Oda’s Latest One Piece Plothole: Explaining Dr. Vegapunk’s Latest Revelations

Despite captivating fans for decades with its mysterious plot and shocking revelations, One Piece has recently sparked an intriguing discussion due to Dr. Vegapunk’s statements about the rise in global sea levels. These statements have brought attention to a potential oversight in the grand narrative of the series, potentially requiring creator Oda to address it.

Upon reading a thought-provoking tweet, a devoted supporter posed an intriguing argument – if the Earth’s oceans truly did increase by a staggering 200 meters as claimed by Vegapunk, there would be indications of an ancient society at that depth, which pirates would have inevitably come across during their voyages to the Fishman Island, situated a remarkable 10,000 meters below the surface of the water.

Examining the potential plothole in One Piece

The fan’s main point centers on a theoretical situation, where if there were a civilization located 200 meters below the ocean’s surface, it would have undoubtedly been found by the many pirates who have explored depths in search of Fishman Island, which is located a remarkable 10km below the surface.

The tweet raises concerns about the absence of any mention or discovery of the supposed lost civilization, criticizing it as a major oversight and possible inconsistency in the story crafted by the author, Eiichiro Oda.

One Piece: Debunking the Myth of the Pothole

The Fishman Island (Image via Toei Animation)

In the depths of the ocean, there are various obstacles that hinder the identification of ancient civilizations. A crucial aspect is the limited penetration of sunlight into the water. Research has revealed that sunlight can only reach a depth of approximately 200 meters, with the majority being absorbed within the first 100 meters. Beyond this depth, the environment becomes progressively darker, posing challenges for the growth of complex organisms.

The absence of sunlight may provide an explanation for why the remains of a civilization located 200 meters below the surface went undiscovered in the world of anime. If this community lived in constant darkness with minimal exposure to sunlight, the pirates would likely have been unable to identify any indications of human settlement during their travels.

Red Line as shown in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

The geography of the world also has an impact. Due to the presence of the expansive Red Line, any submerged civilizations could have been cut off from major sea routes and Fishman Island. This isolated location could have prevented the 200-meter ruins from being discovered and seen by others.

Despite possibly encountering the ruins, the pirates could have initially disregarded them as natural formations. If they were not intentionally seeking out such remains, their preconceived notions may have led them to overlook the importance of these structures beneath the water’s surface.

Despite the pirates’ extensive travels across the high seas, the combination of near-total darkness, geographical isolation, and preconceived notions could explain why they may have been unaware of an advanced 200-meter civilization.

Concluding Remarks

Despite the fan’s comment about a potential plot gap, the idea remains intriguing. However, there are several factors that could explain why the characters in One Piece may not have noticed this abandoned civilization 200 meters below the surface.

By taking into account the scientific and geographical facts of their world, along with the perspectives and values of the characters, a possible solution can be found for this apparent contradiction. This offers a logical justification for the narrative decisions made by the author, Oda.