Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece has sat atop the world of anime and manga for the better part of two decades, finding success across the globe. One of the most fascinating aspects of the series is its worldbuilding, which rivals the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin.
Not only is Oda’s creation packed with various islands filled with fantastical elements, but it is supported by thousands of years of history, jammed with intrigue. Let’s take a look at what makes the world of One Piece and its map such a marvel of worldbuilding, including some of its key history, mysteries and places.
The History of the One Piece World
One of the tenets of making a fantastical world feel real is giving it history. This provides a sense that the world the characters exist in has not been built around them but is instead a place that exists outside of the narrative. One Piece is no exception to this rule. With that in mind, here is a brief list of some of the most notable events in the series' past history.
The Tree of Knowledge Is Planted
The oldest known event in One Piece history occurred 5,000 years ago when the ancient people of Ohara planted the Tree of Knowledge. This tree was the base of operations for archeologists worldwide as they attempted to discover the secrets of the Void Century. The Tree of Knowledge is where Straw Hat Nico Robin learned to read Poneglyphs. It was later burned to the ground 22 years before the current point in the story, in what would be known as the Ohara Incident.
Shandora Is Built
The Shandians built the City of Gold 1100 years before the current timeline. Originally located on the island of Jaya, the city was later blasted to the island of Skypiea by the Knock-up Stream.
The Void Century
The Void Century began 900 years before the current One Piece timeline and as the name implies, ended 800 years ago. Its name derives from there being no record of its events, and it is forbidden by the World Government to attempt to uncover its secrets. (More on this later.)
Construction of The Tequila Wolf Bridge Begins
700 years before the current story, the Tequila Wolf Bridge begins construction. This task is still underway in the present day and is carried out entirely through slave labor. Following the events of the Sabaody Archipelago arc, Nico Robin was sent here by Bartholomew Kuma and forced into slavery. However, she and the rest of the slaves were liberated by the Revolutionary army. It has yet to be revealed if the bridge remains under construction.
Mont Blanc Noland Begins His Journey
Famously known as Noland the Liar, Noland was a famous adventurer who traversed the Grand Line on several occasions. The Tontatta Tribe hails him a savior for defending their lands from ‘bad humans.’ However, after returning to his home, the Kingdom of Lvneel, he boasted about visiting the City of Gold on Jaya, only to arrive back on the island, accompanied by his King, with the City of Gold having disappeared. The disappearance of Shandora led to him being labeled a liar, and he was promptly executed for this transgression.
The God Valley Incident
Jumping forward in the timeline, the God Valley Incident occurred 38 years before the current point in the story. This event took place on the island aptly named God Valley, in which the Roger Pirates joined forces with the Marines, led by Monkey D. Garp, to defeat the Rocks Pirates. This crew was led by Rocks D. Xebec, a mysterious figure not yet who has not yet been fully explored, and its members included three future Yonko, Whitebeard, Big Mom and Kaido.
The Roger Pirates Arrive on Laugh Tale
Only 25 years before the current point in the story, the Roger Pirates completed their final journey, arriving on the legendary island of Laugh Tale. Here, according to Silvers Rayleigh, they learned the true history of the world. Following their discovery of the mythical island, Gol D. Roger turned himself in to the marines due to having developed a terminal illness. A year after landing on Laugh Tale, it was at his execution that he incited the Great Age of Pirates after announcing the existence of the One Piece.
The Mysteries of the One Piece World
As well as the Void Century, the core mystery of what the titular "One Piece" is and how archvillain Blackbeard has been able to amass so much Devil Fruit power, One Piece's world is filled to bursting with unanswered questions relating to its history and geography. Let's go through just a few of the series' most intriguing elements.
Who is Im?
For much of the series, it was believed that the World Government was led by the Gorosei, also known as the Five Elder Stars. However, during the Reverie/Levely arc, it was revealed that the Gorosei serve an individual known only as Im. This shadowy figure sits upon the Empty Throne, a seat said to be vacant in order to maintain peace and order.
What Is the True History of the World?
The events of the Void Century have intrigued fans of the series since it was first introduced. During this century, it is believed that a Great Kingdom ruled much of the world but was overthrown during a war fought between a group of 20 separate kingdoms, the rulers of which would go on to form the World Government.
During this time, the Ancient Weapons were created. The Void Century is also said to have ties to the 'Will of D' and the Land of Wano. The only records of this time are recorded on the Poneglyphs, written in a language that only one living person can read, the aforementioned Nico Robin. While the Roger Pirates were able to uncover this truth, even former crewmate Silvers Rayleigh appears reluctant to speak about what they found.
Key Locations In the World of One Piece
One Piece's map spans vast areas of water and numerous islands, big and small -- perfect to situate a pirate-based epic and its cast of seafaring heroes and villains. Here's how that world is divided and some of its most notable locations.
The Blues
The One Piece world is divided into four large oceans, known as the Blues: North Blue, East Blue, South Blue and West Blue. As the Grand Line and Red Line separate these oceans, travel between each is an arduous task.
The Red Line
The Red Line is a large continent that wraps around the entire world, perpendicular to the Grand Line. It stretches 10,000 meters below the ocean and extends above the clouds. On top of the Red Line, the Capital of the World is located, Mary Geoise. Mary Geoise is the home of the World Nobles, elevated from the rest of the world.
The Grand Line
The Grand Line is a stretch of ocean that wraps around the equator and is the primary setting for the majority of One Piece. The Grand Line is separated into two sections: Paradise, the first half and setting of the pre-time skip events of the story, and the New World, where the story’s current events are unfolding. Traversing the Grand Line is the ultimate goal of many pirates and is full of wonderous islands and unexpected weather phenomena.
Laugh Tale
Laugh Tale is the final island on the Grand Line and is not locatable via a Log Pose. To find Laugh Tale, one must locate and translate the four Red Poneglyphs, also known as Road Poneglyphs. On Laugh Tale, the secrets of the world’s ‘True History,’ along with the One Piece, are said to be located. Reaching this mythic place is the dream of Straw Hat Captain Monkey D. Luffy -- among others --, and doing so will not only reveal the treasure's secrets but also crown him King of the Pirates. Fans have been waiting over 20 years to see Luffy's achieve this dream, and they've still got a few more, at least, to go.