LayarHijau – For more than two decades, One Piece has stood as the defining pillar of shōnen anime. Eiichiro Oda’s legendary series is not merely a long-running title, but a cultural phenomenon that shaped how an entire generation understands adventure, friendship, and expansive fantasy worlds. As the story steadily approaches its final arcs, a major question is now taking center stage: who will fill the void once One Piece finally comes to an end?
An analysis highlighted by international entertainment outlet ScreenRant suggests that the answer may not come from Japan at all. Instead, attention is increasingly shifting toward Lord of Mysteries, a Chinese donghua—animated productions originating from China—that is being positioned as a serious contender to become the next major global phenomenon in the post–One Piece era.
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One Piece itself defined the 2000s and beyond. With more than 1,000 episodes, it remains one of the longest-running series in anime history, while maintaining an extraordinary level of narrative consistency. From Monkey D. Luffy’s early days assembling the Straw Hat Pirates to large-scale conflicts that shake the foundations of its world, the series feels like multiple epic sagas woven into a single, ever-expanding universe.
Luffy’s status as a generational icon further solidified One Piece’s legacy. His relentless ambition, combined with a world rich in history and unanswered mysteries, made the series feel endless. That is precisely why the prospect of its conclusion creates a massive power vacuum within the shōnen landscape—one that countless franchises are now eager to fill.
Within this shifting landscape, Lord of Mysteries has emerged as a serious candidate. Adapted from a highly popular web novel, the donghua follows Zhou Mingrui, a modern man who finds himself transported into a strange new world filled with magic, monsters, and deeply unsettling secrets. Its expansive world-building, layered mythology, and darker tone immediately set it apart from most mainstream shōnen titles.
What further distinguishes Lord of Mysteries is its production foundation. The animated adaptation is backed by Tencent, China’s largest technology and entertainment conglomerate. With extensive experience in developing long-term multimedia franchises spanning animation, gaming, and film, Tencent’s involvement positions Lord of Mysteries as a carefully planned global project rather than a short-lived seasonal success.
This level of backing creates a clear contrast with many modern shōnen series that achieve explosive popularity but struggle to sustain long-term momentum. From the outset, Lord of Mysteries is designed as a slow-burning epic, allowing its characters, mythology, and conflicts to unfold organically over time. This approach closely mirrors the early strengths of One Piece, which patiently built its world long before reaching its most iconic arcs.
From a visual standpoint, the series has also drawn attention for its high production quality. At a time when many fantasy and isekai adaptations are criticized for rushed animation or inconsistent direction, Lord of Mysteries stands out within the donghua market with polished visuals and a deliberate cinematic tone, reinforcing the sense that it is being prepared for international competition.
The comparison to One Piece does not suggest a literal replacement, but rather a shift in eras. If One Piece symbolized the global dominance of Japanese shōnen throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Lord of Mysteries may represent the next phase of global animation—one in which Chinese donghua confidently step onto the world stage.
As One Piece approaches its conclusion, the race to define the next generation of long-running fantasy epics is wide open. While series such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and Chainsaw Man continue to command massive influence, Lord of Mysteries enters the conversation with a rare combination of deep narrative ambition, strong corporate backing from Tencent, and a clear vision for long-term expansion. If current predictions prove accurate, the shōnen world may soon be witnessing the rise of a new era.
