Eiichiro Oda promised his wife in 2004 for a round-the-world trip after One Piece ends in 10 years but is One Piece his true adventure?

Eiichiro Oda, the genius behind One Piece, is notorious for his long and detailed arcs with almost each being very significant and connected to the main story. The journey of Monkey D. Luffy to become the Pirate King has been incredible and goes from one adventure to another. There are almost no breaks for the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies.

However, every great story must come to an end and while we don’t know exactly when, One Piece will end too. Oda promised his wife, back when they married in 2004, that they would go on a round-the-world trip after One Piece ends.

Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

While the source of this information is from an interview in 2019, it’s still a very heartwarming promise to make to each other. However, according to this interview, he said he would end One Piece in 10 years from 2004 and now it’s been 20 years. His promise to the fans of One Piece overrides this one as the story is still incomplete and ongoing. It doesn’t exactly mean they will never go on this round-the-world trip, but is One Piece his adventure?

One Piece is Oda’s Way of Seeing the World

Wano’s scenery in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Despite Eiichiro Oda promising the round-the-world trip in 2004, he hasn’t been able to end One Piece in these 10 years. It’s 2024 and the journey is still going strong. However, Oda does frequently take breaks and while he hasn’t done the round-the-world trip, he does go on vacation abroad at least once a year with his family.

The talk about this promise is still active with X users quite intrigued by it. The X user, @sandman_AP, is a huge fan of Oda’s interviews and the information about his promise comes mainly from them.

When Oda married in 2004, he made a promise with his wife that they will go on a round-the-world trip after One Piece ends, saying he would finish it in 10 years..😭

— sandman (@sandman_AP) October 15, 2024

Some fans have made fun of it and guess that his wife, Chiaki Inaba, will have to wait for years.

Oda’s wife waiting for One piece to end pic.twitter.com/P3qOZI1i8h

— York (@Bringg_It_On) October 15, 2024

Odas wife in 2014: pic.twitter.com/w3QydG7Cq6

— NemoNoname (@NemoNoname2) October 15, 2024

It could be that One Piece is the adventure itself. Considering Oda has to juggle the responsibilities of being a mangaka with being a good husband and father, it’s not surprising to see he hasn’t gone on this trip. One Piece is far from complete and cannot end without Luffy becoming the Pirate King.

The journey we’ve gone on with the Straw Hats is exactly like exploring the world with them. It’s not outlandish to think Oda is fulfilling his dream of seeing the world through One Piece, imagining what a truly grand adventure will be like through them.

Will Oda Go On This Trip After One Piece Ends?

Nami hugs Luffy after they reunite on Zou in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

There’s no reason to not believe he won’t complete his promise after One Piece ends eventually, considering he has said it will end soon in either late 2024 or early 2025. However, knowing Oda, it will probably take another 5 years to end. We are just entering the Final Saga but still aren’t near Laugh Tale.

Oda’s promise to his wife doesn’t need a timeline. The mangaka is still young and will be able to go on his real-life adventure anytime. One Piece is like his own world that he has immersed himself into so perhaps he and his family don’t need the full adventure and are happy with what they have.