The world of the anime and manga industry certainly has its perks. Not only is it revolutionizing the topics of pop culture, but it has become a prominent rhetoric amongst the viewers. Youngsters from as early as their preteen years start watching popular animes like Naruto and My Hero Academia and grow up to form a community of their own. However, it also has its own flows. (The major ones about female objectification). And One Piece creator recently reflected on one such issue he faced during his early days as a manga creator.

Eiichiro Oda has been in the manga industry for almost three decades and has gifted us with 105 tankobon volumes of his fantasy series. A champion of illustration and characterization, he knows well how to render depth and details to his characters. Furthermore, one innate quality of his illustrations is he does not fan-service his female characters until truly necessary. And this was the prime problem that he faced when he submitted the first drafts to his editor in 1994.

In a recently translated interview, the Japanese anime creator talked about how Kaoru Kushima, the editor he worked with in 1994, criticized his female characters, stating, “none of your female characters are cute!” Oda could not sleep at night, scribbling new characters throughout. “It is the most shocking advice” any editor ever gave him, he said of the criticism.

Furthermore, as soon as fans saw the tweet, they were quick to share their take on it.

One Piece director’s remarks shocked fans as well

Notably, while some fans equated this to another example of ensuing sexism in the anime and manga industry, others filled the comment section with their favorite One Piece female characters.

https://twitter.com/aiizenswife/status/1642855539389480960?s=20

Moreover, when a fan asked Oda why he did not illustrate “underskirt panty shots,” like many others who monetize on such fan services, Oda took his stance and said it was beyond his interests. He reflected that he has seen that in practice since childhood, “but most of the time it’s done against the consent or will of the female characters.” Furthermore, Oda believes having female characters portray their sexuality “out of their own violation is a much-needed revolution” for the rendition of heroines in anime and manga.

Do you side with Oda’s ideology, or do you have a different opinion? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.