Issue Sale Date Chapter Comment Related Comments

Monthly JUMP Original 10/25/1993* Kami kara mirai no Present (one-shot) Nice to meet you, my name is Oda. I'm extremely thankful to have been granted the opportunity to debut my work here. If you read this work and think to yourself, "Hmmm, that was pretty neat.", or even, "Hmmm, that was pretty lame.", by all means, please let me hear your thoughts and opinions. [*Although listed as an October 25th release, it seems likely that the actual release was sometime before that date.]

Spring Special 4/10/1994* Ikki Yakou (one-shot) Ooohkie-dokie, guess it's 'bout time to show you guys what I've got… Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm.* [*This is an ominous and cocky type of laughter which is extremely similar to the laughter of Doflamingo.] [*Although listed as an April 10th release, that seems improbable even for a special none-weekly publication as that was a Sunday. Since I'm not familiar with special publications such as this I'm only capable of listing the advertised date, however, it seems highly likely that the actual release was sometime before that date.] Kushima*-The incredible powerful sense of speed emanating from this piece is a perfect ten!! All of you out there would do well to remember the name, 'Eiichiro Oda'. Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm.** [*Kushima: Oda's second editor and the last editor before he officially started One Piece. Evidently they had some serious fights but Oda learned a great deal from him and respects him very much.] [**He and Oda seem to have played off each other on this ominous laughter.]

41 9/9/1996 ROMANCE DAWN (JUMP Version) Wa-hoooW!! So this is the real deal, JUMP huh, well it feeeeels GREAT and on days like this what I'd reeeeally like are your thoughts and opinions [on my work]

33 7/15/1997 (Not Published) Asada*-ROMANCE DAWN, originally published in Issue 41 from 1996, has been powered up even more and will begin serialization in the next issue!! Be sure to look forward to what Oda-sensei has in store when he draws Luffy traversing far-off seas!! [*Takanori Asada aka 'Daasa' aka 'A'da: The first of Oda's editor during the serialization of One Piece. His most well-known nickname is ‘Daasa’ in katakana, a rearrangement of the characters which spell his name. [See also: Chapters 89, 105, 107, 149, 173, 177, 560 & 2012 Issue #19 (One Piece break)] ]

34 7/19/1997* 1 Jump to Ch.700▽ Jump to Ch.100▽ When I was in middle school, I decided that I would draw a pirate comic in JUMP. I'll ignore the atrocities of historic facts and just draw a bunch of jolly pirates. 'Cause hey, it's summer. But what I really wonder is why JUMP uses a pirate mark. Why is that? [*It's unfortunate that I have to add a qualifier to the very first chapter of One Piece but as it currently stands, this is only fair for such an important date. What is listed to the left is the 'actual' release date of One Piece, not the 'official' street-date of July 22nd as advertised in the back of Weekly Shonen JUMP Issue #33 1997. For a detailed explanation on JUMP 'street-dates' I suggest you read the yellow asterisk mark for 2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 below before proceeding.

As Monday the 21st was a national holiday, Issue #33 of JUMP first hit stores on Saturday July 19th, 1997. That is One Piece's actual serialization anniversary date. The August ] Nobuhiro Watsuki* [Rurouni Kenshin]- Oda-sensei who helped out [on my staff] in the past will finally be starting his new serialized comic from this week. Congratulations. Let's do our best together. [*Nobuhiro Watsuki: Author of popular Weekly JUMP series Rurouni Kenshin. Oda worked as an assistant for Watsuki prior to starting One Piece. Several assistants that worked under Watsuki with Oda went on to become successful authors gaining themselves the nickname, 'The Watsuki Gang'. The members are: Eiichiro Oda, Hiroyuki Takei, Shinya Suzuki, Eiji Kumazawa (Shinga Gin) and Mikio Itou. [See also: Chapters 6, 38, 109, 2004 Issue 52 (One Piece break) & 379] ] Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko, Takeshi]- I've been waiting for Oda's serial [comic]. I hope you'll all read One Piece and become pioneering pirates!!

[*Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro aka 'Shimabu~': Author of such successful series as Toriko and Seikimatsu Leader Den Takeshi. Mitsutoshi is infamous for being convicted of paying at least three underage girls for sexual services after which he went on to write Toriko.]

[See also: Chapters 65, 140, 244, 317, 570, 618, 621, 676 & 687] ]

35 7/28/1997 2 The morning sun as seen from my window at work is incredibly beautiful!! Seeing it the first thing in the morning is what I think about just before going to sleep.

36 8/4/1997 3 To Asami-sensei* and your staff members, thank you for the flowers celebrating the start of my series. Wild Half is drawn by such a nice person. [*Yuko Asami: Author of the series Wild Half from Weekly Shonen JUMP.]

37+38 8/11/1997 4 A comic by Mizumoto-san*, a buddy of mine from my early days [as a manga artist], will have his work run in Akamaru JUMP. Use that as a first step towards us drawing serials together!! [*Akitsugu Mizumoto: A long-time manga artist and assistant. He has had multiple pieces published in various Shueisha publications. His most successful work thus far is the Toriko spin-off series, Gourmet Gakuen Toriko published in Saikyo JUMP. The particular work Oda mentions here was called Ga-ROW which actually did reach the pages of Weekly Shonen JUMP the next year but only for 11 issues. [See also: Chapters 19 & 100] ]

39 8/25/1997 5 Whoa! I went to see Mononoke Hime*!! It's so good!! And so cool!! Things are compellingly 'Mera'** at the office. [*Princess Mononoke: A Studio Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki.]

[**Mera Yoshikazu: A Japanese countertenor who sang the film's main theme.]

40 9/1/1997 6 During my assistant years both Tokuhiro-sensei* and Rurouni's Watsuki-sensei** took great care of me. I hope that Tokuhiro-sensei will be able to return to JUMP as soon as possible. [*Masaya Tokuhiro: A manga author who found success with many series such as Jungle King Tar-chan, Kyoshiro 2030 and Fundoshi Kenji Ken-chan to Choko-chan in Shueisha publications. Oda worked as an assistant under Tokuhiro and frequently had his name hidden in Tokuhiro's work. Tokuhiro actually introduced Oda to his idol, Akira Toriyama, and chronicled the event as a short comic in the volume edition of his series Mizu no Tomodachi -Kappa Man-, a series which Oda worked on as an assistant. Oda's name may be found hidden throughout the series. [See also: Chapter 333] ]

[**See Chapter 1]

41 9/8/1997 7 I bought a Lego pirate ship. What a fun creation. It's respectable that the Lego designers haven't lost their child-like hearts. But they're aimed at 5-12 year olds!! Aw, shucks.

42 9/13/1997* 8 I hear that One Piece will be running in Hong Kong and Taiwanese publications as well. I'm looking forward to what the title will be changed to. I bet it'll be all Chinese characters. [*Interestingly, the official release date of Issue #42 was listed in the back of JUMP Issue #41 as '9/15 (Tues.)' however, this was apparently an editorial mistake as September 15th of 1997 was actually a Monday. With Monday as a national holiday, this would seem to indicate that the issue was 'actually' released on 9/13 Saturday. A Saturday release for JUMP in the event of a Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being officially recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

43 9/22/1997* 9 Let's try to think about what the Hong Kong and Taiwanese titles of One Piece might be. Adventurous Elasticity Boy. Straw Hat Pirate. Young Girl's Clothing. I wonder. [*9/22 was a Monday and Issue #43 was advertised as a Monday release in Issue #42 due to a national holiday on Tuesday the 23rd. Advertising a Monday release, despite readily being available in most places across Japan on Mondays, was a rarity at the time, even in the event of holidays. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

44 9/29/1997 10 Seems there's been an emergence of 'towelers'* on my home [island] of Kyushu. Amateurs... Why, I've been a toweler while working since way back. [*Toweler: A Japanese term for youths that wrap a white towel around their head as opposed to a scarf or bandana.]

45 10/6/1997 11 I've been in serialization more than 10 weeks now but I still can't keep up with the weekly pace. Man, the professionals are amaaaaazing.

46 10/13/1997 12 Thank you for the fan letters that come in week after week. I think the best way I can thank you at this point is by turning your words of support into the energy of the characters. So that's what I'm gonna do!!

47 10/20/1997 13 Now it's been decided that One Piece will be appearing in Thailand. The art will have to be mirrored from right to left. I'm a little concerned that it might mess with the designs.

48 10/27/1997 14 Volume 2 of Butsu Zone by Hiroyuki Takei-sensei*, a personal and neighborhood friend, was released. Bought it. Just like I thought, it's right up my alley. [*Hiroyuki Takei: author of Shaman King and Oda's friend with whom he worked as an assistant for Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin. He's a member of 'The Watsuki Gang'. His younger brother is manga author Hirofumi Takei who has collaborated with Oda on One Piece-related projects.

[See also: Chapters 38, 49, 91, 145, 178, 192, 272, 334, 495 & 500] ]

49 11/1/1997* 15 Toriyama-sensei's* serial has begun!! I'm so happy!! Maybe too happy!! I'm looking forward to being able to read it each week!!! [*Akira Toriyama: Author of Dragon Ball and a figure that Oda looked up to ever since he was a young reader. In this particular issue Oda is referring to Toriyama's short work COWA!

[See also: Chapters 27, 161, 302, 439 & 667] ] [*The official release date of Issue #49 was listed in the back of JUMP Issue #48 as '11/4 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is special since 11/3 Monday was a national holiday so the issue was probably actually released on 11/1 Saturday. A Saturday release for JUMP in the event of a Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being regularly officially recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

50 11/10/1997 16 In my childhood I read a book called Elmer and the Dragon and it gave me culture shock. I don't think there's any other imaginary creature as beloved as dragons. Who the heck thought them up? That person was awesome!!

51 11/17/1997 17 SO COLD!! I hate the cold!! Ahh, I know what this means. Yep, drinking a warm and bitter cup of coffee while doing my job good and dandy.

52 11/22/1997* 18 There were some domed stickers in a fan's letter. I've seen them placed on things before but noooow I get how they're used. [*The official release date of Issue #52 was listed in the back of JUMP Issue #51 as '11/25 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this was a special case since 11/24 Monday was a national holiday so the issue was probably actually released on 11/22 Saturday. A Saturday JUMP release in the event of a Monday holiday is a schedule routine that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being regularly officially recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

1 12/1/1997 19 Kazu-sensei* and Mizumoto-sensei**, congratulations on your new serials! We used to go drinking a lot back in the day but now we're war buddies!! [*Hajime Kazu: A manga artist best known for her series Mind Assassin. Here Oda is mentioning the serialization of her work Meiryoutei Gotou Seijurou]

[**See Chapter 4. Here Oda is mentioning the serialization of his series Ga-ROW]

2+3 12/8/1997 20 Alright then. You ready? It's coming. At long last One Piece Volume 1!! It comes out on Christmas!! There are some extra special pages as too.

4+5 12/22/1997* 21 This calls for a celebration!! Two of my buddies will [have their work] published in Akamaru JUMP. I'm cheering for you Shinyacchi* & Matsuicchi**. Push forwaaaard!! [*Shinya Suzuki aka 'Shinyacchi' aka 'Shinyappo': One of Oda's nicknames for Shinya Suzuki whose first installment of the work TETSUJO appeared in this issue. Suzuki would go on to write the popular series Mr. Fullswing. He is a member of 'The Watsuki Gang'.



[See also: Chapters 38, 65, Issue 52 2004 (One Piece break) & 411] ] [**Katsunori Matsui aka 'Matsuicchi': Oda's nickname for manga artist Katsunori Matsui whose work Platinum -Hello! Fantastic Formula- appeared in this issue. Matsui would later to go to use the pen name KIYU which Oda later used for him. Matsui later found success with his series La Sommelière. [See also: Chapters 86, 151 & 156] ] [*Listed as a Monday (22nd) release. This is an interesting case where the editorial staff actually changed the release date knowing that they couldn't guarantee that JUMP would be available in all areas on Tuesday. The reason for such a bold choice which stood to anger and confuse readers? That year Tuesday, December 23rd wasn't just any normal holiday, it was the emperor's birthday. At least during the course of One Piece's publication, JUMP has never once had a December 23rd release date. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on Weekly Shonen JUMP release date details] ]

6 1/5/1998* 22 WOAH!! THE YEAR'S ALREADY STARTED!! Happy New Year. I worked very diligently last year. That's coming from me so there's totally no reason for you to doubt me and stuff. Right, so carrying on that grand tradition, you guessed it!! I'll do my best [this year too]!! Looking forward to this year with you. [*Interesting to note that January the 5th was the advertised release date in Issue # 4+5 which was rare at the time since it was a Monday. Since the previous weekend had a very important national holiday fall on Saturday (3rd) it doesn't seem that there was a chance of a weekend release despite convenient stores operating as usual. Even the major routine Friday deliveries seem difficult since the 2nd was also an important holiday. Thus it's a rare case where the oddly timed street-date would appear to be valid. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on Weekly Shonen JUMP release date details] ]

7 1/12/1998 23 The boom box I bought with money from my very first high school part-time job* has been with me for six years. Recently CDs started skipping. Hang in there!! [*Part-time job: It's possible Oda is talking about his job at Baratei the steak restaurant where he worked that inspired the name of the restaurant ship in One Piece.]

8 1/19/1998 24 I went to the party for the 'Big Two' Awards*. It's been a while since I let loose singing and partying like that. Feeling rejuvenated** is sooo important. [*Big Two: An abbreviation of the annual Tezuka & Akatsuka Awards. The Tezuka Award is bestowed on superb story-driven manga by amateur authors. The Akatsuka Award is granted to superb comedy-driven manga by amateur authors. [Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 90, 142, 235, 302, 511, 667 & 671] ] [**He literally wrote 'refresh' in katakana but the nuance is slightly different in English.]

9 1/26/1998 25 Thank you for the incredible amount of postcards we received for last year's 'Cover Page Illustration Idea Contest'. Selecting them is tough!

10 2/2/1998 26 It's so funny!! I've been watching Masaru-san* on TV and it's crazy that a TV cartoon can make me laugh this hard. [*Masaru-san: An abbreviation of the title of the animated television comedy Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san based on the manga of the same name by Kyosuke Usuta**.] [**Kyosuke Usuta: Author of the popular Weekly JUMP series, Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san and Blow with a Fwoosh! Jaguar. He's the same school-year as Oda and they seem to have a friendly mutual respect for each other. [See also: Chapters 142, 481 & 597] ]

11 2/9/1998 27 I went to the [Weekly Shonen JUMP] New Year's party* where I was able to meet Toriyama-sensei**. If you can believe it we actually played rock-paper-scissors!! AND I LOST!! He really IS a living legend. [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 37, 75, 216, 442, 465 & 611. These are comments regarding the annual Weekly Shonen JUMP New Year's party. They pertain only to the manga and are not the same as the anime New Year's party.] [**See Chapter 15]

12 2/16/1998 28 At last the unveiling of the [winners of the] 'Cover Page Illustration Idea Contest'*. Since I love drawing pictures I'm going to put some extra effort into the next six weeks. Of course that goes for the series too. [*A special contest where readers sent in ideas for Oda to draw as cover pages. From Chapter 28 through Chapter 34, the winners' entries were drawn as cover pages. Chapter 28 was a full color spread and Chapter 32 was a rare single-page color cover. The rest were black and white.]

13 2/23/1998 29 Crap. My wisdom tooth* feels kind of weird. Is this all because I stopped going to the dentist mid-treatment last year? [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 33, 162, 163, 164 & 165]

14 3/2/1998 30 FAIL!! I woke up the same time I went to sleep. I SLEPT OVER 24 HOURS!! This week's manuscripts are probably gonna be hell.

15 3/9/1998 31 The Olympics, which will be long over by the time this goes to print, have got me all emotional right now. Sports are amazing.

16 3/16/1998 32 Valentine's chocolates have arrived! Thank you so much!! The characters and staff included, we're all enjoying them. I love chocolate.

17 3/23/1998 33 About that funky wisdom tooth* I wrote about in Issue 13, after I brushed it with ApaXXrd** all the ridges [on my tooth] were missing. THE HECK!? [*Related comments: See Chapter 29] [**Apagard: Oda couldn't mention the brand name but Apagard is a Japanese-developed toothpaste that supposedly restores tooth enamel.]

18 3/30/1998 34 April 3rd, One Piece Volume 2 will be out!!! You can look forward to the lively antics of the Buggy Gang. There are also some special extra pages for a handicraft project.

19 4/6/1998 35 Did you guys know this!? If you put Kappa Ebisen* in shoyu ramen it tastes delicious!! Just be careful of how much you put in. [*Kappa Ebisen: A brand of shrimp-flavored rice cracker from the snack company Calbee.]

20 4/13/1998 36 Thank you for sending me all the One Piece cosplay pictures. If I did it I'd be a fabulous Nami ♥ Yikes.

21 4/20/1998 37 Regarding the DVD [player]* I got at the [Weekly Shonen JUMP] New Year's party.** To tell the truth I wasn't too interested in it but I hooked it up the other day. Oh yeah, it's the Age of DVD!!! [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 216] [**Related comments: See Chapter 27]

22+23 4/27/1998 38 Golden Week is coming. Three buddies from my amateur days will be published in Akamaru JUMP. Fukushige-san*, Shinyappo** and Yamakawa-san*3, good luck-po. [*Masakazu Fukushige aka ‘F-san’: A manga artist that, as of this writing (2013), hasn't broken it big. Fukushige also worked as an assistant to Oda for at least 10 years, quite possibly from the very start, however, Oda doesn't name him as an assistant here. A short interview with him can be found in the fan book One Piece 10th Treasures. Also, it was Fukushige's wife, Tomoko Fukushige, who was arrested in 2009 for sending Oda over 100 texts reading, "DIE!" at the termination of her husband's time working as an assistant for Oda. The work Oda mentioned here is Kaikyou Keibitai UZURA. [See also: Chapter 105] ] [**See Chapter 21. The work Oda mentioned here is the second installment of TETSUJO.] [*3Kaori Yamakawa: A manga artist that, as of this writing (2013), hasn't broken it big. Her work that Oda mentioned here is PRADA.] Nobuhiro Watsuki* [Rurouni Kenshin]- Shinga**, Takei*3 and Oda, all three sensei dropped by unexpectedly. It helped me feel refreshed. THANK YOU*4. [*See Chapter 1 entry]

[**Eiji Kumazawa aka Gin Shinga: His pen name being a clever play on his first name and the periodic table's abbreviation for silver, Eiji worked as an assistant with Oda on Rurouni Kenshin in ‘The Watsuki Gang’. Without ever breaking it big, Eiji passed away in on May 26th 2002 at the age of 29. In response to this, Oda made the background of One Piece Chapter 233's title page entirely black. His only series were Shonen Tantei Q and Oni ga Kitarite which where each collected in two volumes. [See also: Chapter 233] ] [*3See Chapter 14] [*4He used the katakana spelling for the English 'thank you'.]

24 5/11/1998 39 At last it's here, the season of warmth. For a lazy guy like me, getting along by wearing just a t-shirt is too awesome to handle.

25 5/18/1998 40 Recently been pouring over comics I read a long time ago. It's weird because just reading them now like this I can recall specific events from my life back then.

26 5/25/1998 41 Went around to some big bookstores for the first time in a year to gather materials. I naively thought three hours would be enough to buy up what I needed. Gotta make another trip to Jimbocho*. [*Jimbocho: A neighborhood of Tokyo's Chiyoda district literally overflowing with used book stores of all varieties. Also home to the editorial offices of Shueisha and therefore Weekly Shonen JUMP.]

27 6/1/1998 42 Purchased a new stereo receiver* during Golden Week. Is it one of those teletext ones? Can it handle dual Minidiscs? Anyway, it's cool. [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 88]

28 6/8/1998 43 I was shocked when I saw the May 17th episode of Sazae-san*!! Katsuo's voice actor changed!! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED...!! [*Sazae-san: The incredibly popular animated program based on the comic strip by Machiko Hasegawa of the same name based on a family of multiple generations living together in post-war Japan. [See also: Chapter 182] ]

29 6/15/1998 44 Went to the One Piece anime's voice acting audition to learn more about it. How to describe it. The power [of their voices] in person is amazing. I can't wait to see Luffy and the gang actually talking.* [*Oda is talking about the cast of the One Piece short film Defeat Him! The Pirate Ganzack which was shown at the 1998 JUMP Super Anime Tour. It's important to note that the cast is completely different from the regular animated series. [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 50 & 51]

30 6/22/1998 45 I don't care if we get flak for this but we're on a yo-yo kick at the office. Sure, might be a bit late to the fad but yo-yo's are all the rage here. I'm currently practicing the 'loop the loop'. I'll do my best.

31 6/29/1998 46 The whole planet is into the World Cup!!!* I wanna watch it so badly and it's distracting me from my WORK!! But I'm going to watch anyway!!! Even if you are getting in the way of what I should be doing, I'm rooting for you JAPAN!! [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 237 & 591]

32 7/6/1998 47 I might be 'Swedistic' but I'm taking a break from Swedish music and listening to some Irish tunes now. They're so carefree.

33 7/13/1998 48 Wonder what it means to be 'cool'. Right now I think Sachiko Kobayashi* is cool. And so was the late Yoshie Utsumi**. [*Sachiko Kobayashi: A famous enka songstress who, in addition to her voice, is known for frequently donning intricate stage-filling outfits on NHK's live year-end concert, Kouhaku Utagassen.] [**Yoshie Utsumi: A comedian who frequently used traditional Japanese artistic practices and music as part of her routines with partner Keiko Utsumi.]

34 7/18/1998* 49 Right, it's been four weeks since that manga everyone's been talking about started. There was an oath we took to have our serials run together in JUMP back when we were assistants on Rurouni. I've forgotten how long ago that was but we finally did it. Well, Takei-san*, what more can I say than congratulations. [*See Chapter 14 entry. Here Oda is congratulating him on the serialization of Shaman King.] [*The official release date of Issue #34 was listed in the back of JUMP Issue #33 as '7/21 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is special since 7/20 Monday was a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was probably actually released on 7/18 Saturday. A Saturday release in the event of a Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being regularly recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ] Hiroyuki Takei* [Shaman King]- I didn't mention anything because conspiring like that is so cheesy but I can't keep it in anymore. We did it Oda-kun!! Let's give it our best

[*See Chapter 14 entry.]

35 7/27/1998 50 The voice actors were chosen for the anime so I went to the recording session to learn about it. I was so moved by their stunning performances which were even better than I imagined. [Related comments: See Chapter 44]

36 8/3/1998 51 WO----AAA~~~~H!!! I went to see it, the One Piece anime advance screening!!! It is aweSUUUUUM!! Please don't miss it!!! [Related comments: See Chapter 44]

37+38 8/10/1998 52 My debut work* from 6 years ago will be in Akamaru JUMP. It's a Western. Speaking of which, seems there's gonna be an unrelated Western story published in the same issue. The author is a Mikio Ito**? I know I've heard that before but... wait, it couldn't possibly be!? [*WANTED: Oda's award-winning debut comic which he wrote when he was only 17-years old. [**Mikio Itou: A manga author who belonged to 'The Watsuki Gang' of artists along with Oda. Mikio frequently appeared early in One Piece as a hidden bounty poster character. Mikio has had his own work published in Weekly Shonen JUMP like Normandy Himitsu Club, but none of them have been collected in more than five volumes. In this entry Oda is referring to his work Romantaji-no.

[See also: Chapters 168, 180, 414 & 415] ]

39 8/24/1998 53 When looking through an old Lego catalog I found a pirate ship even bigger than the ones they sell now!! Was it discontinued!? Mr. Lego Japan Representative-Man, [are you out there reading this]!?

40 8/31/1998 54 I can't get, 'A SAD MOMEEEENT!!', out of my head. Itsumo Koko Kara* is a weird comedy duo name but they're funny. [*Itsumo Koko Kara: A comedy duo that enjoyed popularity in the late-90's and are perhaps best known for their 'Algorithm Exercises' segment on NHK's after-school program Pythagoras Switch. One of their comedy routines involved shouting the above phrase repeatedly while presenting humorous and topical subjects.]

41 9/7/1998 55 Lately I find myself not feeling the least self-conscious when I go to a toy store and stand alongside other kids looking at the merchandise. Wonder if that's because I've awakened to the fact that I draw comics [for a living].

42 9/14/1998 56 Ran out of room to lay down the futon so I cleaned up my room. Kinda lonely without the stacked up magazines and clothes. I remain hopeful that things will be back to normal in a few weeks.

43 9/21/1998 57 Japan has just lost the greatest entertainer of this era. Let's reflect on it once more. The spirit of Akira Kurosawa*. [*Akira Kurosawa: The world-famous Japanese film director. [See also: Chapter 138] ]

44 9/28/1998 58 I put some beef jerky in orange jelly and it tasted like MSG. Also made me feel sick.

45 10/5/1998 59 I bought a Akiko Wada* album. SHE IS THE SOOOWL-SHOUTIN' SINGER! [She] shouts from her SOOOWL**. [*Akiko Wada: A towering Japanese-born singer of Korean ancestry famous for her deep voice which she applies to soul-style music.

[See also: Chapter 284] ] [**SOOOWL: Meaning 'soul'. Oda was playing with the spelling of, 'tamashi' which he wrote as 'tamasui-'. 'Tamashi' is what Japanese people believe to be one's soul. Years later, Oda would reuse a VERY similar variation of the term for Brook to refer to his soul when he learned how to manipulate it.]

46 10/12/1998 60 The fifth One Piece volume was released. The Usopp arc wraps up. Yosaku & Johnny appear along with Sanji. It's a lotta fun!!

47 10/19/1998 61 Those who participated in the 'Character Popularity Vote', thank you very much. I'm really happy that Luffy came in first. I was worried that Zoro or Shanks might overtake him.

48 10/26/1998 62 I watched Tenten-kun*. That song in it is so funny. I'm sure it's gonna be a hit. This is the start of a really great anime!! [*Tenten-kun: An anime based on the manga of the same name Hanasaka Tenshi Tenten-kun by Mataichiro Oguri**. The song is likely "Kurasu de Ichiban Sugoi Yatsu", the opening theme song.] [**Mataichiro Oguri aka 'Kazamata Oguri': Author of the Weekly Shonen JUMP series Hanasaka Tenshi Tenten-kun. [See also: Chapters 107 & 143] ]

49 11/2/1998 63 I'm getting more and more letters with Tare Panda* envelopes. Seems popular. But did you know if you look reeeally closely, that panda is actually droopy!! [*Tare Panda: A popular panda character which appears to be extremely droopy. The characteristic comes from the 'tareru' in its name which means 'to droop'. Oda is being somewhat facetious as it's blatantly obviously that the panda is droopy.]

50 11/9/1998 64 I got my hands on the legendary out-of-production Lego pirate ship, The Dark Shark!! A huge thank you to S-san, employee of a certain Kiddy Land, for the tip that you had one in stock!! THREE CHEERS FOR LEGOS

51 11/16/1998 65 Shinyappo*, whose one-shot debuted this week, helps out on One Piece from time to time. His selling point is definitely 'power' manga!! [*See Chapter 21. Here Oda is referring to the third and final incarnation of TETSUJO.]

Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko, Takeshi]- Yes!! The collection of Oda's one-shots comes out this week. There's only one I haven't read so I'm really looking forward to it!! [*See Chapter 1]

52 11/21/1998* 66 Izumi Kato's* new single is out. She's done it again!! I've got it playing on heavy rotation in my room. [*Izumi Kato: A Japanese vocal artist whose work has appeared in anime, video games and television dramas. The single Oda mentions here is probably Setsunaku Aoi Sora no Pe-ji which was used as the ending theme for the television drama, Kiseki no Hito. [*The official release date of Issue #52 was listed in the back of JUMP Issue #51 as '11/24 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is special since 11/23 Monday was a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was probably actually released on 11/21 Saturday. A Saturday release in the event of a Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being regularly recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

1 11/30/1998 67 Lately there are a lot of maxi-singles at CD stores. I buy them thinking they're albums but it's only two or three songs. Kinda disappointing.

2+3 12/7/1998 68 A manga by our staff member Ejiri-san* will be in Akamaru JUMP which goes on sale the 14th. Good work on those manuscripts. [*Tatsuma Ejiri aka 'Ejirin': A manga author who worked as an assistant on One Piece. Ejirin would go on to write P2! - Let's Play Ping-Pong- in Weekly Shonen JUMP for approximately one year. He continues to work sparingly in the manga field through various publication. The work Oda mentions here is CHILDS. [See also: Chapters 100, 175, 428 & 442] ]

4+5 12/19/1998* 69 Went to Nakano Sun Plaza for the [Weekly Shonen JUMP] Anime Tour. It was a valuable experience to talk in front of more than 2000 people. Really enjoyed it. [*This is the first instance I have found in my research of Weekly Shonen JUMP's history (during One Piece's serialization) of a release date being advertised on a Saturday. Since Monday the 21st was not a national holiday the reason for this Saturday listing is uncertain and something of an anomaly in the established release pattern.]

6 1/4/1999* 70 Happy New Year I wanted to try using a large font just once. But seriously it's just like, definitely a happy time n'stuff. [*Listed as a Monday release. New Year's Day, a national holiday, fell on a Friday which is the usual distribution day. Deliveries across the country starting on Friday allow for distribution to all stores in time for the standard release and Saturday releases when Monday is a national holiday. [See 2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on Weekly Shonen JUMP release date details] ]

7 1/11/1999 71 In the seventh month of the year 1999, Mongol Man* will fall from the sky. Be wary of leg lariats. [*Mongol Man: A character from the popular wrestling comic Kinnikuman by the creative team Yudetamago comprised of writer Takashi Shimada and artist Yoshinori Nakai.]

8 1/18/1999 72 Recently kids from the neighborhood have gotten into firecrackers. Nothing wrong with that at all but, KNOCK IT OFF WHEN I'M SKETCHING!

9 1/25/1999 73 Thank you so much for the mountains of New Year's cards and birthday presents!! I'll return the favor by 'moving your hearts' [with my manga]*!!! [*Oda writes kandou or 'emotional' in kanji, but he writes defines the reading as manga indicating that he'll move people through his manga. Interesting that he equates being emotional with manga as, ever since One Piece Film STRONG WORLD, it has been a goal of his to place excitement over dramatic moments. Also interesting to note, he wrote this mere weeks before Nami's backstory.]

10 2/1/1999 74 Swing' is gonna be big this year!! These snazzy gang-rock tunes will be my background music for [drawing] One Piece this year.

11 2/8/1999 75 I went to [Weekly Shonen JUMP's] New Year party. I got to ask the thing I've been wanting to ask about to the sensei I wanted to ask about it; was very informative. [*Related comments: See Chapters 27]

12 2/15/1999 76 The drama in each and every single match is what makes professional wrestling so interesting. May the great entertainer, Giant Baba*, rest in peace. [*Shohei Baba: A famous 6'10" Japanese professional wrestler who passed away on January 31st 1999.]

13 2/22/1999 77 Voices of discontent [are pouring in] from Sanji fans regarding the One Piece title page in the New Year's issue #6!! That was entirely my fault!!! (ROTFL)* [*Sanji's face was in the middle of the page seam and thus rendered unviewable. That's why this particular artwork is off-center in Color Walk 1.]

14 3/1/1999 78 Nosebleed FWOOOSH!! Thank you very much for all the chocolates!! They've got my brain power running at full speed!!

15 3/8/1999 79 Was shocked by the new Gundam. Turn A Gundam*. As someone who has been a fan of the first Gundam** series since elementary school I never thought it would evolve into…that! So it's come to this!! [*Turn A Gundam: The final animated Gundam series to be directed by the series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino.] [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 263 & 288]

16 3/15/1999 80 I've got three favorite watches. But none of them tick anymore. Batteries are shot. Off to the watch shop. Masanori Morita* [Rookies, Rokudenashi Blues]- I cried when I read Issue 14's One Piece. Oda-sensei, can I shake your hand♥ [*Masanori Morita: Author of the popular manga series Rookies. Here he is talking about One Piece Chapter 78, the chapter where Belle-mère confronts Arlong. [See also: Chapters 82, 388 & 671] ]

17 3/20/1999* 81 At long last [it's the return of] the Star Wars series [toys]!! Gonna buy every last one of 'em without fail!! The only problem is finding display room [*The official release date of Issue #17 was advertised in the back of JUMP Issue #16 as '3/23 (Tues.)' but as was customary at the time, JUMP was released throughout most of Japan on Mondays. However, this case is special since 3/22 Monday was a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was probably actually released on 3/20 Saturday. A Saturday release in the event of a Monday holiday is a schedule that Weekly Shonen JUMP practiced from at least as early as the start of One Piece despite not being regularly recognized until October 1999. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

18 3/29/1999 82 I was so moved by Morita-sensei's* comment from Issue 16!! Phew, gotta do my best. Thank you so much [*See Chapter 80]

19 4/5/1999 83 I am not a man that will simply lie down and allow myself to be a slave to the times. By the way, aren't Japanese dumplings just to die for!! I am a man that forges my own bold new path.* [*Oda is busting himself for being sucked into the "Dango 3 Kyodai" (The Three Dumpling Brothers) fad which was sweeping the country at the time which was a children's song made popular on the NHK program Okaasan to Issho (With Mother).]

20 4/12/1999 84 Final Fantasy* is getting in the way of my work!! We can't have that. Thus I developed a breakthrough plan to deal with the issue. I'm going to do my very best, to beat the entire game. Yeah, that's the ticket. [*Considering the close release date, he was probably talking about Final Fantasy 8.





[*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 152 & 385] ]

21 4/19/1999 85 There's this thing called a 'foot-bath' but I think if you overuse it you'll probably turn your 'foot bad'!! That's...all I have to say.* [*'Foot-bath' is the same but I altered the punch-line of the pun. The Japanese pronunciation of 'foot-bath' can also sound similar to another Japanese word futtobasu or 'to go flying off'. There also appears to have been a grammatical error in the original entry which I have amended.]

22+23 4/26/1999 86 Former One Piece staff member Kusanagi-san* and a figure yet veiled in mystery, KIYU-san**, will have their manga in the Akamaru JUMP going on sale April 30th. I'm dying to read 'em!! [*Tsutomu Kusanagi: Author of several one-shot manga. This particular piece was P.K. - Attacking Keeper -.] [**See Chapter 21. This particular piece was Candy Sprinter.]

24 5/10/1999 87 I've just discovered a fantastic musician!! Her name is Yoko Kanno-san*. Miss, you are just…wow, awesome!! [*Yoko Kanno: Composer famous in the anime community for her extensive work on many series such as Cowboy Bebop.]

25 5/17/1999 88 The CD player on the stereo set* I just bought last year broke. I called the repairman and he fixed it. Thank goodness. [*Related comment: See Chapter 42]

26 5/24/1999 89 Mr. Sagara, a friend of my editor Mr. 'A'da*, thank you so much for setting up my Mac!! I'm so happy I could cry [*See 1997 Issue #33]

27 5/31/1999 90 I went to the judges' meeting for the Tezuka Awards*. It was great to hear such amazing stories from all those amazing people. [*Related comments: See Chapter 24] Habuta*- Kanazawa-kun who helped out in the editorial room changed jobs and left us by saying, "I'm off to find... MY OWN One Piece!" I dunno what he's looking for but, g-go get 'em tiger!!

[*Takahiro Habuta aka 'Habuyan': One Piece's second editor and arguably Oda's favorite. Here he is making comments related to the series before he was even involved with it as an editor.



[See also: Chapters 107, 140, 178, 187, 205, 335, 345 & 352] ]

28 6/7/1999 91 There's just something exciting about those German toy blocks, Playmobile!! Their pirate series is outstanding Hiroyuki Takei* [Shaman King]- There's just something exciting about those German toy blocks, Playmobile!! Their knight series is outstanding.** [*See Chapter 14] [**No you're not reading double. Obviously these two wisenheimers got their hands on some toys together.]

29 6/14/1999 92 About the novelization* of One Piece that came out on June 3rd. If you can believe it, there's a flip book comic in it!! [*Taose! Kaizoku Ganzack: The first One Piece novel which, as with all novelizations of One Piece, was written by Tastuya Hamazaki.]

30 6/21/1999 93 "Ota-san, it's raining!!" "Oh heavens, thank you for telling me." Ah, listening to the conversations of the older ladies in the neighborhood. Really warms the heart.

31 6/28/1999 94 I WENT TO SEE STAR WARS EPISODE 1!!! Oh MAN, I was in seventh heaven*. Good job!!! STAR WARS!!! [*Oda's actual words were meromero punch which, while not an actual phrase, is just equating the experience to being hit over the head with happiness. Also, he actually wrote 'Good job!!!' in English.]

32 7/5/1999 95 So they're called 'Pipozaru', eh. Those monkeys. Gotta say they're pretty funny. That dance is great. GET YOU* [*Oda is talking about the monkeys from the PlayStation game Ape Escape known in Japan as Saru Get You!. The monkeys are called pipozaru in the Japanese version for their 'Peak Point Helmets'.]

33 7/12/1999 96 “We are gonna chug Pepsi like there's no tomorrow!” “OKAY!!” “We're not gonna stop until we've collected ALL the caps!!*” “YEAAAH!!” That's essentially the resolution I just made with the staff. [*Pepsi was running a bottle cap figurine promotion for Star Wars Episode 1.]

34 7/19/1999* 97 So the entire staff is trying to tell me that the sound a shishi-odoshi* makes is *Kahko~n*. But I'm positive the sound it really makes is *Kahpo~n*!! [*Sometimes called a 'deer scare' this is a device commonly found in ornate Japanese gardens that was originally supposed to startle deer by filling a bamboo cylinder with water which drops at intervals making a sudden banging noise once its balance is disturbed by the weight of the water.] [*The official release date of Issue #34 was advertised in the back of JUMP Issue #33 as '7/20 (Tues.)' but that's impossible since 7/20 was a national holiday. Therefore, the issue was probably actually released as normal on 7/19 Monday. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

35 7/26/1999 98 As of late, they say that even compared to the rest of the world, the Japanese people are getting more dumb. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

36 8/2/1999 99 Was toiling over a manuscript on the day of a deadline. That's when a Star Wars calendar arrived from a reader. POWER UP!!!! THANK YOU!!!

37+38 8/9/1999 100 Jump to Ch.001△ Jump to Ch.200▽ AND THUS, IT WAS DECREED, THAT IT WOULD BE AN ANIME~ SERIE~S!! And what's more is that three of my friends will be [published] in the special edition going on sale August 18th!! Mizumoto-san* and One Piece staffers Ejiri-san** & Takei-kun*3!! Alright, it's summer time!! [*See Chapter 4. Here Oda is talking about the manga RAI.] [**See Chapter 68. Oda is talking about his work Oasis Dancer.] [*3Hirofumi Takei: Younger brother of Shaman King author Hiroyuki Takei. He wrote ONE PIECE KIDS for JUMP Heroes and is the author of Sore Yuke Chopperman in Saikyo Jump. Here Oda is talking about his work, Kinoko-tsukai no Kinokota. One can tell which (easy to confuse) Takei brother Oda is talking about if one pays attention to whether he uses 'san' or 'kun' in addressing them. He always uses 'kun' for the younger brother.



[See also: Chapter 376] ]

39 8/23/1999 101 Mitsuru Nakamura* is an artist-lyricist and I thought he just drew the album covers for 19. Turns out he's also a musician!! That's so cool. [*Mitsuru Nakamura aka '326': Former visual producer and lyricist for the neo folk band 19 (pronounced 'juke'). The album that promoted this comment from Oda was probably their first album Ongaku released July 23, 1999.]

40 8/30/1999 102 How about [they make] this, Kita no Kuni Kara Episode 1: Kunie's* Younger Years.** Is it hot in here or is it just me. [*Kunie Tanaka: A famous Japanese actor and the model for Borsalino.] [**Kita no Kuni Kara (From a Land to the North): A legendary Japanese drama which ran for two seasons in 1983 and 1984 (as well as many TV specials up until 2002) starring Kunie Tanaka. Given Star Wars Episode 1's release, Oda is jokingly suggesting they do something similar to explore the main character's younger years.]

41 9/6/1999 103 It seems that giraffes clean their ears with their tongue. They said so on TV. I had a friend that could pick their nose with their tongue but ears, that's incredible. Ears, just incredible.

42 9/13/1999 104 This summer I was given a priceless treasure. The opportunity to embark on the sailing vessel 'Kaisei'* into the open sea. Thank you!! [*Kaisei (Sea Star): A sailing vessel built in Poland in 1990, it was originally named Zew until it came under the ownership of the Sail Training Association of Japan in 1991 and was renamed Kaisei. It arrived in Japan in 1993 and was used as a training vessel. As of this writing its home port is in California and she is used for research expeditions to help understand and combat the resulting trash heap from the March 2011 tsunami which hit Northern Japan.



[See also: Chapter 150] ]

43 9/20/1999 105 Staff member F-san* became our hero when he captured the giant moth that invaded the office. [*See Chapter 38] Tite Kubo* [BLEACH, Zombie Powder]- Asada-san** (my editor) guessed Ulfina's cup-size in one shot. Weird way of putting it but I guess that's really 'manly' of him.



[*Tite Kubo: Author of popular Weekly Shonen JUMP series BLEACH.]



[**See 1997 Issue #33. Interesting to note that Asada was an editor for Oda and Kubo at the same time.]

44 9/27/1999 106 The other day I went to the One Piece anime [voice acting] audition*. After much deliberation we personally selected individuals whom the entire anime staff was pleased with. We'll reveal them in the next issue. I can't wait!! [*According to a promotional page within Weekly Shonen JUMP, the audition took place in August.]

45 10/4/1999 107 Lately I'm uh, you know. I'm having more fun than one guy should be allowed to. What with the anime starting and talks about a toy line progressing. Gosh, I'm just so happy I became a manga author (CRBT)*!! [*Oda didn't actually write 'crying real big tears'. He wrote the Japanese equivalent, naku meaning literally, 'crying '.] Kazumata Oguri* [Hanasaka Tenshi Tenten-kun]- My editor changed from Mr. Habuta** to the newcomer Mr. Aida. Habuta-san, thank you for all your hard work!! [*See Chapter 62 entry] [**See Chapter 90 entry] Asada*- At long last on October 20th the One Piece anime will hit the airwaves!! In order to make it as fun as possible the entirety of the anime and editorial staff are pouring as much energy as possible into it!! We're so pumped it's scary!! But no worries, we're OK!



[*See 1997 Issue #33]

46 10/9/1999* 108 A text I send keeps being rejected!! What's going on here!? It's a text I promised I'd send!! [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on Monday the 11th. This is the first documented case of Weekly Shonen JUMP with an advertised street-date of a Saturday due to a Monday national holiday during the serialization of One Piece.]

47 10/18/1999 109 I saw Watsuki-sensei* for the first time in a long while. [My impression of him was thus,] Mr. 'I'm-not-being-hounded-by-work' Easy-Going Wakky. [*See Chapter 1. The exact nickname he uses here in Japanese is Nonbiri Wakkii which is basically how I translated it since it isn't any type of gag, just a silly name. ]

48 10/25/1999 110 Regarding the pirate treasure chest campaign* commemorating the broadcast of the anime (see page 32). The keyword is 'Gomu Gomu'!! [*This was a special contest that ran in Weekly Shonen JUMP. You had to write the key phrase on a postcard and send it in to be entered for a chance to win.]

49 11/1/1999 111 Did you see the One Piece anime!? Isn't it a phenomenal piece of work!! The second episode is a ways off but while we're waiting let's watch the encore broadcast on the 13th and relive the excitement

50 11/8/1999 112 Ah yes, I currently find myself infatuated with the melodious sounds of classical music. What a splendid form of musical entertainment.

51 11/15/1999 113 Did you know that Pandaman is in the opening of the One Piece anime? You can spot him in slow motion

52+53 11/22/1999* 114 I started PosPe*. I took a look around the related sites too and... this world of ours, dang...it's just overflowing with cute stuff. [*PostPet aka PosPe: A Japanese e-mail client service associated with a visual graphic software that allowed users to send, receive and view e-mail via animated creatures in a customizable room.] [*Another rare occurrence regarding Weekly Shonen JUMP's listed release date. This issue was advertised (in Issue 51) as having a Monday (the 22nd) release despite their 'official' Tuesday release stance at the time. The reason being Tuesday was a national holiday and Shueisha probably wanted to avoid any confusion. Seeing as most (if not all) regions of Japan received JUMP shipments before the listed 'official' Tuesday release by that time anyway, it was probably just business as usual. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

1 12/6/1999 115 December 29th!! Something amazing is going to happen!!* For now just be sure to write 'One Piece' on that date in your calendar!! [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 117]

2 12/13/1999 116 I received a WonderSwan from the folks at Bandai. The whole staff is obsessed with Gunpey*. [*Gunpey: A puzzle game series where the name is a tribute to the developer Gunpei Yokoi, the man credited with being a key developer for the Game Boy and WonderSwan.]

3+4 12/20/1999 117 It's getting closer, the One Piece anime special with, three episode airing back-to-back!? Be sure not to miss the broadcast on the 29th that will be sure to reach all your homes along with the exasperated cries of the anime staff!!* [*Related comment: See Chapter 115]

5+6 1/3/2000* 118 A Happy New Year indeed. So what should I do this year. I think, yeah, I'd like to write a really good manga. [*The release date of Issue 5+6 was listed in Issue 3+4 as January 4th which was a Tuesday. This was standard practice at the time, however, considering how the national holidays fall, January 4th may have been the actual street-date for the issue . Since December 31st of 1999 was a Friday, it seems likely that regular Friday Weekly Shonen JUMP shipments were made as scheduled. Although local bookstores probably did not open on Monday the 3rd, it's probable that convenient stores and major chains which were actually open had JUMP available for purchase on Monday, hence my listing of the 3rd. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

7 1/17/2000 119 Bibiru* were really nice guys. And for all of you that came to JUMP Festa, I absorbed the amazing spirit you all brought with you!! [*Bibiru: A comedy unit in Japan comprised of Jun Ooki and Noboru Ouchi. In 2002 Ouchi decided to leave show business but Jun continued alone under the name Bibiru Ooki. Oda mentioned them here because they probably emceed the One Piece stage event, a job that as of this writing (2013) is often performed by the comedy unit American Zarigani.]

8 1/24/2000 120 I bought a hybrid cell phone. I'm always in the house [so it's not like I'm actually out and about] but I just wanted one darnit!!

9 1/31/2000 121 I'm writing this on January 19th. Alrighty then, it's about time to start sending New Year's cards. It's what they call 'finishing what you start'.

10 2/7/2000* 122 I received all sorts of birthday presents. Thank you so much!! Gonna do my best!! [*Just interesting to note that there was no actual listed release date for the next issue of Weekly Shonen JUMP on the table of contents which is a rarity. It was listed in the traditional advertisement spread in the back.]

11 2/14/2000 123 This spring three of my friends are getting married. That's the power of the millennium for you!! Congratulations and here's wishing all of you years of happiness!!!

12 2/21/2000 124 I went to one of the anime's wrap parties. The One Piece anime is entirely made possible by the remarkable people standing behind it.

13 2/28/2000 125 Y-san* of our staff is a SUPER sculptor. Using just putty rubber and some vinyl he can make an incredibly realistic cockroach. Please stop. [*Yokoyama aka 'Y-san': It's with some certainty that I believe the above Y-san is Mr. Yokoyama. In the fanbook One Piece 10th Treasures it was noted that Yokoyama had been working on One Piece for 7 years as of 2007 which adds up perfectly. According to comments in Chapter 568's SBS (Volume 58) it seems that Yokoyama was also in charge of the organization of volumes to some extent, even choosing which fan art to include in Usopp's Pirate Gallery.

[See also: Chapter 132] ]

14 3/6/2000 126 Buena Vista Social Club*. It's all I listen to [these days]. I've fallen in love with the legendary voices of Cuba. [*Buena Vista Social Club: A 1997 album that serves as a tribute to the songs and people that sang them in the famous Cuban club of the same name in the 40's and 50's.



[*Related comment *Root*: Chapter 159] ]

15 3/13/2000 127 Hikaru Utada and Misia. Our workplace is divided between which one is a more talented singer. The winner is, Hibari Misora* [*Hibari Misora: Arguably the most famous Japanese female entertainer of all time. She was a singer and actress who left behind a career filled with songs long remembered after her passing in 1989.]

16 3/18/2000* 128 Thank you very much for all the Valentine chocolates!! When I eat these I'll be choc(olate)-full of power♥♥** Okay that was bad. [*The actual pun is chokotto ganbaru which means 'I'll try...but not too hard'. ] [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on Monday the 20th.]

17 3/27/2000 129 I went to the advance screening of the One Piece movie. It flowed really well and was a lot of fun!! It's packed with playfulness right through the ending credits* [*He's referring to the cameo of Gill Bastar and Wild Joe from WANTED!.]

18 4/3/2000 130 I went to see a K-1 [event]. The match* between Kurosawa & Kakuta pierced straight through my heart. Here it comes…YEAAAAAAAH!!! [*Oda went to the March 19th K-1 Burning 2000 event in Yokohama Arena. The match here was between fighters Hiroki Kurosawa and Nobuaki Kakuda.]

19 4/10/2000 131 Oh Madam, have you heard the latest!?* The One Piece soundtrack CD!! It's perfect for you and yours! You'll be sure to love it!! [*Oda's talking like he's part of an infomercial targeting middle-aged married women.]

20 4/17/2000 132 [One Piece] staffer Y-san* and his wife had a baby!! Congratulatiooons!! It's a girl!! You're a daddy now Y-san!! [*See Chapter 125]

21+22 4/24/2000 133 Smack in the middle of constructing the snow country arc I coincidentally received a The Snowman* CD from a reader. It allowed for a really good atmosphere which helped speed up the creation process. Thank you. [*The Snowman: Oda wrote sunouman, and this spelling is slightly different from the official Japanese spelling of the 1978 children's story by Raymond Briggs but a search for such titles came up with nothing in particular so I believe that this is indeed the Howard Blake soundtrack to the BBC animated production of The Snowman.]

23 5/8/2000 134 Recently I've been browsing illustration websites from around the world in my downtime. SO MUCH TALENT!!! The world sure is a big place.

24 5/15/2000 135 When I'm struggling to come up with a decent story or sketch I simply put things in perspective. I simply remind myself that [it's okay] because after all, WE LIVE IN THE MATRIX!!! …oh, I uh, went to see it the other day.

25 5/22/2000 136 I connected the [drawing] tablet I've been dying for to my Mac!! Don't even know how to begin describing how awesome this is!! It's siiiick!!!

26 5/29/2000 137 I got hit pretty hard. Here I was thinking I was invincible when I had my first fever in 10 years.* Now I know first-hand how bad Nami felt. Luffy! Hurry up and get her to a doctor!! [*Related Comment *Root*: See Chapter 702]

27 6/5/2000 138 I wanna watch some Japanese movies. On DVD. Some Kurosawa* or even the Honor & Humanity** series, I hope they come out. [*See Chapter 57] [*Related Comments *Root*: See Chapter 715] [**He's talking about the Battles Without Honor or Humanity film series. These famous films with their easily recognizable soundtracks depict yakuza life-style. Oda would later borrow part of the title for his Jingi Nai TIME short comic from 2006's omnibus The 5th Log: CHOPPER. Also of note, the actor who served as the model for Sakazuki, Bunta Sugawara, also appeared in these films.]

28 6/12/2000 139 Somehow the planning sheets for the One Piece video game keep chugging along.* Wow, I cannot wait for it to be released. [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 187, 196, 212, 225, 255, 256, 367, 383, 510, 516, 538, 640, 660, 696, 704 & 707. This is a collection of comments regarding console games developed around One Piece. It does not include arcade or mobile games.]

29 6/19/2000 140 I got an invite from Shimabu~* to go see a recording of DOWN TOWN DX**. I laughed my heart out at Macchan's real-time follies and Hama-chan's live wisecracks. [*See Chapter 1] [**DOWN TOWN DX (Deluxe): The long-running Japanese variety program emceed by Masatoshi Hamada and Hitoshi Matsumoto who make up the comedy duo DOWN TOWN. See the adjoining column for more information.] Habuta*: They read my letter on DOWN TOWN DX and I got a DX Toaster! Just like I suspected, toast tastes way better with a DX mark on it. [*See Chapter 90 entry]

Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro* [Toriko, Takeshi]- I went to see DTDX with Oda-san and we made a promise together to continue our series for the next 25 years!

[*See Chapter 1 entry]

30 6/26/2000 141 I bought Alflex's 'The Seven Samurai' figures. Guh, this craftsmanship, IT'S GOT ME ALL EMOTIONAL!!!

31 7/3/2000 142 I got to meet Kyosuke Usuta-san* for the first time at the 'Big Two' Awards**. We're both from Kumamoto and we're the same age. Pretty cool [*See Chapter 26] [**Related comments: See Chapter 24]

32 7/10/2000 143 I'm late with this but Oguri-san*, congratulations for all your hard work on the Tenten-kun* serial. Please get plenty of R&R. [*See Chapter 62]

33 7/17/2000 144 The things I drew on Nami and Vivi on this week's cover. Dunno what they're called but I wanted to try drawing them once. They're all India-ish and stuff so I likes 'em.

34 7/24/2000 145 Went to Takei-san's* place and there was an owl there. It just kept glaring at me. [*See Chapter 14]

35 7/31/2000 146 Didja see!? The One Piece anime's new ending!! It's another new song from Otsuki-san*. I was listening to it when I just started running** for the heck of it. [*Maki Otsuki: The singer of One Piece's first two ending songs, "memories" and "RUN! RUN! RUN!".] [**Oda talks about running since the title of the song was "RUN! RUN! RUN!". It's very likely that he didn't actually running.]

36+37 8/7/2000 147 The second One Piece novel is in stores now. It's a side-story from the Logue Town arc. It involves the chivalry of a mysterious gunman and a bath scene with Nami. Chock-full [of good stuff].

38 8/21/2000 148 This week staff member S-san* came back from Hawaii with cigars which helped us do a first-class job. [*Sakamoto: One of Oda's assistants. I do not have his/her full name.]

39 8/28/2000 149 I cried watching the One Piece anime's version of the Belle-mère story. Good music, acting and production. Anime is so unfair. Asada*: I like manga just fine the way it is but there are times when I 'm jealous of how other forms of media can deliver. That is of course, when I see something really good. [*See 1997 Issue #33. It's very likely that Asada, like Oda, is talking about the Belle-mère episode of the One Piece anime.]

40 9/4/2000 150 I felt nostalgic when I received a correspondence from the crew of the ship I sailed on last summer. 'Fuu'-san of the 'Kaisei'*, thanks for the postcard! [*See Chapter 104]

41 9/11/2000 151 There was a Kunihiro Hayashi* CD I couldn't find in music stores no matter how hard I looked. Found it instantly on the internet. Great times we live in. [*Kunihiro Hayashi: A guitarist and singer for the rock band pictures.] 'KIYU'* [Rocket de Tsukinukero!, La Sommelière]- Individuals lacking morals. I think those kids probably just got cell phones for the first time and couldn't hold back from using them, right Oda-sensei [*See Chapter 21]

42 9/18/2000 152 Dragon Quest 7, I got it but[…]. Final Fantasy 9, I got it but[…]. If I start 'em I won't be able to hit the brakes on either so they remain unopened. I got 'em but[…] [*Related comments: See Chapter 84]

43 9/25/2000 153 You can have a lotta fun with the 'Log Pose' from Bandai. In fact, I think I overdid it a bit and my muscles are really sore.

44 10/2/2000 154 The snow country arc is finished. Phe~~w I sure drew a heckuva lot of 'em, 'circles'. Well, up next is a kingdom of sand so I guess it's on to 'dots'.* [*Oda drew circles for snowflakes throughout the scenery of the Drum arc. In the next arc he anticipated drawing lots of dots for sand.]

45 10/7/2000* 155 WHOOOOOOOOOOOOAH KARELIN* [LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOST]!!! Am I late to the party on this one? [*Aleksandr Karelin: A world-famous Olympic gold-medalist Greco-Roman wrestler. He lost gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics to American Rulon Gardener.] [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on Monday the 9th.]

46 10/16/2000 156 I'm a bit late with this but, good job on all the hard work of your serial comic Mr. KIYU*. You might be a JUMP-published serial manga author but that won't stop me from asking for your help around here; looking forward to working with you [*See Chapter 21. Here Oda is mentioning the wrap of his unsuccessful serialization in Weekly Shonen JUMP, Rocket de Tsukinukero!.]

47 10/23/2000 157 What I intended to be catnap turned into a one-way ticket to the very depths of a deep, deep slumber. Ugh, it's despicable. I hate Winter.

48 10/30/2000 158 Can't believe I was asked to write an advocative message in the back of Kochi Kame* Vol. 122. 122 volumes. That's, astonishing [*Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kouen-mae Hashuchujo aka Kochi Kame: With respect to number of chapters, the longest Japanese comic as of this writing (2013) by author Osamu Akimoto**.

[See also: Chapter 174] [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 427] ] [**Osamu Akimoto: Author of the Japanese comic series Kochi Kame. With respect to number of chapters, it is the longest manga in Japan as of this writing (2013).

[See also: Chapters 258, 525, 534] ]

49 11/6/2000 159 It shows just how behind I am but I finally saw the Buena Vista Social Club movie*. Sweeeet, super sweeeet [*Buena Vista Social Club: This was a documentary covering the history of the famous club.]



[*Related comment: Chapter 126] ]

50 11/13/2000 160 I heard the One Piece anime's new opening song, Folder5's* "Believe". How can I describe it, it's a song that somehow just wants to make you burst [with energy]. Looking forward to it airing [Related comment *Root*: Chapter 195]

51 11/20/2000 161 I went to Nagoya, the land where god resides. I visited an aquarium- I MEAN I went to the Palace of Toriyama*. Had an awesome time. [*See Chapter 15. Akira Toriyama lives in Nagoya City of Aichi Prefecture.]

52 11/27/2000 162 ooowwWWWW!!! Of all the times why now at the end of the year......!!! That wisdom tooth* I didn't have pulled out three years ago, it's…!!! [*Related comments: See Chapter 29]

1 12/4/2000 163 Dentist Diary Part 1. "This is gonna be preeetty tough to take out.", so I'm told. I see storm clouds ahead. [*Related comments: See Chapter 29]

2 12/11/2000 164 Dentist Diary Part 2. Late to the removal appointment. Rescheduled for next week. CURSE YOU ALARM CLOCK!! Oh wait, I forgot to set it [*Related comments: See Chapter 29]

3+4 12/18/2000 165 Dentist Diary Part 3. CRUNCH! Grch Grch CRACK! GRACK!! POP!! Extraction complete. Oh look at that, it's the end of the 20th century. [*Related comments: See Chapter 29]

5+6 1/4/2001* 166 Mmm, guess I should choose an aspiration or something for the year. Sure would like to go on a trip this year. Yeah, a trip out around the block'd be nice [*January the 4th was a Thursday. I've never seen this before but it makes sense given past release-dates as related to the nationwide holiday from January 1st-3rd. Given such a bold mid-week release date, I'm actually hesitant to take a guess. Shipments were (probably) already completed by that time which would allow for a Saturday release, but the listed street-date is so far away that such a move sounds unlikely. Furthermore, Monday of that week was January 1st, a date on which few bookstores were even operating even though convenient stores were open.

For the above reasons, I feel it would be inappropriate to apply any of my experience in deciding this unprecedented case and simply list the release date as it was listed in Weekly Shonen JUMP . As it stands, the only way to confirm what actually happened would be to contact someone in Shueisha who knows the shipping and release schedules. [See 2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on JUMP release date details] ]

7 1/15/2001 167 JUMP Festa is a battle of stamina. A big thanks to all those that came, it must have tired you out. Once again I was blown away by the incredible enthusiasm in the convention hall!!

8 1/22/2001 168 Went home [to Kumamoto] for New Year's. I also saw friends I hadn't seen for years but it never felt like we were apart. Something magical [about it] Mikio Itou* [Normandy no Himitsu Club, Nazo no Murasame-kun]- I'm late with this but I went to JUMP Festa!! I was the one watching the One Piece Stage [Event] from the stairs.



[*See Chapter 52]

9 1/29/2001 169 Awww, didn't get to eat hardly any mochi* this New Year's. My grand total was a pathetic two. Mochi [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 440]

10 2/5/2001 170 We're in the middle of a slow-stewed nice and bubbly soup boom. It's got our workplace in its clutches this winter.

11 2/10/2001* 171 Is everyone watching the anime's original story-arc?* It's really entertaining!! So jealous [*In the original entry there were no signs of punctuation at the end of the question. I took the liberty of adding a question mark.] [*Saturday release (advertised as such in previous issue) due to national holiday on Monday the 12th.]

12 2/19/2001 Break* [*Oda's very first break. 171 chapters straight. I haven't checked, so please don't quote me on this, but I'd be surprised if that wasn't some kind of record for Weekly Shonen JUMP.]

13 2/26/2001 172 Sorry for taking a break!!! If you can believe it, I went to America* and had fun for 10 days!!! But what I gained from this trip, is HUGE.** [*According to Oda's comment on the Chapter 175 color spread from Color Walk 2, it was a trip to America that inspired the 'native' design. Certainly this is the trip that Oda mentioned and when considering said design, it would appear to be somewhere in the west or southwest.] [**Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 173. The above pieces of evidence along with Asada's comments suggest that Oda vacationed in Las Vegas.]

14 3/5/2001 173 Nosebleed FWOOSH!! I got some chocolates. Thanks very much. I'm gonna eat 'em all up and then draw, draw draw! Asada*: Went to see a stage show in Las Vegas**. [They] don't let anything embarrass them or hold anything back for the sake of entertainment. Can't let myself lose to them [*See 1997 Issue #33. Asada calls it a 'business trip' but it's likely he's using a diplomatic term for 'vacation'.] [**Related comment: See Chapter 172. He mentions Las Vegas so in conjunction with the notes that accompany the 172 entry, Asada was probably on vacation with Oda to celebrate the closing of their time together.]

15 3/12/2001 174 Did you know that from April 15th the anime's time-slot is moving!? It'll be after Kochi Kame* at seven-thirty!! FRESH NEW START!!!** [*See Chapter 158] [**He actually wrote 'restart' in katakana]

16 3/19/2001* 175 Ejirin* who worked here as an assistant for two and a half years is leaving. I don't know how I'll go on. I mean, who am I supposed to push around for kicks now!? Thanks for all your hard work [*See Chapter 68] [*Listed as a Monday release. Given that Tuesday was a national holiday it's highly likely that the release was business as usual with no chance of a weekend release; they simply didn't feel comfortable listing the release date on a holiday. [See 5/19/2003 Issue #25 Chap. 276 for more information on Weekly Shonen JUMP release date details] ] Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Thanks for the souvenir from America Oda-sensei! I'm having fun messing around with it. [*Masashi Kishimoto: Author of the successful Weekly Shonen JUMP series, Naruto. [See also: Chapters 200, 276, 296, Issue #52 2004 (One Piece break), 426, 437, 531, 625, 639, 676, 710] ]

17 3/26/2001 176 To whoever sent us the mountain of Dove Sables*. Thank you very sable. We're all munch-sabling on them. [*Dove Sables: Shortbread (sable) cookies that are a specialty of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture.]

18 4/2/2001 177 Wow, four and a half years. The editor with whom I shared many successes and hardships, 'Daasa'*. Time to change. Thank you for working so hard all the way. [*See 1997 Issue #33]

19 4/9/2001 178 My new editor Habuta-san* has arrived. He has a family so I might think about possibly considering not asking too much out of him. [*See Chapter 90] Hiroyuki Takei* [Shaman King]- I love how the scenery at Atagawa Bananawani Park** is done in miniature garden styles. It's awesome if you walk around imagining you're in Resident Evil. [*See Chapter 14] ] [**Atagawa Bananawani Park: A tropical animal and fruit park located in Atagawa of Shizuoka Prefecture, hence 'banana' and wani or 'crocodile/alligator'. Not that the name of the park is the same as that of the 'bananagators' of One Piece. Since Takei and Oda are close, one might imagine that Oda gained inspiration for the creatures (which debuted in Chapter 72) from the park and possibly suggested it to Takei.]

20 4/16/2001 179 Just warning you guys okay, under no circumstances should you try listening to the One Piece Grand Battle disc in a CD player. In particular the second track…*heehee*

21+22 4/23/2001 180 Mikio Itou's* [series] has stoked the fires of inspiration in 'mongoose'** all over the country. Hey big bro, here's to all the hard work on your completed serialization. [*See Chapter 52. Here Oda refers to the completion of Normandy Himitsu Club.] [**'Mongoose': Oda wrote mangaegaki or 'people who draw manga' but defined the reading as manguusu or 'mongoose' which takes the word manga and twists it into something that sounds like a half-English job or profession.]

23 5/7/2001 181 It's been decided where we're moving to~!! We went ahead and rented it out!! A brand new workplace!! Alrighty, all that's left is to actually move…* [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 198]

24 5/14/2001 182 I heard that the anime's ratings have gotten even better since moving to Sundays and I couldn't be happier. I watch it too. From 6[PM]* [*He's inferring that he watches the ratings juggernaut combination of Sazae-san** and Chibi Maruko-chan as well as Kochi Kame.] [**See Chapter 43]

25 5/21/2001 183 During Golden Week I got together with my manga buddies and we discussed the Koizumi cabinet*. …for like 10 minutes. [*Koizumi cabinet: The members of popular Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's first cabinet which was established on April 26th, 2001.] [*Related comment *Root*: See Chapter 210]

26 5/28/2001 184 I received a pirate sword as a gift from the manager of the weapons shop I visited a while back in Kamakura. Thank you very much.

27 6/4/2001 185 Katsura-sensei* showed me his home theater. Uh…it's like…it might as well be a movie theater!! [*Masakazu Katsura: Author of such notable manga series as Video Girl Ai, I"s and Zetman.]

28 6/11/2001 186 I got Hikaru Kawamura's* autograph. A lil' somethin' we call 'having connections' here at Shueisha. Thank you very much! [*Hikaru Kawamura: A Japanese gravure idol and TV personality in Japan.]

29 6/18/2001 187 I was surprised when my own named appeared on screen during the final post-credits screen of the Game Boy One Piece game.* Now that you mention it, I am the original creator [*Related comments: See Chapter 139] Habuta*: The One Piece illustration collection book is scheduled to be released on July 19th!! The price will be 1260 yen (which includes tax)!! If you save up 41 yen every day from now until the release, you'll be able to get it when it comes out! [*See Chapter 90]

30 6/25/2001 188 I heard something amazing at one of the anime's general meetings. That role and that other role are going to be played by THAT person and THAT person!!!* [*It's extremely likely that he's hinting about the casting of Chopper and Dr. Kureha.]

31 7/2/2001 189 T.T-san, thank you for sending the Chopper doll. It's so cute and well made; it's got rave reviews from the staff. Wow.

32 7/9/2001 190 The One Piece illustration collection book to be released on July 19th is amazing!! Take my word for it, it's reea~~~~~lly something. I dedicate it to a world full of hardships.

33 7/16/2001 191 Aw come oooon. What the heck, Capricorn is sixth this week? What the- 'a revolving door'. THAT'S the lucky item. Well, might as well go for a spin

34 7/23/2001 192 Watched the Shaman King anime. When I saw 'Original Creator Hiroyuki Takei'* I got all emotional. That man I, I know him!! [*See Chapter 14]

35 7/30/2001 193 Looks to be that the anime's ending [theme] has changed. They told me that middle schoolers sang it. That's so young!* [*He's talking about the fourth ending theme song, "Shouchi no Suke" by the female pop-group duo Suitei Shoujo who were famous (or infamous) for their risqué attire and acting somewhat promiscuous with each other despite being middle school students.]

36+37 8/6/2001 194 I bought a super functional chair that makes me want laugh out loud, "Shahahahaha!!"* A good chair is a must for desk work. [*This is Arlong's laugh.]

38 8/20/2001 195 I went to a recording session of the anime to learn more about it. Hot damn, you won't believe how awesome the voice acting line-up for the Drum arc is Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I bought the Folder5** album. I like it because the One Piece theme song in particular is really catchy. [*Yoshio Sawai: Author os the popular Weekly Shonen JUMP gag series, Boboboobo Boobobo. Yoshio appears to be a big fan of Oda and mentioned him frequently in his weekly comments. [See also: Chapters 225, 254, 2003 Issue #17 (OP Break), 2003 Issue #36 (One Piece Break), 304, 359, 407 & 463] ] [**Related comment: Chapter 160]

39 8/27/2001 196 Only intended to get my feet wet in Set Sail Pirate Crew!* but before I knew it I was being sucked in deeper and deeper…!! They did a heckuva job putting this together!! [*A PlayStation One Piece RPG.] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139]

40 9/3/2001 197 I went to see a stage production that Luffy's voice actress Mayumi Tanaka* is [performing] in. Voice actors and actresses have such beautiful voices. [Mayumi Tanaka: The voice actress who has portrayed Luffy since the start of the serialized One Piece animated series. Oda revealed in an interview that before the anime had even begun, he imagined Luffy's voice as that of Tanaka's.

[See also: Chapters 279, 303, 318, 373, 413, 441 & 454] ]

41 9/10/2001 198 WE FINALLY MO~~~~~~~~~~~VED!!* SO~~~~~~~~~ SPACIOUS!! SO COMFY~~~~~~~~~~~!! SO REFRESHI~~~~~NG!! [*Related comment: See Chapter 181]

42 9/17/2001 199 The anime's voice actor for Smoker, Ginzo Matsuo-san, has passed away. May he rest in peace.

43 9/22/2001* 200 Jump to Ch.100△ Jump to Ch.300▽ I went to the neighborhood pet shop and there were a ton of weird reptiles. I want one. But…I wonder if I'd actually care for it* [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapters 647, 649 & 675] [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to a national holiday on Monday the 24th.] Masashi Kishimoto* [Naruto]- Recently the crowd scenes in One Piece are amazing! It must be a lot of work! But it really comes across as powerful! [*See Chapter 175]

44 10/1/2001 201 There are adults that kill people while declaring, "This is a holy war!", or "This is justice!" And there are children that see that. One Piece will continue for quite some time. All the while praying for world peace.* [*This comment was Oda's response to the 2001 September 11th terrorist attacks on American civilians. He was the only author to comment on the tragic event. The color spread that week was also in response to the event, hence the presence of doves and quote from The Beatles' song, "Come Together".]

45 10/6/2001* 202 I was outside at one of my favorite little gardens under the rays of the sun just reading and such when suddenly I was told it was bad for my eyes. [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to a national holiday on Monday the 8th.]

46 10/15/2001 203 Oh…you must pardon me for listening to classical music as of late whilst I sketch. I propose a toast, to the intellectuality of myself.

47 10/22/2001 204 That's what it comes down to. But ya' know. You can't just up and quit exercising. Not when you get muscle cramps from riding an exercise bike, yeaaah.

48 10/29/2001 205 I went to the Fukuoka JUMP Festa. We were having a blast even from when we were planning the pre-stage routine, what a great time. Habuta*: Hey you there, the one lamenting that you haven't had a good cry lately. The One Piece anime episode where we part with Hiruluk is absolutely certain to leave you bawling! It's a must-see. [*See Chapter 90]

49 11/5/2001 206 The anime's 'Drum Kingdom flashback arc' left me wading in my own tears. Starting with the director*, I've got nothing but gratefulness for the entire anime staff. [*Kounosuke Uda: The director of many One Piece episodes including the above episode in question (Episode #85); not to mention two theatrical incarnations of the series: One Piece The Movie: Dead End Adventure and One Piece The Movie: The Giant Mech Soldier of Karakuri Castle. He was part of the Creative Talk interview included in the 2002 One Piece Animation Logbook. [See also: Chapters 269 & 398] ]

50 11/12/2001 207 Right now I'm in the middle of trying to memorize all the names of the Morning Musume* [members]. If I don't know 'em the staff make fun of me. [*Morning Musume: A J-pop group comprised of an ever-changing roster of young female idols which was most popular from the late 90's through the mid-2000's. Mari Yaguchi** was a member of Morning Musume.] [**Mari Yaguchi: A former member of Morning Musume. She is a self-proclaimed 'One Piece maniac' and has lent her voice 'talent' to the series in the form of voicing anime-only character Yoko (Episode #426) and singing the 11th One Piece anime's opening theme song "Kaze wo Sagashite". Yaguchi also served as a promotional mascot for One Piece Episode of Alabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates. It is speculated that due that role in supporting the series, the villain Perhona may have been based on her personality.



[See also: Chapters 450 & 464] ]

51 11/19/2001 208 I always feel like eating the food served at Shueisha's buffet parties after I get home. The timing of 'em is just soooo, you know. No way I'm the only one.

52 11/26/2001 209 I'm going to try to add some miso soup to coffee. Mmmhmm. The perfect bitterness of coffee blended with the scent of miso…KER-COUGH!

1 12/3/2001 210 The jealousy of old men pierce through the Koizumi cabinet*. They should just lend him a hand if they've got enough time to waste disagreeing with him. Bunch of weirdos. [*Related comment: Chapter 183]

2 12/10/2001 211 Finally bought the coffee maker for the office that I put off buying because I heard you gotta wash the darn thing after every use. Aha, so this is it. This is what they call coffee... It's...

3 12/17/2001 212 Plans for a number of [One Piece] video games are moving ahead and the farthest from completion is coming out the year after next.* Th-...The year after next you say... Guess it's pretty tough making games too. [*Related comments: See Chapter 139]

4+5 12/28/2001* 213 And so this year too...is now drawing...to a close... Even though it's still coming to an end, it's already the New Year's edition of JUMP. What's up with that? [*A rare Friday release (advertised as such) no doubt to avoid the approaching important New Year's holidays.]

6+7 1/7/2002 214 Alrighty, a happy New Year to you. Ah~ a fresh new year. So I should probably state my goal for the year, huh. This year I uh...yeah a good manga...that's what I'd like to draw...

8 1/21/2002 215 The year-end JUMP Festa at Makuhari. It was a huge celebration and I had a great time. Did you see the One Piece stage show at Bandai they spent 50 million yen* on!? It was awesome. They should perform it all around the country. [*Roughly $500,000.]

9 1/28/2002 216 The DVD player I won at the JUMP New Year's party four years ago just broke.* The timing was great because I got a new one at this year's New Year's party. THANK YOU.** [*Related comments: See Chapter 27] [*Related comment: See Chapter 37] [**Oda wrote sankyu in katakana, the written way to imitate the English 'thank you' via Japanese pronunciation.]

10 2/4/2002 217 I slipped away from working on drafts and went to Disney Sea for the anime staff's New Year's party, had fun to my heart's content and went immediately back to my manuscripts.

11 2/9/2002* Break [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on Monday the 11th.]

12 2/18/2002 218 Thanks for last week. I'm sorry for taking a break. I'm in the middle of watching The Godfather. I hate being controlled by others. So just call me 'Don'.

13 2/25/2002 219 OOOOOH~~~ (blush) I never ever thought I'd be faced with having to do voice acting.* How can I put it? Th-The ebb and flow of the times? ...or just...me getting sucked into it...!! [*He's talking about his bit role in the animated short, The Dream Soccer King, that played in theaters before the third movie One Piece x The Kingdom of Chopper on The Island of Rare Creatures. He voiced a soccer player called (not surprisingly) Odacchi.] Ryu Fujisaki [Sakuratetsu Taiwahen, Hoshin Engi]- Oda-sensei, thank you for so graciously accepting that somewhat forward request of mine. I just wanted to borrow this space to thank you.

14 3/4/2002 220 We are now in The Age of the iPod*. The iPod is niiice... I loaded it up with songs I love from CDs I don't listen to anymore and I'm at 700 songs. Niiiiice… [*Related comments *Root*: See Chapter 259 & 372]

15 3/11/2002 221 I went to the test screening of the One Piece movie. The response from the audience was superb. Man, Chopper Kingdom is fantastic. That'd be an awesome island. I'd lo~ve to go.

16 3/18/2002 222 Nosebleed FWOOOOSH!! I received so many chocolates thank you very much. I'm the kind of guy that eats chocolate every week regardless of Valentine's Day. Now recharging sugar supply~

17 3/25/2002 223 Lately Ando-kun*, who has been helping me exclusively with final touches, has been on the ball. He's the kind of guy that would climb the corporate ladder in a company. And he's still so young. [*Ei Ando: One of Oda's assistants and the subject of a number of hidden messages in the series. Ando began work on the series from post-Alabasta then departed a while later, only to return during Thriller Bark up through to the release of his own serialization, Garudo the Demon God for Saikyo JUMP. [See also: Chapter 698]]

18 4/1/2002 224 I think it's the first time this happened to me since I was born. I spilled my ink. But since my desk is packed to overflowing with stuff it was more like, “Oh-my-gosh-the-ink-is-not going anywhere actually.” It's all good.

19 4/8/2002 225 The Straw Hat Gang Voice Acting Brigade came to my place. Starting with a food run for ingredients the main event was Sanji's [Hirata's*] pepperoncino [pasta]. We carried on late into the night. [*Hiroaki Hirata: The voice actor for (among others) Sanji in the One Piece animated series. [See also: Chapters 236, 321, 374 & 650] ] Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I bought a video game for the first time in a long while. It's One Piece 'Grand Battle! 2'.** I just keep doing Gomu Gomu Storm. It's incredibly refreshing. [*See Chapter 195] [**Related comments: See Chapter 139]

20 4/15/2002 226 A popular song called "Family" has been included in the One Piece album. The [anime] producer, Shimizu-san, is busy running here and there trying to make sure that as many people as possible can listen to it. Good lu~~ck!! [*Shinji Shimizu: The first producer of the One Piece animation from Toei Animation who worked on the series from episode 1 through 228. In addition to working on several seminal Japanese animated series, interestingly enough, he was also an editor on the 1986 film The Adventure of the American Rabbit. Shimizu was part of the Creative Talk interview from the 2002 One Piece Animation Logbook. [See also: Chapter 361] ]

21 4/22/2002 227 I went to see Mr. 2's voice actor Mr. Yao* perform on stage with his troupe SWAT. The attention to detail in the depiction of characters helped me see how interesting stage productions is. So that's what real theater is. [*Kazuki Yao: The voice actor for (among others) Jango, Bentham & Franky.]

22+23 4/27/2002* 228 The three pages I drew last week for the picture book Norland the Liar held me back 15 hours in overtime. It turned out great and I'm totally satisfied with it. I love picture books. [*Saturday release (advertised as such) due to national holiday on Monday the 29th.]

24 5/13/2002 229 I always thought that 70's soul music was my favorite but lately I've started to pay attention to modern soul. I'll start with some Grammy winners. Ooh, this is gooood...

25 5/20/2002 230 Obata-sensei's* illustration collection, Sai. I was deeply moved when I received a signed copy. It's just sooo beautiful. I have nothing but unconditional respect for those who have always been skillful artists. This is the real deal guys. [*Takeshi Obata: Author of Hikaru no Go and illustrator of Death Note and Bakuman.



[See also: Chapter 666] ]

26 5/27/2002 231 I rented out a whole movie theater!! YEAH-HE-HEAH!! I'm messin' with you, just wasn't anyone else in it. It was a popular [foreign] movie too but I guess it's because I saw the dubbed version.

27 6/3/2002 232 I'm out of shape so just walking around town gives me muscle cramps. There's a sports gym in my neighborhood. Every time I pass it I think, “Whaddya know, a sports gym.” (so go to it ya' bum)

28 6/10/2002 233 Big brother Gin Shinga* passed away. He was a dear friend from my assistant days when we dreamed of being manga authors. I'll continue to draw for the both of us. [*See Chapter 38. Oda made the opening page of One Piece black that week as a tribute. It remained that way for the Volume 25 printing.]

29 6/17/2002 234 This is something that really ticks me off. When some guy puts important scenes from a movie on the main menu of a DVD. Come oooon, isn't there something you can do other than THAT.

30 6/24/2002 235 What I feared most at the 'Big Two'* awards ceremony came to pass. The winners were scared of me because I wore beach sandals. Yeah I guess everyone else was wearing full suits. ...I'm actually a really nice guy. [*Related comments: See Chapter 24]

31 7/1/2002 236 I went with the One Piece Comedy Voice Acting Brigade to Kobe. We succeeded in happily surprising Sanji [Hiroaki Hirata]. We spent half a year planning it. That was fun. [*See Chapter 225]

32 7/8/2002 237 The World Cup.* I saw some booing from the crowd during a Korean home game. I thought that was awesome. That's exactly what fans should be doing.** [*Related comments: See Chapter 46]

[**This sparked a small fire of controversy on the popular Japanese anonymous message board 2channel. Many fans thought Oda was supporting the Koreans over his country's team. This stoked the fires of a small but dedicated group of individuals who are strongly opposed to One Piece and its success, not to mention nationalistic. They commonly use racist anti-Korean terms to describe Oda and the series itself.]

33 7/15/2002 238 Recently I've started enjoying texting and whenever I've gotta chance I check for messages. I get lonely if there aren't any. My dear friends, please text me. Don't expect a reply though (・◇・)

34 7/22/2002 239 I watched the DVD of Rainbowman*. So an evil army, the 'Die Die Group', makes fake yen bills in order to give Japanese currency the flu!! ...the hell kinda kid's show is this. [*Rainbowman: A tokusatsu television program that ran from 1972 to 1973. Its claim to fame is dealing closely with Buddhist, Shinto and Christian themes, somewhat unusual for the genre, as well as a group of enemies consisting of anti-Japanese foreigners who commonly used defamatory slang that is now considered television-taboo.]

35 7/29/2002 240 I'm playing Grand Battle Swan Coliseum. This thing's crazy hard. SO TOUGH!! THE ENEMIES!! It's kinda starting to get to me. TAKE THIIIIIIS!!

36 8/5/2002 241 Whenever I have a color cover I draw the color picture a week in advance and add what I think the title will end up being but I made a huge mistake this time. This week's chapter is called 'Heaven's Judgment'.

37+38 8/12/2002 242 All I can hear is, “It's so ho~t.”, or, “The heat is unbearable.” Simply preposterous, is there anything left even resembling 'fighting spirit' in the Japanese today!!! P.S. Okay, so I spend all day in an air conditioned room.

39 8/26/2002 243 Sometimes I really yearn to be a salaryman. Get chewed out by the section chief, drown my sorrows in sake on the way home and wear a suit to work every day. But [putting up] with rush hour, hell no.

40 9/2/2002 244 Summertime means scary stories. Or at least that's what people say; what scares me the most are people who are quick to bare their fangs based on differences in status.* [*It's possible Oda is alluding to the case of his mangaka colleague and friend Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro** who was arrested on August 7th 2002 for paying a 16-year old girl for sexual services and then later charged with paying two other 16-year old girls for sexual services on earlier occasions against Japan's Child Prostitution Law.] [**See Chapter 1]

41 9/9/2002 245 My staff are into those [weird] mystery programs. They seem to be interested in strange events from around the globe. But if [those shows] actually provided any solid answers they'd be on the news instead. (meanie)

42 9/14/2002* 246 As a child I was a little off-beat for liking rakugo* but I just found out that rakugo CDs are available [for sale]. So first up iiiiis, Kosan Yanagiya**, an essential!! [*Rakugo: A popular form of Japanese performance comedy. It's vaguely similar to 'Western' stand-up routines (despite literally being performed sitting down) as a solo performance involving word play. [See also: Chapters 253, 259, 581, 661 & 2013 Issue #16 (OP break)] ] [**Kosan Yanagiya: Oda is probably talking about the 5th in this line of rakugo performers. He passed away in May of 2002. His real name was Morio Kobayashi.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday on Monday the 16th)]

43 9/22/2002* 247 'Pierrot' and 'Pure' were put together to make 'Puroland'*. I experienced the One Piece 4D Simulation Theater. It was way beyond anything I even imagined! Even adults will love this. [*Puroland: An amusement park from the Sanrio company. In 2002 it featured a One Piece 3D attraction that also included immersive motion, sounds and smells, thus the so-called '4D'.]

[*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday on Monday the 23rd.]

44 9/30/2002 Break

45 10/7/2002 248 There's something I absolutely had to see for an arc I'll be doing sooner or later so I headed to Nagasaki. I'd like to personally extend my thanks to Mr. Matsumoto and all of the workers at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries*. [*Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: A division of Mitsubishi that deals in building ships. In all likelihood this is where Oda went to gather ideas for the major set-pieces of Water Seven.]

46 10/12/2002* 249 There are a lot of things about drawing a long arc that are quite 'trying' but I'm really glad I did Alabasta. The wrap party for the animation was really emotional. [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to national holiday on Monday the 14th)]

47 10/21/2002 250 This is late in coming but congratulations on all your hard work in completing your serialization Higuchi-san*. For the time being just take it easy. If you've got time to kill come see me, and I'm not just saying that. [*Daisuke Higuchi- Author of the soccer series Whistle! which started running in Weekly Shonen JUMP in 1998.]

48 10/28/2002 251 Playing Fighter Maker 2 now. Pretty nifty. Oh the fun of actually making movements.

49 11/2/2002* 252 Yeah it's definitely the age of 'The Sear'. I had my first seared sushi at a sushi place in Tsukiji. I'm telling you babe, it's either seared sooshee or no sooshee.* [*Oda didn't actually say 'babe' and he didn't say 'sooshee'. He used a cocky tone and said the word for sushi elongated and reversed (shiisuu) which is/was a popular manner of pronouncing words for well-off middle-aged male producers in Japan. Thus the Hollywood-style of talking.] [*Saturday release (such as advertised) due to a national holiday on Monday the 4th.]

50 11/11/2002 253 Man I just, I really like 'Kyon Kyon'. How do you describe that sense of humor, that... lightness of the laughter...isn't he great... Kyotaro Yanagiya. [*Kyotaro Yanagiya- Nickname 'Kyon Kyon' is a rakugo** comedian. His real name is Masya Kohara.] [**See Chapter 246]

51 11/18/2002 254 Dear Readers. As the breath leaving my mouth turned a whisping white I thought winter was already upon us, but it turned out I was just smoking. As the sky was still darkening after the six o'clock sunset I called my assistant; turns out it was six in the morning. Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- Oda-sensei, thank you very much for your comment for the video game poster. I'm both amazed & moved that they actually made a 'Boobobo' video game!! [*See Chapter 195]

52 11/25/02 255 Treasure Battle.* My assistants are into 'Pirate Soccer'. It's really simple but after work they go nuts over it. [*Treasure Battle: A local multiplayer party game for Nintendo GameCube. Pirate Soccer is one of the mini-games playable in the title.] [*Related comments: See Chapter 139]

1 12/2/2002 256 The Grand Secret of Nanatsu Island on Game Boy Advance.* I knew about it from the early planning stages but I'm pleasantly surprised with how well it turned out. The characters are neat and the music and graphics are beautiful. I recommend it! [*Related comments: See Chapter 139]

2 12/9/2002 257 Oh man. Do I ever love drawing color spreads. And here I am stuck doing piles of 'year-end wrap-up work'. But I'm churning out the spreads without worrying about deadlines. Wahoo.

3+4 12/16/2002 258 I read the comment from Akimoto-sensei* where he said, "[Looking for an escape] to refresh yourself when you come across a difficulty is only an excuse to avoid it." I was deeply moved [by those words of wisdom]!! [*See Chapter 158]

5 12/30/2002 259 Bought the new iPod*. 20 gigabytes. Up until now my playlist comprised of mainly 'soul', 'rock' 'mood' music and the like. This time I'll think I'll add some 'rakugo**' and 'manzai'. [*Related comments: See Chapter 220] [**Rakugo*3 and Manzai- Two popular types of Japanese performance comedy. Rakugo is vaguely similar to 'Western' stand-up routines (despite literally being performed sitting down) as a solo performance involving word play. On the other hand manzai typically involves two performers, a straight man and the stooge, performing physical comedy similar to Vaudeville slap-stick.] [*3See also Chapter 246]

6+7 1/6/2003 260 Happy New Year to you. Last year was full of this and that but now it's this year. I'm gonna state my ambition ......I~ wanna~~~!! DRAW AN AWWWWWESOME MANGAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

8 1/20/2003 261 Hello there!! One Piece is gonna be a stupid-ass manga this year too!! ...Was that a good follow-up? So that bombshell I dropped at JUMP Festa.* Worried about that [choice] after seeing I made fans cry. [*This was the infamous incident where Oda said, "One of the crew will die.", before heading off stage. [*Related comment *Root*: Chapter 302] ]

9 1/27/2003 262 I met Ouji Hiroi-san*. I always wondered what kinda dude he was and turns out he's an adult that knows how to live in style. He's got great values. [*Ouji Hiroi: A media creator perhaps best for the Sakura Wars series. [See also: Chapter 336] ]

10 2/3/2003 263 One of my current assistants, Y-kun*, gave me a Haro from Gundam** for my birthday. It's one of those toys that randomly starts talking which is annoying so everyone's always shutting it off. [*Yano aka 'Y-kun': Oda's assistant, Yano. Note that Oda addresses one of his other assistants, Yokoyama, as 'Y-san' but in the original Japanese he specifically called this staffer 'Y-kun' indicating that this individual is younger than Oda in contrast to the older Yokoyama.



[See also: Chapter 375] ] [**Related comments: See Chapter 79]

11 2/10/2003 264 Editor-in-Chief Takahashi* was a man of manga that always listened to us and saw eye to eye with us. I pray that he may rest in peace. [*Toshimasa Takahashi: The seventh Editor-in-Chief of Weekly Shonen JUMP. He passed away unexpectedly on January 24th of 2003. In a dark twist, he collapsed during an announcement of the fourth One Piece film which was subtitled, Dead End Adventure. He was an editor of several Weekly JUMP series including the very popular Kinnikuman.]

12 2/17/2003 265 The meaning of '(expld)' that I see written on fan letters and stuff. Apparently it's [short for] (explodes into laughter). I thought it just meant (exploding). Was under the impression flying all over the place was in fashion.* [*Oda is talking about the use of baku or 'burst' which is an abbreviation for bakusho which means to 'burst into laughter'. It's very similar to our 'ROTFLMAO'. I have translated Oda's own use of the term elsewhere on this page as (lo-freaking-l)]

13 2/24/2003 266 I met [the members of] Bump of Chicken. They were really pleasant and we ended up talking for three hours. Along with the new film their new song is really a work of art. Please, go see the movie!!! [Bump of Chicken: A popular band from Japan. They performed the film's theme song, "Sailing Day". An interview with them was also included in an issue of Weekly Shonen JUMP featuring the film.]

14 3/3/2003 267 Thought up words to the Godzilla theme. 'Purim, Purim, Purim has a festival* (hypermetric)' are the awesome lyrics I came up with. I'm so good. [**Purim: A Jewish festival.]

15 3/10/2003 268 Nosebleed FWOOOOOSH!! Got chocolates! Thank you! In addition I also received personal health devices, wine, tsukemono* (with miso) and a scrub brush...now that's love ♥ [*Tsukemono: Pickled vegetables.]

16 3/17/2003 269 STANDING ROOM ONLYYYY~!! It's a hit across the country!! In one theater on opening day it had four times as many customers as last year!! BEYOND INCREDIBLE!! Director Uda* you're my hero~ ♥ It's in theaters until April 25th!** [*See Chapter 206] [**Oda is talking about One Piece The Movie: Dead End Adventure.]

17 3/24/2003 Break Yoshio Sawai* [Boboboobo Boobobo]- I saw the One Piece movie Dead End Adventure. Man, Luffy is just s