Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is the best-selling manga of all time, and there is no doubt that the process of reaching the top position did not come without much trial and error. There are many procedures the creator has to go through in order to finally release their work for the whole world to see and admire.
One such trial that every mangaka has to face while drawing a series is coming up with how the characters are going to look. Fans of One Piece on social media platforms have found what seems to be the initial design for none other than Sanji, and they seem to be grateful that it did not stick around.
What Was Sanji Initially Supposed To Look Like In One Piece?
Sanji is one of the closest friends to Monkey D. Luffy and a core member of his crew. He likewise has a huge role in the franchise and is not only a fierce fighter but also a great chef, playing the role of the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates.
The designs were found in old Eiichiro Oda data books that he made for One Piece, highlighting how Sanji was supposed to be a dual gun wielder instead of a badass pirate who just fought with his legs. The design also features him with straight eyebrows instead of his iconic curved ones and is shown having black hair instead of Blonde hair.
While it would have been awesome to see a dual gun-slinging Straw Hat Crew Member, this would have meant that Sanji would not have relied much on his legs in battle, taking away his signature move set and most of his identity.
How Was Nami Supposed To Look Initially In The Series
It seems like it was not only Sanji who went through a lot of design changes as One Piece was finally released, but Nami too went through a lot of trials before Eiichiro Oda finally settled on the avatar that we see now.
However, Unlike Sanji, many argue that it was a downgrade in terms of character design when it comes to her early versions compared to her final look. She was initially drawn with a bit of mech gear and a giant axe complimented with chains. Fans often debate that this design was way better than what seems to be allegedly a weaker version of the character we saw when the manga finally came out.
There have been many changes to Oda’s franchise over the years, most notably after the Time Skip period, however, what remains constant is the strength of our hero, Monkey D. Luffy. It seems that the Straw Hat Pirates are now finally headed towards the next Arc as we reach the end of the Egghead Island Arc.
One Piece is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
