One Piece Animator Denies Allegations of Favoritism Against Sanji

by

In the world of “One Piece,” Sanji stands as a significant member of the Monster Trio and one of the Future Pirate Kings. Adored by fans worldwide, he is among the most powerful and beloved characters in the series. Despite debates over his comedic aspects, his popularity remains unwavering. Sanji has been an integral part of the show since its inception, and followers have chronicled his journey throughout the years.

Often hailed as one of the best-crafted characters, Sanji’s appeal is evident. However, despite his crucial role in the storyline, fans express dissatisfaction with how Toei has handled his character development over time.

I’ve been expressing my passion for the Straw Hat crew lately, and I can’t help but feel frustrated about a recurring issue: the way Toei Animation has portrayed one of my favorite characters, Sanji. Instead of staying true to the manga, they seem to stretch his gags or make him appear slower when he’s actually the fastest Straw Hat.

The most heated debate erupted during the “Here Comes the Star” scene, a moment that should have been about both Zoro and Sanji, but Toei primarily focused on Zoro. The controversy didn’t stop there; it escalated even further in the Egghead Incident Arc. Now, all the major theorists, YouTubers, and animators are engaged in a heated discussion over the allegations of “Toei mistreating Sanji.”

Amidst this storm of opinions, one of my favorite animators, Vincent Chansard, has voiced his thoughts on this matter. As a fellow enthusiast, I’m eager to hear more about his perspective and hope that our beloved series can find a way to better represent the incredible character that is Sanji.

Vincent Denied Toei Having an Agenda Against Sanji

In a YouTube podcast hosted by Brago D. Ace, Vincent Chansard was invited to express his opinions about a particular topic. The animator stated, “Regarding influential figures in ‘One Piece’ or those in key positions making decisions, they are telling others, ‘You will go here. You will create the storyboard.’ Clearly, there is no hidden motive or plan involved.

He went on to explain, “During my time in Wano, I didn’t have these feelings at all as a fan. Similar to the battle between Sanji and Queen, it seemed that the most prominent characters were involved. As a result, it didn’t strike me as a genuine worry.

It’s worth pointing out that Vincent recognizes a discrepancy when it comes to the animators responsible for Zoro and Sanji scenes in “One Piece”, saying, “As a fan of the series, it’s hard not to notice an imbalance if you compare all the Zoro scenes with all the Sanji scenes and look at the names of the animators. However, I can’t pinpoint where this disparity originates from because I understand that those who make these decisions do not prioritize personal agendas.

He argued his perspective regarding the subject, pointing out that it’s merely his viewpoint, yet it’s plausible that animators focus more on Zoro’s scenes due to their extended length and centrality in narrative achievements. As a principal combatant of the crew, Zoro often takes center stage, while Sanji serves as the cook and one of Luffy’s strongest allies. In the storyline of Egghead, it was Zoro who engaged Lucci in solo combat, whereas Sanji held a distinct yet crucial role.

For more than two and a half decades, Toei Animation has been bringing “One Piece” to life, yet sometimes the anime isn’t a direct translation of the manga due to the need for filler content to sustain the storyline. Consequently, debates may arise, but it’s important to note that none of the animators have ever publicly stated any bias against one of the show’s most cherished characters.

Read More

2025-05-10 01:30