One Piece fans are now engaged in arguments with Demon Slayer fans (and other fandoms) due to recent revelations in the manga. The focus on Jewelry Bonney's backstory and Bartholomew Kuma's has sparked interest. Leaks suggest that Chapter 1098 will unveil Bonney's true age as 12 years old.
This revelation has sparked controversy online, especially within the One Piece fandom, as Bonney was previously perceived as a young woman in her twenties. Given that certain scenes and panels have depicted her in a sexualized manner, this has intensified the fan war, particularly involving Demon Slayer fans.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the One Piece and Demon Slayer series.
One Piece fans fight with Demon Slayer fans (and other fandoms) over Bonney's portrayal in the series
Author Eiichiro Oda recently disclosed that Jewelry Bonney, a character from One Piece, is actually 12 years old but possesses the unique capability to age due to her Devil Fruit powers. This revelation sparked a flurry of intense reactions from fans, not only within the One Piece community but also from enthusiasts of Demon Slayer and other franchises. These individuals felt compelled to express their opinions about Oda, resulting in a plethora of extreme statements.
This prompted many fans of the series to criticize the double standard present in various anime and manga, including how Nezuko Kamado is depicted in Demon Slayer. In the Entertainment District arc, Nezuko reveals her complete demon form while battling Daki, resulting in her physical appearance resembling that of an adult woman despite being only 14 years old.
The Bonney situation has rapidly gained attention online, even though the chapter has not been released yet. Moreover, it has sparked discussions about other series that have tackled similar themes. As a result, numerous debates have emerged concerning the representation of children in the anime and manga industries.
The portrayal of children in anime and manga
The portrayal of Bonney in One Piece and Nezuko in Demon Slayer is not a unique occurrence in the manga and anime industries. Throughout the years, there have been numerous instances where children, especially young girls, have been depicted in a s*xualized manner, leading to controversial assumptions about certain authors.
The primary concern for many individuals is that, irrespective of the authors' personal lives, the s*xualization of these characters is often unnecessary for the plot. The situation surrounding Bonney serves as a compelling illustration of this issue.
Conversations centered on Bonney's age, as she is only 12 years old, carry even more significance when considering that the age of consent in Japan has recently been increased to 16 years old after remaining unchanged for a century. This raises the spotlight on Bonney being underage by a significant margin.
Final thoughts
The Bonney situation in One Piece has ignited a fierce battle on social media, drawing in fans of Demon Slayer and various other fandoms. However, it is crucial to exercise patience and await the episode's release to gauge the collective response.
Editor's P/S
As a One Piece fan, I feel disappointed and frustrated by the recent revelations about Jewelry Bonney's age. Bonney was previously perceived as a young woman in her twenties, and many fans, including myself, enjoyed her character. However, the news that she is actually 12 years old has left a bitter taste in my mouth. It's hard to ignore the fact that Bonney has been depicted in a sexualized manner in certain scenes and panels, and this revelation makes those scenes even more uncomfortable.
I understand that the age of consent in Japan was recently increased to 16 years old, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept the portrayal of Bonney as a s*xual object. I'm concerned that this trend of s*xualizing young girls in anime and manga is harmful to children and young adults. It sends the message that it's okay to view children in a s*xual way, and it can contribute to the normalization of child abuse.