In a past interview with Dragon Ball editor Kazuhiko Torishima, he mentioned how the editorial process for One Piece has changed over the years. According to him, current editors can no longer openly disagree with Eiichiro Oda, unlike in the early days of the series.
If that’s the case, it limits the kind of back-and-forth discussions that once played a key role in One Piece’s storytelling. NewsPicks hosted the interview and is still available to watch on their official YouTube channel.
At the same time, Torishima also made it clear that he deeply respects Oda’s unmatched creativity and his ability to deliver memorable characters consistently. Still, his comment on One Piece manga’s recent creative process would certainly make many fans upset. But what exactly was it that he wanted to prove?
Torishima Expresses Sympathy Toward the One Piece Editors
It’s almost clear that Torishima showed some pity toward the One Piece editors, pointing out how their input no longer seems to matter in the current storyline. For a series this grand, it’s surprising to hear that the editorial side is being overlooked this much.
Especially since editors usually help shape and strengthen a manga.
The legendary Dragon Ball editor Torishima said it is a pity that, unlike in the early days, One Piece editors these days can no longer disagree with Oda. On the other hand, he praised Oda for his passion and excellence in character creation.🤩 pic.twitter.com/AnlUHRfQbL
His claim suggests that this kind of approach makes the process more self-centered, unlike most series where editors play a crucial role. Their guidance often helps balance an author’s creativity and keeps the story flowing smoothly, so leaving them out could mean missing valuable perspective.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Torishima has made such remarks. He’s known for his sharp criticism of the industry. However, because of how he often speaks out, many fans don’t take his words too seriously anymore.
The Credibility of Torishima’s Claim & What It Means For One Piece
In the past, Torishima has shared some pretty controversial takes on series like Berserk, Attack on Titan, and even works by Akira Toriyama. So it’s no surprise that fans are looking at his latest comments with a bit of skepticism.
That said, if what he says about One Piece editors is true, other than the downside, there’s also a bright side. Giving Oda full control over the story means his ideas can come through exactly as he envisions, without compromise. It’s kind of like seeing the purest version of his creativity on display.
Some fans even point to arcs like Egghead and Wano as examples of this working out really well, suggesting that Oda’s full control might actually be paying off. Of course, opinions vary, but it does make you wonder: are we seeing the best of Oda, or is something getting lost along the way? What do you think?
Both One Piece and the Dragon Ball series are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
