One Piece: Why Toei Animation hates Sanji
‘One Piece’ fans are upset about Sanji’s treatment in the anime. Is it fair, or are key traits being erased?
The controversy surrounding Toei Animation’s portrayal of Sanji in the ’One Piece’ anime has sparked heated debates among fans. While Eiichiro Oda’s manga presents Sanji as a strong and complex character, recent changes in the anime adaptation have led many to question whether Toei Animation is deliberately undermining him.
What’s behind the Sanji controversy?
Fans first noticed discrepancies in Sanji’s portrayal during the Egghead Island arc. In episodes 1123 and 1124, Toei Animation made several changes that deviated from the manga. For instance:
- Missing from group scenes: Sanji was excluded from a key group shot featuring the Straw Hat crew, despite appearing in the manga.
- Uncharacteristic reactions: Sanji was shown with heart eyes for Jewelry Bonney, a moment that didn’t exist in the manga. Fans were particularly upset as Bonney is later revealed to be underage.
- Reversed roles in fights: In the manga, Sanji confidently saves Nami during a battle against S-Shark. However, the anime reversed the roles, showing Nami saving Sanji instead.
These changes have led fans to accuse Toei Animation of disrespecting Sanji’s character and diminishing his significance within the Straw Hat crew.
Fan backlash: The Shun treatment by Toei
The controversy has exploded across social media platforms, with fans expressing their frustration. Users have been sharing side-by-side comparisons of the manga and anime scenes to highlight the discrepancies. The backlash has also reignited discussions about Toei Animation’s history of altering characters and scenes in ways that some fans find unnecessary or harmful.
Sanji’s treatment bears similarities to the way Shun, the Andromeda Saint from ‘Saint Seiya,’ was depicted by Toei Animation. Despite being one of the strongest Bronze Saints in the manga, Shun’s reluctance to fight and gentle nature were exaggerated in the anime, leading to perceptions of him as weaker or less significant. Fans of both series have drawn parallels, accusing the studio of undermining otherwise complex characters for dramatic or narrative convenience.
Amid the uproar, ’One Piece’ animator Henry Thurlow defended Toei Animation, explaining that episode directors often have to stretch a few manga pages into several minutes of screen time. This process inevitably leads to alterations. While his comments addressed some concerns, they didn’t fully satisfy fans who believe Sanji’s portrayal has been unfairly targeted.
A smoking controversy
Adding to the debate, Sanji’s signature smoking habit has also stirred controversy over the years. As a prominent part of his character design, it has raised concerns about its influence on younger viewers. To address this:
- In the 4Kids English dub, his cigarette was replaced with a lollipop to avoid promoting smoking to children.
- In the live-action adaptation, his smoking was omitted entirely to align with modern sensibilities.
These changes highlight how cultural differences and audience sensitivities have impacted Sanji’s portrayal across various adaptations, further fueling discussions about whether Toei Animation’s choices respect the character or dilute his essence.
Sanji is one of the most beloved characters in ’One Piece,’ known for his strength, loyalty, and unique personality. Fans argue that Toei Animation’s changes not only undermine his character development but also disrupt the balance within the Straw Hat crew.
As ’One Piece’ continues its Final Saga, many hope Toei Animation will stay true to Oda’s vision and give Sanji the respect he deserves.
The controversy surrounding Sanji’s portrayal highlights the challenges of adapting a beloved manga into an anime. From the parallels with Shun in ‘Saint Seiya’ to the handling of his smoking habit, fans are urging Toei Animation to reconsider its approach to preserving the essence of such characters. Whether these concerns will be addressed remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Sanji deserves better.
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