The Untold Secrets Behind One Piece: Surprising Revelations About Romance Revealed by the Creator

Summary

Oda, creator of One Piece, has stated that romance doesn't have a place in his manga because it is targeted at boys and he believes fans should read shoujo manga for romance.

Readers have expressed their desire for Oda to incorporate romantic relationships within the Straw Hat crew, however, he considers it "not his responsibility" and believes his intended audience may lack interest.

Although Oda's perspective on romance in shounen manga may not be universally embraced, it remains possible that his viewpoint may have evolved, considering his willingness to depict background relationships.

Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, holds strong opinions on romance in shounen manga. Despite the numerous chapters and adventures of the Straw Hat crew, fans have speculated about potential romantic relationships. However, Oda has firmly dismissed these ideas.

Twitter user @sandman_AP, who shares English translations of One Piece news, recently posted a quote from Oda's interview addressing romance among the pirates. Oda explained that he writes manga with a focus on boys and does not believe romance fits into his story. According to @sandman_AP, Oda specifically states, "I don't portray romance because One Piece targets a male audience. Female fans ask me to include romance, but if they desire that, they should read shoujo manga. It's not my responsibility. While I appreciate the love female fans have for Luffy, I don't think it's appropriate for them to love each other romantically."

One Piece Isn't Interested in Romance

In the interview's translated quote, Oda acknowledges readers' requests for romantic relationship dynamics within the story, specifically involving the Straw Hats. However, he expresses that it is "outside the scope of his responsibility" to depict romance, and suggests that if fans desire such content, they ought to explore shoujo manga instead. As One Piece falls under the shounen manga category, typically aimed at boys, Oda believes his primary audience may not be interested in romantic subplots. He further notes that the individuals requesting these relationships are often women, but not all of his fans share the same viewpoint.

Shonen Manga Has a Complex Relationship With Romance

Critics of sandman's tweet were swift to point out that Oda appears to contradict his own philosophy. Numerous individuals mentioned romantic relationships that had developed between minor characters. Others highlighted that Oda explicitly referred to Luffy in the interview, leading many to assume that he was specifically addressing romantic complications involving him or the main crew. Irrespective of the specific characters being discussed, it seems that the notion of shounen manga and romantic subplots being incompatible is not universally embraced. Series such as Naruto and Dragon Ball Z incorporate romance to varying extents. In fact, the connection between Kagome and InuYasha can even be viewed as one of the central driving forces behind the plot of InuYasha.

While this anti-romance perspective may seem severe, it's important to remember that the interview referenced by Sandman occurred in 2009. It's plausible that Oda's stance has changed or could change in the future. He has expressed openness to incorporating romantic subplots in the past, and as the journey of Luffy and his dedicated crew progresses, it's possible that a romantic thread could be introduced to propel the story, even if it doesn't become a permanent fixture in One Piece's overarching storyline.

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.