Easily the most defining aspect of author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga series is its timelessness, having run for well over 1100 chapters and nearly 27 years to the day as of writing. While it’s a turnoff to many, those who don’t let such daunting numbers deter them find that patience is always rewarded by Oda when it comes to his series, which is the best-selling manga of all time.
It’s fitting, then, that the title of the One Piece manga’s latest installment in chapter 1121 is actually a callback to a quote from Gol D. Roger first shared early on in the series. The specific part of the quote which is referenced in the title is “the ebb and flow of the ages,” which Roger calls something that cannot be stopped in the full quote.
What’s significant about this term being used for a One Piece chapter title is that the other two things which Roger claims cannot be stopped have already been used as chapter titles. While this may seem insignificant, in reality it highlights that the manga has finally been set up for its final stages, which will see the ebb and flow of the ages take hold once again.
One of Gol D. Roger’s most often forgotten quotes in One Piece is proving to be one of the most important
TThis interpretation of the quote’s usage as a title chapter here is further supported by the story content of One Piece chapter 1121. Essentially, Dr. Vegapunk confirms that whoever in this next generation finds the series’ titular treasure first will have the greatest influence. When combined with the full quote from Roger (specifically the version accepted as most accurate by fans), which reads as follows, the significance of the quote’s usage as a title becomes clear:
“These things cannot be stopped. Inherited will. People’s dreams. The ebb and flow of the ages. As long as people continue to seek the meaning of “freedom,” those things will never stop.”
The term “Inherited Will” was first used as a title for chapter 145, quickly followed by chapter 225’s use of “People’s Dreams” as a title. Now, with the use of “The Ebb and Flow of the Ages” as chapter 1121’s title, it’s clear that this pursuit of the meaning of freedom which Roger discussed is coming to a head.
It’s also worth mentioning that the chapter which this quote comes from is also titled “The Legend Begins,” and that the page it comes from is also the only official hand colored page from Oda himself. With both of these in mind, the significance of the completion of this trilogy of quote-based titles is clear, especially as the race for the titular treasure enters its final stages.
Dr. Vegapunk’s message in One Piece chapter 1121 even relates back to Gol D. Roger’s quote in and of itself, specifically a line which sees him say “there are certain individuals who can’t be oppressed.” Much like Roger said, as long as people continue to seek the meaning of freedom, people’s dreams and the will they inherited cannot be stopped. In turn, it’s likely these people whom Dr. Vegapunk is referencing in his statement above from chapter 1121.
With all of this in mind, it’s clear in this context alone that chapter 1121 is meant to serve as the final setup for the series’ conclusive stages. Looking at other aspects of the issue, such as the massive spread which made up its final pages, further support this interpretation. While it remains to be seen exactly how long the series’ final stages are, it’s obvious that the series’ end is upon fans.
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