This article includes spoilers from the One Piece Egghead arc.
Key Takeaways
- Megumi Ishitani, a director for One Piece, expresses equal affection for all characters and avoids favoritism.
- Fans are encouraged not to target staff on social media over character portrayals, specifically Sanji’s recent depiction.
- While Toei may occasionally misinterpret characters, the original manga remains the definitive source of canon for the audience.
In This Article
Megumi Ishitani Addresses Twitter Comments on Recent One Piece Episodes
Controversy Surrounding Sanji’s Character in One Piece
Fans of One Piece were thrilled about the anime’s return after a six-month hiatus, anticipating fresh episodes that aired over the weekend. However, this excitement quickly turned to outrage due to controversies regarding character portrayals, particularly concerning Sanji.
Recent episodes depict Sanji displaying affection towards Jewelry Bonney, who at the time appears as a child, which deviates significantly from the manga where such a narrative was carefully avoided by creator Eiichiro Oda. This choice by Toei Animation has led to heated discussions among fans, who feel that it misrepresents Sanji’s character.
Moreover, the anime has shown Sanji struggling against the antagonist S-Shark, alongside instances involving Nami defeating him, which also diverges from the events in the manga. To add to the frustration, Sanji’s absence from significant artwork unveiling key moments in the Egghead arc has not gone unnoticed, lending further support to the growing discontent among viewers.
While these concerns are legitimate, some fans have crossed the line into harassment by targeting Megumi Ishitani on Twitter. As a renowned director of One Piece, her social media account has been flooded with queries about character decisions she had no part in. In her responses, Ishitani has consistently emphasized not only her impartiality towards characters but also her lack of involvement in the portrayal of specific episodes.
Q: Why does Sanji have heart eyes for a Kid when Oda-sensei made sure he didn’t do that? Why does Toei hate Sanji?
Megumi Ishitani: Since I am not the director of this episode, I will keep my opinion about it private. When it comes to the projects I work on, I try not to like or dislike any particular character. I love them all equally.
It is indeed inappropriate for fans to direct their frustration toward Ishitani, who had no input on the recent episodes. The expectation that she should relay fans’ sentiments to Toei is equally unreasonable.
This incident reflects broader trends in anime fandoms, wherein creators are often unjustly vilified over creative decisions. Similar situations have arisen in the past, with characters like Zoro facing backlash when updates on significant plot points prematurely surfaced. Creative discrepancies are not limited to individual characters and occur across the spectrum.
While scriptwriters and directors occasionally make choices that may not align with fan expectations, these decisions are typically not born from ill intentions but rather a misinterpretation of the source material. It’s crucial for fans to remember that anime adaptations will invariably introduce changes, and that the original manga remains the canonical source.
Engaging in harassment of creators is harmful and counterproductive. A constructive discourse regarding character development and portrayal promotes a healthier community and allows for a more enriching fan experience.