One Piece has never failed to captivate fans with its thrilling storylines, memorable main characters, intense battles, and mysterious villains. As the series enters its Final Saga, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on characters who have passed away. Among them is Ace, whose death was one of the most shocking and heartbreaking moments.
However, few know that Ace’s death was originally planned to happen much earlier, and he actually survived an extra 10 years thanks to the overwhelming support from fans.
Eiichiro Oda Rarely Kills Characters in One Piece
Unlike many popular shonen anime where character deaths are common, Eiichiro Oda rarely kills off characters in One Piece. When he does, he ensures their deaths serve a meaningful purpose. These moments either shape the protagonist’s journey or drive the plot forward in significant ways.
For example, Ace’s death sparked Luffy’s determination to become stronger and intensified his conflicts with Akainu and Blackbeard. Similarly, Whitebeard’s death reignited the flame of the Great Pirate Era through his final words.
Still, Oda prefers to avoid killing characters if possible. In past interviews, he revealed he refuses to draw character deaths just to have a joyful celebration scene afterward. After all, death can dampen the celebratory atmosphere he envisions for the story, especially as One Piece approaches its conclusion.
Ace Was Originally Set to Die 10 Years Earlier
Ace’s death remains one of the most emotional moments not only in One Piece but in anime history. Fans worldwide mourned his loss, and even Oda found the anime adaptation of Ace’s death hard to watch.
Despite this reaction, Oda initially planned for Ace to die just one year after his debut. Ace first appeared in One Piece Chapter 154, released on October 2, 2000. If Oda had stuck to his original plan, Ace’s death would have occurred in Chapter 201, released on October 1, 2001, well before the Summit War arc.
In One Piece Volume 3, Oda revealed in a comment that he hesitated to kill Ace early due to the “strong reaction from fans.” At the time, Ace was one of the most popular characters, which led Oda to extend his life by a full decade. This hesitation shows how much he values his readers’ feelings.
Will Ace Ever Come Back to Life?
While fans eagerly hope to see Fire Fist Ace revived and fighting again in One Piece, Eiichiro Oda has previously shut down rumors about his resurrection. In an interview, Oda confirmed he has no plans to bring Ace back. Despite Ace’s popularity, Oda will not revive him unless he changes his mind in the future.
Of course, fans can still see Ace in flashbacks or even in Luffy’s or Sabo’s dreams. If Oda is generous in the series’ finale, fans might even glimpse Ace in the afterlife alongside other departed characters like Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger. For now, fans of Ace can only hope for the best, as the future of One Piece remains full of surprises.