Eiichiro Oda's Stunning Art Exhibition: ONE PIECE at Azabudai Hills

A Journey Through the Art of ONE PIECE

The prestigious Shuiesha Manga Art Heritage is set to showcase a magnificent exhibition, featuring stunning art prints from Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga, ONE PIECE, at Azabudai Hills starting July 8, 2026. This event highlights an incredible series of colotype prints known as "The Scroll," with the second installment titled "ONE PIECE / The Scroll 弍," centered around the popular theme of "Great Pirates." The initial unveiling took place at the Benrido Colotype Gallery in Kyoto in 2025, and now the exhibition makes its way to Tokyo.

An Artistic Milestone

In tribute to the 1,000th episode of ONE PIECE, the first-ever "WORLD TOP 100" character popularity poll was conducted globally in 2021. The artwork showcased in this exhibition features characters that ranked highly in this poll, expertly illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. This magnificent piece was serialized over three issues of Shueisha's "Weekly Shōnen Jump" magazine in 2021. When connected horizontally, the artwork unfolds into a grand image, captivating audiences and fans alike.

To transform this iconic illustration into a collectible piece of art, unique materials and printing techniques were thoughtfully selected. The special Echizen washi paper used to create the prints is a testament to traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

Craftsmanship, Tradition, and Innovation

Established in 1865 amidst Japan's turbulent Bakumatsu period, Iwano Heisaburo Paper Mill has been a stalwart of washi paper production. The founder, Iwano Heisaburo, pioneered a technique that produced the highly-regarded "Kumuhara washi," cherished by prominent artists such as Taikan Yokoyama. Today, the company continues this legacy, crafting large-format handmade washi that exceeds three meters in length, representing Japan's only factory of its kind.

The colotype printing technique employed in this exhibition is one of the oldest photo-engraving methods, with a proven history of image retention spanning over a century. Founded in 1887, Benrido possesses the world's sole colotype workshop still operational today, specializing in color reproduction. They have accomplished remarkable feats, including life-sized reproductions of wall paintings at Hōryū-ji Temple. This exhibition utilized an unprecedented number of plates—69 in total—across three sheets, to accurately render the vibrant colors of the pirate characters.

Additional Highlights of the Exhibition

In tandem with the Scroll series, a complementary collection titled "Covers" will also be displayed. This features colotype prints of cover illustrations from the ONE PIECE comics, printed on B4-sized washi paper. This selection includes ten works introduced at Benrido in 2025, plus six new additions that enhance the collection's allure.

Exhibition Details

The ONE PIECE / The Scroll 弍 exhibition at Shuiesha Manga Art Heritage Tokyo Gallery will run from July 8 to November 29, 2026. The venue is located at 105-0001 Toranomon, Minato City, Tokyo, at the Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza AB1. It’s conveniently accessible, just a one-minute walk from Exit 5 of Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Line.

Opening Hours:

- Tuesday - Thursday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Friday - Sunday and Holidays: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Reservations are required for the lounge space, open until 8:00 PM.

For more details regarding official closures, please refer to the exhibition’s website.

About Eiichiro Oda

Eiichiro Oda, born on January 1, 1975, in Kumamoto, first gained recognition with his work "WANTED!" which won the Tezuka Award in 1992. He began serialization of ONE PIECE in 1997, with its first comic volume released the same year. The series has seen immense popularity, evolving into an anime adaptation by 1999 and leading to numerous accolades, including the Japanese Media Arts 100 and the Japan Cartoonists Association Award in 2012. Most recently, Oda received the Kumamoto Prefectural Honor in 2018 for his contributions to the arts.

To delve deeper into the world of manga art, visit Shuiesha Manga Art Heritage.