Toei Animation’s Controversial Change to Sanji’s Fight in One Piece Episode 1124

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The post contains spoilers for One Piece.

Summary

  • Sanji needed help handling the Seraphim, sparking controversy within the One Piece community.
  • Toei Animation’s unnecessary additions in Episode 1124 made Sanji look weak and affected his character.
  • Fans appreciate the high animation quality but are concerned about Toei mixing up manga content, urging the studio to make fewer unnecessary changes.

After a significant hiatus, the beloved anime series One Piece made its grand return, leaving fans ecstatic as they watched their cherished characters spring back into action. Rather than unveiling just one episode at a time, this anime opted for a double dose of excitement by airing two fresh episodes consecutively.

In the world of One Piece, Episodes 1123 and 1124 were broadcasted on April 5th and 6th, 2025 respectively. Both episodes showcased outstanding animation quality. However, viewers did express some concerns. The most significant issue among fans in Episode 1124 revolved around the inclusion of a scene that seemed to unnecessarily impact Sanji, as perceived by the audience due to creative decisions made by Toei Animation.

Sanji Needed Help To Handle The Seraphim

In Episode 1124 of One Piece, the Straw Hat crew managed to overpower York and the Seraphim. A satellite that had turned traitorous, working against Vegapunk in exchange for Celestial Dragon status, was about to escape unpunished, but luckily for everyone involved, the Straw Hat Pirates were on the island to thwart its plans.

Following York’s capture, there ensued a brief conversation where Sanji expressed gratitude towards Nami for saving him from S-Shark, a creature resembling Jimbei in the anime only. This scene was exclusive to the animation, not present in the original manga, which has ignited a heated discussion among One Piece fans, with some labeling it as superfluous and contradictory.

The Problems Associated With The Changes

The adaptation by Toei Animation has shown several inconsistencies. For instance, initially, Sanji was depicted as being unaffected after taking a punch from S-Shark to his face. However, in Episode 1124, a flashback portrayed Sanji holding his left shoulder and appearing weakened. This implies that the Seraphim may have discovered a method to injure Sanji and overpower him, contradicting the original work by Oda.

To put it simply, the depiction in the scene gives off an impression of Sanji being notably weaker compared to Zoro, as the latter managed to defeat two Seraphim single-handedly. In the manga, Zoro seemed to have a tough battle against the Seraphim, while Sanji barely sustained any harm from S-Shark’s attack. However, considering the circumstances, it would appear more fitting if Sanji had emerged victorious with ease in his fight.

And Nami-san saved me too. —Sanji

Ultimately, the flashback seemed superfluous. It’s unclear why Toei Animation chose to include it in the episode, other than to emphasize Nami’s significance in that particular arc. However, this message could have been conveyed more effectively without resorting to a scene that appeared to undermine Sanji for the sake of boosting Nami’s standing. Such a move might harm Nami’s popularity and leave viewers perplexed.

More Sanji Related Controversies

  • Sanji was removed entirely from a scene
  • Sanji and Bonney’s unwarranted interaction

Unluckily, Toei Animation made some mistakes in the latest episodes. Instead of portraying Sanji as a strong character, they presented him as a weakling. Additionally, they left out the Straw Hat from the scene where our heroes were standing victorious over York. It’s puzzling why Toei would omit Sanji from this crucial moment, especially since he significantly contributed to the victory.

Beyond what had already been a contentious situation, Toei Animation chose to introduce two additional points of debate. They inserted a brief scene depicting Sanji behaving as if he were following Nami like a pet dog. It’s important to note that this action was not portrayed in the original manga; instead, it was an creative decision made by Toei Animation on their own accord.

To round things off, the studio introduced a scene in which Sanji was gazing at Jewelry Bonney, causing his eyes to transform into hearts – a gesture suggesting infatuation. Unfortunately, this portrayal of Sanji comes across as problematic for viewers of the anime, given that Bonney is 12 years old and Sanji’s behavior in this context could be perceived as inappropriate or unsettling.

While it might be chalked up as an innocent oversight, Toei should reconsider including these unnecessary additions. Prolonging sections of a battle scene is acceptable, but the creators ought to exercise more discernment when inserting scenes that influence characters.

Fans Shouldn’t Attack The Studio Or The Staff

Berating The Staff Is Not The Way To Handle The Issue

Though there may be moments when some decisions made by Toei Animation seem debatable, there’s no denying the exceptional quality of their animation. Since the Wano Country arc, they have consistently delivered top-tier animation that has left fans in awe. The studio truly outdid itself during the Egghead arc, expanding One Piece’s fanbase even further. Here’s hoping Toei Animation will persist with this high standard and minimize excessive alterations in future productions.

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2025-04-08 03:24