One Piece Creator Eiichiro Oda Submerges Series' Secret at the Bottom of the Sea to Celebrate Manga Milestone

The legendary manga series One Piece has reached a monumental milestone of 600 million copies in circulation, sparking a global celebration that has resulted in the story’s biggest mystery being hidden on the real-life ocean floor.

To commemorate the series’ latest achievement, creator Eiichiro Oda finally wrote down the long-guarded truth of the story on a single sheet of paper before tearing it in two.

The top half of the document, which poses the question of what the “One Piece” actually is, was shared with the public through full-page advertisements in in the morning editions of the major Japanese newspapers, the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

However, the bottom half containing the actual revelation has been locked away in a treasure chest and lowered into the depths of the ocean.

This answer is intended to remain submerged and untouched until the manga reaches its final conclusion, at which point the chest will be retrieved to share the secret with the world.

This ambitious project highlights the decades-long journey of the Straw Hat Pirates and their search for the ultimate treasure.

The celebrations come at a busy time for the franchise, as the live-action adaptation is also preparing for its return to the small screen.

This project also coincides with the launch of the 114th manga volume, and it has also been announced that fans can now participate in the second “WT100” worldwide character popularity poll.

This massive voting event features a roster of 1,560 eligible characters and allows fans from every corner of the globe to support their favorites.

The characters who secure the highest rankings will receive exclusive new illustrations from Oda for use in upcoming media, including video games and merchandise.

Voting for the World Top 100 poll is now open through the official website following the release of volume 114 on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The second season of the live-action One Piece series is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

A video showing Eiichiro Oda writing down the secret of the “One Piece” before it was sent to the bottom of the ocean has also been released on the official One Piece YouTube channel: