One Piece: Oda Revealed He Had to Change a Straw Hat’s Name Because It Was Too Similar to This Naruto Character

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In the popular series, One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda, a multitude of distinctive and unforgettable characters have been introduced. The name Monkey D. Luffy is deeply ingrained in the memories of countless fans who follow this long-running show. Interestingly enough, among these character names, one Straw Hat crew member almost shared the same moniker as a famous character from Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto manga series.

In many cases, you’ll find that anime characters share similar names, as there isn’t a specific rule that mandates Japanese creators to come up with unique names for each character to prevent name resemblances or matches with other works, unless it leads to trademark or legal issues. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to discover instances of unexpected name overlaps between popular series like “One Piece” and “Naruto,” given their extensive casts.

Eiichiro Oda and His Naming Sense in One Piece

Every One Piece Character Has a Unique and Memorable Name

  • One Piece has a vast character list with unique and memorable names.
  • Most character names in One Piece have different inspirations and stories.

It’s evident that the mastermind behind “One Piece”, Eiichiro Oda, has a knack for naming his characters, ranging from the Straw Hat Pirates to the villains and supporting roles. These character names are frequently whimsical and endearing, often incorporating cultural and historical references, hidden meanings, puns, and wordplay. Just like many other Japanese manga artists, Eiichiro Oda faced challenges in creating catchy names that would resonate with readers.

Among the intriguing character names in the series “One Piece”, it’s worth noting that even the main character, Monkey D. Luffy, stands out. Fans have often pondered why Oda chose such a name, given the scarcity of the letter “L” and its frequent replacement with “R” in Japan. However, previous interviews suggest that Oda aimed to convey a sense of “manliness”, similar to the characters from Dragon Ball, by naming Luffy as such.

Say you want to live.—Monkey D. Luffy

Among Luffy’s fellow Straw Hat pirates, one stands out with an intriguing backstory concerning their name origin. This particular pirate is a fan favorite, even capturing the attention of those not invested in One Piece due to their captivating charm. For those who have been closely following the One Piece manga and anime series, it’s quite apparent that this Straw Hat nearly shared a name with the famous ninja, Naruto Uzumaki from another legendary series.

Eiichiro Oda Almost Named Sanji, Naruto in One Piece

Sanji Has Traces of Naruto

When someone who enjoys anime hears the name “Naruto,” two things usually pop into their head right away. The initial thought is undoubtedly the main character from Masashi Kishimoto’s famous series, Naruto Uzumaki. The second idea might be “narutomaki,” a popular ramen topping featuring pink and white swirls. If Eiichiro Oda had not altered it, there could have been a third association linked to the character Sanji from One Piece.

In Oda’s work, it was actually Naruto that Sanji’s name originally belonged to. If the name change hadn’t taken place earlier, One Piece enthusiasts might have been addressing him as such all along. Even though his name was altered, there are still remnants of the original name evident in Sanji’s character design. For instance, the distinctive swirling pattern on his eyebrow is a clear visual reference to Naruto. His original name could have seamlessly integrated with his famous brow and potentially been the subject of numerous puns and jokes throughout the series.

Initially, Sanji was named Naruto, but when the Naruto manga began, I sensed it would be a lengthy story, so I swiftly rechristened him. Does Sanji’s brow look like it’s spinning to you? – Eiichiro Oda

Indeed, the name Sanji turned out to be remarkably fitting for the character. Whether it was by chance or design, “San” in his name translates to “three” in Japanese, symbolically pointing to his position within the Vinsmoke Family. Interestingly, “ji” in his name means either “time” or “hour,” so Sanji’s name can be interpreted as “three o’clock.” This has led some fans to speculate that creator Oda came up with Sanji’s name at precisely 3:00.

Why Did Oda Change Sanji’s Original Name?

Possible Reasons

Given that Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto manga series was expected to have a prolonged run, Oda decided to swiftly alter Sanji’s initial name. Although the specific rationale wasn’t extensively elaborated, it could be that Oda opted for this change to prevent confusion and potential mix-ups. Additionally, he might have done this as a sign of respect towards Kishimoto, and to demonstrate originality in his own work.

Messing with a cook of the sea is a good way to get yourself killed. Remember that well.—Sanji

Independent of the specific cause, Vinsmoke Sanji is indisputably one of the most renowned characters in anime. Numerous fans have been moved by this name to such an extent that they’ve bestowed it upon their own children and pets, honoring the celebrated chef of the Straw Hat Pirates from the series One Piece.

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2025-08-09 14:34