Shueisha publishes first chapter of One Piece: Episode A manga, backstory of Portgas D. Ace

Out of all the chapters in the long-running One Piece manga (97 volumes, 990 chapters and counting) one of the saddest moments was the sudden death of flame-wielding pirate Portgas D. Ace who shielded Luffy from the fatal attack of Marine Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu).

Fans were left just as distraught as Luffy after seeing such a likeable character die in the manga and on screen in the anime. Well, it seems his adventures aren’t over yet and we’ll get to see ‘Fire First’ Ace once more.

Shueisha, publisher of Weekly Shonen Jump (WSJ), has recently released a One Piece spin-off manga titled One Piece: Episode A that focuses on the solo adventures of Ace, the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and one-time captain of the Spade Pirates. 

A recent tweet from the official WSJ account gives fans a glimpse of the new spin-off manga with a story that’s entirely dedicated to Ace.

According to Shonen Jump, the official description for One Piece: Episode A reads:

"Get the backstory on Luffy's brother Ace in this first of two prose stories that continue the high seas adventure ONE PIECE! This volume contains the origin story of Luffy's adopted brother Ace, and tells of his thrilling quest for the legendary One Piece treasure."

However, this manga was not from Eiichiro Oda.

Rather, One Piece: Episode A is illustrated by talented South Korean mangaka Mu-jik Park (Boichi), the creator of series such as Dr. Stone, Origin, Sun-Ken Rock, Terra Formars Asimov, Raqiya, Wallman, H.E The Hunt for Energy. Storyboards were courtesy of Ryo Ishiyama.

The resulting work and artistic style gives the One Piece universe a whole new design, while telling Ace's journey to find the legendary One Piece treasure himself.

For a closer look, check out the first chapter for free here.