Toei Animation’s Controversial Changes Ruin One Piece Characters

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This post contains spoilers for One Piece.

Summary

  • Toei Animation faced backlash for adding unnecessary scenes involving Sanji, affecting his reputation.
  • Previous incidents involved mishandling Eustass Kid’s fight with Shanks by extending scenes.
  • Changes in recent episodes, such as Sanji being removed from scenes, negatively impact his character.

Over the past few weeks, Toei Animation has faced significant criticism from “One Piece” fans over their handling of Sanji. The studio’s move to insert extra, seemingly unneeded scenes involving the Straw Hats left many feeling disgruntled. This dissatisfaction escalated into a bitter atmosphere as certain fans started attacking staff members on social media platform X (previously known as Twitter).

The situation deteriorated significantly when Megumi Ishitani, a renowned director, was targeted by some fans as well. So far, the studio hasn’t issued any statement, leading us to speculate that one might not be forthcoming. Unfortunately, it isn’t just Sanji who has faced hardships due to Toei’s choices; other popular characters have experienced similar difficulties.

Eustass Kid Was Mistreated By Toei Animation

Prior to Sanji’s appearance, Toei Animation was criticized for prolonging the fight between Eustass Kid and Shanks excessively, while other aspects of the episode were highly appreciated by fans for their quality. The build-up and overall production were exceptional, but viewers felt that the fight scenes could have been shorter.

In the comic book version, Kid was defeated by Shanks in a quick, decisive blow. To make this battle scene more engaging, Toei Animation introduced an element where Kid momentarily lost consciousness and seemed to be dreaming about triumphing over Shanks. This dreamlike state served as a way to emphasize Shanks’ dominance. However, it’s important to note that this dream sequence was not present in the original manga; in the comic, Kid was simply knocked out without any such fantastical elements.

It’s clear why Toei Animation included that specific sequence, yet it’s also understandable why numerous fans disliked it. Many felt it was overly extravagant and disrespectful towards Eustass Kid. The scene may not have received as much attention as Sanji’s moments, but it certainly sparked a lot of conversation within the One Piece fanbase. Given Eustass Kid’s defeat, it seems unlikely that Toei Animation will create another scene featuring this Supernova character.

The Sanji Controversy Could Get A Lot Worse In The Coming Weeks

In the second segment of the Egghead storyline, expect an abundance of action as all members of the Straw Hat Pirates get involved, including Sanji. This has left some fans feeling anxious about whether Toei Animation will continue on a similar path. Prior to Episode 1124, they had previously marred another significant moment related to Sanji in Episode 1105.

In the show, during one scene, a Seraphim fired a laser at Edison, giving the impression that the satellite had been hit by the attack. Moments later, Sanji emerged holding Edison. This was intended to heighten suspense, but unfortunately, it undermined one of Sanji’s most stylish moments.

In the comic book, Sanji moved so quickly that Lilith couldn’t comprehend what had happened. She was astounded by Sanji’s speed and his ability to rescue Edison. However, Toei’s choice to modify this scene diminished the impact of Sanji’s speed demonstration. Afterward, Toei made fewer alterations, but that lasted until Episode 1124.

Toei Animation Went All Out In Episode 1124

For the initiated, the studio made the following changes in the episodes:

  • Sanji was completely removed from the scene where the Straw Hats were standing over a beaten York.
  • An unnecessary flashback was added that showed Sanji had to be rescued by Nami. Meanwhile, Zoro was shown beating two Seraphim with ease. None of them occurred in the manga.
  • Sanji tried to flatter Bonney.
  • Sanji behaved like a dog in front of Stussy.

And Nami-san saved me too. —Sanji

It’s clear that Toei Animation doesn’t intentionally favor one character over another, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that all these alterations seem to harm Sanji’s image in the anime. Fans who watch only the animated series won’t be aware of these changes unless they read the manga or if someone informs them. Here’s hoping Toei Animation rectifies their approach and minimizes modifications that adversely affect a character’s reputation.

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2025-04-14 02:34