One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda since 1997, is an iconic and beloved manga series. Its rich story has attracted millions of fans worldwide with its epic plot full of twists and turns.
Among the die-hard fan base, there have long been desires for certain reveals and expansions on various aspects of the series. Luckily, Chapter 1110, titled “Starfall,” released on March 18, 2024, fulfills some of these long-awaited wishes, marking it as an epic moment in the calendar. Recent manga history.
In this chapter, a striking two-page spread takes center stage, introducing the Five Elders, also known as the Gorosei, in their formidable beast form.
Ominously located among the ruins of Egghead Island, each Elder undergoes a drastic transformation. Saint Marcus Mars takes the form of Itsumade, a giant bird that resembles a dinosaur.
Saint Topman Warcury transforms into Fengxi, a giant boar-like creature. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn takes on the form of Gyuki, resembling a giant spider. Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro took the form of Bakotsu, a creature with a horse-like skeleton.
Finally, Shepherd Ju Peter manifests as a towering sandworm with a cavernous mouth capable of engulfing even the mightiest of warriors.
The spread of Chapter 1110 is based on the history of One Piece
This spread reveals something One Piece enthusiasts have long been waiting for since the series began: insight into the mysterious figures who steer the world of One Piece. The gradual revelation of the power dynamics in the world is a fascinating aspect because readers are given more information over time.
In the early stages of the manga, the third chapter, we encounter the Marines, the formidable military force of the World Government. Although initially seen as rivals, their overwhelming power, coupled with their complex organizational structure, hints at the higher power they serve.
The appearance of Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Lords of the Sea, in Chapter 49, “Storm,” further reveals the complexity of the world. Then, in “Arlong Park”, Chapter 69, the Seven Lords of the Sea are officially recognized, expanding readers' understanding of the multifaceted universe of the series.
However, it is not until Chapter 233, “The Greatest Power in the World,” that the Five Elders make their first appearance, participating in a discussion regarding a message from Shanks while pondering a replacement. Crocodile. However, fans will have to be patient to discover the true identities of these elusive characters.
Jaygarcia Saturn's identity is not revealed until Chapter 1073, “Miss Buckingham Stuss,” and the remaining members are officially named in Chapter 1086, “The Five Elders.”
Notably, Chapter 233 was released on June 10, 2002, while Chapter 1086 was not released until June 12, 2023, marking a staggering 7673 days or 21 years and 3 days of waiting. waiting for fans to find out the surrounding mysteries. This secret group.
While we wait for this big reveal, many other fascinating aspects of the One Piece world have emerged. Among them is the Void Century, a significant gap in the historical records that the World Government vehemently conceals, despite this being the time of their formation and rise to power.
Additionally, Chapter 628 introduced readers to Joy Boy, a mysterious figure from the Void Century who predicted his return after 800 years, launching a narrative arc that eventually culminated in The point is Luffy's iconic evolution into Gear 5.
Thus, the double page spread in Chapter 1110 represents an epic moment worthy of years of waiting and speculation. It also signifies a significant shift in the story's momentum, pushing it into a higher gear and rushing toward the climax at breakneck speed.
With the Five Elders stepping onto the battlefield and finding their monstrous forms, it becomes clear that Luffy and his companions are on the brink of a transformative event that could disrupt the state of equilibrium. balance of the universe and destroy the established world order.
After 9 years, Oda draws a double spread and it's about Gorosei!!!
The most recent full double spread was in Dressrosa.#ONEPIECE #ONEPIECE1110 pic.twitter.com/rwmuMmxzpM
— One Piece Defender ◍ (@OnePieceDefend) March 15, 2024
The history of One Piece with a real double page spread
In addition to satisfying fans' desire for a glimpse into the inner workings of the One Piece world, this spread also satisfies another long-standing desire: a true two-page spread. While One Piece used to feature these regularly, they have become rarer in recent years.
Notably, the spread in Chapter 1110 marks the first true two-page spread since Chapter 800, “The Sake Cup of the Followers,” which was released on September 19, 2015. This which means waiting 3,104 days, or eight years and six months, for another true double page moment.
To put it in perspective, if Eiichiro Oda maintains this pace for future double pages (although it's unlikely to bring the series to a grand conclusion), fans won't encounter a new arc until next year. 2032.
However, the sheer magnitude of Chapter 1110's two-page spread makes it undeniably worth the prolonged anticipation.
Although true double page spreads have become rare in modern One Piece, there have been many cases of fake double page spreads in recent years. True spreads often have a single extended image that spans both pages.
In contrast, pseudo double pages combine a main image accompanied by several individual manga panels. These panels can merge seamlessly into the central image or be placed around the edges of the page.
The previous chapter, “Interception,” provides some examples of the later style; Various pages display central cross-page images surrounded by panels containing related dialogue and action. One page depicts Gear 5 Luffy fighting Kizaru and Saturn, while another depicts the ominous black lightning heralding the arrival of the remaining Elders.
However, it is important to realize that the terms “double page spread” and “fake double page spread” are primarily fan-made classifications. Therefore, there exists a significant degree of ambiguity surrounding these terms, and what a fan considers a two-page spread could actually be considered fake.