the sculpting is on the figurines sold at convenient stores lately. The sculptor's name is actually written on them;
even toys are like fine art these days. |
|
33 |
7/14/2003 |
It's the age of
Akiko Wada*. I bought the anniversary CD box-set celebrating her 35 years as
a singer and it's been all Wada, all the time since. Wa~DA Wa~DA!! [*See Chapter 59] |
|
|
34 |
7/19/2003* |
The Master who I
worked for as an assistant 9 years ago, Shinobu Kaitani*, came over to hang
out. It's been like 7 years but that guy hasn't changed a bit. (*so happy*) [*Shinobu Kaitani: Author of Liar
Game. Oda worked for him as an assistant. An interview that Oda
conducted with him may be read in the fanbook, Liar Game
Invitation. [See also: Chapters 513
& 562] ] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 21st.] |
|
|
35 |
7/28/2003 |
286 |
Lately I've gotten
into that oxygen thing. You know, the oxygen supplement device thing*. It's
so futuristic it makes me giddy. As for where to keep it… [*There was a boom in oxygen 'supplement'
goods and devices at this time in Japan.] |
|
36 |
8/4/2003 |
|
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I went to see Toei
Animation's production house to learn [about
the process]. The atmosphere of the One
Piece animation production left a big impression on me. Thank you very
much. |
|
37+38 |
8/11/2003 |
287 |
Found a great
ramen place in the neighborhood. The extras on top are crunchy and the soup
is so flavorful I find myself going every week. (^∇^) |
|
39 |
8/25/2003 |
The Matsudo Bandai
Museum. There was a huge Gundam* there. The Cutey Honey stage show was neat and so were all the old toys on display; I
had a good time. [*Related comments: See Chapter 79] |
|
|
40 |
9/1/2003 |
289 |
We are now in the
Age of 1.3 Megapixels and so it is that I'm busily tapping away on a brand
new cell phone. Got tons of voice ringtones and weird applications to mess
with. It's fun. It's keeping me indoors. |
|
41 |
9/8/2003 |
290 |
This summer I
splashed in the sea in Chiba and frolicked in the forests of Yamagata. But
now, the world is infatuated with a never-before-seen by human eyes
man-faced-fish. I too experienced this creature* first-hand. [*He's talking about the Sega Dreamcast
game Seaman.] |
|
42 |
9/13/2003* |
291 |
The Odaiba Grand
Adventure's Going Merry will be dismantled when the event comes to a close.
Again I'd like to extend my deepest thanks to all of the individuals who lent
their energy to [making] the ship. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 15th.] |
|
43 |
9/22/2003 |
292 |
The pot we used
for heating water that we had to physically pump water out of has broken. I
nearly shed tears of joy when I learned our new one releases water with just
the push of a button until a staff member said, "That's considered normal
these days." |
|
44 |
9/29/2003 |
293 |
Currently prepping
the illustration book for release. This time I'm going to have an interview
with THAT person...!! It's going to be me gushing like a fan
again. No doubt. |
|
45 |
10/6/2003 |
294 |
One of my
assistants informed me that eating raw egg with natto was just common sense
but I had nary a clue. I tried it and the flavor was divine. A most righteous
flavor of non-bogus delishness. |
|
46 |
10/11/2003* |
295 |
The One Piece
Character Solo Single [CD]. I was told that Luffy, Zoro, Nami and Sanji['s singles]
all ranked in on a certain ranking TV program. ∑(゚<>゚) This
mean they're gonna be on Kohaku*!!? [*Kohaku Utagassen: Literally 'Song
Battle of The Red and The White'. An annual multi-hour live performance on
December 31st where the year's hit songs are performed one after
another counting down to New Year's where the female artists (red) compete
against the male artists (white).] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 13th.] |
|
47 |
10/20/2003 |
Kishimoto-san's*
wedding was fantastic. The priest's broken Japanese** during the ceremony was
a thing of beauty. I see your wife looks just like Sakura.*3 [*See Chapter 175] [**Priests and ministers who 'officiate'
symbolic Christian-style weddings in Japan (where the actual ceremony is for
show since in Japan no legal changes are made due to the ceremony itself) are
infamous for carrying out the service in broken Japanese. Whether or not it's
all for show to make the ceremony seem more foreign depends on the individual
who is more often than not a real priest or minister.] [*3Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 2004 Issue #52 (One Piece break)] |
|
|
48 |
10/27/2003 |
I went to have an
interview with Fujiko A. Fujio-sensei* for the illustration collection [book]
going on sale in November. He seemed to radiate such an agreeable
personality, what a great guy. It was a lot of fun. [*Fujiko A. Fujio: The pen name of Motoo
Abiko (half of the manga powerhouse duo who collectively called
themselves Fujiko Fujio) which he adopted after splitting with his
partner, Hiroshi Fujimoto, in 1987. When they were together, they
created many manga series that became entertainment classics of Japan for
young readers; perhaps the most famous of which is Doraemon.
After splitting, partner Hiroshi Fujimoto took the pen name Fujiko F.
Fujio. For reference, although I reverse most Japanese names on this
page, (i.e. family name last) I have kept Fujiko Fujio (A & F) in the
original Japanese order simply because of the recognizability of the names in
the original order.] |
|
|
49 |
11/1/2003* |
298 |
Was talking with
someone about how Joshi Juuni Gakubo* and Shorinji Sanjuuroku Bou sound
really similar. Shourinji Musha Bou is pretty cool too. But the best
is Arahan.** [*Twelve Girls Band: An
instrumental group from China that was popular in Japan at the time. [**Oda was reminded of classic kung fu
films with names slightly similar to the name of the group: Shourinji Musha Bou [Shaolin and Wu Tang] Arahan [Martial Arts of Shaolin]
[*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 3rd.] |
|
50 |
11/10/2003 |
299 |
It's cool that I
can see readers' faces with purikura*. Most of the time they're from the
girls but sometimes I get 'em from boys. Makes me smile when I think,
"So these are the kind of kids that read it huh?" [*Purikura: Short for 'print club'
they are decorative photograph stickers popular in Japan, particularly with
high school students.] |
|
51 |
11/17/2003 |
Break |
|
|
52 |
11/22/2003* |
|
I saw a
performance by the group who acted as the Straw Hat Pirates at JUMP Festa.
The troupe is called Punish. It was a blast. Looking forward to your work
this year as well. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 24th.] |
|
1 |
12/1/2003 |
I bought an enka*
CD!! The songs of people who have real vocal talent are a pleasure to
listen to. I~ Lo~ve i~t. [*Enka- A form of Japanese music
that thematically resembles the image surrounding American country western
music as a 'traditional' base for songs about hardship, love, nature and
traditional gender roles. [See also: Chapter 310]
] |
|
|
2 |
12/8/2003 |
So about the
comment I made at JUMP Festa last year regarding A CERTAIN THING* that
made some fans cry. I won't be able to get to it this year. Oh well, no
biggie. [*Oda is talking about his comment from
JUMP Festa 2003 (held in December 2002) where he said a crew member would
'die'. [Related comment: Chapter 261]
] |
Riichiro Inagaki* [Eyeshield 21]- I was able to talk
individually with Oda, Takahashi** & Toriyama-sensei*3 at the Tezuka Awards*4. On a cold
and rainy day Oda showed up in sandals. HE'S LUFFY! [*Riichiro Inagaki: The writer of
the popular Weekly Shonen JUMP football comic, Eyeshield 21.who
collaborated on the series with artist Yusuke Murata. [See also: Chapters 412, 482 & 548] ] [**Kazuki Takahashi: Author of the
long-running Yu-Gi-Oh comic. [See also: Chapter 315]
] [*3See Chapter 15] [*4Related comments: See Chapter 24] |
|
3 |
12/15/2003 |
Had a ping-pong
tournament at the house of Luffy's Mayumi Tanaka* with the Voice Acting
Brigade. The winner was Mayumi's son. Loser grown-ups. [*See Chapter 197.
Her son is juggler Kousuke Tanaka.] |
|
|
4+5 |
12/22/2003 |
Winter is the
season when fish meat is most crisp. Speaking of fishy things, the other day
the corns on my feet healed up.* [*The Japanese word for a 'corn' of the
foot is 'uo no me' which could be read as 'fish eye'.] |
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I was blown away by the
collaboration poster from Akamaru JUMP going on sale the 29th of this month!!
Oda-sensei and all of you from Toei, thank you so much!! [*See Chapter 195] |
|
6+7 |
1/5/2004 |
305 |
Happy New Year. I
ate some meat and my tooth broke. Gee, guess I'm just a little calcium
deficient (ROTFLMAO) I get the feeling something good is coming my way this
year *heart* |
|
8 |
1/19/2004 |
306 |
Thanks for all
your work at JUMP Festa 2004. I love just chilling out in the dressing room
at the end of each year. Even though I'm slacking off my editor doesn't harp
on me. |
|
19 |
1/26/2004 |
307 |
I finally went to
Yokohama's China Town which is someplace I've always wanted to visit. Lotsa
Chinese restaurants. I couldn't eat nearly as much as I wanted so I'll be
back. |
|
10 |
2/2/2004 |
308 |
Thank you for all
the New Year's greeting cards. I've also been lucky enough to get fan letters
each and every week. Your support is what helps keep on my feet and moving
forward. I'm very grateful. |
|
11 |
2/9/2004 |
I saw Usopp's
voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi* in a play called Son Goku. The nimble
and monkey-like action was AWEsome. [*Kappei Yamaguchi: The voice actor
for Usopp among other famous anime characters such as Inu Yasha from the
anime of the same name. [See also: Chapter 650]
] |
|
|
12 |
2/16/2004 |
I've put my enka
craze on hold and I'm into Ayaya** at the moment. A 'crazy holiday' indeed.
Like so~~~~ ado~~~~rable. [*See Chapter 301] [**Aya Matsuura aka 'Ayaya':
A Hello! Project idol/singer. "Yeah! Meccha Holiday"
(Yeah! Totally Holiday) was her hit single from 2002 which was
experiencing a resurge in popularity due to performances of the song by TV
personality Maeken in drag.] |
|
|
13 |
2/23/2004 |
311 |
Alrighty then,
I've caught up with all the work I put off until the start of the year. It's
about time to start writing my New Year's greeting cards. I do this [to
myself] every year. |
|
14 |
3/1/2004 |
I met Machami
Hisamoto-san*, Shidou Nakamura-san** and Hiroki Uchi-kun*3
at the movie's press conference*4. Once again a really wonderful
group of people [for the movie]. [*Masami 'Machami' Hisamoto: A
female comedian from Osaka who is a regular as both a guest and a host of
variety television programming. She voiced Izaya. [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 337]
] [**Shidou Nakamura: A kabuki and
film star of Japan who has a reputation of being something of a playboy. He
voiced Saga.] [*3Hiroki Uchi: A former
singer in two popular Japanese boy bands managed by the Johnny's group. He
voiced Toma.] [*4The movie he mentions is the
One Piece film One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword.] |
|
|
15 |
3/8/2004 |
313 |
Interested in
pottery lately. Those thick'n hardy-looking Japanese plates are really cool.
I'd like to try making some ceramic art. |
|
16 |
3/15/2004 |
314 |
Nosebleed
FWOOOOOOSH!! I got Valentine's chocolates. Thank you very much. I'll use that
love to do keep me running on purely [the power of] love alone (・◇・)ゞ |
|
17 |
3/22/2004 |
Kazuki
Takahashi-sensei*, congratulations on reaching the end of your long-running
comic. It's no surprise that a comic which can be enjoyed by children all
over the world is a remarkable one. [*See Chapter 302] |
|
|
18 |
3/29/2004 |
316 |
I saw the One
Piece movie Curse of the Sacred Sword. I hope that kind of intense
action which is all for the sake of a special someone hits home in your
heart. |
|
19 |
4/5/2004 |
Break |
|
|
20 |
4/12/2004 |
'Shimabu~'*
just started a new serial in Super JUMP!! It's a teen sports manga called Ring.
I'm thrilled!!! [*See Chapter 1] |
|
|
21 |
4/19/2004 |
We held another
Ping Pong Tournament at Mayumi Tanaka's* house. Everyone brought food and
drink and we partied up a storm. Lotta fun. [*See Chapter 197] |
|
|
22+23 |
4/26/2004 |
319 |
Mega House from
the Bandai label designed Luffy, Zoro and Nami figurines. They're really
top quality!! Amazing job. |
|
24 |
5/10/2004 |
320 |
The
accessory-maker DECOLE is AWESOME! A great battle rages in conflict with my
manly spirit whenever I enter the store which is teaming with females. |
|
25 |
5/17/2004 |
I went to see
Sanji's voice actor Hirata-san* in a play.** Dancing
and singing in that kind of costume. He had me doubled over in
laughter. [*See Chapter 225] [**Given the time-frame of the comment, it's possible Oda is referring to his performance in, OH!
Kami-sama.] |
|
|
26 |
5/24/2004 |
322 |
Seems that
Children's Day* is actually a day for children to give thanks to their parents.
But uh, not like you needed to know that or whatever. [*Children's Day: A Japanese
holiday recognized on May 5th. In modern Japan it is generally celebrated by
flying carp-shaped banners outside the homes of families with young males. By
no coincidence it's Luffy's birthday.] |
|
27 |
5/31/2004 |
323 |
A lot of people
are working very hard [right
now] in order for children all over the world to watch the One
Piece anime. It moves me to tears. |
|
28 |
6/7/2004 |
324 |
A strange
sensation went down my throat when I took a swig from the bottle of tea on the edge of my desk. Mold was floating in
it. I drank mold. |
|
29 |
6/14/2004 |
325 |
Been
wanting to
read some picture books from overseas so I went online to a foreign bookstore
and ordered all the ones that had nifty covers. Turns out they were all
novels. |
|
30 |
6/21/2004 |
326 |
Experiencing a
Terumi Yoshida* boom. No matter how you look at it, lately Terumi Yoshida is
on fire. His Bunka Hoso thing and the rest are awesome. [*Terumi Yoshida: A freelance
announcer, TV personality and radio host. Bunka Hoso is an NHK-based radio
station in Japan.] |
|
31 |
6/28/2004 |
327 |
In June we [finally] had
a New Year's and Sky Island arc wrap party for the anime. I'm extremely
grateful to all of you. |
|
32 |
7/5/2004 |
Break |
|
|
33 |
7/12/2004 |
328 |
The Going Merry
will be appearing in Odaiba again this year! A creature from the Grand Line,
Mohmoo, will show up too. Looking forward to iiiiit!! |
|
34 |
7/17/2004* |
329 |
I am madly in love
with tuna. I've just realized this. Even from way back it seems like I'm
always eating it without even thinking about it. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 19th.] |
|
35 |
7/26/2004 |
I went to see
Robin's voice actress, Yuriko Yamaguchi-san*, in a play. The message was that
the atom bomb is a symbol that war mustn't be allowed. Struck a chord with
me. [*Yuriko Yamaguchi: Voice actress
of Robin in One Piece as well as many other famous anime roles
such as Dr. Ritsuko from Evangelion. [See also: Chapter 417]
] |
|
|
36 |
8/2/2004 |
331 |
Played One
Piece Land Land. It's fun and the scenery etc.
looks really fantastic so it's fun just messing around with it. A must-buy. |
|
37+38 |
8/9/2004 |
332 |
Regarding potato
chips these days, it's surprising when I open a new bag only to find a
smattering of chips. Would you please put some more in there!! |
|
39 |
8/23/2004 |
Kyoshiro
2030's serialization
has come to an end in Super JUMP. Master Tokuhiro-sensei*, here's to all your
work on a seven-year series. I haven't seen you in long time. [*See Chapter 6] |
|
|
40 |
8/30/2004 |
Wo~ah Shaman
King is over~. I wonder if Takei-san* will be able to do whatever the
heck he wants now!! Here's to aaaaall your hard work!! [*See Chapter 14] |
|
|
41 |
9/6/2004 |
The other day my
editor 'Habuyan'* brought his two-year-old daughter to my place. Said she
didn't know what a 'Luffy' was. I can do better than this. [*See Chapter 90] |
|
|
42 |
9/13/2004 |
Saw the stage
performance of Sakura Wars. It was overflowing with Mr. Ouji Hiroi's*
flamboyant extravagant taste. And the performance by the [members of the]
Peking Opera took my breath away. [*See Chapter 262] |
|
|
43 |
9/18/2004* |
Went to see a
performance by the WAHAHA-HOMPO*. I don't even know how begin describing
their energy. I was still laughing on the way home. Awesome. [*WAHAHA-HOMPO: A talent and troupe
agency that is (in)famous for risqué and lowbrow
humor. Many famous comedians call the agency home including Masami
Hisamoto who performed voice-acting work for the movie One Piece
The Cursed Holy Sword. [*Related comment: See Chapter 312] ] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 20th.] |
|
|
44 |
9/27/2004 |
338 |
To all of those
who helped us bring the One Piece anime to America, thank you sooo
very much!!! |
|
45 |
10/4/2004 |
339 |
The old-timer from
the fried cutlets lunch delivery place said, "I added some extra for ya'
special", and put a ton of rice in my order of half-size rice. THAT
DEFEATS THE PURPOSE! |
|
46 |
10/9/2004 |
340 |
The other day
there was something I had to take care of so I returned to my hometown in
Kumamoto for about 7 hours.* Made certain to have basashi**. [Regardless of the time] that's non-negotiable. [*This is purely speculation, but it's
very possible that with Oda's wedding ceremony taking place not long after
this comment, he needed to clear some marital paperwork with his local
municipal office in person, as is common in Japan, during their hours of
operation.] [**Basashi: Raw horse-meat. It is a
specialty of Kumamoto prefecture.] |
|
47 |
10/18/2004 |
The thing about
cockroaches is when you spot one, unless you destroy it that very same day
there's simply no resting easy. Mega scary. |
|
|
48 |
10/25/2004 |
342 |
Yeah soooo, my
computer was acting funky and I didn't wait for I-san who always bails me out
in a fix and when I tried messing with it the thing died. ...how odd. |
|
49 |
11/1/2004 |
343 |
Was listening to
some hip-hop on the radio when I heard the DJ say, "This is the real
deal.", only to immediately correct himself, "It's da' real deal ya'll." |
|
50 |
11/8/2004* |
344 |
There's no
expiration date printed on ice cream but, that's 'cause it's frozen so you
can eat it a year later right? [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 11th.] |
|
51 |
11/15/2004 |
Every year I learn
that I'll be appearing at the year-end JUMP Festa when I'm leafing through
the magazine itself. My Editor Habuyan* doesn't even ask me. Not like I won't
go though. [*See Chapter 90] |
|
|
52 |
11/22/2004 |
|
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Oda-san, congratulations on your marriage! The ceremony was a
lot of fun! Thank you for everything from here on too! [*See Chapter 175] Nobuhiro Watsuki* [Rurouni Kenshin]- Oda-sensei,
congratulations on the joyous occasion of your marriage. Your ceremony was
the best. My best wishes for a long and happy life together with your
wonderful wife who could be mistaken for Nami.** [*See Chapter 1] [**Related comment: See Chapter 296]
|
|
53 |
11/29/2004 |
346 |
I got so
married. We received way more congratulatory envelopes* than I ever thought
possible and we are very, very thankful. I'll still going to work hard
to bee bzzy** drawing manga. [*The envelopes he speaks of are mandatory
monetary gifts from the guests to the bride and groom called shugi-bukuro.
You could write a book on how unique (read: frustrating & futile) the
entire process is since the final sum of money almost NEVER changes hands as
you in turn are usually invited to the guests' weddings and are expected to
give them roughly the same amount of money in return.]
|
|
1 |
12/6/2004 |
Next March a
number of special One Piece-related plans* will see the light of day
and it's going to be a heck of a celebration. In the middle of working on it
all now. [*He's talking about One Piece
'hijacking' the heart of Tokyo's Shibuya district with gigantic posters to
celebrate One Piece being the fastest manga to break 100
million in sales. |
|
|
2 |
12/13/2004 |
348 |
Made a cheese
fondue. If you dig into one of those expecting to polish it off in one
sitting your stomach'll be bursting at the seams. |
|
3+4 |
12/20/2004 |
349 |
Bought a new
microwave. One of the functions is an automatic shutdown when the item is
warmed up enough. Unreal. |
|
5+6 |
1/3/2005 |
350 |
NEW YEAR!!! Last
year was, hmmm I guess a lot of things turned out to be, well, ya' know; but
of course this year I'm aspiring to draw a fun and interesting comic. |
|
7 |
1/17/2005 |
351 |
Having all seven
voice actors together for JUMP Festa 2005 with the cheers from the crowd was
really powerful. I had such a great time [at this year's]
on-stage event. |
|
8 |
1/24/2005 |
Changing of the
Editors. Habuyan*, thanks for four years ob yur... Whoops,
flubbed that. Thanks-bye!!... Seriously, I'm very grateful. [*See Chapter 90] |
Habuta*: I came aboard in
Alabasta and must disembark at The Water Capital. This grand adventure has
been nothing but happy memories! I'm so grateful to Captain Oda! [*See Chapter 90
entry] |
|
9 |
1/31/2005 |
My new Editor Mr.
Watanabe* is the first who's younger than me. 'Younger' being relative since
he's 27; I ain't gonna hold back asking for your help!! Thanks in advance. [*Daisuke Watanabe: The third
editor of One Piece. [See also: Chapter 433]
] |
|
|
10 |
2/7/2005 |
I drew some really
cool pictures for the special project [coming] this March!!* Had enough fun
to make up for the six months I took off from drawing color pictures last
year. [*He's talking about the Shibuya hijack
campaign. [Related comments: See Chapter 347] ] |
|
|
11 |
2/14/2005 |
355 |
In Chapter 353 I
mistakenly wrote '12 years ago' instead of '8 years ago'. I'm gonna sneak the
correct date into the volume. |
|
12 |
2/21/2005 |
Break |
|
|
13 |
2/28/2005 |
356 |
About that One
Piece Punch Battle that came out last year. All the staff members who've
been using it at the office are suffering from sore muscles. Bunch of
weaklings. That includes me. |
|
14 |
3/7/2005 |
As part of the
special plans for breaking the hundred million mark in sales we're hijacking
Shibuya!! And that means Shibuya is looking really friendly. If you live
close by stop on over! [Related comments: See Chapter 347] |
|
|
15 |
3/14/2005 |
358 |
Nosebleed FWOOSH!!
I got lots of chocolates this year too!! Thank y- *munch munch* Than- *munch
munch* Thanks!! |
|
16 |
3/19/2005* |
If you go into the
year's movie* unsteeled, it's gonna make you cry. And the animation is really
well done. The magic word is 'Toothbrush Moustache'. [*Oda is talking about One Piece The
Movie Baron Matsuri & The Secret Island.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 21st.] |
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I saw the latest One
Piece film!! It was constantly moving which was really refreshing. Luffy
was really cool! [*See Chapter 195] |
|
17 |
3/28/2005 |
360 |
Seeing my
assistants fighting over the controller for Grand Battle! RUSH is
hilarious!! And I'm really happy about all the hidden costumes. |
|
18 |
4/4/2005 |
Had a parting with
the anime's producer Shimizu-san* that I felt was incomplete. He took care of
me on an immeasurable level. Let's remain good friends. [*See Chapter 226] |
|
|
19 |
4/11/2005 |
362 |
There's this kind
of fish that I was never thrilled about eating when I was a kid. But now I
think I'm starting to like it. In fact it's delicious!! TASTY FISH!! |
|
20 |
4/18/2005 |
363 |
So I went outside
for a bit right, and as if on cue for pollen season there were a ton of
square-masked men about. |
|
21+22 |
4/25/2005 |
364 |
In springtime I
get a lot of fan mail where readers declare their determination for working
toward future goals. You guys have big dreams. I'm cheering for you with all
my heart. Don't let anything hold you back!! |
|
23 |
5/9/2005 |
Saw the Ichigo
100%* anime with my assistants. That's some really special background
music. Very nice stuff. [*Ichigo 100%: The anime based on
the love comedy-drama manga series published in Weekly Shonen JUMP by author
Mizuki Kawashita.] |
|
|
24 |
5/16/2005 |
The Straw Hat
Voice Acting Brigade tugged at my heartstrings by giving me a special
recording they made themselves on CD; and it's the only copy in existence.
You guys are the best. |
|
|
25 |
5/23/2005 |
Dragon
Dream on the Game Boy
Advance is really fun.* Not sure what to make of me, the author, getting
questions wrong on the quizzes though. [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
26 |
5/30/2005 |
368 |
Heard there was a
kind of mikan called 'dekopon' that's a special local product of my
home prefecture, Kumamoto. I tried one for the very first time and it was
sweet n' delish. |
|
27 |
6/6/2005 |
369 |
The anime has
entered the Water Seven arc and seems to be quite popular but I'm still on
that same series so on this end it's like all hell's
broken loose. |
|
28 |
6/13/2005 |
370 |
Regarding cell
phones as of late, they freeze up just like a PC. I wonder if this means
they'll start coming with [digital] drawing software too. |
|
29 |
6/20/2005 |
Really impressed
by Mr. Toshio Asakuma's* sculptures on display in Ikebukuro's Loft. I'm
waiting for them to be sold. I want to be able to draw animals like that. [*Toshio Asakuma: A sculptor known
for making sculptures of animals performing exaggerated or human-like
activities. Years later in 2012, Oda would collaborate with him for One
Piece-themed sculptures of animals and the
color spread for Chapter 651. |
|
|
30 |
6/27/2005 |
The iPod* broke.
And it's been one year since the PC I used to edit the [iPod] broke. START
FIXING YOURSELVES!! [*Related comments: See Chapter 220] |
|
|
31 |
7/4/2005 |
I went to see
Mayumi Tanaka* in a play for the first time in a long while. As usual the
troupe 'Oh, Peretta'** was a lot of fun. [*See Chapter 197] [**See Chapter 279] |
|
|
32 |
7/11/2005 |
Break |
|
|
33 |
7/16/2005* |
I saw Sanji's
voice actor Mr. Hirata* in a stage version of Flowers for Algernon and
was deeply moved. It was a remarkable performance. [*See Chapter 225] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 18th.] |
|
|
34 |
7/25/2005 |
Y-kun* of my staff
started tending to some flowers in our miniature garden. I wonder if they'll
actually bloom for someone as obstinate as me!? [*See Chapter 263] |
|
|
35 |
8/1/2005 |
I forgot to
mention this but Murata-san*, Takei-kun**, thank you for drawing Luffy in
JUMP Heroes. [*Yusuke Murata: Illustrator of the
popular Weekly Shonen JUMP football-based series Eyeshield 21
along with writer Riichiro Inagaki. He also illustrated theYoung
JUMP Web Comics series, One Punch Man. Here Oda is
thanking Murata and Hirofumi Takei for drawing a non-canon One
Piece side-story for a special one-time publication from Shueisha
called JUMP Heroes. [See also: Chapters 412,
503, 506 & 548] [**See Chapter 100] |
|
|
36+37 |
8/8/2005 |
377 |
Was on the 30th
floor of a building when an earthquake put the elevators out of commission.
My legs were cramped for two days after I took the stairs down. |
|
38 |
8/22/2005 |
After two years of
development it's finally here; presenting the cell phone hi-jacker Moja*!!
Check out page 13!! [*Moja: Short for 'mobile hijack',
a One Piece online game series for mobile devices in Japan. [See also: Chapters 432,
447, 461, 476, 498, 507,
553, 593 & 631] ] |
|
|
39 |
8/29/2005 |
I barged into
Watsuki-sensei's* new abode. It's a really spacious and clean place. Good livings means good work. [*See Chapter 1] |
|
|
40 |
9/5/2005 |
380 |
Went for a ride on
Odaiba's The Going Merry. I'd like to personally thank Matsuzaki-san* from
FujiTV for an amazing voyage. [*Yoko Matsuzaki: Head of
Organizational Planning at Fuji Television as well as television producer.] |
|
41 |
9/12/2005 |
Tears of joy [were shed]
upon receiving a One Piece-themed Boston terrier from plastic modeling
artist Mr. Toshio Asakuma*. Thank you very much!! [*See Chapter 371] |
|
|
42 |
9/17/2005* |
382 |
The title of next
Spring's movie* has already been decided. And I'm all finished with the
character design work. Now all I have to do is look forward to the finished
product. [*Oda is talking about One Piece The
Movie: The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 19th.] |
|
43 |
9/26/2005 |
Fighting
for One Piece.*
It's like a brawler, cool!! If the characters are big like that they're way
more impressive! Woooow!! [*Fighting for One Piece: A
One Piece fighting game for PlayStation 2.] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
44 |
10/3/2005 |
384 |
A fish cleaner I
know who gave me some tuna cheeks and the flavor was out of this world. |
|
45 |
10/8/2005* |
Saw Final
Fantasy's Advent Children* and was moved by the evolution of the CG age.
Its beauty is blinding. [*Related comments: See Chapter 84] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 10th.] |
|
|
46 |
10/17/2005 |
Mr. Children* is truly,
just incredible every single time. The lyrics from their new album**
are very honest and I'm soaking them in. Mmm~MH, they're good. [*Mr. Children: A popular Japanese
band, and a personal favorite of Oda's, which provided the main theme "fanfare"
for One Piece Film STRONG WORLD. The band's singer is Kazutoshi
Sakurai. He participated in a lengthy interview with Oda in the trend and
fashion magazine SWITCH. [See also: Chapters 561,
566, 571 & 572] ] [** I *heart* U: The 2005 album
from Mr. Children. Although not directly stated, there is a strong
possibility the lyrics which Oda referred to are from the song "Running
High" that he would discuss in an interview with Mr. Children's
vocalist, Kazutoshi Sakurai, in their 2009 interview from the trend
and fashion magazine SWITCH.] |
|
|
47 |
10/24/2005 |
Break |
|
|
48 |
10/31/2005 |
387 |
The second One
Piece omnibus [comic] will be coming out. I asked them to make it as cheap as they
possibly could for you boys who don't have the money to collect all the
comics. |
|
49 |
11/7/2005 |
Morita-sensei* was
on TV. His workplace was so neat and friendly. Please put me on your staff. [*See Chapter 80] |
|
|
50 |
11/14/2005 |
Went to Roppongi.
To meet someone amazing.* They tell me I can't spill the beans yet. [*The individual he referred to is likely
Yoshitaka Amano** with whom he had an interview for Color Walk 3 LION. [**Yoshitaka Amano: The artist and
graphic design responsible for many early title in the Final Fantasy
series of video games and the illustrator of the Vampire Hunter D
series of novels and films. |
|
|
51 |
11/21/2005 |
390 |
Here at year's end
I can only describe it as rush hour for a ton of neat projects I'm working
on. That's a shout of happiness [not of complaint]. |
|
52 |
11/28/2005 |
There's an artbook
coming out!! For the customary interview I sat down with Mr. Yoshitaka
Amano*. What a pleasant man. [*See Chapter 389]
|
|
|
1 |
12/5/2005 |
Break |
|
|
2 |
12/12/2005 |
392 |
I like that [new]
comedian* who says, "DA-MNIIIT!" I can't help but worry about the
day he destroys his vocal chords. [*Koume Dayuu: A solo comedian who
saw brief popularity with his maiko character routine.] |
|
3 |
12/19/2005 |
393 |
Bought a shredder.
Wa-hooah it's sick. More…need more, are there any more secret documents!? |
|
4+5 |
12/26/2005 |
394 |
One
Piece's big Christmas
event. I hear it was a huge success. I reeeally wanted to go. Seems like
everyone had such a good time. |
|
6+7 |
1/7/2006* |
395 |
Went to Jump FESTA
and thought about how funny the actors all are up on stage like that. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 9th.] |
|
8 |
1/23/2006 |
396 |
Wishing you a
happy New Year. Went to a hot spring and a sea of adventure with some friends
at the end of the year. Gonna be another year of thrills and excitement!!! |
|
9 |
1/30/2006 |
397 |
The movie, The
Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle~!!! I'm serious!!! Please see
it!!! To the theater, now GO!!!!* It's really fun!!! [*Oda actually used the English word 'go'
in caps.] |
|
10 |
2/6/2006 |
The
Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle's director, Mr. Kounosuke Uda*, is someone I put my complete
faith in!! Check it out!! [*See Chapter 206] |
|
|
11 |
2/13/2006 |
399 |
I really enjoyed
Noppo Takami-san's* DVD, "Grandfather Grasshopper"**. It's a
remarkable song. [*Noppo Takami: A TV personality
who hosted the popular children's program Dekirukana on NHK.
His trademark on-camera silence was only broken once in the last episode of
the program. A Japanese Fred Rogers fused with Marcel Marceau if you will.] [**The title of a song from the DVD The
Tale of the Grasshopper.] |
|
12 |
2/20/2006 |
|
The week before
last on the cover story I forget that Crocodile's left hand was a hook.
(laughs) No biggie, not like anyone noticed, right. |
|
13 |
2/27/2006 |
401 |
"There's
nothing like hearing laughter from the audience in a movie theater!", said a member of the movie staff. We've spent a
year making this film of epic proportions!! MECHA!!! |
|
14 |
3/6/2006 |
402 |
Since last year
I've been inching my way through Animal Crossing on the DS. I wanna
reel in a shark, I need the shark. |
|
15 |
3/13/2006 |
403 |
Nosebleed
FWOOOOSH!! There were hardly any Valentine's Day chocolates addressed to the
characters this year. What's gives, sending ME chocolates? My deepest
thanks. |
|
16 |
3/20/2006 |
404 |
Went to see the
movie!!* I was laughing from beginning to end. But Nami's chest jiggled way
too much (lol) Really enjoyed it!! [*Oda is talking about One Piece The
Movie: The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle.] |
|
17 |
3/27/2006 |
I met Mr. Goro
Inagaki* and Mr. Kato & Mr. Yamamoto of 'Gokuraku'** at the launch party
of the film.*3 We didn't get a chance to talk very long but I'm grateful to
you for lending your talents to the movie. [*Goro Inagaki: A member of the
popular J-pop boy band SMAP*4. He voiced the
villain, Rachet. Goro appears from time to time on the King of One
Piece corner of the SMAP television program SMAP
X SMAP and makes (likely scripted) jabs at the series as if he knows
nothing about it. He can do this since most of society has forgotten by now
that he was actually involved in one of the films.] [**Koji Kato and Keiichi Yamamoto:
Two members of the comedy duo Gokuraku Tombo who lent their voices to
the supporting villains of the film. In July that year Yamamoto was accused
of raping a minor and immediately retreated from the entertainment business
leaving the film as a difficult-to-promote black sheep of the bunch.] [*3Oda is talking about One
Piece The Movie: The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle.] [*4See Chapter 275] |
|
|
18 |
4/3/2006 |
Break |
|
|
19 |
4/10/2006 |
406 |
A
collection of past One Piece omnibus [comics] are especially for new readers. They told me you can order 1-7 at
your local bookstore. |
|
20 |
4/17/2006 |
Went for a stroll
to see the new blossoms. Something wonderful about hearing the overacting of
a baked sweet potato salesman while walking on a path with cherry blossom
petals dancing to the ground. |
Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I went to Shibuya to see
the One Piece movie. The crowd was in stitches through the whole
thing! The final attack was awesome too! |
|
21+22 |
4/24/2006 |
I went to see
Yoshitaka Amano-san's* gallery exhibit. As expected it was stirring. It's definitely
something you should experience once in your life. [*See Chapter 389]
|
|
|
23 |
5/8/2006 |
409 |
20 or so One
Piece characters made from Kewpie Dolls. A reader sent me them. They're
awwwesome. Thank you. |
|
24 |
5/15/2006 |
410 |
Been having
hotdogs for dinner lately. Literally pounding 'em down. Packed away four
while just drawing this week's color page. |
|
25 |
5/22/2006 |
'Shinyappo'
Suzuki*!! Here's to your hard work on Mr. Fullswing. Quite a long
serialization. Get some rest, okay. [*See Chapter 21] |
|
|
26 |
5/29/2006 |
This is terribly
late but Murata-kun*, congratulations on your marriage! I heard all the good
news from Inagaki-san**. [*See Chapter 376] [**See Chapter 302] |
|
|
27 |
6/5/2006 |
I saw Mayumi
Tanaka* in the stage production of On With Opportunism!** Geez, I couldn't stop
laughing!!! [*See Chapter 197] [**On With Opportunism!: Original
Japanese title is Gotugoushuugi de Ikou!] |
|
|
28 |
6/12/2006 |
I tried the 99%
pure chocolate that 'Murasame-kun's' Itou-san* has been attempting to
get me to eat. BI-!!! SO BITTERRRRR~R!!** [*See Chapter 52.
The work of his Oda mentions that was being run in Weekly Shonen JUMP at the
time was The Mysterious Murasame-kun.] [**Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 415] |
|
|
29 |
6/19/2006 |
Watching bits and
pieces of Stephen Chow films recently. What a remarkable dumbass. I strive to
be an adult that focuses intensely on creating such stupidity. |
Mikio Itou* [Nazo no Murasame-kun]- For someone who can
munch on 99% pure chocolate I just can't handle coffee black. Too bitter.** [*See Chapter 52]
|
|
30 |
6/26/2006 |
416 |
The role of young
Robin's voice has been cast for the animation. YOWZA!!! Please you've gotta
watch it!!! |
|
31 |
7/3/2006 |
Found myself swept
into a takoyaki party* with the Straw Hat Voice Acting Brigade out of the
blue. Yuriko-san's** takoyaki is professional grade quality. [Takoyaki
Party: An annual party that usually takes place at Oda's residence. The
tradition started quite simple with just the voice acting team but over time
the party has become a major event and a number of celebrities usually attend
as guests. It would seem that in 2008 they didn't
have time for a party at anyone's home, but they did manage to stay overnight
in Nagoya for a celebration. [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 454,
547, 589, 673, 717] ] [**See Chapter 330] |
|
|
32 |
7/10/2006 |
418 |
The staff is
fixated on Monster Hunter. Seems their total playtime is 800 hours and
it would appear they're still going. |
|
33 |
7/15/2006* |
419 |
I attended the
Serial [Comic] Commemoration Awards. Was a rare case where I finished my
manuscripts beforehand so I could relax and enjoy myself. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 17th.] |
|
34 |
7/24/2006 |
420 |
Mr. Shoushou
Kurihara*, author of the comic upon which the [new] TV
drama Uramiya Honpo was based on, has been a friend of mine for a long
time. It's really intriguing. [*Shousou Kurihara: Author of the Uramiya
Honpo manga series of titles which mainly appeared in Business
JUMP.] |
|
35 |
7/31/2006 |
421 |
So there's this
console called Wii that looks like it's pretty good
for your body. I bet all the kids are really into it. |
|
36+37 |
8/7/2006 |
422 |
An attack of
Luffy's I couldn't remember turned up on an i-mode*
search. Databases that fans make are so useful (lol) [*i-mode: The internet browsing
service on Japan's Docomo brand phones.] |
|
38 |
8/21/2006 |
I've been a fan of
that testosterone-filled brawler series Tekken from way back. I
noticed it just kind of appeared on PSP so I'm gonna give it a spin.* [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 426] |
|
|
39 |
8/28/2006 |
Luffy's Gear 2nd
in the anime was seriously awesome. Sakai-san* directed that. [Munehisa Sakai: Responsible for
work on series like Dragon Ball Z and director of the One
Piece Film STRONG WORLD] |
|
|
40 |
9/4/2006 |
425 |
A One Piece
event at Shinagawa was literally overflowing with excited children.* I'm so
happy I'm a manga author. [*A limited event at the Shingawa Prince
Hotel called One Piece: Meirojima no Daibouken or 'Adventure on
Maze Island' that ran from August 5th through August 20th. It was evidently
geared towards young children.] |
|
41 |
9/11/2006 |
I met this
cheerful old-timer aged 71 years where I was staying in Okinawa and he showed
me around the place for two whole days. Goya champuru from its birthplace was
amazing. [Goya champuru: Okinawan-style stir
fry] |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- I purchased Tekken for the PSP. Oda-san, if you have
some time, let's go for a round.** [**Related comment: See Chapter 423] |
|
42 |
9/16/2006* |
I kinda broke my
policy of not using toner for characters' clothing.**
(lol) Congratulations! 30 years!!** [*This issue celebrated the 30th
anniversary of Kochi Kame and the main character, Ryo-san, made
a cameo in One Piece. The policy that Oda speaks of is using
screen tone for Ryo's clothes. Oda never uses screen tone on clothing design unless
it's for shading purposes.] [**Related comment: See Chapter 158] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 18th.] |
|
|
43 |
9/25/2006 |
'Ejirin'*
from P2 is actually one of our former staff members. I'm thrilled! Go
for it!!! [*See Chapter 68] |
|
|
44 |
10/2/2006 |
429 |
I've just gotten a
Frenchman as a younger older brother. Big sis, Cyrille,
congratulations on your marriage! |
|
45 |
10/7/2006* |
430 |
Recently I had an
epiphany, 'I put down three packs on natto today'. Natto's so freakin'
delicious I just….'I CAN'T STOP'!!** [*He wrote that last part in English as
is.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 9th.] |
|
46 |
10/16/2006 |
Break |
|
|
47 |
10/23/2006 |
431 |
The anime has
stopped airing on some affiliate stations. I think more than contacting me,
if you contact the local providers directly, they might be able to do
something. |
|
48 |
10/30/2006 |
An RPG just came
out on i-mode's Moja*!!! So this is how far phones have come!? Sick!!! [*See Chapter 378] |
|
|
49 |
11/6/2006 |
I've got a new
editor!! Watanabe-san*, thank you for all your work!! Kawashima-san**,
'pleasure's mine! [*See Chapter 353] [**Naoki Kawashima aka
'Pooh-san': The 4th editor of One Piece. |
|
|
50 |
11/13/2006 |
434 |
Regarding
Whitebeard's original jolly roger that was nixed in the anime. Now I've been
told I can't use it in the comic either.* [*This was due to Whitebeard's original
jolly roger containing a Buddhist manji. Despite being a common symbol
for temples in Japan, as One Piece was picking up popularity
overseas it was determined that it would be troubling to deal with such a
symbol in rigid and unaccepting cultures.] |
|
51 |
11/20/2006 |
435 |
Next year's movie*
will be about the Alabasta arc!!! I'd like new readers or even people that
don't know anything about One Piece to check it out. [*The film would end up being One
Piece Episode of Alabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates.] |
|
52 |
11/27/2006 |
Break |
|
|
1 |
12/4/2006 |
436 |
Had a party with
the anime staff onboard a ship. Gonna try to express
the kind of fun we had in my work. |
|
2 |
12/11/2006 |
The anime's
timeslot changed and the ratings are phenomenal. Anime really is for
kids. |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Finally, this weekend is JUMP Festa! Oda-sensei and I will have
a stage [event] together so please come on out. [*See Chapter 175] |
|
3 |
12/18/2006 |
438 |
Oboro Tofu is
'nomnomlicious'. Your 'epic-cutie ' Oda is currently studying Shoko-tanese*.
Not really, just 'lulzing'. [*Shoko Nakagawa aka 'Shoko-tan':
A gravure idol famous for her otaku-like manner of speaking on her blog.] |
|
4+5 |
12/25/2006 |
I think I worked
pretty hard this year. I hear next year will be the 10th anniversary. Several
projects are brewing that we've got under wraps. |
Akira
Toriyama* [Dragon Ball]- Nice work Oda-kun! This is the first manga I've done in a long
time so it took about half a day to find my utensils. Couldn't even see the
paper too well because of my old age. *slumps*
[*They are talking about the Dragon Ball & One Piece cross-over one-shot, Cross Epoch] |
|
6+7 |
1/6/2007* |
I gotta eat a
lotta mochi* if I wanna finish the projects we have lined up. Looking forward
to this year with you! [*Related comment: See Chapter 169] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 8th.] |
|
|
8 |
1/22/2007 |
Totally forgot a
New Year's greeting so here's wishing you very happy new year. Went to
Luffy's Mayumi-san's* place and ate and had a great time. [*See Chapter 197] |
|
|
9 |
1/29/2007 |
Went to the first
of the [Weekly Shonen
JUMP authors'] New
Year's parties.* Boy it was good to see 'Ejirin'** after all these years. [*He literally says 'first hour' but it's
a term to indicate the first of a series of parties. Japanese drinking
parties traditionally spill over into a second or even a third (or more)
after-party, each at a different location until everyone stumbles home.
According to Tite Kubo's entry there were three.] [*Related comments: See Chapter 27] [**See Chapter 68] |
|
|
10 |
2/5/2007 |
443 |
Tickle Me Elmo is
scary. And yet amazing. Scamazing. Red. |
|
11 |
2/10/2007* |
444 |
Hello there. This
is MyMix* Oda. The MyMix-man who has been hand-picked in order to be allowed
to read his friend's diary. [*Mixi: Essentially a Japanese Facebook.
By being added to a friend's list, you can read his or her diary. The term
'MyMix' (pronounced 'maimiku') is what acquaintances on a friend list are
called.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 12th.] |
|
12 |
2/19/2007 |
445 |
I hope you'll take
a look at the movie on the official site for Episode of Alabasta. It's
good. |
|
13 |
2/26/2007 |
446 |
E
! I ! G ! A !*
★ Ei-GA!! M ! O !
V ! I ! E
! ★ Mmm..Ei-GA! Running from March through mid-April go and see
it!!** [*Eiga 'Movie' in Japanese. He
actually wrote each individual letter in alphabetical letters, the rest was
in Japanese.] [**Oda is talking about One Piece
Episode of Alabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates.] |
|
14 |
3/5/2007 |
The 'Super Battle'
has finally begun at the mobile site 'Moja!'* What's this excitement I feel? [*See Chapter 378] |
|
|
15 |
3/12/2007 |
448 |
In a nutshell, One
Piece Unlimited Adventure is a HUGE project that I've put three-fold the
time and effort compared to other titles. |
|
16 |
3/19/2007 |
Break |
|
|
17 |
3/26/2007 |
449 |
I heard lots of
sniffles in the theater. You guys really moved me!! Seems like there's a lot
of men going to see it this year.* Give it up for the movie staff!! [*Oda is talking about One Piece
Episode of Alabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates.] |
|
18 |
4/2/2007 |
Atsushi-san*,
Yaguchi-san**, Yama-chan*3, Shizu-chan*4 and Kawashima-san*5 I want
to extend my gratitude to the movie support team!!*6 [*Atsushi Tamura: Half of the
comedy duo London Boots. The character Absalom bears a striking resemblance
to Atsushi's face...well at least his eyes do.] [**See Chapter 207] [*3Ryota Yamasato aka
'Yama-chan': Half of the comedy duo, Nankai Candies. Ryota is a real-life
One Piece fan and has even been to parties with the voice actors and Oda. The
character Dr. Hogback is based on his personality. [See also: Chapters 454
& 680] ] [*4Shizuyo Yamasaki aka
'Shizu-chan': The other half of the comedy duo, Nankai Candies. In the
years since she has gone on to perform professional boxing. The character
Cindry is based on her personality.] [*5Ai Kawashima: The
singer and songwriter who performed the film's theme song, "compass".]
[*6Kawashima aside, these four
were hired to 'promote' the movie by being promotional 'cheerleaders' for it.
Due to this, characters from Thriller Bark were said to be based on them.
It's been confirmed for Yama-chan and Shizu-chan while Atsushi & Yaguchi
remain unconfirmed but highly suspicious.] |
|
|
19 |
4/9/2007 |
I got permission
from Ken Shimura's* office before I drew the special comic for One Piece
Yellow. [*Ken Shimura: A member of the
legendary Japanese comedy and band group The Drifters. Oda mentions
this because he included many signature gags of the famous comedian in the
comic SPACE TIME. He has also used a number of Shimura's gags
in the main series as well, for instance, Chopper's 'happy dance' is taken
from one of Shimura's famous characters, Henna Ojisan.] |
|
|
20 |
4/16/2007 |
452 |
NOSEBLEED
FWOO~~~~~SH!! This is way overdue. Thank you for the Valentine chocolates. |
|
21 |
4/23/2007 |
453 |
Went wandering
aimlessly around the neighborhood for cherry blossom viewing. Next year I'll
definitely do it the right way in the right place. |
|
22+23 |
4/28/2007* |
Had a takoyaki
extravaganza* at the home of Luffy's voice actress, Mayumi Tanaka**. We ate
too much and ran out of octopus. Nankai Yama-chan*3 came too and
it was a blast. [*Related comments: See Chapter 417] [**See Chapter 197] [*3See Chapter 450] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 28th.] |
|
|
24 |
5/14/2007 |
455 |
One
Piece Rainbow! And
the pop-up picture book*! Really classy and amazing books. I'm completely
satisfied. [*The book's title is One Piece
Grand Paper Adventure.] |
|
25 |
5/21/2007 |
456 |
The pop-up book*
project is something that first came up about 5 or 6 years ago. It's a
special book I've wanted to complete for quite a while! [*The book's title is One Piece
Grand Paper Adventure.] |
|
26 |
5/28/2007 |
The planning for
the extra special events this summer are chugging
along. Both are great. Start bugging your parents now about going to Osaka*
and Kamakura**. [*Oda is talking about the One Piece
Premier stunt show which ran for the first time that year at Universal
Studios Japan. [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapters 469
& 679] ] [**Oda is talking about the Kamakura
Hijack stamp rally event. [**Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 466]
] |
|
|
27 |
6/4/2007 |
It's a little late
but congrats on your marriage Nishi-kun*!! I bet your happiness will help you
draw even better. [*Yoshiyuki Nishi: The author of Muhyo
& Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. [See also: 2007
Issue #29 (One Piece break)] ] |
|
|
28 |
6/11/2007 |
459 |
18 special pages
in Volume 46. All diagrams of Sunny. I wanted to draw more. |
|
29 |
6/18/2007 |
|
Yoshiyuki Nishi* [Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation]- The other day I attended the Serial [Comic]
Commemoration Awards. I really enjoyed getting the chance to talk with
Oda-sensei about color. |
|
30 |
6/25/2007 |
460 |
In the anime, the
parting with Merry, splendid job making me cry. YOU TOEI FIENDS! Makin' me a
wreck on a Sunday morning. |
|
31 |
7/2/2007 |
The messaging
battle game on 'Moja!'* is awesome!! Unlimited is really cool too! Don't miss
out! [*See Chapter 378] |
|
|
32 |
7/9/2007 |
462 |
Makogarei* is in
season so I had some. DELISH! Special thanks to Kojima-kun at the fish market
who always takes care of me! [*Makogarei: A variety of flatfish] |
|
33 |
7/14/2007* |
I thoroughly
enjoyed reading the final chapter of Boobobo. Sawai-kun*, that's 6
years of hard work. So how about a break? [*See Chapter 195] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday on
Monday the 16th.] |
|
|
34 |
7/23/2007 |
Try doing a search
for "Yaguchi"* and "Yamaken"**. 10th Anniversary internet
radio broadcast has begun!*3 I know you guys will do great! [*See Chapter 207] [**Kenji Yamamoto aka 'Yamaken': A
radio director and personality. He worked with former Morning Musume
member Mari Yaguchi on a 26-episode internet radio broadcast.] [*3ONE PIECE 10th
Anniversary Yaguchi & Yamamken Radio - Grand Line: An internet radio
program that ran for 26 episodes from July 4th 2007 through January 1st 2008.
The broadcast was a celebration of One Piece's 10th
anniversary.] |
|
|
35 |
7/30/2007 |
I'm considering
burning some Balsam* at the workplace. In celebration of 10 years I'm going
to burn Balsam. [*Balsam: A flea, cockroach and
mite-killing vapor] |
Akira Amano* [Reborn!]- I missed out on
talking with you at the New Year's party but congratulations on 10
years Oda-sensei!** [*Akira Amano: Author of the successful manga from Weekly Shonen JUMP, Reborn!] [**Related comments: See Chapter 27] |
|
36+37 |
8/6/2007 |
Went to the
Kamakura Hijack*. Was surprised there were so many people out even though it
was cloudy. I also had a great time at the beach. [*A stamp rally event in Kamakura that led
fans on a trip through the historic area visiting temples and shrines. The
final destination was a One Piece-themed beach house. Oda attended
the opening ceremony event on July 21st 2007. There was also a surfboard
signed by Oda himself on display. [Related comment: See Chapter 457] ] |
|
|
38 |
8/20/2007 |
467 |
To all the
authors, celebrities and production staff, thank you from the bottom of my
heart for making 10th Treasures possible. It's an amazing book. [*One Piece 10th Treasures: A One
Piece fanbook with special interviews, images, data and comics.] |
|
39 |
8/27/2007 |
468 |
Recently I've
started up that 'Rodeo Boy' device. The tip-top of my ass-crack is sore. |
|
40 |
9/3/2007 |
I went to see the
Universal Studios Japan Premiere Show!! What an awesome gig. Gotta see it
again!!! [Related comments: See Chapter 457] |
|
|
41 |
9/10/2007 |
470 |
I finished
checking the script of next year's movie* and wrapped up designing the new
characters. Please look forward to it. [*The movie he's talking about would
become One Piece the Movie Episode of Chopper+ The Miraculous
Winter-Blooming Sakura] |
|
42 |
9/15/2007* |
Break |
[*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 17th.] |
|
43 |
9/22/2007* |
Pay attention to
Brook's voice actor!!* I cracked up when I heard how perfectly it fit. You
can hear him in Gear Spirit for the DS too. [*Shigeru Nagashima aka
'Cho-san': The voice actor for Brook. [See also: Chapter 487]
] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 24th.] |
|
|
44 |
10/1/2007 |
472 |
I tried all of the
Lawson* x One Piece products!! YUM!! The onigiri is very marketable.
Despite being HUGE. [*Lawson: A convenience store
chain. They provided a number of One Piece-themed foods for the 10th anniversary of the series.] |
|
45 |
10/6/2007* |
I went to see
Dorikamu's* 60,000-fans-strong jam-packed highlight concert of. I actually
got to talk with the stars. [*Dreams Come True aka 'Dorikamu':
A band from Japan currently consisting of bassist Masato Nakamura and
singer-songwriter Miwa Yoshida. They later performed the theme song
"Mata ne" for the One Piece movie, One
Piece The Movie Episode of Chopper+ The Miraculous Winter-Blooming Sakura. [See also: Chapters 488,
493, 550, 641 & 700] ] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 8th.] |
|
|
46 |
10/15/2007 |
474 |
The wrap party for
the anime's Water 7 arc was great. The anime has already been going 8 years.
Made it seem more like a family get-together. |
|
47 |
10/22/2007 |
475 |
The recap section
of Volume 47. Where it says 'Former Shichibukai', color in the 'Former' part
with a pen.* [*This was a mistake regarding the status
of One Piece villain Moriah.] |
|
48 |
10/29/2007 |
The au* version of
Moja!** has launched and it seems like people are
already enjoying it. It's the same as the Docomo version. Have a look. [*au: A Japanese cellular phone
service company] [**See Chapter 378
entry] |
|
|
49 |
11/5/2007 |
Changing editors
again. I'd like to keep one editor for at least 3 years. Thanx
Kawashima-san*, letz go Onishi-san**. [*See Chapter 433] [**Kouhei Onishi: The fifth editor
of One Piece. Onishi previously worked with Hideaki Sorachi
on Gintama. He is also the first One Piece media
editor, a position he took after leaving the manga editor position. He also
holds the distinction of being the first editor to leave the series as an
editor and then return to it. In 2013 he returned to the media editor
position. |
|
|
50 |
11/12/2007 |
478 |
The original pages
[we draw] are B4
size. Recently fax and shredders are all A4 size only. TOO SMALL!! |
|
51 |
11/19/2007 |
When it comes to
matsutake rice* the best way to eat it is: adding a lot of the cheap
mushrooms, instead of only a few expensive ones. [*Matsutake rice: An autumn dish
made with notoriously expensive matsutake mushrooms. [See also: Chapter 602]
] |
|
|
52 |
11/26/2007 |
Break |
|
|
1 |
12/3/2007 |
480 |
The one-shot Toriko
from last week was exciting. I wanna read it in serialization puh-leeeze!! |
|
2 |
12/10/2007 |
I had an interview
with Usuta-kun. Actually, less an interview than a…a what? Gabfest? Seems it
will be going on sale in January. [*See Chapter 26.
Here Oda is talking about the interview he conducted with him in the Blow
with a Fwoosh! Jaguar fanbook, Blow
with a Fwoosh! Jaguar: Fueka Jiyuu Kenkyuu.] |
|
|
3 |
12/17/2007 |
Inagaki-san*, I
got a fax-copier!! It's so useful!! Have all the pros been using this!? [*See Chapter 302] |
|
|
4+5 |
12/25/2007* |
I started
listening to the work of Torazo Hirosawa*. It's given me all sorts of
inspiration. That's all for now.** [*Shinichi Yamada aka 'Torazo
Hirosawa': Torazo Hirosawa is the stage name bestowed upon a line of
performing artists who carried out a style of entertainment known as rokyoku
which is essentially telling a story accompanied by a shamisen. Although Oda
did not specify which Torazo, as there were several generations who
earned the stage name, it's most likely he was referring to the work of
Torazo Hirosawa the 2nd. He appeared in one of Oda's favorite films, Jirocho
Sangokushi, which Oda would go on to draw the DVD jacket cover for in
2011. [Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 644]
] [**It appears there's a spelling error in
the last sentence. It doesn't seem to be a deliberate choice on Oda's part
and thus I omitted any hint of an error. Either way, the last sentence refers
to how traditional performers would either end their show or change acts,
just like Torazo might have done.] [*A rare Tuesday release (such as advertised) due to a national
holiday on Sunday the 23rd which became a substitute holiday on Monday the
24th.] |
|
|
6+7 |
1/4/2008* |
484 |
We find ourselves
in the midst of a Kinnosuke Yorozuya* boom. Of course I'm a fan of Kin-chan
myself. A GOOD man. [*Kinnosuke Yorozawa aka
Kinnosuke 'Nakamura': Classic Japanese actor upon whom
the One Piece character Kinnemon is based on. His
performing name was Kinnosuke Nakamura.] [*A rare Friday release (such as advertised) due to a national
holiday from January 1st~3rd.] |
|
8 |
1/21/2008 |
Wishing you a
happy New Year. Big thanks to all involved with JUMP Festa. Year after year
the voice actors and actresses are so energetic it makes me happy just seeing
them. |
|
|
9 |
1/28/2008 |
486 |
The advance
tickets for next year's* One Piece movie are being sold by the
truckloads breaking our previous records. Great news. [*Despite the date I must assume Oda meant
'this year'. There's a good chance he wrote this comment before the new
year.] |
|
10 |
2/4/2008 |
The anime has
reached Thriller Bark and Brook's Cho-san* is superb. Check it out, ok. [*See Chapter 471] |
|
|
11 |
2/9/2008* |
Dorikamu*
allowed me to draw the cover art of their incredible single, "Mata
ne"! It's got some of my scribbles on the inside too; on sale
February 27th. [*See Chapter 473] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 11th.] |
|
|
12 |
2/18/2008 |
Break |
|
|
13 |
2/25/2008 |
489 |
I'm really sorry
about that. I used my break last week to work on something you're all gonna
love next year. It's going to knock your socks off. I'll do my best.* [*It's very possible that Oda is hinting
at early work on One Piece Film STRONG WORLD] |
|
14 |
3/3/2008 |
490 |
Reports from the
movie's* screenings are very positive!!! I'm dying to see what the viewers
have to say myself. [*One Piece The Movie Episode of
Chopper+ The Miraculous Winter-Blooming Sakura] |
|
15 |
3/10/2008 |
So, Prince of
Tennis finally came to an end. A long-term serialization that stretched
over 9 years, Konomi-san*, congratulations on a job well done. [*Takeshi Konomi: Author of the
popular Prince of Tennis series which was published in Weekly
Shonen JUMP and later continued in JUMP Square.] |
|
|
16 |
3/17/2008 |
492 |
The Chopper arc
movie is a remarkable achievement. Complete satisfaction. I'm literally
beaming with pride. |
|
17 |
3/24/2008 |
Nakamura-san from
'Dorikamu'* wrote up his impressions of the movie**. You can check it out at
the 'Dorikamu-buro'*3. [*See Chapter 473] [**One Piece The Movie Episode of
Chopper+ The Miraculous Winter-Blooming Sakura.] [*3Dorikamu-buro: Dreams
Come True Blog] |
|
|
18 |
3/31/2008 |
494 |
The final push!!
Please bring all your fathers to see the movie*. I wanna make some dads cry! [*One Piece The Movie Episode of
Chopper+ The Miraculous Winter-Blooming Sakura.] |
|
19 |
4/7/2008 |
Mr. Takei* has
been working on refurbishing his original drafts since the year before last.
Fans are gonna love the Shaman King
perfect edition. [*See Chapter 14] |
|
|
20 |
4/14/2008 |
496 |
I realized it's
about time I started writing New Year's postcards, so I'm working on them.
Happy New Year. |
|
21 |
4/21/2008 |
497 |
NOSEBLEED
FWOO------SH!! I forgot to say 'thank you' for Valentine's [chocolates]!
They were delicious!! |
|
22+23 |
4/28/2008 |
The One Piece
mobile site Moja* now has an online Othello game. I guess I shouldn't
be surprised by what they can do with these things by now, fantastic! [*See Chapter 378
entry] |
|
|
24 |
5/12/2008 |
Break |
|
|
25 |
5/19/2008 |
499 |
I'm in the middle
of handling the story for next year's One Piece movie*. I might cause
some hiccups in JUMP but that's because I refuse to half-ass my way through
either job. [*He's talking about One Piece Film
STRONG WORLD.] |
|
26 |
5/26/2008 |
|
Was at Shaman
King's Takei-san's* place for a barbeque. I carved my way into a slab of
meat from Hanamasa Butchers. That store is awesome. [*See Chapter 14] |
|
27 |
6/2/2008 |
501 |
I added a bunch of
decorations to the back of my cell phone only to realize, that made it
impossible to fit into the charger. LOL. |
|
28 |
6/9/2008 |
Yoshitaka
Amano-san's* Vegetable Fairies** on NHK is reaaa~lly classy. [*See Chapter 389]
[**Vegetable Fairies: A series of
3-D/watercolor-style animated shorts with designs by Yoshitaka Amano.] |
|
|
29 |
6/16/2008 |
Manga author
hopefuls must have a blast reading Hettapi Manga Studio. If you read
that you can learn to be a pro!! Murata-kun*, do your best!** [*See Chapter 376] [**Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 506] |
|
|
30 |
6/23/2008 |
504 |
I couldn't attend
the Serial [Comic] Commemoration Awards. I missed out on some great party food. |
|
31 |
6/30/2008 |
505 |
I've been
introduced to this coffee maker-like-thing, the Dolce Gusto. The staff and I
are pounding down the joe.* [Interestingly enough, this comment was
near the publication of Chapter 501 in which Oda introduced the Coffee
Monkeys team. There's a possibility the coffee maker may have been his
inspiration for the name.] |
|
32 |
7/7/2008 |
There's two of 'em now!! Onishi-san* is now in charge of media and
Hattori-san** is in charge of the manga. Two editors huh, iii~nteresting.*3 [*See Chapter 477] [**Akira Jean-Baptiste Hattori aka
'Bapti': The sixth manga editor of One Piece. Hattori is
known for his striking looks. He's half-French and half-Japanese. He was born
in France and raised in Akita prefecture of Japan.] [See also: Chapters 530,
608, 662, 670, 692 & 699] ] [*3Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 530] |
Yusuke Murata* [Eyeshield 21, Hettapi Manga Kenkyuujo R, One Punch Man]- I'm very appreciative of Oda-san's words of support.** It
really sparked a fire in me but out of nowhere came a number of unexpected
stumbling blocks. [**Related comment: See Chapter 503] |
|
33 |
7/14/2008 |
Break |
|
|
34 |
7/19/2008* |
The second RPG has
finally come out on the One Piece mobile site Moja*! I've been
waiting for it. It's gorgeous!! [*See Chapter 378] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 21st.] |
|
|
35 |
7/28/2008 |
I stayed overnight
in Nagoya with the voice acting and anime staff. Eating REAL miso katsu* is
like having a completely different kind of dish. A delicacy. [*Miso katsu: Breaded and fried
pork cutlets covered in miso.] |
|
|
36 |
8/4/2008 |
509 |
This is the last
week we're accepting votes for the popularity ranking.* I'm looking forward
to the results this time more than ever before. I can't imagine how it's
going to turn out. [*This was the fourth One Piece
popularity ranking poll. The results were published in Issue #49 of 2008.] |
|
37+38 |
8/11/2008 |
I am sooo~ looking
forward to One Piece Unlimited Cruise.* As I promised Ganbarion**, I
beat the first game!! [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] [**Ganbarion: The makers of many One
Piece video games.] |
|
|
39 |
8/25/2008 |
And now Tezuka* and
Akatsuka**, masters of their field, are both gone.*3 Now
that they're gone we realize that the size of our loss is comparable to the
North Star itself. [*Fujio Akatsuka: Manga author of
such respected works as Tensai Bakabon and Himitsu no
Akko-chan. He passed away on August 2nd, 2009. The 'Big Two' Awards**
are named for both of these men.] [**Osamu Tezuka: The historic manga
author widely regarded as the man responsible for inspiring the modern manga
theory and industry whose works include such world-renowned titles as Astro
Boy, Phoenix and Black Jack.] [*3Related comments: See
Chapter 24] |
|
|
40 |
9/1/2008 |
Ponyo, Ponyo,
Ponyo tiny little fish, She's a little fish from the deep blue sea, Ponyo,
Pon-* [*Ponyo: Hayao Miyazaki's
2008 Ghibli film was a hit in Japan that summer. The official lyrics for this
section in the English version are: "Ponyo, ponyo, ponyo, fishy in the
sea tiny little fishy, who could you really be?"] |
|
|
41 |
9/8/2008 |
The Shinobu
Kaitani* Pirate Crew attacked our office. What a nuisance. Come back anytime. [*See Chapter 285] |
|
|
42 |
9/13/2008* |
514 |
At a drinking
party with the anime staff, all of One Piece's editors, past and
present, were forced to dress up in drag. You're all disgusting. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 15th.] |
|
43 |
9/22/2008 |
515 |
Happy about the
Luffy dolls coming out from Panson Works celebrating 40 years [of Weekly Shonen JUMP]. I've got a TON of Laundry t-shirts. [Laundry: A maker of t-shirts
connected to Panson, a company that makes collectable toys. They're
best known for taking characters from established films or series and
applying simplistic child-like smirking characteristics to them.] |
|
44 |
9/29/2008 |
Unlimited
Cruise.* A fun series as
per usual!! Even the staff [members] who
aren't into One Piece play this game. [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
45 |
10/6/2008 |
I got a chance to
hear the voice actors' recording of the sailing song I wrote in the comic, "Binks'
Sake". It's rea~lly good. |
|
|
46 |
10/11/2008* |
Those of you
concerned about the order of the comics [in Weekly Shonen JUMP] might be startled this week [since One Piece was in 9th place] but it's only because I was late handing in my final
manuscripts. Sorry!! [Related comment *Root*: See
2013 Issue #16] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 13th.] |
|
|
47 |
10/20/2008 |
Break |
|
|
48 |
10/27/2008 |
My former editor
'Pooh-san', aka Kawashima-san*, got married. Looks like you'll have even more
of a reason to hurry home early! [*See Chapter 433] |
|
|
49 |
11/1/2008* |
So like my cell
phone's like ring tone is like Kevin&Paul's* like "Turkey Cock'n
Roll" like the music video like so like totally awesome.
Congratulations to JUMP for publishing like 2000 issues!! [*Kevin&Paul: Kevin and Paul
are two turkeys from the television anime The World of Golden Eggs.
They escape from a farm to live a life of freedom. The characters sing a song
describing their time in the world which is "Turkey Cock'n
Roll". Oda's form of speech here is mimicking the younger Paul's
heavy use of Japanese slang.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 3rd.] |
|
|
50 |
11/10/2008 |
I saw the Chopper
movie extras disc with the video of them post-recording. Those guys… they're
really amazing. |
|
|
51 |
11/17/2008 |
522 |
Looks like they're
doing something to commemorate the 100th One Piece anime DVD. Also I finished
up work on Volume 52. |
|
52 |
11/22/2008* |
523 |
A baked sweet
potato vendor passed by so I bought one. The potatoes are HUGE now and
they're practically a delicacy like chestnuts! [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 24th.] |
|
1 |
12/1/2008 |
524 |
We're getting
closer to "Binks' Sake" in the anime. Don't miss it. |
|
2 |
12/8/2008 |
After reading
Akimoto-sensei's* 'Manga Brain Training'** I feel like making a fresh start
next year. [*See Chapter 158] [**This was a special interview included
in an issue of Weekly JUMP.] |
|
|
3 |
12/15/2008 |
Break |
|
|
4+5 |
12/22/2008 |
JUMP Festa should
be over by the time you read this but right now the voice acting team is
busily prepping their costumes. Wonder what I'll be wearing this time. |
|
|
6+7 |
1/5/2009 |
The deliciousness
of Krispy Kreme donuts is insane. Just what is it, that miracle in my mouth?* [*One Piece's seventh
editor, Takeru Isaka, mentioned two years later on the Japanese
television program Real Scope Z that he takes 4 twelve-donut
boxes from Krispy Kreme to Oda when he goes to pick up manuscripts.] |
|
|
8 |
1/19/2009 |
528 |
I had a horse
steak for the first time in my life. It has a consistency different from beef
and I think I might be able to run a little faster. |
|
9 |
1/26/2009 |
I had an interview
with Takehiko Inoue-sensei for his manga exhibition. I've met yet another
living legend. [Takehiko Inoue: Author of the
extremely popular basketball manga Slam Dunk which ran in
Weekly Shonen JUMP. |
|
|
10 |
2/2/2009 |
Both of my
editors* had a baby. Neither liked my idea for a name, Thousandsunnyko**.
Congratulations. [*See also: Chapter 506] [*Related comment: See Chapter 506] [**Thousandsunnyko: Oda simply
added the common female name suffix 'ko' to the end of 'Thousand Sunny'
instead of the usual 'gou'] |
|
|
11 |
2/9/2009 |
Naruto's 10th
Anniversary!! Whew, you've got a load of work heading your way
Kishimoto-sensei* so good luck and congratulations! [*See Chapter 175] |
|
|
12 |
2/16/2009 |
532 |
I went to the
anime's New Year's party. Comic, movie, toys and music, let's continue to do
our best this year! |
|
13 |
2/23/2009 |
533 |
While in the
middle of writing my manuscripts, I realized that my driver's license was up
for renewal this year; and that the expiration date was the very next day. It
was a mad rush but somehow I made it in time. |
|
14 |
3/2/2009 |
Break |
|
|
15 |
3/9/2009 |
I saw
Akimoto-sensei's* [documentary
on] Jounetsu Tairiku**. Because we're in the same field I
feel I might have a deeper understanding of his accomplishments. What a
dazzling career. [*See Chapter 158] [**Jounetsu Tairiku: A weekly human
documentary on the TBS network and affiliates.] |
|
|
16 |
3/16/2009 |
535 |
One
Piece Volume 44 won an
award at Germany's Frankfurt Book Fair.* I'm happy they chose to pinpoint one
particular part of the story. [*The award was The Sondermann for Best
International Manga.] |
|
17 |
3/23/2009 |
536 |
I went to the
world premiere of Dragon Ball [Evolution].
It was very 'Hollywood'!! |
|
18 |
3/30/2009 |
537 |
The CD of "Binks'
Sake" has been released. It's a very special song that will come up
again in the main story. Please just wait a few years. |
|
19 |
4/6/2009 |
One
Piece Unlimited Cruise 2*
is out but you probably already KNEW THAT!! I wanna take down Oars!! [*One Piece Unlimited Cruise 2: A
video game for the Nintendo Wii.] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
20 |
4/13/2009 |
539 |
Nosebleed Fwoosh!!
Valentine Chocolates have been most humbly accepted. And to everyone that
always sends fan letters, thank you!!! |
|
21 |
4/20/2009 |
Break |
|
|
22+23 |
4/27/2009 |
540 |
With the number of
breaks I've taken for the winter 2009 movie* increasing, I'm causing trouble
everywhere I turn. I only have a few things left to wrap up. We're making
something big. [*He's talking about One Piece Film
STRONG WORLD.] |
|
24 |
5/11/2009 |
541 |
It's the start of
the new semester, made any new friends? It's times
like this I try to make my manga help create new friendships. |
|
25 |
5/18/2009 |
I'm terribly late
with this. Neuro's Matsui-kun*, great job on your 4-year
serialization. I'm looking forward to your next work. [*Yusei Matsui: Author of the
supernatural detective series Demon Detective Neuro Nogami
which was published in Weekly Shonen JUMP.] |
|
|
26 |
5/25/2009 |
543 |
Went to Costco!!
Had a blast!! I'd love to go there as a group to get food and stuff for a
party. |
|
27 |
6/1/2009 |
544 |
I tried out a new
kind of manuscript paper that manga authors seem to be using recently. It was
too easy to draw on so I couldn't get used to it. |
|
28 |
6/8/2009 |
545 |
There are several
varieties of G-pens. I tried some out and my favorites are probably Zebra and
Nikko. No surprise there. |
|
29 |
6/15/2009 |
546 |
The 11th Serial [Comic] Commemoration
Awards. In place of a trophy I got a real leather pirate flag. THIS THING
CAN'T POSSIBLY FLY! |
|
30 |
6/22/2009 |
At last we've
reached the collapse of the Straw Hat crew in the anime. We had a Takoyaki
Break-Up Party to celebrate the event.* Thank you guys for 10 great years. [*A picture from this party is what
famously revealed that Oda and his wife had recently had their second child. [Related comments: See Chapter 417] ] |
|
|
31 |
6/29/2009 |
Inagaki-san*,
Murata-kun**, great job on your 7-year serialization [Eyeshield 21]. You've done a splendid job pioneering a whole new genre of
sports comics. [*See Chapter 302]
|
|
|
32 |
7/6/2009 |
549 |
Shopping by
cellphone is my latest craze. Gonna get kimchee delivered straight to my
place from a supermarket!! Yuuum. |
|
33 |
7/13/2009 |
Break |
|
|
34 |
7/18/2009* |
I went to a
Dorikamu* concert. The "Mata ne" encore was really
touching. [*See Chapter 473]
|
|
|
35 |
7/27/2009 |
I spotted Toshio
Suzuki* of Ghibli fame in a random restroom! I'm sorry for the impromptu
greeting! [*Toshio Suzuki: The president of Studio
Ghibli. He hosts a weekly radio broadcast interviewing various
personalities in the industry. The 'brick cottage' is what he calls the
studio and he has interviewed Oda on more than one occasion. [See also: Chapters 564
& 626] ] |
|
|
36 |
8/3/2009 |
The voice actors
have told me that the reason the ratings are so high for the Island of Women
arc is because they said, "…family jewels." |
|
|
37+38 |
8/10/2009 |
They've got Flash
screensavers on the mobile site Moja*. This [news]
surprised me at exactly 3:33PM. [*See Chapter 378] |
|
|
39 |
8/24/2009 |
554 |
Listen up all you
middle school boys!! I wrote this winter's movie* especially for you!! Buy
the advance tickets and shake with anticipation! [*One Piece Film STRONG WORLD.] |
|
40 |
8/31/2009 |
Really looking
forward to seeing the DVD, This is How Ponyo Came to Be*, when
it's released this December!!!** I like this series [of Ghibli documentaries] better than the actual movies. [*This is How Ponyo Came to Be: The
documentary covering the making of Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli film,
Ponyo.] [**Related comment: See Chapter 512] |
|
|
41 |
9/7/2009 |
556 |
During Obon I went
to see the World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go. Seeing all those houses with the
thatched rooftops is like looking at the wisdom of people from long ago all
lumped together.* [*This served as the impetus for Oda to
draw the Chapter 566 color spread in which the so-called 'Cora Factory'
borrows the resemblance of one cafe he visited, Ochiudo.] |
|
42 |
9/14/2009 |
Break |
|
|
43 |
9/19/2009* |
557 |
Ele-kata* is made
up of nothing but trouble so I'd rather not bother with 'em but their radio
program is too funny to miss. [*Ele-kata: A comedy unit comprised
of the comedy duo Eleccomic & Jin Katagiri of Rahmens
fame] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 21st.] |
|
44 |
9/28/2009 |
It's way cooler
than I ever dreamed! I went to Naoto Takenaka-san's* recording session. Gold
Lion Shiki is aweso~me! [*Naoto Takenaka: A Japanese
character actor famous for supporting roles that range from light-hearted and
comedic to dark and demented. Oda created Shiki with Takenaka voicing him in
mind.] |
|
|
45 |
10/5/2009 |
559 |
One of the
modelers who worked on the Portrait of Pirates series, Kuroiwa-san*, has
passed away. I'm deeply grateful for all of your work. [*Ryo Kuroiwa aka 'Black
Sabbath': One of the modelers of the Portrait of Pirate line of
high-quality display figures. He passed away at the young age of 37.] |
|
46 |
10/10/2009* |
I couldn't attend
the wedding of 'Daasa'*, my very first editor. Congratulations!! I personally
promised him that, from one man to another, I'd definitely make it to his
funeral. [*See 1997 Issue #33] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 12th.] |
|
|
47 |
10/19/2009 |
Break |
|
|
48 |
10/26/2009 |
I'm dead serious
when I tell you how cool it is. The main theme of the movie* [performed]
by Mr. Children**!!! [*One Piece Film STRONG WORLD.] [**See Chapter 386] |
|
|
49 |
11/2/2009 |
Master
Kaitani-sensei's* Liar Game is gonna be a movie!! Congratulations!! I
had an interview with Kaitani-sensei by the way. [*See Chapter 285] |
|
|
50 |
11/9/2009 |
I got some stew
and curry from House Foods* which is taking care of some of the movie-related
particulars. Yum! [House Foods: A company
specializing in concentrated 'mix-in' food products,
perhaps most famously curry and stew bases. House Foods helped sponsor a
contest to win copies of the rare One Piece Episode 0 DVD. [See also: Chapter 584]
] |
|
|
51 |
11/16/2009 |
Break |
|
|
52 |
11/21/2009* |
Was on the radio
for the first time ever. I really enjoyed [visiting] the hallowed walls of
the 'brick cottage' on Toshio Suzuki's* Sweat-Soaked Ghibli.** [*See Chapter 551] [**Related comments: See Chapter 551] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 23rd.] |
|
|
53 |
11/30/2009 |
565 & 0 |
I can feel
everyone's kindness as I continue to hear that the advance movie tickets are
selling one after the other. I hear there's an
unprecedented number of extras [for buying advanced tickets]. Be sure to hurry. |
|
1 |
12/7/2009 |
Really enjoyed that interview with Sakurai-san* of Mr. Children*. The
one in JUMP is just an excerpt. The magazine Switch conveys the full
extent of it. [*See Chapter 386] |
|
|
2 |
12/14/2009 |
One of the BIG
deals about the movie, I never thought he'd let us so I was thrilled when Mr.
Yasuharu Konishi* let us use that song for the opening music. [*Yasuharu Konishi: A musician,
composer and DJ formerly of the band Pizzicato Five. He provided the
opening theme for One Piece Film STRONG WORLD which is a cover
of the group's song "week-end". [See also: Chapter 576]
] |
|
|
3+4 |
12/21/2009 |
I'm late in
extending my thanks to Kosuke Kitajima* and Aiko Kaito** for helping support
the movie. [*Kosuke Kitajima: An Olympic gold
medal swimmer. He lent his voice to that of the Fishman, Kitajima in One
Piece Film STRONG WORLD.] [**Aiko Kaito: A former weather
reporter for Mezamashi Terebi and TV personality. She lent her
voice to the role of Eva in One Piece Film STRONG WORLD.] |
|
|
5+6 |
1/4/2010 |
569 |
It's the first
time we've had this many moviegoers for a film so the entire staff was
super-DUPER shocked there weren't enough Volume 0's!! |
|
7 |
1/18/2010 |
Happy New Year!!
Forgot about that, the New Year's greeting. The 13th year of One Piece,
gonna knock this one out of the park. |
Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko]- I saw the One Piece movie!! Those beasts rampaging like
that was awesome!! Gonna go see it three more times. [*See Chapter 1] |
|
8 |
1/25/2010 |
Due to the
popularity of the film some theaters have extended its run, check to make
sure if it's still playing and go see it. |
Koji Oishi* [Inumarudashi]- Can't get Mr.
Children's** song out of my head...! STRONG WORLD was really neat! [See also: Chapter 662]
] [**See Chapter 386] |
|
9 |
2/1/2010 |
At the end of the
year I went to Mr. Children's* concert at Tokyo Dome. Nothin' could match the
excitement "fanfare" raised. [*See Chapter 386] |
|
|
10 |
2/8/2010 |
Right about now my
editor should be watching the This is How Ponyo Came to Be DVD.* As
usual it was thrilling. [*Related comment: See Chapter 512] |
|
|
11 |
2/15/2010 |
Had an interview
with Takashi Yanase-san* for the artbook. I'd really like you to read it. [*Takashi Yanase: The author of the
incredibly popular children's picture book series Anpanman
which went on to become a staple of children's animation in Japan. Oda
interviewed him for the One Piece color illustration collection
book, Color Walk 4 EAGLE. ] |
|
|
12 |
2/22/2010 |
575 |
The anime's New
Year's party was at Chinzanso* in grand fashion. That's what 10 years will
get you. [*Chinzanso: An extravagant banquet
hall and hotel in Tokyo. Oda addressed the guests, thanking them for ten
years, and was even joined by his eldest daughter on stage. The event
included the voice acting team in their Strong World suits singing "Family".] |
|
13 |
3/1/2010 |
Break |
|
|
14 |
3/8/2010 |
The musical* that
Yasuharu Konishi-san** is in charge of, really enjoyed it. I even get a
chance to say 'hello' to Shingo Katori*3. [*TALK LIKE SINGING: A musical
directed by acclaimed Japanese film director Koki Mitani. The music was
written by Yasuharu Konishi who provided the opening theme for One
Piece Film STRONG WORLD.] [**See Chapter 567] [*3Shingo Katori: A
member of the vocal performing group SMAP*4.] [*4See Chapter 275] |
|
|
15 |
3/15/2010 |
The kids of my
editor Onishi* and a friend of mine are absorbed in Miracle Battle
Carddass**!! I hear things are fierce. They're Generation Card. [*See Chapter 477] [**Miracle Battle Carddass: A
card-battle-based arcade game for children featuring One Piece
and Dragon Ball characters.] |
|
|
16 |
3/20/2010* |
578 |
Currently obsessed
with ochazuke. Ochazuke* With simmered shijimi clams *sipsiiiip*. With maikon
seaweed *sipsiiiip*. Mustard green *sip* salmon *siiiip* sea bream *sippip* [*Ochazuke: Rice mixed with
Japanese tea and various toppings.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 22nd.] |
|
17 |
3/29/2010 |
Went to Osaka to
see the final manga exhibition of Takehiko Inoue*. I was able to meet
Inoue-sensei too. The power of charcoal is remarkable. [*See Chapter 529] |
|
|
18 |
4/5/2010 |
580 |
I wasn't informed
that their expressions would be that erotic but seems
they're a hit given the flood of pre-orders for those mousepads.* [*Oda is talking about the mouse pads
which allow the users to rest their wrists upon the breasts of various female
One Piece characters.] |
|
19 |
4/12/2010 |
Break |
|
|
20 |
4/19/2010 |
At the Ghibli
Museum I was able to hear the rakugo* of Kosanji Yanagiya**, and I was also
granted the chance to meet him which was exciting. [*See Chapter 246] [**Takezo Kooriyama aka 'Kosanji
Yanagiya': The 10th in a line of rakugo performers. |
Hideaki Sorachi* [Gintama]- At long last the movie is out. There's no 'Volume 0' but I'd be
happy if you went to see it just the same. Thank you. [*Hideaki Sorachi: Author of the popular comedy series Gintama published in Weekly Shonen JUMP.] |
|
21+22 |
4/26/2010 |
582 |
Listen, you simply
can't afford to miss out on any of the foods that Hikaru Ijuin* or 'Gucci'
Yuzo** introduce. They're bound to be delicious. [*Hikaru Ijuin: A TV and radio
personality that has a venue for introducing interesting recipes or
worthwhile items to eat. Hikaru in particular is also a former rakugo
performer, one of Oda's favorite forms of comedy. [**Yuzo Takada aka 'Gucci Yuzo':
A singer and TV personality who is also a cooking aficionado.] |
|
23 |
5/10/2010 |
583 |
Weather's been all
over the place both hot and cold but I'm glad it was warm for [the day of]
cherry blossom viewing with the anime staff. |
|
24 |
5/17/2010 |
The special gift [sponsored]
by House Foods*, Chapter 0
the anime**, is finished. And what a magnificent 18
minutes it is...!!! [*See Chapter 563] [**Chapter 0: An animated 18-minute
short based on Chapter 0 of One Piece was released as a special
limited-edition DVD available only through a lottery mail-in campaign in collaboration
with House Foods. The DVD later became available for purchase at certain JUMP
Shop locations. The short film was directed by frequent One Piece anime
director, Shigefumi Shingaki.] |
|
|
25 |
5/24/2010 |
585 |
Is Cookin' Idol
Main-chan's* voice her real one? Or is she lip-synching? Currently a hot
dispute in the family. [*Cookin' Idol Main-chan: Hostess
of the NHK cooking program Cookin' Idol! I! My! Main!. Her seemingly
staple-gunned-open smile combined with an impossibly clear voice seemed out
of place when she was very young in the first few years of the program. Just
of note, her name should be written in hiragana but Oda wrote it in katakana. |
|
26 |
5/31/2010 |
586 |
When I catch a
cold while working on manuscripts there is but one option: not getting enough
sleep and making it even worse. DAAAAMNIIIIIT!!! |
|
27 |
6/7/2010 |
587 |
As an adult, going
around in a training suit wearing geta* will only lead to trouble so I'm
getting a brand new suit. [*Geta: A form of simplistic
sandals on wooden blocks to keep the wearer's feet out of mud. The
combination Oda mentions is commonly associated with what yakuza might wear.] |
|
28 |
6/14/2010 |
588 |
I'm currently
supervising the limited edition version of the STRONG WORLD DVD. I've
asked for a lot of special things so it's filled with goodies!! Including
some additional scenes to the main film. |
|
29 |
6/21/2010 |
Break |
|
|
30 |
6/28/2010 |
Mr. Minoru Suzuki*
and soccer's Mr. Nishizawa** came to our takoyaki party.*3
Soccer's on fire. [*Minoru Suzuki: A Japanese
professional wrestler and co-founder of the Pancrase mixed martial arts
wrestling organization.] [**Akinori Nishizawa: Although Oda
only gives his last name and there are a number of famous or semi-famous
soccer players with this name, Akinori is a self-proclaimed fan of One
Piece so it's likely he is who Oda mentioned.] [*3As a World Cup year with Oda
being a fan of soccer it's easy to see where his enthusiasm came from. [Related comments: See Chapter 417] ] |
|
|
31 |
7/5/2010 |
590 |
The staff tell me they wouldn't eat gyudon first thing in the
morning. The moment I open my eyes I wanna dig into a bowl! It's the advent
of a gyudon boom. |
|
32 |
7/12/2010 |
This was the first
World Cup where my assistants from work got into it with me. We had a blast. [Related comments: See Chapter 46] |
|
|
33 |
7/17/2010* |
592 |
I made a little
reservation through HIS* and they threw something extra my way. Now that's
a nice collaboration.** [*H.I.S.: A Japanese travel
agency.] [**During this printing, One Piece
itself was in the midst of a promotional collaboration with the H.I.S. Travel
Agency. The reservation Oda speaks of was probably for his trip to Hawaii
with his family during the unprecedented four week break of September.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 19th.] |
|
34 |
7/26/2010 |
Moja's* 'Card WARS' led me to understand the appeal of card
games. I see quite clearly now, you gotta use your head for these thingers. [*See Chapter 378
entry] |
|
|
35 |
8/2/2010 |
I'm looking
forward to seeing The Borrower Arrietty* as a family. Can't wait. [*The Borrower Arrietty: The 2010
Studio Ghibli film directed by Hiromasa Yonebashi] |
|
|
36+37 |
8/9/2010 |
595 |
I found myself
showered with One Piece-themed food samples. The chinsuko* are really
good. But isn't the castella a little on the small side!? [*Chinsuko: Shortbread-like cookies
from Okinawa made with pork fat.] |
|
38 |
8/23/2010 |
596 |
The 'Go for
launch! Chopper Robo' toy has just come out and it's so much like a dream [come true]
that it makes me weak in the knees. Think I'm in love. ♥ |
|
39 |
8/30/2010 |
Usuta-saaan*,
congrats on wrapping your serial! As for me, now I'm gonna go have me some
fun! WOO-HOO~!!!** [*See Chapter 26] [**Oda went to Hawaii with his family for
approximately one week during this break as a 'midpoint' of sorts for the
series.] |
|
|
40 |
9/6/2010 |
Break |
|
|
41 |
9/13/2010 |
Break |
|
|
42 |
9/18/2010* |
Break |
[*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 20th.] |
|
43 |
9/27/2010 |
Break |
|
|
44 |
10/4/2010 |
598 |
The new stage!!
I'm going to ease my foot on the gas pedal as I move ahead. It would be my
greatest pleasure if you could savor the time and join me once again on the
adventure!! |
|
45 |
10/9/2010* |
599 |
I messed up Zoro's
eye on the cover page of the very first chapter. The scar is supposed to be
on his left eye. Ahahaha [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 11th.] |
|
46 |
10/18/2010 |
|
Thank you for that
amazing gift Bandai! Everyone in the office was applauding. Cell phone pic!
Cell phone pic! |
|
47 |
10/25/2010 |
601 |
Won't be able to
attend the funeral of someone [that was very important to me]*. I should have gone to see them during my break when they
were still alive. [*Oda said 'really liked' (daisuki datta) which could also
be interpreted as 'loved'. Since both words have very different meanings in
English I decided to avoid using either.] |
|
48 |
11/1/2010 |
The rice cooker at
the office broke and what's worse the matsutake rice* we were making was
ruined!! What the heck, it's like the rice cooker from hell!! [*See Chapter 479] |
|
|
49 |
11/8/2010 |
603 |
The special video
the Mecha-Ike members sent me as thanks [for the picture* I drew]. It's so funny that it's practically a waste watching
alone. [*Oda drew an illustration to promote the
'New Member Audition' search on the popular variety program Mecha-Mecha
Iketeru which airs on One Piece's flagship network, Fuji
Television.] |
|
50 |
11/15/2010 |
I met Ping-Pong
and Tekkin's [author] Taiyo Matsumoto-san*. It surprised the heck out of me that
he's a really composed fellow because I always thought he'd be a really wild
guy. [*Taiyo Matsumoto: Author of
popular seinen manga series like Ping-Pong. Oda met with him
for an interview included in Color Walk 5 SHARK. [See also: Chapter 642]
] |
|
|
51 |
11/22/2010 |
Break |
|
|
52 |
11/29/2010 |
I started watching
GeGeGe's Wife. Could it be my age? I'm not sure why but I can't stop
crying. [*Gegege's Wife: A popular morning
serial drama that ran on NHK from March 2010 through September 2010 following
the married life of Kitaro of the Graveyard creator Shigeru
Mizuki's wife, Mura Nunoe.] |
|
|
1 |
12/6/2010 |
606 |
December 18th
(Friday) starting at 9PM STRONG WORLD will be aired without any cuts
on TV!! Boys of Japan, be sure to watch it. |
[Note: As of this issue the Table of Contents page added a 'Tell Me Sensei' corner for one year where a single question from a reader to a specific author is answered each week. I will place any questions that Oda answers here in this column.] |
2 |
12/13/2010 |
607 |
One of my
assistants lined up to buy some of those toronama donuts that everyone
is talking about. They're good and all but...ARE THESE THINGS REALLY DONUTS!? [*Toronama donuts: Toro
means 'thick' and nama means 'fresh' or 'uncooked'. They're an
original variety of uncooked frozen donuts that became popular across Japan
shortly after their debut in Aichi prefecture in March 2010.] |
|
3+4 |
12/20/2010 |
Isaka-san* looking
forward to workin' with 'ya as my new manga editor. Hattori-san** is shifting
to [the position of] media editor so Onishi-san*3, thank you for all your hard work. [*Takeru Isaka: The seventh editor
of One Piece. [See also: 2012
Issue #19 (One Piece break), Chapter 670
& Chapter 692] ] [**See Chapter 506] [*3See Chapter 477] |
'Tell Me Sensei' What fuels your energy while
you work on manuscripts Oda-sensei? - Mokke, Ibaraki pref. FRIED PORK CUTLETS |
|
5+6 |
1/4/2011* |
609 |
Happy New Year. I
can't do much but I'll do what I can bit by bit and give it my best this year
too. [*A rare Tuesday release (such as advertised) due to national
holidays from January 1st~3rd.] |
|
7 |
1/17/2011 |
610 |
Up until the end
of last year I thought that they still used red and blue glasses for watching
3D movies*. They're black now, huh. [*This is something he realized on stage
at the second day of JUMP Festa 2011 while discussing the One Piece 3D
Mugiwara Chase film with the voice actors and actresses.] |
|
8 |
1/24/2011 |
The New Year's
party.* Slowly but surely I've been able to remember the faces [and names]
of the junior manga authors. Let's all do our best this year too. [*Related comments: See Chapter 27] |
|
|
9 |
1/31/2011 |
612 |
So there are these
Schleich animal figurines I bought hand over fist in Hawaii. They're selling
like freakin' hotcakes on Rakuten*!! Even as complete sets. Those sales don't
surprise me though. [*Rakuten: A Japanese online
marketplace.] |
|
10 |
2/7/2011 |
613 |
The number of Legos I've bought but haven't had the time to
build are stacking up. Legos are gonna be the joy of my old age. |
|
11 |
2/14/2011 |
614 |
We brought
something new into the office, THE★automatic vacuum cleaner!! It's really quite something!! We are
now in The Robot Age...!! |
|
12 |
2/21/2011 |
615 |
I saw NHK's Close-up
Modern*. Seems like it's a pretty impressive manga, that One Piece. [*Close-up Modern: An NHK
documentary program that featured One Piece on the February 9th
(2011) episode.] |
|
13 |
2/28/2011 |
I met the sculptor
Toshio Asakuma*. A fantastic guy who is just as charming as I imagined. [*See Chapter 371] |
|
|
14 |
3/7/2011 |
Break |
|
|
15 |
3/14/2011 |
617 |
Went to see the
advance movie screening. It's a Toriko and One Piece beyond
your wildest imagination. Theatergoers will love it. |
|
16 |
3/19/2011* |
No way, a One
Piece Dome Tour! The staff are devoted to making
it a blast for everyone!! Find a way to get yourself there. I'm going too!! [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 21st.] |
Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko]- At long last today's the release of the One Piece & Toriko
movie!! It's 3D!! I'm looking forward to things popping out of the screen
even more than I thought I would!! [*See Chapter 1]
|
|
17 |
4/4/2011 |
619 |
You grown-ups out
there, do your best to make children laugh. If children can laugh, then all
of Japan laughs with them. Stand strong and get to it!!* [*This is in response to the 3/11/11 Great
Earthquake of East Japan. The response is so delayed because issues of Weekly
Shonen JUMP are finalized a 2-3 weeks before actual street dates.] |
|
18 |
4/11/2011 |
620 |
The Dome Tour has
begun. Of course we've also got a charity collection going for victims.
Please head to the convention center. |
[***The Editor-in-Chief announced that due to complications arising from the earthquake and tsunami aftermath the number of color pages in Weekly Shonen JUMP are going to be reduced as the factories producing the actual paper are having problems.***] |
19 |
4/18/2011 |
The manga
collaboration with Toriko [from Issue #17].
I just drew pictures where I was told to. Thanks 'Shimabu~'*! [*See Chapter 1] |
Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko]- The One Piece collaboration manga from Issue 17, the
movie and the first episode [of Toriko] with One Piece; it's a smorgasbord of teamwork and I'm
truly honored!! My deepest thanks!! [*See Chapter 1] |
|
20+21 |
4/25/2011 |
622 |
I'm concerned when
I see Tohoku addresses on fan letters sent from before the devastating quake.
There's someone in particular from Tohoku that regularly sends things. If
you're okay please send me a letter. |
|
22 |
5/9/2011 |
623 |
There's this brand
of oil matches called AQ Match, they're hard to light but they're still
pretty sweet. |
|
23 |
5/16/2011 |
624 |
The Fire King
stacking mugs are really nice. Wonder which one I'll drink my joe from today. |
|
24 |
5/23/2011 |
They said 120,000
people attended the Tokyo Dome event over five days. The giant life-like
characters were amazing. Luffy must've had his hands fu~ll. |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- I received a Hot Toys figure from Oda-san. This might have sparked
my interest in starting a collection. [*See Chapter 175] |
|
25 |
5/30/2011 |
I participated for
a bit in a [filmed] meeting at the 'brick cottage' of Ghibli's Toshio Suzuki*.
It's gonna be put on sale!! [*See Chapter 551] [*Related comments: See Chapter 551] |
|
|
26 |
6/6/2011 |
627 |
I'm receiving
letters from the refuge centers with all too real experiences of readers. I'm
reading all of them. I'm thankful for them.* [*The refuge centers he mentions are for
those whose homes were destroyed by the 2011 Great Earthquake of East Japan.] |
|
27 |
6/13/2011 |
Break |
|
|
28 |
6/20/2011 |
I was fortunate to
get an invitation to a live show of SUMMERS*. Boy, it's not often you can
laugh that hard for that long. That was fu~nny. [*SUMMERS: A Japanese manzai comedy
pair consisting of Kazuki Otake
and Masakazu Mimura who seem to
know Oda well and have incorporated anecdotes related to One Piece in their
performances. The two have even attended Oda's famous summer house parties. [See also: Chapter 713]
] |
|
|
29 |
6/27/2011 |
629 |
I was determined
never to use the word 'sweets' so here's hoping it doesn't die out.* [*Oda is referring to Daruma's use of the
English loan word 'sweets' in Chapter 629. Oda is conscious of avoiding words
that will date his work for future readers.] |
|
30 |
7/4/2011 |
630 |
Got myself an
automated can opener. I can open cans with ease!! MUST OPEN CANS!! |
|
31 |
7/11/2011 |
The browser game
Grand World is up and running on the mobile site, Moja*. Without
stealing my treasure, gimme yours. [*See Chapter 378] |
|
|
32 |
7/16/2011* |
632 |
Whenever I find a
mistake in my manuscripts right before an issue goes on sale, I keep my mouth
shut about it and unleash a Don't-Notice-It-Beam on the entire country. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 18th.] |
|
33 |
7/25/2011 |
Break |
|
|
34 |
8/1/2011 |
633 |
There's nothin'
that goes with French fries like McDees' Bacon Lettuce Burger. I like to have
one every now and then. |
|
35+36 |
8/8/2011 |
I am extremely
grateful to former Editor-in-Chief Sasaki-san* for so many things and
believing in One Piece back from when the editorial section didn't.
Thank you in advance for future dealings. [*Hisashi Sasaki: The 9th
editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen JUMP. As other authors were discussing staff
change-ups in their comments, it's possible that this was around the time he
ended his tenure as editor-in-chief. Since leaving that post he has been
intimately involved in the development of Weekly Shonen Jump
(formerly Shonen Jump Alpha) overseas and remains a strong
supporter of One Piece.] |
|
|
37 |
8/22/2011 |
635 |
Seems there are
quite a number of fake Twitter and fake Facebook accounts around. I don't use
either so don't be fooled. |
|
38 |
8/29/2011 |
'Kimutaku'*
visited the office for our interview with MEN'S NON-NO**. Now there's
an adult that's packed with experience. [*See Chapter 275] |
|
|
39 |
9/5/2011 |
Rea~lly looking
forward to the serialization starting this week from Ikezawa-kun*, who was
assisting here just up until recently; give it your best!! [*Haruto Ikezawa: One of Oda's
former assistants and author of the Weekly Shonen JUMP series Kurogane
which Oda is talking about here. It ended serialization after 68 chapters. [See also: Chapter 698] |
|
|
40 |
9/12/2011 |
638 |
I was able to buy
a figure that hasn't been released in Japan yet on the website Sekaimon*!!
This site is super user-friendly [*Sekaimon: An eBay-based
Japanese auction site with access to international auctions.] |
|
41 |
9/17/2011* |
My darling wife*
and Kishimoto-sensei's** wife conspired to drag me to a physical examination.
The results were... [*Chiaki Inaba: Oda's wife. A
former pin-up girl and stage actress/dancer who portrayed Nami in a One
Piece performance before tying-the-knot with Oda.] [**See Chapter 175]
] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 19th.] |
|
|
42 |
9/26/2011 |
I was shown the Kaizoku
Musou* demo movie for PS3.** The CG is so good
it's like Luffy's actually right there!! [*Kaizoku Musou: A popular video
game series which started on the PlayStation 3 designed around the Samurai
Warriors style of war/battle-action gameplay. [See also Chapter entries 660,
696, 704 & 707] ] [**Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
43 |
10/3/2011 |
Break |
|
|
44 |
10/8/2011* |
I received an
invitation to the Dream Wonderland* [Concert]
which is only once every four years. I'm simply overjoyed. [*Dreams Come
True Wonderland: A best-hits concert performed only once every four years
by the band Dreams Come True. [See Chapter 473]
] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 10th.] |
|
|
45 |
10/17/2011 |
The series which
Taiyo Matsumoto* showed me the rough drafts for when we had our interview, SUNNY,
is finally on sale. I have rea~lly been waiting for this. I can't get enough
of this kind of world view!! [*See Chapter 604] |
|
|
46 |
10/24/2011 |
643 |
Everyone loves
when a Chupa Chups tree is put up in the office. I wish they'd sell these
trees online. |
|
47 |
10/31/2011 |
I was allowed to
draw the DVD jacket for a movie I love, Jirocho Sankokushi*. Please
watch it!! [*Jirocho Sangokushi: A film
chronicling part of the infamous (larger than) real-life Japanese
gangster/Robin Hood of Edo Japan, Chogoro Yamamoto, better known by
his nickname, Jirocho of Shimizu. There have been many films exploring
parts of his life and some of them influenced Oda in developing several key
scenes in One Piece Film STRONG WORLD, particularly the
attention to detail in depicting seasons. Oda was allowed to draw the covers
for the first official DVD release of the film. [See also: 2011
Issue #49 (One Piece break) & Chapter 663] ] [*Related comment: Chapter 483]
] |
|
|
48 |
11/7/2011 |
The new phase has
begun in the anime. The new main theme song* is a true blue anime song. No
surprise that a straight pitch works best!! [*Here he's referring to the theme song "We
Go" performed by Hiroshi Kitadani.] |
|
|
49 |
11/14/2011 |
|
Kenta
Shinohara* [SKET DANCE]- I received a DVD from Oda-sensei. Jirocho Sangokushi**
is great! Thank you so much! [See also: Chapter 665] ] [**See Chapter 644] Ryuhei Tamura* [Beelzebub]- Jirocho Sangokushi**. Just as I was thinking about
buying it I received it from Oda-sensei.*3
It was such an honor that it gave me a nosebleed [**See Chapter 644]
|
|
50 |
11/21/2011 |
I really liked
that one-shot* about dancing in JUMP from a few issues back. Take it nice and
easy and please do your best!! [*Kyougi Dansu Bu he Yokoso: A
one-shot by manga author Takuma Yokota** aka 'YOKO'. It is
extremely rare for Oda to praise a one-shot work from an amateur by anyone
other than former staff members. The work appeared in Issue #46 2011.] [**Takuma Yokota: A manga author
who had his one-shot Kyougi Dansu Bu he Yokoso published in
Weekly Shonen JUMP. He's also (in)famous for having
drawn the series Onanii Master Kurosawa under the pen name, 'YOKO'.] |
|
|
51 |
11/28/2011 |
Saw an awesome cow
at Mother Farm.* I want it. But I don't wanna take care of it** [*Mother Farm: A farm in Chiba
where visitors can pick fruits, have a barbecue and meet livestock. It was
started by the owner of the Sankei Shimbun and Tokyo Tower. Although it's
very difficult to tell which one in particular Oda thought was cool, it's
very possible he was talking about either their Scottish highland cattle or
Charolais cattle.] [**Related comments: See Chapter 200] |
|
|
1 |
12/5/2011 |
648 |
About 2 months ago
due to certain circumstances I injured a ligament in my right arm. I'm
thrilled that it's gotten a lot better. My hand can actually move. |
|
2 |
12/12/2011 |
That reminds me, my family just bought a dog. I won't care for it but
it's cute. Chihuahua.* [*Related comments: See Chapter 200] |
|
|
3+4 |
12/19/2011 |
On the radio
program you can listen to on the home page of Sanji's voice actor,
Hirata-san*, Zoro** n' Usopp*3 show up too. [*See Chapter 225] [**Kazuya Nakai: The Japanese voice
actor for Zoro.] [*3See Chapter 309] |
|
|
5+6 |
1/4/2012* |
651 |
Happy NEW YEAR!!
Apparently it's the 15th year of One Piece so there are tons of special plans
mulling about!! Gotta watch my health [*Wednesday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday and Tuesday.] |
|
7 |
1/16/2012 |
652 |
So right now, the
office has fallen in love with Satou Fisheries*. Sheesh, just about anything
from them tastes great. Just gotta be wary of the sodium. [*Satou Fisheries: Satou Suisan, a
fishery and related restaurants based out of Sapporo in Hokkaido. They have an line of seafood products that may be ordered online or
through a catalog.] |
|
8 |
1/23/2012 |
653 |
I was shown the
large-scale real-size sculptures for the One Piece Exhibit*. Man,
are they cool!! [When it opens] check 'em out in Roppongi. |
|
9 |
1/30/2012 |
I thought "Ue
Kara Mariko"* was the title of a movie called Ue Kara Mariko ga
Ochitekuru**. Not only is it a song but I got the title wrong too. [*Ue Kara Mariko: The December 2011
AKB48*3 single, "Mariko From the Top". ] [**Ue Kara Mariko ga Ochitekuru:
This translates to Mariko Falls From Above and as far as my
research shows, it's not a title of any movie and Oda simply conceived the
title from his imagination.] [*3AKB48: A group of inexplicably popular young female singers. Some
of the members have even been to Oda's place of work.] [*3Related comments *Root*: See Chapter 709] |
|
|
10 |
2/6/2012 |
655 |
Recently, for the
first time ever, I've started seriously considering scrubbing the bottom of
my feet with pumice. |
|
11 |
2/13/2012 |
656 |
Completed a
painting for display at the One Piece Exhibit that's 1 meter across.*
I drew it while crouching so my muscles are all sore [*This is the painting of the crew with
their Vivre cards and Sunny in the middle.] |
|
12 |
2/20/2012 |
They're looking
for the ultimate One Piece maniacs on the Hoko x Tate*
homepage. Kindly give the editors of past and present a thorough beat down. [*Hoko x Tate: Literally The
Spear and the Shield, this is a Sunday night television program which
pits the best of two opposing forces against each other. On the March 15th
2012, three One Piece fans** participated in a quiz battle
against six of One Piece's seven editors (at the time) at the
site of the One Piece Exhibit in the Mori Building of Roppongi,
Tokyo. The episode aired on April 15th 2012. The fans lost the quiz battle to
the editors by one question. |
|
|
13 |
2/27/2012 |
Break |
|
|
14 |
3/5/2012 |
Had an interview
with YASUTAKA Nakata-san*. I knew there was something from the first time I
met him but we're cut from the same cloth. [*Yasutaka Nakata: A Japanese
songwriter, producer and DJ. He's a member of the music pair capsule
and serves as a producer for the popular pop group Perfume. The 'first
time' Oda mentioned above was at a mutual friend's wedding. Nakata wrote the
music for the Adventure Panoramic Theater at the One Piece
Exhibit. He also composed the song "Zeal" which
plays during the credits of One Piece Film Z. [Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 668]
] |
|
|
15 |
3/12/2012 |
659 |
You can make your
own wanted poster at the One Piece Exhibit homepage. It's really
slick. Check it. |
|
16 |
3/19/2012 |
Started Kaizoku
Musou*. IT'S AWESOME!! And the One Piece Exhibit is going to start
in Roppongi. I'm so very, very grateful. [*See Chapter 640] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
17 |
3/26/2012 |
I truly enjoyed
Kosanji Yanagiya's* rakugo** [performance]
at Ghibli. And I said a prayer for Moebius*3. [*See Chapter 581] [**See Chapter 246] [*3Jean Henri Gaston Giraud
aka 'Moebius': French comic artist who has contributed to many forms of media and entertainment throughout
his life. Oda had just named him in the One Piece fanbook Blue
Deep as a comic artist he had his eye on mere days before his Jean's
death.] |
|
|
18 |
4/2/2012 |
The One Piece
Hoko x Tate* airs April 15th. Let's root for the representatives of the
readers, the One Piece maniacs**!! [*See Chapter 657] [**The maniacs, in order of appearance,
were: Motoaki
Mizutani: The top scorer on the qualification
quiz. Shiho
Taniguchi: A cosplayer and collector of
figures owning between 2000-3000. Greg Werner*3: A One Piece fan from America living
in Japan.] [*3Greg Werner: A One
Piece fan since 2001, frequent guest on the One Piece Podcast,
collaborator with Shueisha and published in the magazine VJump.
Greg has translated and gathered One Piece many forms of
series-related data such as an extensive and unprecedented complete English
list of Oda's weekly comments and chapter release dates that...HEY! [See more: Chapter 670
& 2012 Issue #51 (One Piece
break)] ] |
Bapti*: I was given the
opportunity to be on Hoko x Tate. I was seriously moved by how
incredible the maniacs were. It airs April 15th. [*See Chapter 506]
[*See Chapter 571] |
|
19 |
4/9/2012 |
|
Isaka*: Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Asada** was nervous during the filming of Hoko x Tate*3 that airs April 15th and called One Piece,
"Cone Piece." [*See Chapter 608] [**See 1997 Issue
#33] [*3See Chapter 657] |
|
20 |
4/16/2012 |
The DVD they let
me draw the jacket cover for last year, Jirocho Sangokushi*, is out
for rental now [*See Chapter 644] |
|
|
21+22 |
4/23/2012 |
664 |
Bunta Sugawara's*
wife requested that I illustrate the package of his shichimi* chili
powder package. It was a pleasure to work on. [*Bunta Sugawara: A Japanese actor
known for his roles as a tough-guy in gangster films such as Battles
Without Honor or Humanity. He's the model for Sakazuki.] [**Hachimi: The chili powder which
is commonly known as shichimi, or 'seven flavors' for its blend of
seven spices, was renamed hachimi, or 'eight flavors' due to its
extremely spicy taste compared to the relatively tame shichimi. It's
Bunta's own blend and Oda drew a rendering of him on the package.] |
|
23 |
5/7/2012 |
Okay now guys,
listen up, holes in a wall or not normal. The staff is into hard
darts. |
Kenta Shinohara* [SKET DANCE]- I saw the Hoko x Tate**
One Piece battle. The editors' percentages of their correct answers and
number of them wearing glasses were both high, weren't they. [*See 2011 Issue #49
(OP Break)] [**See Chapter 657] |
|
24 |
5/14/2012 |
Bakuman. It's over. Obata-sensei* and Ohba-sensei**, here's to all your
hard work. It was really entertaining. [*See Chapter 230] [**'Tsugumi Ohba': The pen name of
the author of Death Note and Bakuman.] |
|
|
25 |
5/21/2012 |
The judges'
meeting for the Tezuka Awards*. Can't believe I saw Akira Toriyama** and
Takehiko Inoue*3 taking a picture together. Geeez, that was awe-inspiring. [*Related comments: See Chapter 24] [**See Chapter 15] [*3See Chapter 529] |
|
|
26 |
5/28/2012 |
1AM at the club
ageHa*. The release party for capsule** was really cool.*3 [*ageHa: A dance club in Shinkiba,
Tokyo. The event Oda speaks of was Friday the 11th May 2012. capsule's stage was 2:30AM-4:00AM. According to a blog
there was even 'moshing' (if you can somehow mosh to songs like "Chocolate
Disco"). I'm going to guess Oda wasn't involved in that.] [**capsule: The music group formed
by Yasutaka Nakata who wrote the theme for the Adventure Panoramic
Theater at the One Piece Exhibit.] [*3Related comment: See Chapter
658] |
|
|
27 |
6/4/2012 |
The anime's art
director, Yoshiike-san*, always gives me delicious stuff. Very delicious. [*Ryuji Yoshiike: The art director
of the One Piece anime and
several One Piece movies.] |
|
|
28 |
6/11/2012 |
In the middle of
reading Kingdom*, on Volume 11 now. My editor Hattori** spoiled a huge
upcoming event [in
the story]. YOU
IIIIIIDIOT!!! [*Kingdom: A manga by Yasuhisa
Hara published in YOUNG JUMP. Around this time Oda
participated in the 'Social Kingdom' campaign which saw each of
the approximately 1,000 panels of Volume 26 redrawn by famous manga authors
as well as prominent voice actors and actresses. [See also: Chapter 708]
] [**See Chapter 506] |
Isaka*: One Piece
maniac Greg-san** sent me a photo book of Ai Shinozaki*3 for my birthday!!!! I'm indescribably
ecstatic!! [*See Chapter 608] [**See Chapter 662.
It was no small task walking into a bookstore and having to ask for a pin-up
girl's book by name.] |
|
29 |
6/18/2012 |
The Tezuka Award*
ceremony. Inoue-sensei**, Morita-sensei*3 & Tsunomaru-sensei*4. I was awestruck seeing
this 'Golden Generation' lineup.*5 [*Related comments: See Chapter 24] [**See Chapter 529] [*3See Chapter 80] [*4Tsunomaru: Author of
the Weekly Shonen JUMP horse-racing series, Midori no Makibao.] [*5All of these authors had
popular series running at the same time during one of Weekly Shonen JUMP's
most popular eras; not to mention that their ages are all within 4 years of
each other.] |
|
|
30 |
6/25/2012 |
Break |
|
|
31 |
7/2/2012 |
672 |
A 15 meter
Shirahoshi in Odaiba this summer!?* I'm fairly certain it's safe to say
they'll be the largest pair of big-breasts in the world. [*Oda is talking about the giant
Shirahoshi slide attraction which was open in the One Piece
area of the United States of Odaiba event at Fuji TV headquarters.] |
|
32 |
7/9/2012 |
I couldn't host it
[this year]
but lots of people helped cook at our takoyaki partaaaay* and it was a huge
success [*Related comments: See Chapter 417] |
|
|
33 |
7/14/2012* |
674 |
The film in
December*, the various anime projects taking form at year's end** and the
comic proper; I'd like to take on all of them very seriously. [*He's talking about One Piece Film
Z.] [**Here Oda is probably alluding the One
Piece Awards; lottery-based invitation-only events at the end of 2012
which dealt mainly with anime-related presentations and voice-actor/actress
appearances.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 16th.] |
|
34 |
7/23/2012 |
Break |
|
|
35 |
7/30/2012 |
So I bought a
Hercules beetle. I named it Heraclesun.* [*Related comments: See Chapter 200. This is obviously the same name as the horned
beetle-armor-wearing Herales(un) character
from One Piece.] |
Tomohiro Yagi* [Goblin Night]- My work is in the same
JUMP that Onepy**, Naruto and Bleach run in!! AMAZING!! [**Onepy: The nickname of One
Piece in Japan. [See also: Chapter 676] |
|
36+37 |
8/6/2012 |
Now arriving, a
yakitori boom. Bonjiri* is freakin' awesome. Having it just-grilled
over a charcoal flame is heaven. [*Bonjiri: One variety of yakitori,
specifically 'chicken tail meat'.] |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Congrats on 15 years One Piece!! Eats lots of the meat
you love so much and let's go for another 15!! [*See Chapter 175]
[**See Chapter 675] |
|
38 |
8/20/2012 |
677 |
The Premium
Saturday* 'Episode of Nami' is on August 25th at 9PM!! By all
means please watch it. [*Premium Saturday: A movie block
Saturday nights on Fuji TV and affiliates from 9PM to 11:10PM.] |
|
39 |
8/27/2012 |
678 |
Heard of Takehara
Pistol? Y'know, he's super cooo~l! Love to know how he's so cooo~l [*Kazuo Takehara aka Takehara
Pistol: A guitarist and bit actor from Chiba who has a strong following
of supporters.] |
|
40 |
9/3/2012 |
Obon means, as is
tradition, Universal Studios Japan! I was exceptionally pleased with this
year's show.* Thank you all!! [*Related comments: See Chapter 457. This particular year Oda actually helped design
the villain of the show, Chameleone.] |
|
|
41 |
9/10/2012 |
Went to see
Nancan's* Yama-chan** and Audrey's Wakabayashi*3 live. They were righteously funny. [*Nankai Candies aka 'Nancan': The
comedy duo to which Yama-chan belongs with partner Shizu-chan.] [**See Chapter 450] [*3Masayasu
Wakabayashi: Half of the comedy duo, Audrey. He's the straight-man of the
pair and known for hitting his partner 'Kasuga' repeatedly during
routines in traditional manzai style.] |
|
|
42 |
9/15/2012* |
681 |
I took a stroll
through the neighborhood summer festival for a breather. In the middle of
some yakisoba I caught a glimpse of One Piece merchandise I'd never
seen before. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 17th.] |
|
43 |
9/24/2012 |
682 |
I've finally
gotten the hand of making a good cappuccino so I'm messing around with
latte-art. |
|
44 |
10/1/2012 |
Break |
|
|
45 |
10/6/2012* |
683 |
I peeked in on the
Special Effects Museum* exhibit. I was blown over by the originals [on display].
The video was cool too. [*Special Effects Museum: A
travelling exhibit that premiered in the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
which ran from July 10th to October 8th 2012. It's possible the video he
brings up is Ghibli's Kyoshinhei Tokyo ni Arawaru, the short
film depicting the giant soldiers seen in Nausicaa of the Valley of the
Wind.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 8th.] |
|
46 |
10/15/2012 |
684 |
It is incredibly
difficult waiting to borrow a recording of King of Conto*, which I
forgot to watch, without having the winner spoiled [*King of Conto: One of the many
network-specific contests that run throughout the year to determine the 'best
comedians in Japan'. The winners of this year were comedy duo BAIkingu.] |
|
47 |
10/22/2012 |
685 |
It's not related
to One Piece but I collaborated with the brand Dupont* [on a design].
It was a valuable experience. [*S.T. Dupont: The maker of luxury
items such as lighters, pens, handbags and such. Oda designed a line for them
known as the "Sleeping Mermaid Collection". The cheapest
item of the line (a modest-design lighter) costs approximately $160 while the
most expensive items (an elegant 18k-gold lighter and pen) cost a whopping
$15,000 each. The expensive lighter from the set made two very bold cameos in
One Piece Film Z and even in the manga itself.] |
|
48 |
10/29/2012 |
Fuji TV's Hoko
x Tate* is gathering One Piece maniacs! This time for sure, please
give the editors a thrashing! [*See Chapter 657] |
|
|
49 |
11/5/2012 |
It doesn't
necessarily seem that the One Piece Exhibit will travel around the
whole country. Lots of good stuff to eat in Osaka so if you live in west [Japan], by
all means, [please visit] |
Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko]- Oikawa-kun** from the staff downed 8 Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen
noodle packs in 40 minutes!! Here's to your hard word [**Oikawa: Given the relationship between Oda and Mitsutoshi, it's extremely likely that this is the very same Oikawa who was an assistant to Oda for One Piece. His name can frequently be found hidden throughout the series.] |
|
50 |
11/12/2012 |
Since opening, the
Mugiwara Store* in Shibuya appears to be a success. Think I'll check it out
too, to see the faces of the customers.** [*Mugiwara Store: The first
permanent store to exclusively feature One Piece merchandise.
The Shibuya PARCO store opened on September 28th 2012.] [**Related Comments *Root*: See Chapter 703] |
|
|
51 |
11/19/2012 |
|
Matsuo*: The Hoko x Tate**
One Piece's editors of past and present versus the maniacs*3 is airing November 25th!! I want to go to the
filming but there's just [so many] manuscripts [*Matsuo: An
editor of the Weekly Shonen JUMP who has worked on Gintama.] [**See Chapter 657] [*3The
maniacs, in order of appearance, were: Greg Werner*4:
He studies One Piece with fans around the world. Katsushi
Arai: A Nami expert and professional carpenter. Momoko
Watanabe: An Usopp expert and high school student. Fuuga Horie: Only in 5th grade at the time of filming, he's a Chopper fan
dreaming of being a doctor. Kazuki Abe: A Sanji expert with many Sanji figures. Kenji Kamiki:
A One Piece expert popular on Twitter whose
expertise is quizzing. Shouya Tsukuda: He took a 35-year loan to build a house with a One Piece
room.] [*4See Chapter 662] |
|
52 |
11/26/2012 |
689 |
The movie's* level
of perfection is beyond my imagination. Any worries I had have vanished. TIME
TO GET ADVERTISIIIIIIING!!! [*He's talking about One Piece Film
Z.] |
|
1 |
12/3/2012 |
690 |
Two weeks until
the movie's release on December 15th. Watch the trailer on the One Piece
homepage with the volume on full blast. |
|
2 |
12/10/2012 |
691 |
Please let the
color spread this week allow your imagination to run wild. A film for real
men, Z, comes out this Saturday!! |
|
3 |
12/17/2012 |
When this JUMP is
release the movie already be out. Everything aside,
I just really want you to see the action!! |
Isaka*: One Piece Film Z is seriously
entertaining. No bones about it, this a movie about
what it means to be a 'real man' among men. [*See Chapter 608] Bapti*: Z is finally out in theaters after two years of hard work from
all the staff members involved that helped make it. Go check it out because
it's a blast. [*See Chapter 506] |
|
4+5 |
12/22/2012* |
693 |
Video of that
particular thing which connects to the movie Z is currently
broadcasting on NOTTV*. Being that it's that particular thing, please
check it out. [*NOTTV: A multimedia broadcasting
service provided by Docomo and available on Docomo cellular phones. The
story of Glorious Island aired on the service in two parts which leads up to 'that
particular thing' which is likely the party that takes place onboard
Sunny at the start of One Piece Film Z. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 24th.] |
|
6+7 |
1/4/2013* |
694 |
I'm so touched
right now by all the people who have gone to see the movie Z. On OPWeb
we're looking for pictures.* Happy New Year!! [*A contest that gathered fan art from One
Piece fans around the country and made them viewable on the website.
The winner received Oda's autograph.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 8th.] |
|
8 |
1/21/2013 |
695 |
I'm always busy
traveling around New Year's so I haven't eaten osechi* these past few years
but I'm gonna have some now [*Osechi: Traditional Japanese New
Year's foods that are cooked in advance and stored in food boxes for
consumption over several days as it was considered taboo to use a hearth the
first three days of the new year.] |
|
9 |
1/28/2013 |
The reactions of
my editor and I when we saw the Kaizoku Musou 2 * demo. “WICKED!!
INTENSE!! NO WAY!!! SEXXAY!!!” [*See Chapter 640] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
10 |
2/4/2013 |
697 |
Plans to go to
Huis Ten Bosch* with 250 members of the anime staff ended when the flight was
cancelled due to snow. We'll try again. [*Huis Ten Bosch: A resort/theme
park in Nagasaki based on the Netherlands. Tokyo had a record snowfall on
January 14th 2012 which might have been the date of the flight, but it
depends on whether or not Oda was intending to stay overnight and/or attend
the 2012 New Year's party for Weekly Shonen JUMP authors held on January
15th.] |
|
11 |
2/9/2013* |
Here's to a former
assistant at our place, Kurogane's Ikezawa*,
for the completion of his serialization. [Meanwhile,]
at Saikyo JUMP, Ando-kun's** taking
off! [*See Chapter 637] [**See Chapter 223.
He's referring to Ando's serialization in Saikyo JUMP.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 11th.] |
|
|
12 |
2/18/2013 |
Break |
|
|
13 |
2/25/2013 |
Bapti* will be
leaving after having completed five years working as my editor. That's a
lotta work. G2CU** back Onishi.*3 [*See Chapter 506] [**Oda didn't actually write this English
abbreviation but he was brief by saying kamubakkuyoro
an informal shortening of 'good to see you back'.] [*3See Chapter 477] |
|
|
14 |
3/4/2013 |
|
Went to
Dorikamu's* 'Backstage' Wonderland [Concert].** Masa-san's a goof at the 'Main' [concert] and
awesome at the 'Backstage' [one]. [*See Chapter 473] [**There are 'Main' and 'Backstage'
versions of Dream Come True's once-in-four-years Wonderland Concert. The
'Main' concert series consists of sets of their most popular songs while the
'Backstage' version targets their die-hard fanbase and features less popular
songs which they rarely perform live. There's a very good chance Oda attended either the February 2nd
or 3rd performance at Saitama Super Arena.] |
|
15 |
3/11/2013 |
I met Kyary Pamyu
Pamyu-chan*. She's got a strong personality and, as you might expect, quite a
unique sense of creativity. [*Kyary
Pamyu Pamyu: A model and blogger whose colorful and pompous form of
fashion landed her a spot as one of the country's most popular recording
artists.] |
|
|
16 |
3/18/2013 |
(unscheduled) |
Got to hear
Kosanji's* Yuyaban** live. A
classic routine that I've wanted to see for a loooong time. I'm on cloud
nine. [*See Chapter 581] [**Yuyaban
aka 'The Bathouhouse Attendant': A
famous rakugo*3 performance which evidently Oda got to hear a live
rendition of by one of his favorite performers.] [*3See Chapter 246] ***Despite the comment, there was no
chapter this week 'due to illness'. This was the first ever unscheduled break
for One Piece. Since this comment and Chapter 702's placement
were determined by printing time, it seems that Oda had most of the chapter
completed and was rushing to get it done, but didn't quite make it in time. A
hint to this chain of events can be seen in his comment accompanying Chapter 518. Oda was late handing in his manuscripts for that
issue as well and One Piece had to be printed 9th in order from the
front of the magazine. With no chapter, One Piece was listed in
8th place. When considering the printing schedule of JUMP is seems
very logical that Oda intended to complete Chapter 702 in time but the
illness ran longer than he expected and the magazine had to be printed
without the issue. Oda's second unscheduled break occurred
just a few weeks later in Weekly Shonen JUMP Issue #26*** |
|
17 |
3/25/2013 |
I'm really sorry
for worrying and troubling so many people [with my sudden absence].* Even now I'd still like to think that I'm invincible.** [*See 2013 Issue #16] [**Related comment: See Chapter 137] |
|
|
18 |
4/1/2013 |
Went to the
Shibuya Mugiwara Store.* Was really happy with all the gimmicky stuff [on display there] that kids love. [*Related Comment: See Chapter 688. Oda visited the Mugiwara Store on March 20th 2013. He autographed part
of a display case and the layout was rearranged as a permanent part of the
store.] |
|
|
19 |
4/8/2013 |
They told me the
video game Kaizoku Musou 2* sold over 500,000 copies on its day of release.
Whaddya expect from such a fulfilling experience!! [*See Chapter 640] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] |
|
|
20 |
4/15/2013 |
705 |
It's become custom
to have the Toei hanami* party in mid-April every year. The petals have all
fallen but I contend to you that, "It's the thought that counts." [*Hanami:
Literally 'flower viewing', this custom with roots in early Japan sees groups
of related people (coworkers, family, friends, classmates, etc.) sitting beneath
just-blossoming Japanese cherry blossom trees and enjoying each other's
company with simple food and drink. |
|
21 |
4/22/2013 |
706 |
I bought one of
those big helium tanks for filling balloons. Gonna make anything I can get my
hands on float. |
|
22+23 |
4/27/2013* |
Started Playing
Kaizoku Musou 2*. Depressed by the fact that the really good players keep
turning me down for matches in online mode. [*See Chapter 640] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday
on Monday the 29th.] |
|
|
24 |
5/13/2013 |
I've read every
volume of the manga Kingdom* which
is in this week's issue [of
JUMP]. I love how it gushes with chivalry and manliness!! [*See Chapter 670]
|
|
|
25 |
5/20/2013 |
I received an
invitation to an AKB concert. Was blown away by the power of top-class singer
idols. [**Related comments: See Chapter 654] |
Yuji Kasai*: To the authors of
JUMP, I'm sorry for taking the liberty of drawing your characters!** Please forgive me! [*Yuji Kasai: A manga author who mainly creates
series aimed at young children. In this issue of JUMP he drew a comic
celebrating 20 years of Weekly JUMP's sister publication, VJump.] [**Kasai drew a number of characters from
famous JUMP series in his manga. From One
Piece he drew variations of: Luffy, Brook and Franky.] |
|
26 |
5/27/2013 |
(unscheduled) |
***This marked
the second ever unscheduled break of One Piece and it happened within just a
matter of weeks of the first. (See Weekly Shonen JUMP
Issue #16 2013) Due to a
peritonsillar abscess (PTA) he was forced to be hospitalized for a procedure
to remove it. During his stay in at a top hospital he received expert care
and was reportedly so bored that he started working on One Piece from his hospital bed.
By the time the news actually broke, he was almost entirely recovered and
awaiting discharge from the hospital.*** |
|
27 |
6/3/2013 |
Break |
|
|
28 |
6/10/2013 |
I just want to
thank the many people who came from all over just to visit me in the
hospital!!* [*Related comments: See Weekly
Shonen JUMP 2013 Issue# 26] |
Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Congratulations on your recovery Oda-san. I was so impressed
that you had your manuscripts with you in your room at the hospital.** [*See Chapter 175] [**Related comments: See Weekly
Shonen JUMP 2013 Issue# 26] |
|
29 |
6/17/2013 |
With plenty of
understanding and kindness from the editorial staff I'm working on my
manuscripts at a reasonable pace while heading towards a full recovery.* [*Related comments: See Weekly
Shonen JUMP 2013 Issue# 26] |
|
|
30 |
6/24/2013 |
Break |
|
|
31 |
7/1/2013 |
Being hospitalized
gave me an opportunity to start using Line. Had no idea it was this useful. [*Related comments: See Weekly
Shonen JUMP 2013 Issue# 26] |
|
|
32 |
7/8/2013 |
[Went to my]
first SUMMERS [manzai] performance in two years.* Laughing so hard really left me
full of energy. [*See Chapter 628] |
|
|
33 |
7/13/2013* |
714 |
Iced Cup Noodles
are tasty. My favorite way to have it is putting milk ice cubes in the
seafood flavor. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday on
Monday the 15th.] |
|
34 |
7/22/2013 |
The Battles Without Honor or Humanity
Blu-ray box set came out so I'm in the middle of rewatching them. Them's some slick fellas if you know what I mean,
fuggedaboutit. [*Related comments: See Chapter 138] |
|
|
35 |
7/29/2013 |
Break |
|
|
36 |
8/5/2013 |
716 |
Come hell of high
water, the [annual] takoyaki party with the anime staff is a must!! It was a blast
again this year. [*Related comments: See Chapter 417] |
|
37+38 |
8/12/2013 |
717 |
My staff members
and I have been screaming like kids at work playing NES games on pokeFAMI*. [*pokeFAMI:
An unlicensed product that allows portable play of Nintendo Entertainment
System cartridges.] |
|
39 |
8/26/2013 |
718 |
I met Jusaburo
Tsujimura, a leader in the world of dolls [and puppets].
I aspire to reach that level of modeling strength. |
|
40 |
9/2/2013 |
719 |
|
|