Why Is One Piece Pacing So Slow In The Wano Arc Fan Discussions

The Wano Country Arc in One Piece has been one of the most anticipated sagas in manga history. After years of foreshadowing, character development, and world-building, fans finally arrived at the climactic showdown between Monkey D. Luffy and Kaido, the \"Strongest Creature in the World.\" Yet, as the arc unfolded across more than 150 chapters, a growing chorus of criticism emerged: the pacing feels slow. What was meant to be an explosive, high-stakes battle stretched into prolonged exposition, extended flashbacks, and layered political intrigue. While some readers praise the depth and payoff, others question whether the story lost momentum. Understanding this divide requires examining not just narrative structure, but also reader expectations, authorial intent, and the unique demands of long-form serialized storytelling.

Narrative Ambition vs. Reader Expectations

Eiichiro Oda did not approach the Wano Arc as a simple revenge tale or a straightforward fight sequence. Instead, he crafted a multi-tiered narrative that blends historical allegory, feudal Japanese aesthetics, revolutionary politics, and deeply personal character arcs. This ambition inherently slows down the pacing. Unlike earlier arcs—such as Enies Lobby or Marineford—that followed a linear, action-driven trajectory, Wano operates on multiple fronts simultaneously: Luffy’s growth, the liberation of a nation, the redemption of samurai pride, and the dismantling of a tyrannical regime.

Many fans expected a rapid escalation after the cliffhanger of Luffy’s defeat at Onigashima. When the story instead delved into the backstory of Kouzuki Oden, the fall of the Kouzuki Clan, and the intricate social hierarchy of Wano, some felt the urgency had dissipated. However, Oda uses these digressions not as filler, but as essential context. The emotional weight of Luffy’s promise to Momonosuke, the tragedy of Oden’s execution, and the suffering of the Wano people under Kaido’s rule are all designed to make the final confrontation meaningful—not just physically, but morally and thematically.

Tip: When reading serialized manga, consider flashbacks and political world-building as investments in emotional payoff rather than delays in action.

The Role of Flashbacks and Backstory in Wano

No element of the Wano Arc has drawn more scrutiny than its extensive use of flashbacks—particularly the nearly 40-chapter retelling of Oden’s journey with Gol D. Roger. While undeniably rich in lore, this section spanned months in real-time release and interrupted the momentum of the present-day battle. For readers eager for resolution, it felt like stalling.

Yet, from a structural standpoint, Oden’s story serves several critical functions:

• Establishes thematic continuity between the Will of D., the Void Century, and the coming revolution.
• Humanizes Kaido and Orochi, transforming them from mere villains into products of systemic corruption and fear.
• Provides generational stakes—the fight isn’t just about Luffy defeating a Yonko, but fulfilling a legacy passed down through decades.
• Deepens world-building by linking Wano to the broader mysteries of the One Piece universe.

As Oda himself stated in a 2020 SBS column: “Without understanding Oden’s dream, the ending of Wano would feel hollow.” This philosophy underscores his commitment to emotional authenticity over narrative speed.

“Every flashback in Wano is a brick in the foundation of the final battle. Remove one, and the whole structure collapses.” — Eiichiro Oda, SBS Volume 100

Pacing Mechanics: Battle Structure and Staggered Climaxes

Another reason fans perceive Wano as slow lies in its unconventional battle structure. Rather than a single, continuous fight, the Onigashima conflict unfolds in waves—each focused on different characters and subplots. Luffy fights Kaido multiple times, with long intervals between encounters. Each failure leads to training, alliance-building, or strategic recalibration.

This cyclical pattern—fight, lose, grow, return—is classic shonen, but the intervals between Luffy’s confrontations grew longer as the arc progressed. Meanwhile, other Straw Hats and allies took center stage: Zoro versus King, Sanji versus Queen, Franky’s infiltration, Robin uncovering secrets, and the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai coalition coordinating attacks.

To illustrate how this affected pacing perception, consider the following timeline of key events in the latter half of Wano:

Event	Chapter Range	Duration (Real-Time)	Action-to-Exposition Ratio
Luffy’s first fight with Kaido	930–934	~1 month	80% action / 20% dialogue
Oden’s flashback arc	940–978	~6 months	10% action / 90% exposition
Straw Hats regroup & prepare	979–995	~3 months	40% action / 60% strategy
Final battles (Luffy vs. Kaido Phase 2)	996–1047	~10 months	60% action / 40% buildup

The data shows a significant shift toward exposition during the arc’s middle phase. While this allowed for deeper storytelling, it disrupted the rhythm many readers associate with climax sequences.

Production Realities and Serialization Constraints

Beyond narrative choices, external factors influenced the pacing. Eiichiro Oda is known for working with a minimal staff and maintaining near-total creative control. His health struggles have led to numerous hiatuses throughout the series, including extended breaks during Wano. These interruptions—sometimes lasting weeks—fractured the reading experience, making the arc feel even slower.

In interviews, Oda has openly discussed the physical toll of weekly serialization. “I want to tell the story right, not fast,” he said in a 2021 Shueisha feature. “If I rush, I betray the characters and the readers who’ve waited this long.” This mindset explains why he prioritized detail over speed, even if it meant delaying payoffs.

Additionally, the transition to full-color digital artwork in later Wano chapters increased production time. Fight scenes now required more detailed backgrounds, lighting effects, and dynamic panel layouts—all of which contributed to slower chapter output and longer gaps between major developments.

A Case Study: The Wait for Gear 5

Perhaps no moment exemplifies the tension between expectation and delivery like the debut of Luffy’s Gear 5. Fans theorized for years about what Luffy’s ultimate form might look like. When he finally awakened his Devil Fruit at the climax of his battle with Kaido, anticipation was at its peak.

However, the transformation didn’t occur until Chapter 1044—over 100 chapters after Luffy first entered Wano. Between his arrival and his awakening, readers endured defeats, imprisonments, alliances, training montages, and the aforementioned Oden saga. For casual viewers or newer fans accustomed to faster-paced anime adaptations, this delay felt excessive.

But from a character development perspective, the wait was intentional. Gear 5 isn’t just a power-up—it’s a symbolic rebirth. Luffy only unlocks it after enduring psychological torment, witnessing the suffering of allies, and embracing his role not just as a pirate captain, but as a liberator. The slow burn ensured that when Gear 5 finally arrived, it carried emotional weight beyond spectacle.

Fan Psychology and the Era of Binge Consumption

An often-overlooked factor in the “slow pacing” critique is the shift in media consumption habits. Modern audiences, conditioned by binge-worthy Netflix series and fast-moving web novels, expect constant escalation. In contrast, One Piece adheres to a traditional manga rhythm—one chapter per week, with deliberate pacing, recurring downtime, and long-term planning.

What Oda sees as careful setup, some fans interpret as dragging. The disconnect arises because readers aren’t just consuming Wano—they’re discussing it in real time across forums, YouTube videos, and social media. Every chapter becomes a data point in an ongoing analysis, amplifying impatience. A single chapter without a fight scene can spark debates about “filler” or “padding,” even if it advances character or theme.

As media analyst Rina Takahashi noted in her essay on serialized storytelling: “When every chapter is dissected online within hours of release, the audience begins to demand micro-payoffs. But epics aren’t built on micro-payoffs—they’re built on patience.”

“When we complain about pacing, we’re often really complaining about our own expectations.” — Rina Takahashi, Media Narrative Researcher

Checklist: How to Engage With Wano’s Pacing Mindfully

If you find yourself frustrated by the Wano Arc’s tempo, consider adopting a more reflective reading approach. Use this checklist to reframe your experience:

1. ✅ Read chapters in thematic clusters (e.g., all Oden chapters together) rather than waiting week-to-week.
2. ✅ Focus on character arcs, not just fight outcomes.
3. ✅ Note how past events (like Dressrosa or Punk Hazard) echo in Wano’s politics.
4. ✅ Appreciate Oda’s art evolution—detailed panels reward close reading.
5. ✅ Limit exposure to spoiler-heavy fan theories that raise unrealistic expectations.
6. ✅ Remember: One Piece is designed to be read slowly, like a novel, not consumed rapidly like a thriller.

FAQ: Addressing Common Concerns

Was the Oden flashback really necessary?

Yes. Oden’s story provides the moral core of Wano. It explains why the country fell, why the people suffered, and why Luffy’s fight is more than personal. Without it, Kaido would remain a brute, not a symbol of oppressive power. The flashback also ties directly to the Void Century and Joy Boy, making it crucial for the endgame.

Could Oda have told the same story faster?

Possibility exists, but compression would have sacrificed emotional impact. Condensing Oden’s journey into 10 chapters would reduce it to highlights, stripping away the humor, tragedy, and camaraderie that made it resonate. Oda chose depth over speed—a valid artistic decision, even if not universally preferred.

Is the pacing better in the anime adaptation?

Subjectively, yes—for some. The anime adds animation, music, and voice acting that heighten tension and mask slower narrative beats. However, it also extends the arc further due to filler episodes and recaps. The manga remains the definitive version for pacing purists, despite its delays.

Conclusion: Embracing the Long Game

The Wano Arc’s pacing isn’t flawed—it’s deliberate. What some call “slow,” others call “measured.” Eiichiro Oda has never prioritized speed; he prioritizes meaning. Every pause, flashback, and quiet moment in Wano serves a purpose: to ensure that when Luffy finally stands atop Onigashima, flag in hand, the victory feels earned—not just by strength, but by sacrifice, legacy, and collective will.

Criticism of pacing reflects not a failure of storytelling, but a collision between modern consumption culture and timeless narrative craft. One Piece was never meant to be rushed. It was meant to be lived in, reflected upon, and remembered. The Wano Arc may have tested patience, but it also delivered one of the richest, most emotionally resonant chapters in the series’ history.

🚀 Take a step back, reread Wano with fresh eyes, and appreciate the craftsmanship behind the delay. Sometimes, the longest journeys leave the deepest marks.