#mytheory | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

wavytam · 6 months ago

Text

Sanji’s Celestial Connections: His Race, and the Mysteries of One Piece

This post evolved from a simple attempt to connect Sanji with the imagery of the Sky to, perhaps, my current guess/theory on the nature of his powers and his role in the story of One Piece.

Throughout the manga Sanji has been given intriguing abilities and qualities, making him not only a proficient fighter but, more importantly, an empathetic and talented cook. As the story of One Piece progressed, Oda also revealed the amount of thought he put not just into Sanji's personality but also into his backstory. However, the origins of some of these abilities still remain somewhat vague—even after an entire arc dedicated to his past. Maybe this mystery might be intentional, tied to the significant role Sanji is destined to play by the end of the story.

This mystery is what I will try to analyse here and in future posts before the manga ends and they are (hopefully) unraveled — again, if all of this was intentional on Oda's part.

The topics I will cover:

Elbaf: The Underworld, the Sun, and the Heavens

Heaven and the Religion of One Piece

Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell

Sky (空) vs. Heaven (天): Science vs. Religion

Sanji’s Connection to the Heavens

The Mysterious Circular Energy and The Power of Fire

Sanji’s Race and the True Power of the Vinsmokes

Sanji, Devil Fruits and the Lineage Factor

The Will of Love

The Devil and Angels

Sanji’s Transformations

The Blue Demon of the Sea Science

Heavenly Warrior of Love

The All Blue

Disclaimers:

a) This post is purely made for fun, so don’t take it too seriously! I’m focusing on a character who isn’t the main protagonist of One Piece, so I might give him more attention than Oda himself (probably) plans to;

b) Secondly, I'm aware that this is a big tinfoil theory. It's up to you if you want to read it, and I’d be grateful if you did, even if it's a bit of a crazy reach. And even if you don't believe in any of what I proposed I hope it at least helped you with finding your own conclusions about Sanji;

c) Many points, especially regarding Sanji potentially being from a [spoiler]-related race have already been mentioned by other One Piece fans. I’ll address all the evidence (even the repeatedly discussed ones) to make this post as complete as possible — I’ll also leave links at the end to these and other interesting fan theories regarding the topics mentioned! While each theory may reach different conclusions (including my own), they all offer rich, insightful perspectives on Sanji and the world of One Piece. See which one resonates with you the most and if you come to a different conclusion!

Feel free to share your views and theories in the comments.

Now, let's get to it (I warn you, this post is long).

Almost a year ago, I wrote another post discussing the possible connections between Nami and Sanji with the imagery of the Sky, similar to how Luffy is often associated with the Sun and Zoro with Hell. That post has been on hiatus: I hadn’t finished reading the entire manga and I needed to go through the entire story to spot any missed clues or details that might discredit my theory.

However, I felt that what I’ve observed in the anime, as well as through Oda’s interviews and other fan analysis, was enough to create a new post specifically about Sanji and his significance to One Piece.

The decision to write this post came after reading chapter 1132, where we saw how Elbaf is divided. These divisions comprise a group of symbols that appeared earlier in the story, which I believe Oda may use for a future revelation.

But first, let's talk about these divisions.

Elbaf: The Underworld, the Sun and the Heavens

Acording to Brogy:

I think it’s worth noting that, depending on the translated sources, different words are used for these levels:

Heaven/Astral (天界, Tenkai)

Sun/Sunlit (陽界, Yōkai)

Dead/Underworld (冥界, Meikai)

From what I’ve seen, the official (VIZ) translation seems to use: Astral/Sun/Underworld—Levels.

However, for this post, I will use the Heaven/Sun/Underworld classification, and you’ll understand why as you read on.

Since I won’t go into much detail about the Sun and Dead levels (otherwise, this post would be twice as long), let’s focus only on the upper level—which also seems to be the most mysterious of the three: the Realm of Heaven.

By no means am I a proficient Japanese translator, so to help me, here are the translations I found on Google for the kanji used for the Realm of Heaven in the manga:

天界 = tenkai = means "heavenly realm" in the context of Buddhism. The kanji 天 means "heaven/sky" and 界 means "world." So, the world (界) in the sky or heaven (天) is the "heavenly realm."

Because 'heaven' is a word more associated with religion (and you will understand why I’m bringing up religion), I will use this term for most of the post. However, the word 'astral' will appear in future topics as well as the term ‘sky’.

On Twitter and Youtube, people are already discussing what these realms might represent, and of course, many have realized that Underworld and Sun are symbols used for both Zoro and Luffy in the Wano Arc.

Zoro as the King of Hell (also known as the Underworld) and Luffy as the Sun God Nika.

I don’t believe this necessarily means they’ll be directly connected to these specific places during the arc but I do suggest that Oda:

a) Still needs to address the religious aspect of the One Piece world.

b) Has been using the imagery of Sky, Sun, Sea, and Hell so frequently that there could be a meaningful reason behind it.

Heaven and the Religion of One Piece

Firstly, regarding topic A: Oda often draws from religious and mythological symbols to create characters, islands, and story arcs—examples include Sengoku, Neptune, Noah’s Ark in Fishman Island, and the Ark Maxim in Skypiea. This interest seems rooted not only in his curiosity as a creator but also in influences from other storytellers like Hayao Miyazaki, who incorporates global myths and religions into his works.

So I don't think it’s not far-fetched to assume Oda might use religious themes to shape the origins and powers of key characters, particularly those of the Monster Trio.

But before diving into Sanji’s connection to this theme (it’s all connected, I promise), we must first discuss religion’s role in One Piece.

To conclude the story, Oda must address the spiritual framework of the One Piece world, an element largely unexplored despite the series' rich political, military, social, and historical layers. Religion remains a mysterious yet essential piece of the puzzle, and Elbaf’s deeply religious culture makes it the perfect setting to uncover the origins of Nika and other deities.

I believe the Heaven Realm in Elbaf will serve as a pivotal turning point for the final arcs, both during the crew's time in Elbaf and their subsequent journey to Laugh Tale.

Why the Heavenly Realm? In many cultures, Heaven is where gods and souls reside. I suspect the Straw Hats will venture into this realm and uncover the truth about Nika and, perhaps more importantly, the origin of Devil Fruits.

While science partially explains Devil Fruits at Egghead, their name alone suggests a parallel with the Forbidden Fruit or the Tree of Life from Christian mythology. Why not extend this symbolism to their origin within One Piece’s spiritual framework?

Lastly, I suspect the One Piece treasure is inherently tied to these religious aspects. To reach Laugh Tale and fully understand its significance, I believe the crew must grasp the connection between Nika’s identity, Devil Fruits and religion which will also reveal the greater truths of the Void Century.

Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell

Now, regarding topic B, where have we seen the Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell group before Elbaf to make me think they are somewhat important?

I’ve mentioned this in previous posts (which I will link below), but I’ll briefly cover it here for context.

We saw Sky/Sun/Sea/Hell present in:

Big Mom’s weapons:

The Sun: Prometheus

The Sword/hat: Napoleon (This is a bit of a stretch, but Zoro has the sword Enma, the King of Hell in Japanese mythology—so swords could symbolize Hell, indirectly?)

The Clouds: Zeus/Hera (gods of the Sky)

The strongest fighters of the Pirate King (Jimbei, Sanji, Zoro):

Jimbei, the Knight of the Sea

Sanji, son of Sora (Sky)

Zoro, son of Tera (Earth) (Hell is considered to be located under the earth in many cultures, including Greek and Japanese)

For this one, I’ll take a huge guess and say that Luffy’s mother could have a name related to the Sun, or deities that represent it. Maybe Sun in another language like Sonne (German), Sól/Sunna (Nordic goddess of the Sun), Amaterasu (perhaps a variation of it), or even Inti, the Incan Sun god.

The Ancient Weapons:

Uranus (God of the Sky)

Poseidon (God of the Sea)

Pluton (Pluto/Hades, God of the Underworld/Hell)

Obviously, these groups don’t always contain the same elements (sometimes it’s Sky/Sun/Hell, other times it’s Sky/Sea/Hell), but I think they appear too frequently to be a coincidence. So, considering this, we can speculate that the presence of these four symbols could mean something Oda has been planning to address for a long time.

As they were once again used to describe the Levels of Elbaf, people are discussing whether Heaven represents Nami or Sanji, as Underworld could represent Zoro, and Sun could represent Luffy.

I’ll put on my tin foil hat and say it represents both. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, I wrote a long theory about this topic, BUT there's nothing stopping Oda from using only one of them to represent it.

For this post, I’ll say it’s Sanji. Why? Simple: It’s a shonen manga, and I believe that whatever the Sky/Sun/Hell symbols represent, they’ll likely make the Pirate King and both of his Wings even more powerful fighters for the upcoming war.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Nami will be just as important (please, I really want that!!), but probably in a different way than Sanji, Luffy, and Zoro. Her power-up might come from a different source, and she might use it differently than Sanji/Zoro/Luffy would use theirs.

Anyway, if my hypothesis is correct, Sanji might once again have a big connection with the Heavens (using Elbaf and other elements I will mention later) and the Sky (using his mother’s name as a basis).

But before that, let’s clarify the difference between the words Sky, Heaven, and Astral.

Sky (空) vs. Heaven (天): Science vs. Religion

Based on the Oxford Dictionary and other sources:

Sky refers to the physical expanse above Earth, including the atmosphere, outer space, clouds, and stars. Derived from the Old Norse word ský, meaning "cloud," it has a more scientific connotation. The Japanese kanji for "sky" is 空 (sora).

Heaven, on the other hand, carries a celestial or religious meaning, often signifying a divine or spiritual realm considered the dwelling place of deities. However, it can also refer to the physical "heavens," meaning the sky or celestial sphere. The kanji for "heaven" is 天 (ten).

Paradise is represented by the term 天国 (tengoku), which refers to the afterlife where souls reside in peace. This kanji is used in One Piece when Zoro promises his name will reach the Heavens (tengoku). However, I will not focus on this term here, as it relates more to Zoro, the underworld, and his connection to Kuina.

Before we end this topic, we also have to talk about the ‘astral’ term, which is another word used to refer to the kanji 天.

Astral relates to the stars, celestial bodies, or the cosmos. It often has a scientific or mystical connotation, focusing on the physical or metaphysical aspects of the universe. While 天 can describe the celestial sky or cosmos, the usage of "astral" typically emphasizes the stars and planets, which might lean more toward 星 (hoshi — single star) or 宇宙 (uchuu — cosmos).

Interestingly, I believe Oda uses the words 空 (sora) and 天 (ten) closely enough in One Piece that they might represent the same concept: the astral plane. Why? In his world, as in ours, science and religion coexist in a chaotic yet complementary way, often blurring the line between them.

In fact, in the real world today there are several concepts or groups that blend religion and science, often seeking to reconcile or find common ground between the two.

For instance, in evolutionary creationism (which has Christian roots), the Sun—a star made of hydrogen and helium—is viewed as both a natural object, created and guided by God to sustain life through scientific processes, and a symbol of divine providence and order in the universe.

In One Piece, the Sun is (most probably) also a star made of hydrogen and helium, and it is also used to represent the Sun God Nika.

Similarly, the sky has long been religiously associated with the dwelling place of gods and, scientifically, UFOs or aliens. When we look up—especially at the night sky—we see not only clouds but celestial bodies such as the Moon, stars, comets, and distant planets. These elements have often been linked to divinities and otherworldly beings in many cultures.

This association likely explains why the sky gained religious (or heavenly) symbolism for many cultures, as it represents a place above us, seemingly out of reach, where deities might dwell—whether Olympus, Asgard, or Takama-ga-hara, depending on the religion in question.

To make this mixture even more complex, regarding the gods from Mesopotamian cultures (the Annunaki), there are ancient texts that describe them as coming from the skies. Today, many conspiracy theorists suggest these “gods” were actually aliens or an advanced civilization that came from another planet and taught humanity astrology and science.

If I’m not wrong, the movie Prometheus (the prequel to Alien) actually explores this exact narrative.

Whether this theory is true in our world or not, this topic does not come into discussion here lol. I'm only addressing this because I think Oda, who seems to be quite interested in researching history and religion, might be using these theories in his story.

I mean, isn’t this theory kind of what is happening to be true in the world of One Piece? Remember what Enel found out in his visit to the Moon? (Keep this part in mind; it will be important later on, and I’m sure you already know why!)

And will you look at that! As I was searching for links to post about the Anunnaki here I found a reddit page that talked exactly about them in connection with One Piece!! I still haven’t read it, but here is the link if you are interested. There is also the reference to Laputa, Hayao Miyazaki's movie that Oda used as a reference as well which brings up very similar themes.

So in One Piece, I think Oda blends science and religion much like how they coexist in our world, enriching his story. He weaves gods, devils, and divinity into his narrative while also providing scientific explanations, as seen in Punk Hazard and Egghead.

In conclusion, for this post, I will treat "sky", "astral' and "heaven" as complementary concepts, merging into a single idea which is a spiritual world. (Only for this post!)

Sanji’s Connection to the Heavens

Now, what does this have to do with Sanji?

Well, throughout the manga, many people have noticed that Sanji—through his family, moves, or even gags—seems to have a peculiar connection to elements associated with the sky or heavens, whether in religious, astronomical, or celestial contexts, especially regarding Christian themes.

Let’s list some of these elements:

Stars (Stargazing): Sanji displays a notable interest in stargazing, as shown in a few cover pages. In one example, he is inviting Nami to gaze at the stars with him, as seen in the cover page of chapter 1089.

Shooting Stars: In the anime, Sanji’s newest power-up (Ifrit Jambe) resembles a shooting star or a comet streaking across the sky.

Lucky/Miracle Star: Usopp once joked that Sanji was born under a miracle star—and as we all know, Usopp’s jokes or lies often have a way of becoming true. In Japanese folklore and astrology, celestial events (like the appearance of a bright star or comet) were often seen as omens of significant births or changes.

UFOs: Oda once drew a UFO-like object with Sanji’s face on it. Also, in the cover page of chapter 533, Sanji appears to be stargazing with a Mink, seemingly looking for UFOs. Interestingly, there’s a UFO in the background as well.

Space: Sanji lived for a long time on a ship called the Orbit. The term "orbit" is used to describe the motion of a celestial body around another. (Keep that information for later)

Sky Walk: Although this ability was originally called Moon Step (as used by Jabra), Sanji renamed it Sky Walk. When explaining how he acquired this skill, he said he ran until he “flew to the sky”—using the kanji for sora (空) in Japanese.

Son of Sora ("Sky"): This one speaks for itself.

Angel/Lunarian: In Wano, Sanji has been linked to the Lunarian race, who resemble classical depictions of angels in Christian art (not the biblically accurate ones, but more like those seen in traditional paintings). While I don’t think that Sanji is a Lunarian, he might belong to a equally rare race—possibly one connected to the heavens. I’ll explore this idea further later.

Fire/Hell: Sanji’s ability to ignite himself with flames when angry ties him to the element of fire. Anger, in many contexts, represents a response to injustice and revolt. In the Bible, fire symbolizes God’s wrath, passion, purification, and judgment. Sanji even created a move called Hell’s Memories, invoking imagery of eternal judgment and punishment associated with hellfire. There's another meaning for fire that I will talk about in later topics. Also, refer back to the Stargazing section and the titles Oda chose for the cover pages of chapters 533 and 575, which feature Sanji stargazing— Voiceless Rage and Inferno Hell. Hmmmmm.

Son of Judge and Sora / Divine Judgment: Sanji has increasingly embraced the role of enforcing "laws," acting as a kind of jury, judge, and executioner ever since the awakening of his Germa genes in Wano. This could parallel his father’s name, Judge, and his ancestry, while also aligning with the concept of divine judgment—a judgment coming from the skies(Sora). Interestingly, in the recent Elbaf arc, Nami used “Lightning Blast,” a thunderstorm coming from the skies, as Divine Retribution to punish the Giant Road. A curious observation for my other theory.

So, when I say that Sanji has a stronger connection to the heavens, religion and astronomy than previously thought, I believe these elements make the case clear.

As if that weren’t enough, Oda has made another important connection: he compared Sanji’s eyebrows to energy associated with the movement of celestial bodies such as planets, the Sun, and the Moon (Orbit). This will be our next topic of discussion.

The Mysterious Circular Energy and The Power of Fire

Taken from the SBS of Chapter 55 (Baratie Arc) D: Why does Sanji-san’s eyebrow curl up at the end? Is it for fashion? Make it clear!! O: Hey! You there, sit down! Now listen! Everyone lives in circles! The sun, the moon, and the Earth all spin in circles! And if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning, the planet would be covered in tidal waves! It would be terrible! Now remember that Sanji’s eyebrow channels that same powerful circular energy! Reflect upon this! You may go!

I believe this SBS may be one of the most important pieces of evidence that connect Sanji and the heavens (and it was answered just a few chapters after Sanji’s introduction!!). Oda explicitly said that Sanji’s eyebrows, and therefore Sanji himself, are connected to the movement of celestial bodies, and more importantly, the powerful energy they generate. (Remember, Sanji also lived on a ship called "The Orbit" before meeting Zeff.)

And since it was mentioned, let’s discuss energy in the world of One Piece.

Specifically, during the Egghead Arc, Oda revealed through Vegapunk that fire is considered a precious source of energy because it “can be converted into all types of energy”.

And wouldn’t you know it? Sanji’s powers manifest as fire—the same powerful and versatile form of energy Vegapunk is trying to unlimitedly have (the Undying Flame)

Meanwhile, Oda also linked the origin of Sanji's fire with his heart in another SBS.

Taken from the SBS of Chapter 426 (Enies Lobby Arc) D: Odacchi, nice to meet you!! I finally sent you a postcard. It’s a serious question, so give me a real answer. That trick that Sanji used to beat Jabra!! If it was that hot to Jabra, wouldn’t it burn Sanji, too?! Wouldn’t Sanji be like, "yeow"?? Tell me! O: What are you talking about… WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!! Are those eyes, or holes in your head?! What were you watching in that fight?! His leg is hot?! No, it’s not hot!! SANJI’S HEART WAS BURNING SO MUCH HOTTER!!!

Now, let’s also remember that Oda originally intended to name Sanji "Naruto." The name Naruto, in addition to being associated with the Ninja manga, refers to the Naruto Whirlpools in Japan.

Whirlpools are often symbols of natural force and spiritual energy, and this could be the same "circular energy" Oda refers to in the SBS about Sanji’s eyebrows.

Curiously, we can parallel the meaning of his name to Nami’s name, as hers means “wave”. Once again, both she and Sanji have a weird relation with similar symbols, whose intention I cannot quite grasp yet. If any of this information brought up an idea for you, let me know.

Back to whirlpools, a long time ago, I watched one of the best theories/analysis about Sanji from a YouTuber called "Parvision." In it, if I remember correctly, he discussed the importance of the whirlpool imagery for Sanji and linked his powers to Haki as well. Here is the video.

To be honest, I watched his videos a while ago, so I don’t recall everything he said (it’s a 1-hour video full of rich infos, lol), but he is amazing, and his theories are really insightful! He also covers many of the topics we’re discussing here about Sanji’s mysterious powers. I’m not sure what his conclusion about Sanji’s origins is, but give it a look, and I’m sure you won’t regret it!

Aside from the circular energy and flames association, Oda has also linked Sanji to Devil Fruits in another SBS (where Sanji wasn’t even mentioned in the question but Oda insisted on bringing him up, lol).

Taken from the SBS of Chapter 436 (Enies Lobby Arc) D: Do all Devil Fruit have that swirly pattern on them? O: That’s right. It’s what distinguishes them from other fruits. Sometimes I wonder if Sanji himself is a Devil Fruit.

So, in three different SBSs, Oda hinted at three fascinating ideas:

Sanji’s eyebrows symbolize the energy generated by celestial bodies (Earth, Moon, and Sun);

This same circular energy resides in the Devil Fruits;

Sanji's heart (emotion) is probably what ignites his fire.

But if he already has a connection to the Sky/Heavens, fire, and circular energy, why did Oda also link him to Devil Fruits? Isn’t everything else enough already?

I mean, if we also consider everything we know about him, Sanji’s character already has a mix of seemingly unrelated traits:

A prince of an extinct kingdom

A genetically altered human

The cook of the Straw Hat crew

A hopeless romantic with the motif of the Knight

Can burst into flames when experiencing intense emotions

However, I believe that these traits, though scattered, may start to correlate if we speculate that Sanji's origins—and powers—are tied to a single, as-yet-unknown source, one that only Oda (and his team) are aware of. I will venture a guess on this in the next topic.

Sanji’s Race and the True Power of the Vinsmokes: Mutation

Building upon the points I've discussed, I propose the following theory:

A previously unidentified rare race existed, possessing the ability to manipulate circular energy because their origins are related to outer space. This advanced race visited the world of One Piece, sharing their knowledge and skills to empower its inhabitants and change their status quo so anyone could evolve and become who they dreamed to be. In its purest form, this energy manifests as fire, aligning with Vegapunk's assertion of fire's versatility as an energy source. However, it can be transformed into other forms, such as Devil Fruits, suggesting its true power lies in the ability to induce mutation. I hypothesize that Sanji, and potentially the entire Vinsmoke family, descends from this extraterrestrial or celestial race.

Although there is the possibility that Sanji has these abilities because of genetic modification, I don’t believe this is the case.

Let's revisit Judge and his duel with Sanji. During their confrontation, Judge witnessed Sanji utilizing Diable Jambe, yet he displayed no discernible surprise.

It's important to remember that at this point in the narrative, Judge believed Sanji to be a "failed experiment" due to Sora's interference. Therefore, Sanji's actions during the duel did not sufficiently alarm Judge to question the possibility of genetic alterations in Sanji, similar to those undergone by Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, and Reiju.

Furthermore, upon acquiring his suit, Germa Sanji's intended ability was invisibility, not fire, as speculated by fans.

So if Sanji's fire abilities were not a product of Judge's scientific modifications, they must originate from his genetic inheritance—either from Sora or Judge.

While I personally favor the possibility of Sora as the source, I believe the origin lies within Judge himself. However, it stems from the aspect of his family that he vehemently denies and despises: the empathetic and emotional side that generates flames.

Oda has stated that Sanji's affinity for fire is rooted in his burning heart. More specifically, I believe this energy is activated by his capacity for love and passion, qualities absent in his brothers thanks to Judge. This is something I will talk about more in future topics.

Sanji, Devil Fruits and the Lineage Factor

Despite these speculations, we all know that Sanji's core essence remains his love and his passion for cooking.

Yet, even in the Baratie Arc, when the world of One Piece was still being introduced, Oda emphasized the connection between Sanji, cooking, and fire.

We observed Pearl, a henchman from Don Krieg's crew, spontaneously combusting in a fit of panic. This mirrors Sanji's current tendency to ignite when experiencing intense emotions. Interestingly, the SBS entry discussing Sanji's curly eyebrows appears in the same chapter as Pearl's fiery ability is shown.

While Pearl's abilities are likely fabricated (perhaps utilizing the pearls in his armor as flint), it's intriguing that Oda introduced this concept in Sanji's debut arc, subtly implying a chef's inherent connection to fire.

Therefore, Sanji's connection to fire is a foundational element established by Oda from the very beginning, and I believe it will play a pivotal role in his ultimate narrative arc.

Notably, during his encounter with Ivankov, Sanji's training obviously focused less on traditional combat techniques—which he had mastered by himself—and more on acquiring the enigmatic 99 Recipes of Attack Cuisine.

To understand the significance of this emphasis, let's examine the sole recipe revealed in the manga: Hormone Soup with Sea Pork. Sanji prepared this dish at the conclusion of the Punk Hazard arc, demonstrating its remarkable ability to rejuvenate the consumer's energy and strength.

In some respects, Devil Fruits can be considered a unique type of food that alters an individual's state, similar to how these recipes function.

I'm not suggesting that the 99 Recipes and Devil Fruits are the same; they clearly do not. I am sugesting that both share a key similarity: both act as "magical foods" that alter the human body.

However, while the 99 Recipes are likely designed to enhance specific pre existent aspects of an individual's physique, Devil Fruits are depicted as agents of biological transformation, affecting humans, animals, and even inanimate objects.

This transformation occurs through the consumption of the fruit itself. Oda could have chosen alternative mediums for bestowing extraordinary powers, such as a spell book or a magical fountain (as seen in Pirates of the Caribbean). However, he deliberately selected food as the conduit, suggesting a deeper significance to food in his world and, by association, Sanji's role.

Nevertheless, I believe the biological transformation induced by Devil Fruits surpass any potential outcomes achievable through the 99 Recipes.

Once again, let’s go back to Vegapunk, who is credited with replicating Devil Fruits. Do you recall his observations regarding their significance?

That's right, Vegapunk asserted that Devil Fruits represent the potential for human evolution.

If you're familiar with the X-Men franchise lol, you're likely acquainted with the concept of mutation. While not exclusive to X-Men, this concept is grounded in scientific theory, particularly the work of Hugo de Vries and other pioneering geneticists. These scientists proposed that the driving force of evolution is mutation.

Mutations are defined as alterations in DNA.

From this perspective, Devil Fruits may function by inducing mutations within the user's DNA, enabling them to become embodiments of their innermost desires. Maybe this is how Vegapunk was finally able to produce the Artificial Devil Fruits.

However, while he is credited with its creation, it's crucial to remember his long standing collaboration with Judge. Yonji even acknowledged their joint discovery of the "Lineage Factor," which corresponds to what we understand as DNA.

Therefore, even though Vegapunk may receive credit for replicating Devil Fruits along with Caesar, I believe their essence—the profound connection to human evolution and DNA modification—is inextricably linked to his research conducted in collaboration with Judge.

My theory posits that Vegapunk's insights into these concepts were significantly influenced by the Vinsmokes' centuries-old ability in manipulating DNA. Judge, with access to extensive data on the Vinsmoke lineage, likely provided it to the MADs Scientists.

However, the foundation of these abilities might predate scientific understanding, rooted in the Vinsmokes' inherent capacity to induce mutation through passionate, instinctual means.

Notably, Judge appeared more preoccupied with genetic modification and engineering than with Devil Fruits. He neither created nor utilized any Devil Fruits during the Whole Cake Island arc whilst most former MADS scientists, such as Caesar and even Vegapunk himself, continued their investigations into Devil Fruit production. This suggests that Judge may have viewed Devil Fruits as redundant, having already devised methods to achieve similar effects within his own children without direct reliance on them.

To recap, I believe Vegapunk's understanding of mutation and Devil Fruits was significantly shaped by Judge's scientific investigation into the Vinsmoke lineage's latent mutating potential. While Judge's ancestors may have activated these traits through intense emotions like passion, Judge sought to achieve greater control and predictability through scientific manipulation, "effectively" bypassing the need for emotions or instinct.

The reason I believe it is all connected steems from Thriller Bark arc, when Sanji erupted in a fiery rage at the prospect of Nami being forced into marriage. Zoro remarked, "He is about to transform into something." The kanji used for "transform" (変身 – henshin) was also used as "mutate" in some translations.

So I believe that Sanji's outburst not only produced flames but also seemed to induce some type of "mutation" within his body. However, we probably still have not seen the final form of this transformation.

Interestingly, according to crepes-suzette-373, a Tumblr user who analyzes the manga in its original language, the Japanese verb used for this transformation is also associated with the concept of "henshin" in Kamen Rider, Sailor Moon and others.

So Sanji's rage, fueled by his love for Nami, ignited these fiery transformations.

This phenomenon might explain Judge's disdain for emotions like empathy and love. He likely perceived them as unreliable and uncontrollable catalysts for these mutations, potentially hindering his ultimate goals. By employing scientific methods, Judge sought to harness the Vinsmoke family's inherent mutative abilities while minimizing the influence of these perceived "weaknesses" – emotions like love.

However, I firmly believe that Judge did not entirely suppress his children's emotions. You can find my detailed reasoning [here], and suzette has also presented their analysis based on the original Japanese translation [here]. In summary, I believe Judge's primary objective was to eradicate empathy, love, and the passion for life – the very qualities that define humanity – rendering his children more easily controlled and subservient to his brutal commands.

Sanji's flashback reveals that his "normal" human birth, with its capacity for love, led him to pursue interests deemed frivolous and detrimental to his father's ambitions and royal status, such as cooking. Judge appeared visibly frustrated by Sanji's unwavering dedication to these pursuits, despite numerous reprimands. I believe Judge concluded early on that love was a significant obstacle to his plans and actively sought to eradicate it within his children. Sanji's resistance to this conditioning further intensified Judge's animosity towards his son.

The events of the Whole Cake Island arc illustrate the devastating consequences of Judge's actions and beliefs. Deprived of love and passion, his children were nearly defeated, lacking the intrinsic motivation to fight for their survival. Ultimately, it was Sanji, driven by the fiery love ignited within his heart, who returned to save them, demonstrating the profound strength of human connection and the limitations of Judge's cold, calculated approach.

Speaking of this love, let’s go to the next topic.

The Will of Love

To recap, Vegapunk was the one who gave us the information that Devil Fruits are connected to people’s desires and human evolution.

“Every Devil Fruit is a possibility for human evolution that someone desired. If only I could be like this… If only I could be like that. All of those powers represent the many branches of the future of humanity.”

I think that desire can be strongly associated with will. While desire is the emotional or internal longing for something, will represents the determination and action taken to pursue that goal.

Willpower is a crucial element in One Piece. I mean, the Will of D, right? Just like religious elements such as gods, devils, and forbidden fruits exist in One Piece, so does the concept of willpower.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, will is defined as:

The ability to control your thoughts and actions in order to achieve what you want; a feeling of strong determination to pursue something.

Willpower signifies the unwavering determination to pursue one's goals and dreams.

I believe Haki, particularly Conqueror's Haki, embodies this concept in the One Piece universe. In this world, an individual's will can attain such immense strength that it not only influences those around them but also defies the very laws of physics, altering the course of reality.

Is not mutation, at its core, a form of change, specifically a profound alteration at the DNA level?

I believe Sanji demonstrated this principle during his brief encounter with Kizaru in Egghead. Through sheer force of will, I think he defied the laws of physics by absorbing Kizaru's laser beam – a feat seemingly impossible, even within the extraordinary realm of One Piece. Franky’s and Kizaru’s shocked expressions highlight just how incredible this moment really was (lol).

However, in typical Sanji fashion, he attributed this extraordinary ability to the power of love. And I believe he is correct.

Love, though often dismissed as cheesy, is a potent force capable of driving individuals to achieve the seemingly impossible for the sake of others. Just as freedom fuels Luffy's unwavering will, I believe love serves as the driving force behind Sanji's extraordinary feats, empowering him to transcend human limitations and become both powerful and unpredictable.

He kind of said that in Thriller Bark, remember?

“A power that can’t be judged by ordinary means… A power to make the impossible possible. It’ll blow everything away. The name of that hurricane is… love.”

This inherent drive was absent in his brothers during the Whole Cake Island arc. They lacked the will, and indeed, the passion, to truly live and fight for the lives of others, even for their own father, Judge.

In contrast, Sanji consistently demonstrated this will. His unwavering determination to become a chef persisted even after months of imprisonment at the hands of his own father. This unwavering spirit enabled him to endure seventy days of starvation and maintain his lifelong dream of finding the All Blue.

However, plagued by self-doubt, he temporarily suppressed this powerful will, feeling indebted to Zeff for saving a life Sanji deemed unworthy.

But Zeff, being the incredible father he is, made Sanji realize he shouldn’t hold himself back. Just like Luffy, Sanji possesses an unyielding will, which Zeff poetically describes as a spear of blind grit.

Through this dialogue with Zeff, I believe that Oda subtly conveys to the readers that Sanji's greatest obstacle lies within himself. Despite his unwavering kindness and encouragement towards others, Sanji struggles with self-compassion, which frequently holds himself back from reaching his full potential.

However, Sanji is gradually overcoming this internal struggle. I think that his inaugural use of Ifrit Jambe exemplifies his growing ability to channel this "spear of blind grit" in accordance with his own moral compass. In Wano, he faced a critical juncture: he could enhance his combat abilities through the Raid Suit, but at the cost of becoming a cold, emotionless killing machine. Instead, he chose a path that aligned with his values, destroying the suit while still leveraging its enhancements, particularly the increased resistance to heat.

This experience suggests that Sanji's previous limitations were also physiological. With his enhanced physical resilience, he now possesses the potential to unleash even more potent flames, limited only by the intensity of his love and passion.

The greater his love, the hotter his flames burn—remember, Oda said his heart burns hotter!!

This powerful connection between love and Sanji is further reflected in his culinary pursuits.

Just by knowing the reasons he chose to be a cook, we know that cooking, for Sanji, is an act of love, a way to express his affection for others and appreciation of life.

Food is not just used to sustain life, it’s also a way to enjoy it. Look at how Luffy and his love for meat, and the fact that most of One Piece's arcs end in a feast. I'm sure that Oda himself also sees the importance of it. Like I said, he could have chosen various outlets to become the source of Power in the world he created, but he chose food.

Furthermore, because of the importance of food and the reason why he is a cook, Sanji's profound impact extends beyond the battlefield. He possesses a remarkable ability to influence and transform those around him, even individuals perceived as cruel, cold, or adversarial. Whether through the compassionate act of cooking or by simply adhering to his unwavering moral code based on love, he inspires profound change in those he encounters.

He has positively impacted the lives of numerous individuals, including Pudding, Gin, Viola, the Marines in Punk Hazard, and even, to a certain degree, Big Mom herself.

So I believe that Willpower is the fundamental force behind the creation of Devil Fruits. Vegapunk himself stated that they are the physical manifestations of dreams, wishes, and desires – embodiments of will brought to life.

Wait, didn’t I previously say that the circular energy Oda mentioned in the SBS was what created the Devil Fruits?

That’s because I believe that Willpower and this circular energy are essentially the same phenomenon, simply described differently depending on the context. For example, the Skypieans refer to Haki as "Mantra" and the people from Wano call Armament Haki Ryuo.

For Sanji's (hypothetical) ancestral race, I think this power manifests in its purest, most versatile form: fire, which in turn can become many other things.

Interestingly, fire holds profound symbolic significance across various cultures besides just destruction.

In Christianity, it often represents God's presence, passionate will, and even the act of creation. The Holy Spirit is often symbolized as a flame as well.

Beyond religious contexts, fire-based powers in popular media frequently symbolize intense emotions, the life force (energy), and even the power of creation. Consider Avatar: The Last Airbender, when Zuko and Aang had to understand the significance of fire beyond its ability to destroy. Or look at X-Men and the Phoenix Force itself.

The Flame of Prometheus in Greek mythology offers another compelling example. It symbolizes the gift of knowledge, innovation, and enlightenment bestowed upon humanity by the Titan Prometheus, who defied the gods by stealing fire. This act represents the empowerment of humanity, enabling progress and civilization.

However, it also signifies the potential dangers of seeking forbidden knowledge, as Prometheus faced divine punishment for his actions. In a way, Devil Fruits can be seen as the "Prometheus flames" of the One Piece world, a powerful force of change that, while offering immense potential, also carries inherent risks, as if Nature itself (a parallel to the gods) deemed their existence a transgression and punishes the users of the Devil Fruits by making them unable to swim. I'm not kidding, this was Vegapunk's explanation to why Devil Fruit users can't swim.

Thus, fire transcends its association with anger and intensity. It also symbolizes transformation, energy, knowledge, and the very essence of life. This inherent versatility likely explains Vegapunk's fascination with harnessing fire as a sustainable energy source.

Let us not forget the Mother Flame, a concept of immense importance in the One Piece world and currently being exploited by the Gorosei and Imu for their own nefarious purposes.

While I don't believe Sanji is a god (lol), I do believe he possesses an extraordinary connection to a powerful, ancient force that is related to Nika somehow.

To recap, my theory suggests that Devil Fruits were created by a race capable of manipulating Willpower, a force that allows them to shape reality, defy the laws of physics, and even induce mutations. This advanced civilization, possibly originating from a realm beyond our own, maybe from outer space, exerted a profound influence on the world, impacting the lives of fish-men, buccaneers, tontattas, humans, and countless other races.

Furthermore, I believe this race sought to use their advanced technology to uplift and improve the world. This era of technological and societal advancement likely coincides with the enigmatic Void Century, a period shrouded in mystery. The youtuber Artur, from the Ohara Youtube chanel already made a theory about what the One Piece is, and to understand it, he theorized what might have happened during the Void Century and before. Give it a look if you’d like.

Anyway, an intriguing connection emerges when considering the Sun God Nika. You might recall that Luffy, in his Nika form, exhibits the same distinctive spiral pattern in his eyebrows as Sanji. This striking similarity might not be mere coincidence.

Furthermore, recent cover stories have revealed that Judge himself possesses eyebrows identical to Luffy's. This observation once again strongly suggests that the curly eyebrow trait is not a result of Judge's genetic enhancements, but rather a hereditary characteristic of the Vinsmoke lineage.

This line of reasoning is what leads me to speculate that the Vinsmokes might be descendants of this ancient, technologically advanced civilization, potentially even possessing a diluted fraction of their power.

Maybe the Vinsmokes and Nika are both from the same race (and Nika was simply the most powerful among them and revered as a god) or Nika himself created that race. But this is a theory to be explored in other posts.

So, where do I think this will lead Sanji? Before answering that, I want to address another important (religious) motif—one that has been present in Sanji’s arc since day one and which I’ve been saving for now:

The Devil and Angels

Early in their introduction, Sanji made a profound declaration to Nami, vowing to do anything for her, even if it meant becoming the Devil himself.

This declaration is further emphasized by his signature moves: Diable Jambe (Devil in French) and its more powerful iteration, Ifrit Jambe.

Moreover, his associated animal is a horned sheep, and the Mink accompanying him during his UFO-gazing expedition may be a goat – both animals carrying significant symbolism related to the Devil in Christian beliefs.

Finally, Sanji's iconic proclamation after defeating Jabra, "God created food. But the Devil created the spices," explicitly acknowledges his own association with the Devil.

So, I think Oda might also be referencing Sanji as some type of Fallen Angel—a creature who fell from the skies after defying devine authority.

While I personally find this interpretation somewhat unsettling (I'm not particularly fond of the idea of comparing Sanji to Lucifer lol), I believe Oda has been subtly hinting at this "Devilish" motif throughout Sanji's character arc. And I have a few reasons to back this up.

First, I believe Oda employs a subtle pattern throughout the series, drawing parallels between the Monster Trio and key figures or symbols from religions of Asia, Europe and America. Obviously, it’s not a strict rule, but I’m confident that many of their most significant moves and titles follow this pattern.

Luffy, embodying the spirit of the Sun God Nika, draws significant inspiration from pre-Columbian American religions, particularly those of the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs. Keep in mind that Luffy would canonically be Brazilian (even though Brazil wasn’t part of those specific cultures, it is still an American country). Also, the Sun God Nika in One Piece was referenced by the Shandians, a culture clearly inspired by these civilizations. Zoro, with his name inspired by an Indian pirate, his connection to the Ashura (Indian ), and his possession of the sword "Enma" (named after the Japanese King of the Underworld), reflects influences from East Asian religions and cultures. In contrast, Sanji's character appears to draw inspiration from European and Middle Eastern mythology, particularly Christian imagery, hinting at a possible connection to the Fallen Angel archetype.

Furthermore, I believe the term "Devil" in the One Piece world might not always refer to inherently evil beings. Instead, it might be used to describe those who defy established authority and challenge the status quo. Consider the fate of the Ohara archaeologists – individuals who dared to question the official narrative and were subsequently branded as "devils" and brutally suppressed by the World Government.

In reality, I believe the true "devils" are those who wield immense power while masquerading as saviors or gods, engaging in unspeakable acts of cruelty. It is worth noting that the Gorosei, the enigmatic rulers of the world, utilize teleportation techniques that involve symbols strikingly similar to pentagrams.

And with this, I believe that these self-entitled gods—those who place themselves above others—would inevitably awaken the fury of someone like Sanji.

He would willingly take on the role of an antagonist to these so-called gods. Ironically, despite this rebellious stance, Sanji ultimately serves the true "God" – his captain, Luffy, the embodiment of the Sun God Nika and follows morals that in many ways follow the Christian faith. But this is something to talk about in other posts.

Therefore, while perceived as a "Devil" by those in power, Sanji's actions are ultimately driven by a profound sense of justice and loyalty, aligning him more closely with the archetype of an angel who ultimately serves a higher, noble purpose.

This interpretation gains further credence when examining a specific panel from the Skypiea arc. In this scene, Sanji declares that he will assume the role of the "Blue Demon of the Seas" if the man who considers himself a god (referencing Enel) dares to harm Nami.

It's crucial to note that many translations inaccurately render the term as "monster" instead of "demon." However, several fans, including crepes-suzette, have correctly identified the kanji used in the original Japanese text as the same one that signifies "demon," a term Sanji himself previously employed during his initial encounter with Nami.

Robin’s duality of angelic and demonic attributes is clearly exemplified in her character. Despite being labeled the "Devil Child" from a young age, likely due to her possession of a Devil Fruit, she embodies both qualities.

Even before the incident in Ohara, Robin carried this title, and while I don't rememebr her correcting anyone who called her as such it wasn’t until Wano that she fully embraced it. During her fight against Black Maria, she transformed into a fearsome, demonic entity to protect Sanji—a moment of self-realization where she gained full control over her powers.

However, Robin had previously displayed an angelic side of her abilities, such as when she created wings to help Franky in Thriller Bark.

I believe that Robin's metamorphosis during her fight against Black Maria was a moment of self-realization—a transformation she learned to control using her Devil Fruit powers.

In Wano, her demonic transformation wasn’t just a means of victory—it was a deliberate message to those who threaten her loved ones. By fully embracing the "Devil" title and its terrifying form, Robin demonstrated her resolve to protect those she cares about, mirroring Sanji’s own willingness to sacrifice everything for Nami.

Let us not forget that the very name Oda gave these fruits is "Devil's Fruits."

Perhaps they are called that because they were created by enemies of the government/Imu ("devils"), and the government simply chose a fearsome name to deter people from consuming them.

The kanji for "Devil" (魔) that Sanji uses for his moves (and when he promised he would become a devil for Nami) is the same used for the Devil Fruits (悪魔の実) and for Demon Child (悪魔の子). However, unlike Robin, Sanji's association with the devil motif has no direct connection to Devil Fruits, as he never consumed one. Therefore, I see no reason for him to use this motif other than Oda intentionally connecting him to the race that created (or, more accurately, "cooked") the Devil Fruits.

Lastly, in Egghead, we must remember the significant panel where Saturn appears to undergo a transformation, becoming even more monstrous than before. Through Sanji, we gain insight into Saturn's loss of humanity—an interesting narrative choice by Oda.

Now, it all leads to what might happen to Sanji and what he might mutate into.

Sanji’s Transformation

To understand better what Oda might be planning for Sanji, I’d like to reference other important transformations that many superheroes and characters from popular shows have gone through, especially those related to intense emotions or powers tied to flames:

Jean Grey Phoenix: holds back her power, which manifest as flames

Kamen Rider: has transformations related to his intense emotions

Asura’s Wrath: his anger, rooted in his love for his daughter, ignited his Berzerk transformation

Kevin Levin: motivated by the love to protect his friends he became a powerful, yet psychopathic monster

Since the themes mentioned above have been explored by many writers for their characters, Oda might also adopt similar concepts for Sanji’s development. Let’s talk about them in more detail below — if you are not interested, you may just skip this part lol WATCH OUT FOR SPOILERS OF THE MENTIONED STORIES.

In the Marvel Universe, the Phoenix Force is one of the oldest known cosmic entities, said to predate darkness and the universe. It is considered the spark that ignites creation and the flame that consumes it, perpetuating the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In many media portrayals, Jean Grey, the Phoenix’s most well-known host, must hold back this power because it's deemed too dangerous. In her case, Jean must train not to become stronger, but to restrain her immense powers and control them — it depends on which X-Men adaptation though.

Next, Kamen Rider, which seems to be a significant inspiration for much of Sanji’s lore. Kamen Rider Black, the main hero who was turned into a mutant by an evil organization resembling Germa (and indirectly, the Nazis), was killed and later revived as Kamen Rider Black RX. Through intense emotions, Kamen Rider RX transforms into two distinct forms based on his feelings. When he is enraged, he becomes the Prince of Flames, and when he is filled with sorrow for humanity, he transforms into the Prince of Sadness. In these states, he gains different abilities.

In Asura’s Wrath, the protagonist undergoes a fury-driven transformation after losing someone dear to him. His rage drives him to go berserk against the self-proclaimed “gods” responsible for the attack that killed his loved one. This kind of intense emotional reaction mirrors Sanji’s potential path, where his love could trigger a similar rage-based transformation when someone he cares about deeply is in danger. In the process he could become more cruel.

Finally, in Ben 10 Alien Force, Kevin Levin possesses powers related to energy absorption due to his alien ancestry. He faces an enemy of the same race, and when his friends, particularly the girl he likes, are in danger, Kevin uses his powers (in a dangerous way) to save them. However, this power comes with a cost: as he uses it incorrectly, he risks going insane. Kevin’s eventual turn into an antagonist demonstrates how overwhelming power can lead to a loss of control, paralleling Sanji’s potential struggle with his cruel side, especially when his genetic modifications take hold.

Given these examples, I can see Oda following a similar narrative path for Sanji. My guess is that Sanji will undergo two distinct transformations, with love being the catalyst for both.

The Blue Demon of the Sea Science

The first transformation will likely be a dark, evil persona, where Sanji allows his mutant genes to take over, making his flames burn hotter. This form could mirror the Dark Phoenix (the corrupted side of the Phoenix) or Kevin Levin's monstrous state.

This transformation might resemble Saturn’s metamorphosis, where Sanji becomes more powerful but loses the very emotions—his love and passion—that initially motivated him. In this state, Sanji might temporarily become an antagonist, possibly aligning with Germa’s science and his brothers' ruthless behavior. Eventually, Zoro may be forced to fight him, fulfilling their pact. In this form, Sanji may take on a more devilish appearance.

Heavenly Warrior of Love

For the second transformation, I believe Sanji will overcome his modified genes through his love—probably for Nami. This might lead to him mutating into a more celestial form, perhaps even resembling a Garuda (a mythical bird from Hindu and Buddhist iconography and the other name Judge has). Suzette has an insightful analysis of the Germa Kingdom's imagery as well as the holy fire and more—I recommend checking it out if you're interested!

In Thriller Bark, we already know something like this happened when Sanji's shadow was placed inside the corpse of a penguin/dog.

Because Moria, who performed the transfer, did not know Sanji's true strength, he used a weak body. This led to a surprise for most of Moria's henchmen, as Penguin Sanji demonstrated immense will.

However, what shocked them the most was Sanji overcoming his programming and refusing to hurt Nami when it was implied he had to. Sanji himself said it was due to the power of love, so I’m sure Oda will revisit a moment like this again, but on a much larger scale.

Though I prefer to stick to official material from the manga, there is an intriguing moment in the One Piece Pirate Warriors game where Sanji is overpowered by an external force that drives him to act evil. However, when he is forced to hurt Robin, he stops because his moral code—especially his vow never to kick a woman—proves stronger than any external influence. This shows just how deeply rooted his values are and how much they shape his actions, regardless of the power that might control him.

We saw how in Egghead, the motif of how love overcomes science was shown through a lot of characters, I.e. Seraphim Hancock when she decided to help the Straw Hats because of original Hancock's love to Luffy and Kuma overcoming his programing to save his daughter, Bonney.

So, I imagine Oda could use this idea (of Sanji fighting against any genetic programming/science) in the manga on a much larger scale.

Visually, for his transformations, I imagine Sanji's entire body could burst into bluish flames (not just his legs), taking on an inhuman silhouette during moments of extreme emotion. I think this fits with a few moments in the manga where he bursts into flames, and his hair even seems to turn into horns.

Also, can you imagine if this state—since it pushes his hair upward—revealed both of his eyes?

Maybe in his second transformation, he gains control over both his modified and inherited genes, visually symbolized by his eyebrows.

Let's remember, the eyebrows change direction when activating his genes (I still don’t fully understand how they work, but that’s an analysis for another time, lol). In his normal human state, they point left. But what if he finds equilibrium, and his eyebrows become symmetrical?

Notice how Judge's eyebrows, like Nika's, are actually symmetrical.

It’s just speculation, but it would be fun to see, hehe.

With Sanji’s incredible speed, if you saw him moving from afar, he’d resemble a shooting star streaking across the sky. A bit like the animation for Todoroki when he uses his fire powers for the first time

To conclude, there’s something else about Sanji that might connect him to the Heavens:

The All Blue

Yes, I’m going there.

My main theory remains that the All Blue is located in Fishman Island but still needs to “transform” into the All Blue after Luffy destroys the Red Line. However, let’s set that aside for now and focus on an interesting video I found by a Japanese fan who translates the One Piece manga, Dawn&Dusk.

He made a video that talked about the All Blue and discovered something so intriguing that I’m starting to consider another possibility.

In the video, the youtuber points out a draft from Oda where Zeff talks about the All Blue. However, what he says is quite different from what we read in the final version of the manga.

Zeff states:

"I’ve already lost my traveling companions. I don’t want to continue the journey with anyone but them. They were precious fools who accompanied me for a silly legend (...) That place transcends this world. In a year of sailing, I saw the possibility of All Blue in that place."

The translator explained that the kanji used for "transcend" carries the connotation of “greatly surpassing common sense, being exceptionally outstanding, and achieving something considered ‘impossible.’” It also suggests a state far removed from mundane affairs.

The translator speculated that the All Blue and Laugh Tale might exist in another dimension—a place beyond the world of One Piece. You can watch it and see what you think!

In my opinion, this could change a lot of things, especially regarding Oda’s plans for Sanji. Many have theorized that the All Blue symbolizes a new era of unity and freedom, and I think that’s Oda’s goal. But what if the All Blue is more than that? What if it already exists, but is in another world—a sort of Heaven, accessible only to gods or spirits, that will eventually be brought to Earth?

It’s somewhat similar to The Legend of Korra, season 2, whose universe has a spirit world, accessible through a portal, until the Avatar merges it with the physical world. Or even the world that Chihiro is transported to in Spirited Away.

I know it sounds unlikely, but that’s the fun part, right? I don’t really care about being right; I just enjoy how Oda has created so many intriguing elements around one character that we can endlessly analyze.

Even if I don’t agree with how he resolves some narrative elements, it’s always curious to see where he’ll take us next. So let’s keep reading and guessing! I hope you had fun reading my theory.

Also, knowing Oda, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of these connections were just happy coincidences he came up with on the spot.

I remember an interview where Taz Skylar said he asked Oda a lot about One Piece (and Sanji), and most of the answers were simply, “Because I thought it would be cool.” lol

I'm sure I'm seeing a lot of things that Oda didn't really intend to have a deeper meaning, but since he hasn’t confirmed them, everything is possible, right? And I don't think it takes away the fact that some of the things he wrote, Oda was indeed planning for a long time.

Anyway, what would your crazy theory about Sanji be? Or maybe about Nami, or even both? Let me know!

For Sanji I still haven't brought up what his role to the story of One Piece could be, I’m still trying to gather my thoughts about this, so let me know if you are interested and I will post something in the future.

#sanji #one piece theory #sanji theory #one piece #mytheories

25 notes · View notes