One Piece story now in its ‘Final Stage’ according to Eiichiro Oda himself

One Piece will be releasing its 100th tankoubon volume release soon. And to celebrate, the manga’s editorial staff have released several ads in newspapers over in Japan. These include big names like the Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, and Mainichi Shimbun. The ad features Oda working on his beloved and long-running manga. It also features a statement which says that the story is now in its “final stage.”

Last year, Oda promised that One Piece will end in around four to five years. He did so during an interview in an episode of the Arashi band’s a la tubo variety program. Arashi member Satoshi Ohno also asked him if he has already decided on the ending. To this, he says that every time he changes editors, he has to brief them about everything, including the ending. His editor also came with Oda for the interview, and he also confirmed that he also knows the ending already. Oda also stated that he wants the manga to end in five years in another interview. Oda also said in 2016 that the manga is about 65% done. and that was five years ago.  He also previously said that the manga will have just over 100 volumes.

As for One Piece Vol. 100, it will hit the shelves in Japan on September 3, 2021. The manga’s editorial staff also released a teaser visual for the upcoming volume via Twitter as well:

Well folks, it looks like this might really be it. And if the manga is indeed ending in about three or four years’ time, it would end a very historic run for one of the world’s most beloved manga. And yes, three to four years would be quite short in terms of One Piece’s length.