One Piece, penned by Eiichiro Oda since 1997, stands as an iconic and cherished manga series. Its rich narrative has grabbed millions of fans worldwide with its epic storyline filled with twists and turns.
Among the fervent fan base, there have long been desires for certain revelations and expansions on various aspects of the series. Fortunately, Chapter 1110, titled “Starfall,” which hit shelves on March 18th, 2024, granted several of these long-awaited wishes, marking it as a monumental moment in recent manga history.
In this chapter, a striking double-page spread took center stage, showcasing the Five Elders, also known as the Gorosei, in their formidable beast forms.
Positioned ominously amidst the ruins of Egghead Island, each Elder undergoes a dramatic transformation. Saint Marcus Mars assumes the form of Itsumade, a colossal bird bearing a dinosaur-like visage.
Saint Topman Warcury morphs into Fengxi, a massive boar-like creature. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn adopts the guise of Gyuki, resembling a giant spider. Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro takes on the appearance of Bakotsu, a skeletal horse-like being.
Lastly, Shepherd Ju Peter manifests as a towering sandworm with a cavernous maw capable of engulfing even the mightiest warriors.
Chapter 1110’s Spread Builds On The History Of One Piece
This spread reveals something long-awaited by One Piece enthusiasts from the series’ inception: a peek into the enigmatic figures steering the world of One Piece. The gradual revelation of the power dynamics within the world has been a grabbing aspect, as readers have been fed morsels of information over time.
In the manga’s early stages, in the third chapter, we encounter the Marines, the formidable military arm of the World Government. While initially positioned as antagonists, their overwhelming authority, coupled with their intricate organizational setup, hints at a higher authority they serve.
The introduction of Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, in Chapter 49, “Storm,” further teases at the complexity of the world. Then, in “Arlong Park,” Chapter 69, the Seven Warlords of the Sea are formally recognized, expanding the readers’ understanding of the series’ multifaceted universe.
However, it isn’t until Chapter 233, “The World’s Greatest Power,” that the Five Elders make their debut, engaged in a discussion regarding a message from Shanks amidst deliberations about replacing Crocodile. Yet, fans would have to exercise patience to uncover the true identities of these elusive figures.
Jaygarcia Saturn’s identity isn’t disclosed until Chapter 1073, “Miss Buckingham Stuss,” and the remaining members are officially named in Chapter 1086, “The Five Elders.”
Notably, Chapter 233 premiered on June 10th, 2002, while Chapter 1086 didn’t grace the shelves until June 12th, 2023, marking a staggering 7673-day or 21-year-and-3-day wait for fans to find the mysteries surrounding this clandestine group.
While awaiting this pivotal revelation, numerous other intriguing facets of the One Piece world emerged. Among them is the Void Century, a substantial gap in historical records that the World Government vehemently conceals, despite it being the epoch of their genesis and ascension to power.
Additionally, Chapter 628 introduced readers to Joy Boy, an enigmatic figure from the Void Century who prophesied his return after 800 years, setting in motion a narrative thread that ultimately culminated in Luffy’s iconic evolution into Gear 5.
Hence, the double-page spread in Chapter 1110 represents a monumental moment that rewards years of anticipation and speculation. It also signifies a significant shift in the narrative’s momentum, propelling it into a higher gear and hurtling toward the climax at breakneck speed.
With the Five Elders stepping onto the battlefield and finding their monstrous forms, it becomes evident that Luffy and his companions stand at the precipice of a transformative event that could shatter the universe’s equilibrium and dismantle the established world order.
After 9 years Oda draws a full double spread and its about the Gorosei !!!
Last full double spread was during Dressrosa.#ONEPIECE #ONEPIECE1110 pic.twitter.com/rwmuMmxzpM
— One Piece Defender ◍ (@OnePieceDefend) March 15, 2024
One Piece’s History With True Double Page Spreads
In addition to fulfilling fans’ desires for glimpses into the inner workings of the One Piece world, this spread also satisfies another long-standing wish: a true double-page spread. While One Piece once regularly showcased these, they’ve become rarer in recent years.
Remarkably, the spread in Chapter 1110 marks the first true double-page spread since Chapter 800, “Followers’ Sake Cups,” released on September 19th, 2015. This translates to a wait of 3104 days, or 8 years and 6 months, for another authentic double-page moment.
To put it into perspective, if Eiichiro Oda were to maintain this pace for future double-page spreads (though unlikely given the series’ trajectory towards its grand conclusion), fans wouldn’t encounter a new one until 2032.
Nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of Chapter 1110’s double-page spread makes it undeniably worth the prolonged anticipation.
While genuine double-page spreads have become rare in modern One Piece, there have been numerous instances of pseudo-double-page spreads in recent years. True double-page spreads typically feature a single expansive image spanning both pages.
In contrast, pseudo double-page spreads incorporate a main image accompanied by several individual manga panels. These panels can either merge seamlessly into the central image or be positioned around the edges of the pages.
The previous chapter, “Interception,” provides several examples of this latter style; various pages showcase central cross-page images encircled by panels containing dialogue and related action. One spread depicts Gear 5 Luffy battling Kizaru and Saturn, while another portrays the ominous black lightning heralding the arrival of the remaining Elders.
However, it’s important to recognize that the terms “double-page spread” and “pseudo double-page spread” are primarily fan-generated classifications. Consequently, there exists a considerable degree of ambiguity surrounding these terms, and what one fan perceives as a true double-page spread may be regarded as a pseudo one by another.