General & Others Can we talk about how Oda's art has changed over the years?

[Rarted]

In my opinion, Oda's art has declined significantly in the past couple of years. Onigashima is the worst the manga has ever looked in terms of art and you only have to compare it to early Wano. I do believe that Oda's art has gotten better over the years (just look up the drawings he does of Luffy for the One Piece magazine), but I feel as though he tries to cramp as much information as possible into a single page, causing the art to suffer from it a lot. Another problem with this method is that the small panels he draws nowadays leave less of an impact on readers - they become less memorable and thus forgotten about, which, I think, largely contributed to Onigashima being as underwhelming as it was to many people.

(This is just a tiny example. I'm sure you can find many more throughout the series.)

 

[Master OF Haki]

It's the art style rather than the quality! The pre‐timeskip art style reigns supreme.

 

[Aknolagon]

Sure about that bro ?

 

[RedDrifter]

Oda simply gives significant panels more time on the art board that’s how it always was - this is a weekly manga always having top notch art is very hard. Personally loved the art in Onigashima people on this forum just complain about every possible thing which really raises the question why do they keep following the series if it’s so bad in their eyes

 

[Rarted]

Sure about that bro ?

I wish Zoro had a panel like during his fight against King.

Just compare this to one page in Zoro vs. Mr. 1.

The art isn't anything spectecular, it's simplistic even, but it is easy to follow along.

 

[Aknolagon]

I wish Zoro had a panel like during his fight against King.

Just compare this to one page in Zoro vs. Mr. 1.

The art isn't anything spectecular, it's simplistic even, but it is easy to follow along.

I personally prefer the first one. Much more details.

But I can understand why you don't like it.

 

[Steven]

I wish Zoro had a panel like during his fight against King.

Just compare this to one page in Zoro vs. Mr. 1.

The art isn't anything spectecular, it's simplistic even, but it is easy to follow along.

Lol,just a white background

 

[Chrono]

Sure about that bro ?

Its just a lot of shading that makes it stand out. Not really a piece of impressive art or design.

 

[SakazOuki]

Pre ts art was neat, now things are more jammed, up to preference.
Wano are wasn't that bad tbh
In 1054 however the RHP were drawn horrible, made a thread on this

 

[NotTommy]

I prefer the style of pre-timeskip but I think oda's art has been quite good this arc. I don't really agree with the Shanks example, one's an epic entrance while the other is him kinda gleefully seeing the progress of Luffy and his capabilities. It kinda comes off as more casual so I wouldn't compare them. I don't know, I liked pre-timeskip more but I think the current art has been fine for the most part.

 

[WesMidnight]

comparing a casual panel, to what was designed as a shocking stand out panel is a bit of an unfair comparison.

 

[JoNdule]

Pre ts Haa that feeling
Uniqueness.. feels awesome

Post Ts has improved art style but lacks the captivity

 

[Finalbeta]

I don't dislike the way he is drawing, rather the intrinsic content atm

 

[centurion]

its not just the art, but the paneling itself. nowadays its bloated with dialogue bubbles and cluttered text.

 

[Date]

its not just the art, but the paneling itself. nowadays its bloated with dialogue bubbles and cluttered text.

Agree, when Oda want the art style for key moments and wideshoots of the landscapes can be really good, put the paneling of the average chapter is just too polluted.

 

[Salah WG]

Last color spread is one of best Oda ever drawn
So I don't think quality dropped, it's just that he rushes in some chaps, but there are still dozens of top tier pages and panels art wise in onigashima chaps

 

[Mezo]

I actually thought that these were the worst Shanks panels since chapter 1 I believe. When generally Oda draws Shanks with great care.

 

[duckman]

I wish Zoro had a panel like during his fight against King.

Just compare this to one page in Zoro vs. Mr. 1.

The art isn't anything spectecular, it's simplistic even, but it is easy to follow along.

Wait till the volume drops.

 

[Charlotte Horchata]

It lost tons of emotion; early style felt alive, you can easily notice the differences when you compare old and modern versions of the same color spreads:

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

[ZenZu]

It lost tons of emotion; early style felt alive, you can easily notice the differences when you compare old and modern versions of the same color spreads:

Spoiler

Spoiler

It's kind of chilling, the post skip versions legit look like lifeless dolls made to pose compared to the pre skip shots.

OT:

Current art lacks soul. To put it in tangible terms it's overcrowded, the angles aren't as well thought out, action shots aren't easy to follow, often look like scribbles.

Compare these 2 double spreads of Sanji/Zoro tag teaming.

Spoiler

Spoiler

The former is extremely flat (what's even going on with Sanji's limbs?) the latter is much more dynamic, not only a more engaging angle but it's like you can feel the force of the attacks.

He does have his moments (for example Luffy vs Katakuri is exceptionally drawn), but overall the consistency has dipped.

Still not convinced? Look at this.

This is the exact same kick

Spoiler

Spoiler

Again the former is completely flat, in the latter you can feel Sanji's speed and power, that he kicked Kuroobi multiple times, there's motion in his leg, that same motion against Queen you can't even tell if he landed 1 kick or multiple (there are multiple impact marks) it's lifeless.