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The following article contains major spoilers for One Piece.
One Pieceis now at an amazing moment in the Elbaf Arc, but there is an event that happened years ago that still triggers heated debates and makes many fans wonder how different the story could have been: the death of Portgas D. Ace in the Summit War Saga.
Ace was, and still is, a fan-favorite character, to the point where manyOne Piecefans are still frustrated that he died. And, to be honest, they might not be wrong in thinking that Ace’s death was a mistake.
Why Did Ace Die in One Piece?
Portgas D. Ace was amajorOne Piececharacteruntil his death at the end of the Marineford arc, the last arc of the Summit War Saga. After confronting and losing to Blackbeard in an attempt to protect Luffy, Ace was handed over to the World Government and sentenced to public execution. He remained in a prison at Impel Down while awaiting the execution of his sentence.
As soon as news about Ace’s capture spread, it naturally triggered a war between the Marines and the Whitebeard pirates, with Blackbeard aiding the Marines with the objective of killing as many Whitebeard pirates as they could. The Marines also aimed to eliminate any potential heirs of Roger.
Of course, Luffy also came to Ace’s rescue and joined the war. While he was able to free Ace from the Impel Down prison, Ace later sacrificed himself to protect him from Admiral Akainu. At the same time, Blackbeard was also able to kill Whitebeard, causing a huge drawback to Luffy’s allies. However, before things could get even worse, Shanks appeared and threatened to join the war with his Red Hairs if the Marines and Blackbeard don’t retreat. With this intervention, the war was over. The way Shanks was able to put an end to it made many fans wonder what kind of relationship he truly has with the World Government, something that is becomingincreasingly clear in the Elbaph arc.
Ace’s Death Felt Like a Betrayal to Many Fans
When the Summit War Saga was under serialization,One Piece’s popularity in Japan began to skyrocket. In fact, sales numbers suggest the series peaked in 2011, during the Fish-Man Island Saga, which starts immediately after the Summit War. It may have gained even more popularity after Netflix started streaming the anime and live-action series, but most sales data is based on physical copies, which might not be the best metric given the rise of digital sales. In any case, in recent years,One Piecephysical manga sales have been far from the levels seen in 2011.
There’s only one way to live life, and that’s without regrets.
— Ace
This highlights the massive impact the Summit War Saga had on the fan base. At that time, fans were eagerly awaiting new chapters and discussing what they thought would happen to Ace. And, of course, many believed that Ace would be freed and survive the war. Thus, for many,his death felt like a betrayal, as if Oda had squandered his potential as a character.This still sparks heated debate, with many arguing that his death was unnecessary and out of place in the story. In fact, numerousspin-offs focusing on Acesince the Summit War Saga have led many fans to believe that Oda regrets killing him.
One Piece Soared in Popularity After the Marineford Arc
On the other hand, some argue that it was necessary. First, because it added a sense of danger and high stakes to the war. The Summit War would have felt pointless without major consequences, such as his death. Second, it triggered significant changes in the characters, especially Luffy, who realized the true power of the World Government. Many also argue that, given the events of that arc, Ace dying made more sense than him surviving. It’s hard to deny that his death was a pivotal moment in the series, even if it was frustrating.
Ace’s Death Was Key to Luffy’s Development
As mentioned, Ace’s death was a crucial event for Luffy. While he recognized the power of his enemies, the trauma he experienced made him more determined than ever. It’s clear that he became less impulsive in the following arcs, and he grew both as a character and as a leader. However, fans may have a point in suggesting that Luffy’s character development could have occurred without his death. Perhapsif Ace had disappearedfollowing this arc, Luffy would have gone through similar changes.
One Pieceisavailable to read on MANGA Plus, in English and many other languages.
One Piece
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One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, to become the next king. The manga’s popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
