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It’s no surprise that a series likeOne Piecehas inspired more than a few spin-offs. While some titles likeOne Piece SchoolandShokugeki no Sanjimay be familiar to some fans, they are only the tip of the iceberg. Despite having an episode count over one thousand, and still counting, there is a common sentiment among those that have caught up with the series: “I need more.” For those craving a bit of that magic duringthe long waits between chapter and episode releases, there is a way to get that fix. There are a variety of manga spin-offs to choose from, ranging from sweet slices of life to dramatic dives into backstories that never made it into Oda’s official release.
One Pieceis one of the most beloved stories on the planet. With Eiichiro Oda’srecent ascension into the top-ten listof bestselling authors of all time, it doesn’t really come as much of a surprise. What’s less known, is the number of his fans who are artists or writers themselves. Their appreciation, paired with their own talent, has birthed a slew of inspired works. Luckily, many of them have been published for other fans to enjoy. While covering every title in the selection would be quite an undertaking, below are a few selections that may peak the interest of those reading.
One Piece School
What if Things Were Simple
EveryOne Piecefan has been there,sobbing their eyes outin front of the screen after a particularly emotional scene. It’s a mark of a story well told, but it’s also mentally draining at times. What if there was a way to ease those weary heartstrings? Welcome toOne Piece School, alternately known asOne Piece Academy. With the main cast as well as countless other familiar faces making an appearance, this alternate universe spin-off makes a great emotional reststop. The setting is New World Middle School, where the gang get into all sorts of hijinks reminiscent of familiar plot points from the original. This manga presents the characters in a fun, lighthearted setting that highlights their quirkiness in hilarious ways. This short but sweet romp, created by Souhei Koji, has yet to be translated for an official release, but fan translations can be found online.
Shokugeki no Sanji
Serving Up Dishes and Looks
This title might be the mostwell-known of the spin-offshere in the West. Not only is it a love-letter to the Strawhat’s infamous cook, but it was made by Yūto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki, the creators of Food Wars. Their passion for Sanji is clear in every panel. The amorous chef gets the full spotlight in this six-chapter look into meals he has prepared throughout his adventures.Fans of Sanji would be cheating themselvesby not giving this one a read, especially since it’s been officially released in English by Viz Media.
One Piece: Episode A
The Story of the Spade Pirates
Forget taking a break from being heartbroken. Some fanswould rather stay in their feelings, and that’s just as valid. For them,One Piece: Episode AorOne Piece: Ace’s Story, is a must-read. This manga adaptation created by Boichi and Ryo Ishiyama is based off of the novels written by Shou Hinata and Tatsuya Hamazaki. They cover the formation of the Spade pirates and their eventual confrontation with Whitebeard. Sure to be an emotional endeavor for fans who took the loss of Luffy’s beloved brother hard, it’s still worth the read. With both the original novels and manga adaptation being officially translated and released in English, there’s no excuse not to learn more about the narcoleptic flame-user’s past.
One Piece in Love
Bringing New Meaning to Romance Dawn
While this spin-off doesn’t include any of the actual cast ofOne Piece, this silly slice-of-life created by Daiki Ihara will appeal tofans who enjoy a good rom-com. This manga follows the story of ordinary students who happen to share the names of some of Oda’s characters. Koyama Nami has a crush on Yamamoto Luffy and hopes the connection shared through their names will bring them together. Unfortunately, Nakatsugawa Usopp, a die-hardOne Piecefan, has other plans. Nakatsugawa’a enthusiasm in “gathering nakama” and otherwise playing pirate sets up all sorts of entertaining shenanigans. It even received an anime adaption earlier this month, in the form of vertically formatted mini-episodes that can be found on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
One Piece Party
The Title Says it All
What better activity is there to indulge in after catching up toOne Piecethan a party? This manga is just in it for the funsies. Every chapter is just a series of nonsense involvingreturning characters from throughout the series. This manga definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously, keeping things light and funny throughout. Ei Andō, the series' creator, does a great job of doing the personality of the characters justice while tossing them into various comedic situations. A wonderful pallet-cleanser after getting through any of the more serious points in the main story.
So Many Titles to Choose From
Where to Even Begin?
This list is far from exhaustive. While these titles are a good place to start, there is a whole world of spin-offs built around the world’s favorite pirate story. While not all of them have been officially translated, it’s safe to say that it’s only a matter of time for many if not all. Thepopularity of this franchise continues to growevery day, and there’s no shortage of fans thirsting for more content. For those who are in that category, set forth and enjoy some of these wonderfulOne Piece-inspired tales. What better way to kill time until next week’s episode?
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.
