The Hidden Truth of ONE PIECE World

Does Geography Differ Between Earth and the Planet of ONE PIECE?

On Earth, near the equator, there are areas with little to no wind, called the doldrums. Similarly, in the world of ONE PIECE, there are calm regions near the Grand Line, known as the “Calm Belt.”

However, One Piece also has a “Red Line.” In Japanese, “equator” translates to “赤道” (literally “red path”), raising the question: Could the Red Line actually represent the true equator of the ONE PIECE world?

Let’s explore this intriguing theory.

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⚠️ Spoiler Warning:

This article contains spoilers for the WANO episode of ONE PIECE.

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The Secret of the One Piece World: Pole Shift

One hidden mystery in One Piece could be pole shift.

Currently, the world rotates around the Red Line, but what if the Grand Line was once the axis of rotation?
If a pole shift occurred during “the Void Century,” this would explain many of the mysteries surrounding the world of ONE PIECE.

What Is a Pole Shift?

A pole shift refers to the movement of a planet’s rotational axis or magnetic poles due to certain factors.
Learn more about the cataclysmic pole shift hypothesis here.

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Evidence 1: Influences on Eiichiro Oda’s Work

Eiichiro Oda has mentioned being inspired by works he saw as a child, such as Future Boy Conan (Mirai Shōnen Conan), directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Interestingly, Future Boy Conan also explores themes of pole shift.

Additionally, ONE PIECE contains numerous homages, such as the connections between Onigashima in WANO and Castle in the Sky (Laputa: Tenkū no Shiro).

Evidence 2: The Effects of Pole Shift

When a pole shift occurs, the distribution of water on the planet changes.

Earth’s rotation causes centrifugal force, which affects sea levels:

• Poles (high latitude): Lower centrifugal force → Lower sea levels
• Equator (low latitude): Higher centrifugal force → Higher sea levels

If the poles shifted during the Void Century, it would explain why:

1. The Grand Line is now submerged in water.
2. Locations like Wano are underwater.
3. Impel Down (the underwater prison) exists.
4. Long Ring Long Land has unique geological features.

Evidence 3: Magnetic Field Disruptions

A pole shift would also disrupt magnetic fields, causing anomalies such as:

• South Bird (Skypiea’s bird): These birds, introduced during the Skypiea arc, rely on internal magnetic senses to face south. Later, we see their offspring facing west and east, suggesting magnetic anomalies.

• Whales becoming stranded: Many marine animals rely on geomagnetic navigation, and shifts in magnetic fields could explain this behavior.

Evidence 4: Slower Planetary Rotation

Can a planet’s axis shift without catastrophic effects?
For planets like Earth, with rapid rotation, such a change would cause chaos. However, if the world of ONE PIECE rotates more slowly, this might not be an issue.

Evidence of a slow rotation can be found in how much the Straw Hat Pirates accomplish in seemingly short periods:

1. Luffy defeats Alvida, Captain Morgan, and Buggy, recruits Zoro, and teams up with Nami—all on his first day as a pirate.
2. Luffy defeats Crocodile and Enel within one week of each other.
3. The Going Merry is burned after only about 40 days of adventure.
4. Robin’s iconic “I want to live!” moment occurs just two weeks after she joins the crew.

Prediction: The Axis Returns to Normal

What happens if the Grand Line becomes the rotational axis again?

• The Red Line becomes the equator.
• The Calm Belt disappears, allowing wind to blow freely across the Grand Line.
• The Sea Kings lose their breeding grounds, enabling open ocean travel.

In essence, the world transforms into a “ONE PIECE,” a single unified sea.

This would also fulfill Sanji’s dream of finding the All Blue, the legendary ocean where all fish species coexist.

Conclusion

Through the lens of pole shifts, the mysteries of the One Piece world become clearer. Could the discovery of the titular “ONE Piece” be the trigger for such a monumental event? Only time—and Oda-sensei—will reveal the truth.