In the One Piece series, the Straw Hat crew encompasses diverse characters with different natures, principles, and views of life. The Grand Line has many challenges, and the Straw Hat crew faces danger at every turn that demands resilience. Among the crew, Sanji stands out with his unusual chivalrous nature, which has been an integral part of his character as the series enters its final arc.

However, the Straw Hat cook’s infatuation with women as part of his principles has negatively affected him and the crew. As One Piece end draws near and the crew faces more formidable adversaries, will Sanji’s chivalrous nature be a source of strength or a roadblock?

A Heart Of Gold On The Grand Line

A Trait Of Honor And Respect

On the sea of One Piece, there are dangers at every corner, and Sanji prioritizes women’s safety, especially those weaker than him. And while some fans see it as creepy behavior, his selflessness stems from the desire to protect those who need it the most. Sanji understands that women are often underestimated and exploited on the sea, and every time, he always wants to save them from harm’s way. However, Sanji also believes in women’s strength and has respect for them. This is evident in how he calls for the help of Nico Robin in Wano in a fight against Black Maria.

Also, Sanji’s respectful demeanor fosters a safe environment for the women on the crew, like Nami and Robin. This allows them to thrive and contribute to their full potential without fear of harassment or prejudice. For Sanji, women are the joy of the world, and he would rather die than let them be in danger. In Dressrosa, Sanji met Viola, who acted as a spy for the villainous Donquixote Doflamingo. However, while Viola leads Sanji into a trap, it is his lovable and respectful manner toward women that makes Viola set him free. In this vein, even though the Grand Line is a harsh and dangerous place, Sanji will always place women on a higher pedestal, a core value that remains admirable on the perilous sea of One Piece.

Vulnerability In Battle

A Drawback For The Crew

The most glaring drawback of Sanji’s chivalry lies in his absolute refusal to fight women. In One Piece, there are many powerful female pirates and Marines: Big Mom and Boa Hancock, Black Maria, and Tashigi, amongst others. This rigid principle has a significant vulnerability, which can force one of his crew members to come in and address this inflexibility, thus putting an additional strain on the person. In this way, Sanji’s self-imposed inflexibility against women, even if they are enemies, can leave him sidelined and useless during battle like he was against Black Maria.Moreover, Sanji’s chivalry has been known to get distracted from a mission’s goals. He was distracted from the main mission of the Straw Hat pirates in Dressrosa when he planned to leave the crew for Viola because she reciprocated his advances. Sanji’s protective nature and disregard for his personal safety when it comes to women make him emotionally vulnerable during combat. Viola and Black Maria took advantage of his chivalrous nature, which led to his distraction and clouded judgment. This vulnerability created openings for these women to exploit, potentially endangering Sanji and the entire crew.

Also, Sanji’s devotion and deep respect for women often cause him to overlook warning signs or suspicious behavior from them. His trust and inclination to believe the best in others, particularly women, can blind him to potential dangers or deceit. This can lead to the crew falling into traps or being deceived by enemies who exploit Sanji’s trust, putting the entire crew at risk. However, his love for women often comes off as perverted. An instance was when he sneaked into the women’s bathhouse in Wano with his raid suit. His infatuation with women runs deep, and it leaves him hospitalized at a point during the arduous journey. Due to this, Sanji must dominate this infatuation, which seems out of control, to help the crew and not compromise their chance of success on a mission or delays in the journey.

Finding A Balance

Redefining His Principles

Sanji’s chivalry nature in the One Piece series does not entirely fall on the negative side; however, there is a need to find a balance. Sanji can adhere to his core values while resorting to different approaches when dealing with women on the dangerous sea. He could develop non-lethal combat techniques or strategies to disarm female opponents without compromising his principles. Sanji’s need to redefine his principles is crucial as the series draws towards the final arc, and the Straw Hat crew will face more formidable adversaries that could also include women. The most glaring drawback of Sanji’s absolute chivalry lies in combat, and it is apparent that Sanji will not abandon his love for women till the end of the series. Sanji’s chivalrous nature is an inherent part of his character. Hence, the key lies in redefining his principles and not abandoning them.

In addition, Sanji’s chivalry, while admirable, most times blinds him to the bigger picture. His high tendency to prioritize women’s safety first can lead him to neglect other aspects of his responsibilities within the crew. For instance, if the Straw Hat pirates are in danger, he may prioritize rescuing a female crewmate over strategic planning with his male counterparts. Amidst the chaos in Wano, Sanji prioritized looking for women in Onigashima rather than clearing the road to the top so Monkey D. Luffy could face Kaido. After this detour, he fell into Black Maria’s trap and had to call on Robin to save him. It is by recognizing that everyone’s safety is paramount, regardless of gender, he can contribute more effectively to the crew’s overall success. Enemies have repeatedly targeted Sanji by using women as leverage against him, putting both himself and the crew in danger. Suppose he does not find a balance with his infatuations with women, he will remain vulnerable to manipulation by the Straw Hat enemies, who could exploit his sense of honor.