This article contains spoilers from One Piece.
Key Takeaways
- Oda originally intended to name Sanji “Naruto,”but renamed him to avoid confusion with the other series.
- Sanji’s potential name “Naruto”aptly reflects aspects of his character design but was ultimately deemed impractical.
- Fans can enjoy One Piece via platforms like Manga Plus and Crunchyroll, with the anime making its highly-anticipated return soon.
One Piece is recognized as the best-selling manga in history, captivating audiences for nearly 30 years now. The series has successfully maintained fan engagement primarily through its rich tapestry of characters.
Among these characters is Sanji, a fan favorite introduced during the East Blue saga. His journey and growth throughout the series have significantly contributed to his status. However, it might surprise many that Sanji’s character underwent a notable name change that could have greatly altered his identity.
Oda’s Naming Revelation About Sanji
The Original Name Choice: Naruto
Sanji consistently ranks as one of the most beloved characters in One Piece, frequently landing in the top slots of popularity polls. Not only is he one of the most formidable fighters among the Straw Hat Pirates, but his character development has also come into sharper focus in recent arcs, such as his battle against Queen in Wano. This has led many fans to regard Sanji as one of the most intricately crafted characters in the series.
What might come as a revelation to fans is that initially, Oda had different nomenclature in mind for Sanji. He considered naming him Naruto, a choice that in retrospect seems precarious given that a highly popular manga featuring the same name debuted around the same time. Having two pivotal characters with identical names would certainly have confused audiences.
Interestingly, the name “Naruto”holds cultural significance in Japan, referring to a fish cake with a distinctive pink swirl reminiscent of Sanji’s curly eyebrows. This connection raises the question of whether it was a fitting choice after all.
In a thoughtful reflection on the name change, Oda hinted that there may have been plans for “Naruto”to serve as an alias for Sanji. Given that Sanji fled from his aristocratic family, the name could have linked back to his origins and could have been revealed during later story arcs, particularly in Whole Cake Island.
Sanji’s name was originally Naruto. But when Naruto manga started, I knew it was going to be a long-running series, so I quickly changed his name. Do you see Sanji’s eyebrows swirling? — Eiichiro Oda
How to Read and Watch One Piece
Accessible Through Manga Plus and Crunchyroll
The One Piece manga is currently navigating the Elbaf arc, with thrilling developments as Oda introduces new characters poised for action. Fans can catch up on the latest chapters through Manga Plus or Viz Media.
On the anime front, while it has been on hiatus for a period, fans can rejoice as it will soon return. The series is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, ensuring that viewers can keep up with the adventures of Luffy and his crew.