Netflix's One Piece Showrunner Finally Confirms Shocking Fan Theory About Iconic Anime Villain

Summary

Steven Maeda, showrunner of Netflix's One Piece live-action series, addressed a fan theory about the possible appearance of the villain Crocodile in the show's opening.

Maeda encouraged viewers to freely interpret the Easter eggs in the show, highlighting the significant deliberation that went into creating them. The theory proposes the possibility of Crocodile being portrayed as a woman in the live-action adaptation, with indications from the original anime supporting the idea of Crocodile being transgender or intersex. Maeda maintains a neutral stance, neither confirming nor denying the theory.

Steven Maeda, the showrunner for Netflix's live-action series One Piece, recently responded to a fan theory concerning the possible appearance of a significant villain from the anime. Premiering on August 31, One Piece is an adaptation of the popular anime and manga series and boasts a vast source of material. Consequently, the live-action rendition is packed with Easter eggs, leading some fans to speculate that they have identified a particularly significant clue.

During an interview with IGN, Maeda addressed the prevalent theory suggesting the presence of the One Piece antagonist, Crocodile, within the show's opening. In this scene, the execution of Gold Roger (played by Michael Dorman) is witnessed by younger versions of various characters, prompting fans to question whether they spotted a gender-swapped, younger iteration of Crocodile. Maeda acknowledged the theory and encouraged viewers to interpret these elements in any way they pleased. Please refer to his statement below:

(Note: The provided content has been rewritten to deliver a clearer and more coherent message while maintaining the essence of the original text.)

Could The Crocodile Be In The Live-Action One Piece?

I have heard about it. I have been previously approached regarding that matter, and all I can say is, interpret it as you wish. The Easter eggs were meticulously crafted with thoughtful consideration. Some of it was intended for future plans, while some of it was simply a spur of the moment idea that we thought would be cool to see this character. We are aware that this character appeared in the background of Loguetown during Gold Roger's execution. Therefore, bounty posters and spotting characters in the crowd underwent careful deliberation. Additionally, our art department and production designers dedicated a significant amount of time and attention to details like signage on barrels, shop names, and other elements. We genuinely poured our love and care into bringing these elements forward so that fans could appreciate them and exclaim, "Oh, hey, that's really cool." Some of it is also intended for future developments, while others are purely for entertainment purposes that fans will truly enjoy.

The fan theory surrounding Crocodile in One Piece is fascinating. It proposes that in the live-action adaptation, despite being portrayed as male in the anime, Crocodile is actually a woman. This hypothesis emerged from the striking resemblance between the execution scene recreated in One Piece and its anime counterpart, with characters such as Shanks (Peter Gadiot) and Mihawk (Steven John Ward) assuming comparable positions and expressions. While Crocodile appears in the anime scene, the closest resemblance viewers could discern in the live-action adaptation was the woman donning a single earring.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

The possibility of Crocodile's gender being swapped in One Piece is not implausible. There is a fan theory suggesting that the original Crocodile character might be transgender or intersex. This theory stems from hints about Crocodile having a vulnerability or a secret related to their enigmatic past, which could resurface. Notably, another character named Ivankov possesses the power to alter one's gender. Therefore, some speculate that Crocodile was assigned female at birth and then transformed into a male using Ivankov's abilities. Furthermore, it is believed that Crocodile's "weakness" lies in the fact that Ivankov retains the ability to revert them back to their original female form if they so desired.

The theory that One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda intentionally made Crocodile's design as a child androgynous has not yet been proven, but it remains unproven. It would be intriguing if One Piece were to translate the manga villain into a live-action adaptation in a manner that subtly supports this theory. Currently, the showrunner of One Piece has neither confirmed nor denied the theory, allowing viewers to speculate and interpret the numerous Easter eggs within the show.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.