Ace is a character loved by many fans of One Piece. He plays a crucial role in a romantic subplot in the film Stampede, although the adaptation has undergone significant changes.
In the film One Piece: Stampede, the storyline diverges significantly from the original plot involving the Straw Hat Pirates. Before deciding to feature a famous treasure hunt from the Grand Line, the plot centers around a search for a long-lost treasure. Regarding One Piece: Stampede, the anime’s production team stated:
“The original version of the film is quite different from the version we know today. Initially, the main focus was to explore Ace’s love story. After the film Gold, it became clear that Oda was quite busy, and he had to divide his time between the manga and the movie. Therefore, Oda’s involvement in Stampede was minimized, primarily acting as a writer and supervisor. The initial idea was to create a storyline centered on Ace, drawing inspiration from the novel about him published during its time. Afterward, the concept was revised, especially since this is the 20th anniversary film of the series.”
One Piece: Stampede is very enjoyable but unfortunately does not dive deeply into Ace’s past, particularly his emotional struggles.
Currently, One Piece: Ace’s Story is available as a complete novel and manga, adapted by the famous manga artist Boichi, known for his work on Dr. Stone.
The novel’s content follows Ace’s journey from the time he was born alongside Luffy and Sabo during their childhood to when he became a legendary pirate. It includes his adventures and the challenges he faced in the Grand Line, as well as the moments leading up to his sacrifice.
