How Unnecessary Fan Service Could Be Detrimental to the One Piece Anime: An Exploration

The One Piece anime effectively combines numerous genres within the Shounen demographic. While the show is primarily recognized for its emphasis on adventure and drama, it also incorporates a variety of other genres throughout.

While the series may not be categorized as a mystery-genre anime, the revelations of Imu’s origins, the enigma of the Void Century, and numerous other elements within the One Piece anime give it the feel of a mystery novel. Despite not having a direct connection to the romance genre, the tale of Senior Pink and his devoted fans showcases the true essence of love.

However, there exists a genre called Ecchi, which often involves excessive and gratuitous fanservice.

Potential Problems with Character Designs in One Piece Anime

Nami as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Nami as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The One Piece anime is an adaptation of the Shounen manga series of the same name, created by Eiichiro Oda. It premiered in October 1999.

Some fans may believe that the fanservice in the series did not appear until later on, but it actually began in the first few episodes. The series had a major flaw from the beginning: the designs of the female characters.

The female characters’ designs in the series appeared unsuitable, giving it a less mature feel than most anime intended for young adults.

In the initial episodes, the series did not feature any revealing outfits, at least not within the canon storyline. However, in episode 517, a time skip occurred and the level of fanservice increased significantly afterwards.

Nami as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Nami as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

After the time skip, the majority of female characters introduced in the series donned revealing outfits, with particular focus on Nami, arguably the most beloved female character in the series. Her attire throughout each arc post time skip was provocative, potentially making it challenging for fans of the One Piece anime to recommend the series to others.

In some instances, the series’ storyline could have been altered by the strange explanations given by the female characters. For example, when Nico Robin discussed the significance of the letter D.

Nico Robin talking about the meaning of D (Image via Toei Animation)
Nico Robin talking about the meaning of D (Image via Toei Animation)

Interestingly, despite the prevalence of fanservice and objectification of female characters in other series, this source contains very little of it. This may be due to the fact that the source material is a manga, which lacks movement and requires the writer to break scenes into separate panels. As a result, the absence of fanservice in the manga could be attributed to this structural limitation.

However, viewers can anticipate a further increase in fanservice in the upcoming episodes of the One Piece anime as the Egghead arc marks the beginning of the final saga. This is based on a statement by Eiichiro Oda, who has revealed his efforts to improve the designs of the female characters.

As a result, the series’ studio may shift their focus towards the female character, deviating from One Piece’s primary narrative of following Monkey D. Luffy’s journey to become the next Pirate King.

The Comparison of Fanservice in One Piece and Ecchi Anime

Yamato as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)
Yamato as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Most fans of One Piece would argue that the fanservice in the anime is not truly fanservice, as it does not feature any explicit nu*ity. However, it is important to note that each genre has its own set of standards, including fanservice, that apply to all works within that genre.

The presence of fanservice in One Piece is not surprising, as it caters to its intended audience. However, it does not contain the exaggerated and explicit fanservice typically seen in Ecchi anime.

The fanservice in One Piece anime may be poorly incorporated, resulting in many fans deeming it unnecessary and unwelcome. Eliminating it completely could pose a challenge as mild fanservice is still integral to satisfying the audience. Therefore, a potential solution could be for the production team to reduce the frequency of fanservice in the anime.

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