Aside from the upcoming chapter of “One Piece,” fans are likely still wondering about the possibility for the series to reach a milestone chapter 1,000 before the end of the year. The way things currently look, it is still possible, but it is going to be a very tight schedule for Eiichiro Oda and his staff.
‘One Piece’ chapter 1000: Should readers expect it in 2020?
First, it is important to establish that Oda did not explicitly promise to deliver “One Piece” chapter 1000 before the end of 2020. On that note, fans should manage their expectations.
Oda only shared in his author comment on Shonen Jump in late September that they were “trying for three chapters every four weeks or two chapters every three weeks” in the hopes of delivering “One Piece” chapter 1000 within 2020.
That meant the schedule Oda and his staff had in producing new chapters was already tight due to the delays in previous months caused by the pandemic. Unfortunately, after Oda wrote his comment about “One Piece” chapter 1000, the manga had to go on an extended break after the series creator suddenly fell ill.
Oda seems to be doing fine now and is slated to release three chapters in a row, with “One Piece” chapter 994 arriving on Sunday, Nov. 1, on Manga Plus and VIZ websites. But leaks indicate that the manga is going on a break after chapter 994, which means the next installment will not be released until the middle of November.
Considering chapter 995 would be released after just a one-week break, having “One Piece” chapter 1000 in 2020 is still technically possible. But it would mean that from Nov. 15 through the end of the year, Oda and his staff can only take one more break to make it happen.
Why fans should not worry even if ‘One Piece’ chapter 1000 is released in 2021
Taking into consideration the health and well-being of the manga staff, there is not much difference in having “One Piece” chapter 1000 this year or not. The Wano Kuni arc is progressing well with the war between Luffy’s alliance and Kaido’s Beasts Pirates taking place in Onigashima.
Fans just need to be a little patient because regardless of the manga’s schedule in the coming weeks, “One Piece” chapter 1000 will certainly arrive. For now, readers can form theories on what massive surprise Oda has waiting for this important point in the franchise.
