Oda from One Piece Endorses Former Assistant’s Manga “Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi”

On Thursday, October 31, 2024, the official account on X (previously known as Twitter) for Shoichi Usui’s manga, Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi, showcased an endorsement from Eiichiro Oda, the renowned creator of One Piece. This recommendation features prominently on the cover of the manga’s inaugural compilation volume, which is scheduled for release in Japan on Friday, November 1, 2024. The series’ official X account highlighted this significant cover alongside Oda’s praise.

Expressing deep gratitude towards Oda for his kind words, Usui disclosed their previous role as an assistant on One Piece for approximately five years. According to Usui’s statement, this stint preceded the launch of Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi. Seeing their existing rapport, Usui requested a recommendation from Oda, who was happy to oblige, as reflected in the volume 1 cover.

The Weight of Oda’s Recommendation for Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi

In his endorsement of Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi, Oda notably commended the series’ demonic adversaries, expressing his enjoyment and enthusiasm for these characters. However, a complete and official translation of his recommendation is not currently accessible, much like Usui’s gratitude message, with only translations by fans available to convey the essence of the interactions.

Nevertheless, the significance of Oda’s endorsement cannot be overstated, especially for a burgeoning series. Even taking into account their professional connections, Oda’s stature and the tremendous success of One Piece within the Weekly Shonen Jump realm adds considerable weight to this recommendation. Remarkably, this is one of the rare instances where Oda has personally endorsed a new manga, heightening the event’s importance.

The rare nature of Oda’s recommendations highlights the value of such recognition. Past recommendations from Oda, such as for Akane-banashi and 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, have seen substantial success following his endorsements.

While Oda’s endorsement is not a guaranteed pathway to success for Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi, it undoubtedly can have a significant influence on the series’ popularity. As a result, manga enthusiasts can expect to hear more about Usui’s work as Oda’s recommendation encourages a growing audience to explore it.

One Piece began its serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump back in July 1997 and continues to serialize today, approaching its concluding saga. An anime adaptation was launched by Toei Animation in October 1999, which is on hiatus until April 2025. Additionally, Wit Studio, in collaboration with Netflix, is producing a remake of the anime.

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