“Marineford arc was just a side trip to me”

One Piece Marineford arc is nothing in comparison to what Eiichiro Oda is planning for the final saga

SUMMARY

Eiichiro Oda has some of the best world building and story building in One Piece, with Marinford being one of its best arcs.
However, the author thinks of the arc to be simple and nothing interesting, especially in comparison to what he has planned for the final saga.

The latest episode of the anime has already raised the question about just how better the series could become.

Eiichiro Oda has worked extremely hard for decades in bringing One Piece to life. From intricate character arcs to unique designs, each and every aspect has been carefully picked and prodded to perfection. Despite the overwhelming amount of fillers, the series remains to be one of the best in shonen anime, rightfully being a part of the big three.
Gear 5 Monkey D. Luffy
There have been various arcs that the fans unanimously agree to be the best. Whether it is the Marineford arc or the Alabasta arc, one or the other always happens to find itself on the top. Each and every arc either gets better in one aspect or another, bringing about the fans to welcome changes, improvements, and overall developments. However, one arc stands out; the Marineford arc.

Contrary to popular opinion, Eiichiro Oda sees the arc as nothing. His eyes are set on only the end of the journey.

Eiichiro Oda Thinks the Marineford Arc is Nothing

In a 2012 interview in the One Piece Eternal Log, Eiichiro Oda revealed what he felt kept him motivated to continue writing his magnum opus. While many fans would be disappointed to learn that the Marineford arc meant next to nothing to him, he had a valid reason for thinking so.
Shanks at Marineford

“One thing that motivates me to keep drawing One Piece is that I want to draw the final saga.” He continued, “The final saga will be so amazing that it makes the Marineford arc look like nothing. Marineford arc was just a side trip to me. I didn’t expect it to be so popular.”

He explained that the very reason he keeps on writing the story is so that he can make it to the final saga. Much like most fans, he too wants to see the end of the journey and have the Straw Hat Pirates find the One Piece finally.

Ironically enough, Oda never came to understand why the Marineford arc was even as popular as it is now. For him, it was a mere pawn in a game of chess.

The Marineford Arc has Nothing Over the Final Saga

Ever since the introduction of Gear 5, One Piece has been seeing a skyrocketing change in the quality of content and storytelling. Things have been getting much darker, more serious, and overall conclusive. The expectations Oda has for the final saga make sense considering that he has been planning this for many decades now. So far, each new chapter has only added to the mystery, hyping fans in unimaginable ways.
Luffy Gear 5
Episode 1100 of the anime was released recently, which featured the much-awaited rematch between Luffy and Rob Lucci. While it may not be a part of the final saga, it is a brief trailer of just how great the actual saga, once animated, can turn out to become.

If the latest episode is already making fans drop their hats, there is no telling just how massive the final saga will be. With great understanding, patience, and commitment, Eiichiro Oda is creating a masterpiece in the making.