One Piece’s Creator Just Confirmed One Straw Hat Ship is Real

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Despite the fact that the long-running series One Piece has generally steered clear of romantic relationships over the past two decades, fans have still found themselves drawn to pairing various characters together, even among the Straw Hat Pirates. Popular fan-favorite couples include Frobin (Franky and Robin) and ZoSan (Zoro and Sanji), while some prefer the partnership between the crew’s captain and navigator, known as LuNami (Luffy and Nami). Although this romantic pairing has yet to be officially confirmed within the series, recent developments in a new One Piece spin-off may hint at the creator’s possible support for the relationship.

At AnimeJapan 2025, it was announced that “One Piece” will be producing an anime adaptation of the spin-off manga titled “One Piece Love” or “Koisuru One Piece,” written by Daiki Ihara. This romantic comedy revolves around two high school students named Yamamato Luffy and Koyama Nami. The spin-off debuted on April 1st, 2025, across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. In celebration of the release, “One Piece’s” official account posted a message from Oda encouraging fans to watch the new series, referring to it as an official spin-off. This, coupled with Eiichiro Oda’s prior endorsement of the spin-off, has led many to interpret it as unofficial confirmation that LuNami is indeed canon, thereby settling the ongoing debate.

I’m thrilled to share that the first episode of the short anime “#Love is Blindness One Piece” has been released! Four video segments are now available for viewing on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram using the hashtag #ONEPIECE. Even creator Oda-san has left a comment! Don’t miss out on this exciting debut!

— ONE PIECE スタッフ【公式】/ Official (@Eiichiro_Staff) April 1, 2025

One Piece Has Always Avoided Romance Between the Straw Hats

From the outset, it’s been consistently emphasized by Oda that the world of One Piece is devoid of romantic entanglements, primarily because it’s a shonen genre aimed at young males, whom he perceives as less inclined towards romantic storylines.

Back at Jump Festa 2009, during an interview, I was asked if there was anyone Nami might have romantic feelings for within our crew. Well, let me set your hearts at ease! I revealed that while Nami appreciates the fine qualities of her fellow crewmates, “One Piece” isn’t primarily about romance. So, shippers, it seems we’re just friends sailing the Grand Line together!

Sealing the deal in his explanation, Oda clarified, “Many young female readers may be curious about this topic. Since ‘One Piece’ is primarily aimed at male audiences, it doesn’t feature much romance.

In a conversation with Gosho Aoyama in 2022 during the “OVER 100 Miracle Talk,” Oda reiterated that romance wouldn’t resonate with One Piece’s main audience. He further clarified, “However, I understand that if I depict romance, some fans will stop following me. I think it’s acceptable when one character has unrequited feelings, but if both characters reciprocate those feelings, they may lose fans.” This could be the reason why Oda decided to keep Pudding’s affection for Sanji one-sided at the conclusion of the Whole Cake Island Arc.

One Piece’s New Spin-off Teases LuNami Could Be Canon After All

Regardless of Oda’s reluctance to delve into romance, fans have persistently imagined relationships among the Straw Hat crew, with Lunami being a particularly popular and contentious pairing. The affinity for Luffy and Nami as a couple stems from her history and her role as the initial female crew member. For years, this partnership has been a topic of discussion in fan communities, but it appears that a new One Piece spin-off is shedding light on Oda’s actual views on the match despite his past evasions.

Apart from the recent announcement about the anime’s launch, Oda previously confirmed the spin-off in the SBS of Volume 97 and mentioned that he has been following the series weekly. Over time, Oda has consistently supported the series, although it remains uncertain if “One Piece” will ever depict any romantic relationships. However, this latest spin-off might indicate that Oda is becoming more open to the idea of romance. For now, this is the strongest hint for LuNami fans, and the new “One Piece” spin-off serves as a fun way to enjoy the beloved ship until further confirmation.

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2025-04-04 18:10