Revealing the Hundreds of Billions in Income of the One Piece Author - A Year of Earning Enough to Live for Several Lifetimes

In life, there are times when we feel lost and question why we work so hard, feeling as though our efforts have yet to bear fruit. During such moments, it’s helpful to reflect on the words of Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the iconic manga One Piece. He has illustrated that if you want to work without losing your passion, you should work not for money, but for love.

According to a recent interview on JapanTV, several editors and colleagues who have worked with Eiichiro Oda revealed that his annual income is “only” around 3.1 billion yen (approximately 620 thousand USD). This income is derived from the rights to the One Piece series, which includes revenue from anime adaptations, games, and merchandise featuring One Piece characters for promotional purposes. Many people were quite surprised by this “super low” income figure, especially among manga fans who expect something more substantial.

Eiichiro Oda’s income is only around 620 thousand USD per year.

This income level from Eiichiro Oda primarily comes from the copyright of One Piece, alongside profits from anime, games, and various merchandise that feature One Piece characters for promotional purposes. Many fans were quite taken aback by such a low income figure, especially considering the immense popularity of the series.

Currently, One Piece dominates the manga market in Japan, with consistently high sales figures. Additionally, there are numerous One Piece-themed products that are still selling well, contributing a significant portion to the creator’s income.

This giant creature may bewilder many, but it cannot compare to the brilliance that One Piece brings to its audience.

Moreover, Eiichiro Oda’s work on One Piece is truly remarkable, and the recognition he has received is not unwarranted. With an income of only 620 thousand USD in a year, one can clearly see how much effort he puts into his craft.

Despite this income level, Oda continues to work diligently, dedicating a substantial amount of time to creating One Piece—often sacrificing his entire day just to meet the weekly chapter deadline.

If you are a passionate fan of One Piece, you may already be aware of Oda’s grueling work schedule, which often involves him working up to 20 hours a day to keep up with the demands of creating One Piece. His daily routine can stretch nearly 24 hours, even including his break times, as he dedicates himself entirely to his work.

Eiichiro Oda dedicates a large portion of his time to working on One Piece.

The reason Eiichiro Oda must work so many hours is that he, along with other top creators at Shounen Jump, does not have the luxury of time. To ensure the quality and secrecy of the stories, Oda has to perform nearly all tasks himself, from conceptualization to final touches, including backgrounds, tone, and more. With such a workload and the requirement to complete it within a week, it’s no wonder that our “Genius” Oda works 20 hours a day just to keep up.

The pressure of this demanding job means that in the realm of manga in Japan, few can match Oda’s productivity. Even though just working one year could suffice for a comfortable living, Oda continues to work 20 hours a day consistently for the past 19 years.