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The anime industry is a dynamic sphere where creators often draw inspiration from one another, and occasionally, they openly admire each other’s strengths. Yoshiyuki Tomino, the legendary creator behind theMobile Suit Gundamfranchise, has revolutionized the mecha genre with his mature storytelling and political undertones. Yet, Tomino’s groundbreaking achievements didn’t stop him from showing admiration towards Eiichiro Oda, the creator ofOne Piece.
In fact, in a past interview, Tomino offered praise for Oda’s storytelling, specifically highlighting an aspect ofOne Piecethat he feels is unparalleled and, by his own admission, unattainable in his work. His reflections offer a compelling lens through which fans can appreciate the craft behind both creators’ works.
Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Unique Perspective on Eiichiro Oda’sOne Piece
Yoshiyuki Tomino has never shied away from sharing his blunt opinions on the anime industry, often critiquing trends and creators. In an interview withAnimate Timesin 2021, theGundamcreator delved into the contrasting elements that define popular manga. Framed within the context of his own novelMobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash‘s getting an anime adaptation, he revealed that he had no idea what the film was going to be like.
However, Tomino stated that he trusts the director of the film adaptation, Shuko Murase, despite not going into the details ofMobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flashanime. He revealed that due to working in the same studio, he saw some of his storyboards and was impressed with them.
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Yet, at the same time, he expressed skepticism toward series with excessively “beautiful” art, arguing that intricate visuals often mask shallow storytelling. However, he made an exception forOne Piece, stating:
Even among popular manga, there are those with beautiful illustrations and those with poor illustrations but interesting ones, and I have almost no faith in manga with beautiful illustrations other than “ONE PIECE”.
This statement not only highlightsYoshiyuki Tomino‘s discerning eye for substance over style but also points to Eiichiro Oda’s ability to seamlessly blend intricate visuals with a deep, compelling storyline inOne Piece— a feat that Tomino finds rare and worthy of trust.
The Unattainable Brilliance of Eiichiro Oda
Aside from praisingEiichiro Oda‘s work, Yoshiyuki Tomino also acknowledged his own lack of skills in designing beautiful visuals, as he thinks creating attractive illustrations is not his strong suit. Similarly, his praise forOne Piecehighlighted that according to him, Oda’s manga satisfies him fully; both visually and story-wise.
It’s not the first time Tomino has acknowledged his admiration for Oda. Even during his prime time in 2001, he encouraged young animators to the legacy ofOne Piecealong with Hayao Miyazakiby stating,“Young creators shouldn’t take this lightly. You can’t surpass Miyazaki or One Piece without truly dedicating yourselves”.
So, what exactly makes Eiichiro Oda’s work stand out? The answer lies in his storytelling ability to build a sprawling, interconnected world without losing sight of its emotional core. Apart from its beautiful character designs,One Piece‘s universe never feels overwhelming because Oda ties every element back to the overarching story.
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Yoshiyuki Tomino’s acknowledgment of Oda’s brilliance highlights the unique qualities that makeOne Piecea masterpiece, from its detailed world-building to its emotionally resonant storytelling. As fans of bothGundamandOne Piece, we can only hope that such cross-genre appreciation inspires future creators to push the boundaries of anime storytelling even further.
BothOne PieceandMobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flashare currently available to watch on Netflix.
Moumita Chakraborty
Articles Published :931
Moumita Chakraborty is a seasoned Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 900 published articles. Passionate about the vibrant world of Japanese anime, she brings sharp analytical skills and cultural insight to every piece. From dissecting intricate plotlines to spotlighting the latest trends and releases, Moumita’s work resonates with both casual fans and seasoned otakus. Her writing aims to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts while contributing meaningfully to the ever-growing anime community.
