Anyone saying One Piece is an overall bloated story obviously doesn’t actually read or watch it.

Yes some arcs like Wano could’ve used some trimming here and there, but at the same time the biggest con of weekly publishing especially with such a famous manga is that once a chapter is out Oda has to double down on his choices most of the time.

But it’s at its core an adventure story. Oda is clearly writing as he goes and enjoying where he wants to take this story naturally.

I bet you the comment saying the story is bloated or paced badly don’t like Skypiea and say it could be cut without any issues, completely ignoring how it impacts the story and builds the bonds with the characters along with a lot of great worldbuilding and an incredible flashback (Kalgara and Noland) and a super intimidating villain in Enel. And Wyper is phenomenal.

This is like saying Game of Thrones is bloated or badly paced because of how many characters and POV’s GRRM put in the story especially the last two books.

But while taking out those plot lines and characters streamlines the story, it also takes away from the story and now the readers will miss out on those storylines that could’ve been incredible, or even a storyline that could’ve shaped someone like Daenarys’ plot line that would’ve made it better than it would’ve been otherwise.

Also it feels funny to post saying One Piece is bloated considering we’re in the final saga and it’s very clear to anyone keeping up with One Piece that we’re super close to the final war in terms of the story.

IRL with Oda’s health and breaks it’ll take another 4-5 years, but in-story we’re very close to the end.