Before Eiichirô Oda began his hit series “One Piece,” he also drew several one shots for contests for new manga authors. His debut was with the one shot “Wanted” he created for a newcomer contest called the Tezuka Award when he was 17 years old. He won second place. After his official debut as a manga artist he switched between taking assistant jobs for several other manga artists while continuing to draw one shots such as “God’s Gift for the Future,” “Ikki Yako” and “Monsters” (which has been revealed to be canon in the One Piece history). Finally, in 1996, Oda drew the two one-shots called “Romance Dawn” that would become the prototypes for his new upcoming series “One Piece.” The first version of Romance Dawn was published in the 1996 “Summer Special” Weekly Shônen Jump issue in August. The issue was similar to the current “Jump Next,” where young manga artists can publish their works. The second version of “Romance Dawn” was published in Issue 41, 1996 of Weekly Shônen Jump, and was thus the first real publication in Jump by 21-year-old Oda. The two Romance Dawn One Shots were quite popular, as one year later, Oda started his shonen juggernaut, “One Piece.” I got my hands on a copy of the 1996 Issue 41 of Weekly Shônen Jump, and I thought I’d share the Oda-related segments in the issue with other One Piece fans. Enjoy! First, let’s start off with the Jump Issue’s cover. Box number one:

The first appearance in this magazine of new talent “Eiichiro Oda-sensei.”

Box number two:

Special 45 page One Shot with centerfold color page! Eiichirô Oda “Romance Dawn”

Eiichirô Oda was introduced to the readers through a timeline that showcased his life and art over the years. The page follows a timeline of Oda’s life as a (aspiring) mangaka.

Zero years old

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1975 January 1st,

Kumamoto Prefecture

City of Kumamoto

Birth!

Four years old: Sets his mind on becoming a manga artist!!

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“You mean I can be an adult and not have to work at any firm?!!”” “Eh!? I could just draw my entire life!? Don’t lie to me, you’re kidding right!?” Immediately decided on his career path.

A lot happened, but go forward a bit…

17 years old: Manga Artist Debut!! (Tezuka)

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Wanted!: “The battle of a gunman haunted by ghosts!?”

Compiled in the “Tezuka-Akatsuka Award Prize Winning Works’ Collection, vol. 11“

18 years old

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His second step as a professional!!

God’s Gift for the Future: “Can this young pickpocket put a stop to God’s plans?!” Published in Shônen Jump Original (少年ジャンプオリジナル増刊号) Special October Issue, 1993.

18 years old

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Prize-Winner at Hop☆Step Award!!

Ikki Yako: “What will be the destiny of this monk who is forcefully asked to exterminate monsters!?”

Compiled in the “Hop-Step Award Selection Vol. 13“

19 years old

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Published in Shônen Jump Autumn Special

Special Issue Publication!!

21 years old:

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Romance Dawn

Published in the 1996 Summer Special. The prototype for this piece!

21 years old Self-Portrait

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“Is the tonkatsu set meal not ready yet?”

SHAKEEN

Profile

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Likes: A nice afternoon. Swedish Music. A nice cup of coffee. Puyo Puyo.

Dislikes: All cockroaches should just be exterminated from this world with any trace left. I don’t like spiders but I hear they eat cockroaches so I’ll try to tolerate their existence.

Manga Artist and Pieces You Like: All the works of Toriyama-sensei

AND IN THIS ISSUE!

One Piece’s first editor, Takanori Asada, also made an appearance.



A Few Words from the editor!!

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“The amazing thing about Oda-sensei is that feeling of exhilaration after reading his work. The composition with a sense of speed, the cool characters, the exciting action (scenes). Ah, it just makes your heart race, doesn’t it!! For those of you who would like to read this again, please send us a letter straight away!!”

On the next page starts the “Romance Dawn” (Version 2) One Shot. Unlike the version compiled in the “Wanted!” volume, this issue features a color opening page with the usual descriptive line:

“The thing you can see out there on the horizon is an adventurous tale full of dreams and intrigue!!”

The last page of the One Shot also includes a line not written in the volume.

“The Straw Hat Jolly Roger flutters atop the seven seas!! The sky is clear, the seas are calm, Luffy’s voyage is in for smooth sailing!!”

Oda also left a comment on the last page of the Jump issue, his first comment in Weekly Shônen Jump ever!

“Woohoo!! So this is Jump! This is such a great feeling! I would love to hear your impressions!”

Needless to say, the readers’ impressions must have been loud, but who would’ve thought he’d become just as big as he did. For an answer to that question, be sure to check out episode 300 of the One Piece Podcast and “The One Piece Podcast Goes to Japan” …. Coming soon!! Note: Big thanks to Stephen for going over my translations and all the others on the OPP News Staff for helping out with this article!