16 Years Later, One Piece Creator Has Long Debunked One of His Most Popular Claims

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Eiichiro Oda’s ‘One Piece,’ which started in ‘Weekly Shonen Jump’ in 1997, is the best-selling manga ever made and has since grown into a global phenomenon. Today, with both the anime and manga being part of the Final Saga, its popularity continues to soar. Over time, it has amassed a huge international following, appealing to fans beyond its original demographic. The series boasts numerous side characters who frequently win over fans, even if they only appear briefly. However, any hints at romantic pairings are usually brushed off by Oda.

The main focus of the story, “One Piece,” is primarily on Luffy and his team, consistently keeping them at the heart of the narrative. Although it’s an action-oriented shonen series, many prolonged series tend to incorporate romantic moments among key characters, especially those that emphasize worldbuilding or combat. However, the creator of “One Piece,” Oda, has established a firm rule regarding the crew: the series showcases a strong emphasis on the “found family” trope, which may be why Oda insists on the crew members sharing unique and significant bonds instead of romantic entanglements. Despite clarifying this, Oda also emphasized that there’s no romance depicted in the series, but it actually contains more than one might expect.

One Piece Subtly Shows Romance, but Not Among the Crew Members

In 2009, during Jump Festa, the creator of One Piece, Oda, was asked about who Nami might be romantically interested in. The mangaka responded, “Well, if we’re talking about romantic feelings, I don’t believe there will be any romance within the crew. Nami likely appreciates the good qualities of her fellow crew members, but One Piece isn’t primarily a love story.

As I observed, Oda mentioned that it’s a common query among female readers, but less so among male ones. He explained that One Piece, being a shonen manga primarily aimed at boys, tends to focus less on romantic storylines.

When Oda made this remark, the manga was in the midst of its Summit War Arc, which means his statement is now somewhat outdated due to the significant character development and growth within One Piece since then. However, the aspect about there being no romantic relationships among the crew remains valid. Although Sanji has shown affection towards Nami and Robin, there have been no explicit portrayals of romance within the crew, with exceptions like the romantic moments between Sanji and Pudding.

While it’s true that the story of One Piece doesn’t primarily focus on romantic moments, it does subtly and occasionally overtly incorporate aspects of love among its characters, particularly since the post-time skip era. Despite Shonen manga typically being associated more with action and adventure, its wide male and female readership, as well as a significant amount of fan shipping, makes it challenging to dismiss romance as an element in One Piece.

One Piece’s Romance Isn’t the Main Focus, But It’s Still There

The first pair that springs to mind is Capone Bege and Chiffon Charlotte. Often overlooked, their union was orchestrated by Big Mom, yet they form the sweetest family in the series, complete with their child and crew companions. Initially presented as one of the Worst Generation pirates, Bege later revealed his heartwarming role as a devoted husband and father, ready to go to great lengths for the protection of his loved ones.

Intriguingly, Baby 5’s past and her profound fear of being left behind tugged at my heartstrings like a melancholic symphony. Deceived far too often due to her innocent naivety, she found solace amidst the tumultuous battlefield – in none other than Don Sai, the valiant 13th leader of the Happo Navy. Their journey from adversaries to lovers is as classic as it gets, and they’ve even sealed their bond with the sacred vows of marriage.

Creator Oda has a knack for weaving tales that pierce the heart with poignant backstories, such as the heart-wrenching sagas of Kyros and Scarlett, or Bartholomew Kuma and Ginny. These men were left to raise their beloved daughters alone after losing the women they adored.

In different ways, Kyros and Kuma faced various challenges, yet they have much in common. Interestingly, Viola and Pudding both developed feelings for Sanji, although Viola’s emotions weren’t always clearly expressed. The story often revolves around one-sided affections, as seen with the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock and the Tontatta Princess Mansherry; many characters openly express their feelings, even when they aren’t reciprocated.

Throughout the series, there are numerous subtle and nuanced romantic elements that aren’t always at the forefront of the story. Unlike some shonen or Shojo manga, the romance isn’t typically used to soften the tension between action scenes. Instead, it often functions as a means to balance the tone, providing comedic relief or adding emotional depth between fights. It might manifest as humorous banter or serve to heighten the impact of backstories, making them more poignant and tear-jerking.

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2025-08-07 02:12