SUMMARY
  • Eichiro Oda's One Piece is the most sold manga of all time and it is story that continues to capture hearts everyday.
  • The story is so well-written that several people have called it the "Modern Day Odyssey".
  • While several people may disagree, we are here to support the statement and add our two cents to the argument.

One Piece is one of the few modern stories that has captured millions of hearts and imaginations worldwide. Since its inception by author Eichiro Oda, the series has revolutionized the art of storytelling through its tale of adventure, humanity, and camaraderie.

Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew from One Piece
Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew from One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

One Piece has grown into a cultural phenomenon. It entertains millions of people through its characters, values, and its breathtaking lore. The story is inspiring and its narratives have earned it a place beside Homer’s timeless epic, The Odyssey.

One Piece and The Odyssey: Epics that transcend time

Sea kings are monsters that roam the Grand Line in One Piece
Sea Kings, the monsters that lurk in the Grand Line from One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

One Piece and The Odyssey transcend the concepts of time and simple travels. The Odyssey is a story about the arduous journey of the hero Odysseus, who is determined to return home after the horrible Trojan War. During this journey to return home, the hero encounters several perils in the form of monsters and diving beings.

All these perils are meant for him to overcome and strengthen his wits and courage while serving as a testament to human tenacity.

Monkey D Luffy
Monkey D Luffy from One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

Similarly, One Piece presents the story of Luffy and his crew, who are on an adventure to fulfill their dreams. Luffy journeys across the Grand Line pursuing a mythical treasure that no one has seen before. While on this path, he encounters several islands, each riddled with its own problems culture, and stories.

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This voyage filled with impossible odds and mysterious powers is very similar to the ten-year-long journey of Odysseus.

Just like how The Odyssey is filled with the rich culture and myths of ancient Greece and the values of valor, courage, and honor, One Piece is all about the human values of friendship, trust, camaraderie, and courage. Both works capture the essence of exploration and show what it means to discover oneself.

Luffy confronting Kaido and Big Mom to rescue Wano
Luffy confronting Kaido and Big Mom from One Piece Episode 1015 | Credits: Toei Animation

Both works mirror the values and ideals prevalent in their respective periods. One Piece is all about achieving one’s dream even when the path to that dream is filled with adversities.

One Piece and The Odyssey are both narratives that invite their audiences to join the characters on epic adventures that explore the depths of the human soul and ambition.

Divided by time, united by ideals and narratives

Devil Fruits
Devil Fruits | Credits: Toei Animation

Both works excel at masterfully integrating mythological elements into their story while still managing to have profound themes. The Odyssey showed Odysseus facing threats like gods, cyclopes, and more while One Piece has its mysterious Devil Fruits, mythical sea creatures, and fearsome pirates.

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While these elements may seem supernatural, they do not distract readers from the central theme. They only exist to develop the protagonist further.

Another fact to note is that Luffy’s evolution mirrors Odysseus in several ways. While this may seem like an atrocious statement to Literature students, it is true. Both heroes stand tall in the face of insurmountable odds and grow through their experiences.

Although they navigate a morally complex world, they maintain a stable moral compass throughout their journey.

While the comparisons can go on and on, I think all of us have understood by now that One Piece is not considered the modern equivalent of The Odyssey because of its similarities with the epic, but due to its well-structured narrative and well-developed characters.

Several people have even pointed out that if One Piece were written in a different medium, such as a set of novels, it would have become a modern-day epic by now.

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In a world where countless works of fiction are produced daily, One Piece stands the test of time as a beacon of epic storytelling. Just like Homer, who inspired several generations through his storytelling, Oda is destined to leave his mark on history and his work will be retold for many centuries.

One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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