Eiichiro Oda, the legendary creator of One Piece, has accomplished many things in his lifetime, from creating one of the most cherished manga series ever to building a global fanbase that spans generations. However, he reached a new milestone, one that he believes he can boast about for the rest of his life.
The legendary creator went head-to-head with Major League Baseball’s biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, in a One Piece-themed Akinator quiz and emerged victorious. But what makes this win so significant? Let’s explore.
Eiichiro Oda’s competitive spirit: Why beating Ohtani matters
Before diving into their One Piece quiz showdown, it’s important to highlight how these two icons even crossed paths. Shohei Ohtani, who was already the most well-known player in Japan and a rising MLB legend, was invited to Oda’s house for a barbecue in December 2022.
The author’s comment at the end of the volume is exactly written as follows:
Oda
“I met Shohei Ohtani!! I won in the ONE PIECE Akinator!! I’ll be bragging about this for the rest of my life.” https://t.co/sPXOMAdFW8— あれ吉 (@SReminal) February 19, 2025
Oda wrote in his author’s comment that he invited Shohei Ohtani, the No.1 star in MLB, to his home for a BBQ and won a ONE PIECE quiz against him—something he’ll brag about for the rest of his life. https://t.co/NYIrnuP9oG pic.twitter.com/zg2mVLThw8
— あれ吉 (@SReminal) February 19, 2025
This wasn’t just any casual meetup, it was a moment where two of Japan’s most celebrated figures from completely different fields came together. In his author’s comment from the Weekly Shonen Jump 2023 Issue, Eiichiro Oda excitedly wrote about this encounter quoting,
I met Shohei Ohtani!! I won in the ONE PIECE Akinator!! I’ll be bragging about this for the rest of my life.
At first glance, Oda’s excitement about winning a quiz against Ohtani might seem like a humorous footnote in his illustrious career. But when you consider Oda’s personality, it becomes clear why this win means so much to him.
Oda is known for his intense dedication to One Piece. To him, it isn’t just a manga rather it’s a universe he’s built from the ground up. Therefore, when he faced off against Ohtani, it wasn’t just a friendly game, it was a test of knowledge about his own creation.
Shohei Ohtani: One Piece was once delayed for Japan’s baseball sensation
Since joining the Los Angeles Angels (now the Dodgers) in 2018, Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation has swept Major League Baseball. He has been often compared to baseball great Babe Ruth due to his ability to dominate both as a pitcher and hitter.
Ohtani’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of historic, and 2024 was a particularly remarkable year for him. The MLB star was set to make his first-ever World Series appearance, a moment that has captivated fans worldwide, especially in Japan. With the World Series set to begin on October 25, 2024, Japan’s Ohtani fever has reached unprecedented heights at the time.
As a result, the demand to watch Ohtani perform on baseball’s biggest stage has even affected the anime industry, causing the delay of a major One Piece release. Fans had been eagerly awaiting the premiere of One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga.
【放送延期のお知らせ】
10.27(日)放送予定でしたTVアニメ「SPECIAL EDITED VERSION『ONE PIECE』魚人島編」第1話は、MLBワールドシリーズ中継により延期となりました。
楽しみにしてくださった皆様には大変申し訳ございません。
放送は11.3(日)を予定しております。ぜひご覧ください。#ONEPIECE pic.twitter.com/1CYb6HZuqx— ONE PIECE スタッフ【公式】/ Official (@Eiichiro_Staff) October 21, 2024
However, the first episode which was originally scheduled to air on October 27, 2024, was later postponed because it coincided with Game 2 of the World Series, where Ohtani would be playing against the New York Yankees. While One Piece is certainly popular in Japan, Shohei Ohtani’s impact proved to be even bigger.
Networks and streaming services prioritized airing the World Series, forcing One Piece Log to shift its premiere date to November 3, 2024. This decision shows how much Ohtani has become a cultural force, even overshadowing Japan’s most successful anime series.
However, in the end, all we can say is that whether through manga or baseball, both men, Oda and Ohtani have left an indelible mark on Japan and the world. And for Oda, no matter how many home runs Ohtani hits or championships he wins, the One Piece mastermind will always have one thing to brag about.
One Piece is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
