One Piece settles the debate over Yamato’s gender identity as Wano Arc comes to a close

In a show of diversity that's as vast as the Grand Line itself, One Piece has carefully crafted Yamato's trans/gender-fluid identity, expanding the boundaries of identity within the series. Eiichiro Oda's beloved series, has achieved a remarkable milestone in inclusivity by addressing Yamato's identity. 

What

The long-running Wano Arc of the beloved anime series is nearing its close, and as Luffy, the Strawhats and the citizens of Wano celebrate the liberation of their country and Kaido’s defeat, the latest anime episode offered a final take on the much-contested gender identity of one of this arc’s most popular characters.

Who

Yamato - the offspring of the fearsome pirate Emperor of the seas, Kaido - was born as Kaido's daughter. From a young age, Yamato was groomed to inherit his father's legacy.

• However, Yamato's life took a unique turn when he developed an intense admiration for Kozuki Oden, a legendary samurai. Oden's tragic demise deeply impacted Yamato, leading him to choose a path of emulation. 

• He began impersonating Oden, adopting his mannerisms and way of life.
• As part of this transformation, Yamato decided to identify as Kaidou's son, establishing and referring to himself as a man with masculine pronouns. 

This decision is at the heart of Yamato's journey towards self-discovery and the exploration of his own gender identity.

A challenging past

Of course, like any good tale of the high seas, it's not all smooth sailing.

Kaidou, who is not really renowned for his fatherly charm, responds to Yamato's Oden-inspired aspirations with a less-than-loving embrace – aka violent beatings and even imprisonment. 

• One of the central conflicts revolves around his strained relationship with Kaido. Yamato's deep admiration for Oden, who was Kaidou's enemy, led to confrontations and violence from his own father. 

Kaidou has consistently opposed Yamato's quest to be like Oden, subjecting him to cruelty since childhood. Yet despite Yamato’s determination to distance himself from Kaido and his malevolent plans, the violent emperor of the seas still goes out of his way to refer to Yamato as his son, using the correct pronouns making their relationship a tangled web of emotions and loyalty.

Maybe if y’all read the one piece manga you’d be able to grasp the fact that Yamato IDENTIFIES as a man.

It’s crazy that even Kaido himself acknowledges this and respects that. pic.twitter.com/tBsXCUW10d

— Tomo😤☁️ (@LorTomo2) May 17, 2023

Meeting Yamato

But what truly makes Yamato's journey unique is the ambiguity that swirls around his gender identity.

Take, for instance, the Hannya mask that Yamato dons during his introduction – a traditional Japanese symbol used by theater artists to portray female demons.

• This mask, known for symbolizing jealousy and anger in female characters, is a visual nod to Yamato's complex identity, acknowledging that the lines between male and female can be as blurred as the horizon at sea.

Referencing and pronouns

In a world where third-person pronouns are as rare as the fabled One Piece treasure, Yamato's journey to gender self-discovery takes center stage. 

• Those new to Yamato often perceive him as a woman, but those who know him well consistently refer to him as a man. His use of "boku," a pronoun typically reserved for young boys, aligns with his self-identification as a man.
• Major manga and anime platforms like VIZ Media and Funimation have hoisted their flags in support of Yamato's portrayal as a trans-man, using masculine pronouns in their translations. 
• Eiichiro Oda himself, the series' creator, has demonstrated a commitment to exploring the complexities of gender identity within One Piece, having confirmed the gender identity of another character, Kikunojo, who was born male but identifies as a woman, establishing her as a transwoman.

never forget what Oda took from you pic.twitter.com/zPfSdbNCd9

— Daily Queer OP Characters 🇵🇸 (@DailyQueerPiece) October 15, 2023

However, the debate resurfaced with a color art cover in manga chapter 1084. 

• In this illustration, Yamato is featured among popular female characters, causing discussions about the possibility of Yamato being gender-fluid.

I will keep adding to this as things come

"Yamato is not trans he's a tomboy"

This is never said this is headcanon, but there is a character that is explicitly a tomboy, they still take a bath with women, use she/her and are considered a woman. Yamato is not comparable to this pic.twitter.com/NikgXJaGFZ

— Daily Queer OP Characters 🇵🇸 (@DailyQueerPiece) October 15, 2023

Wano Arc

In the Wano Arc, anime episode 1078 also reinforces the acknowledgment of Yamato's gender identity. 

Nico Robin, one of the Straw Hat Pirates, confidently refers to him as a "funny boy".

W ROBIN ACKNOWLEDGES YAMATO CORRECT PRONOUN LETS GOOOOO pic.twitter.com/NFNGK9kKfW

— Geo (@Geo_AW) October 1, 2023

Even the future Pirate King, Luffy himself, has nicknamed Yamato “Yama-o” (ヤマ男), with the Kanji suffix for “guy, man, or bro”similar to how he refers to Trafalgar Law, “Tra-o”. 

However, a crucial turning point confirming Yamato's gender identity occurs in the latest anime episode 1079. 

In a scene where characters are depicted enjoying baths, Yamato unambiguously chooses to join the men's bath (much to Sanji’s delight) with fellow male characters, solidifying his identity as a trans-man. 

#ONEPIECE1079 #ONEPIECE #ONEPIECE1096

Men’s Bathhouse Scene with Yamato 🤧 pic.twitter.com/N6satr37C2

— One Piece Clips 👹 (@opclips_) October 15, 2023

The moment definitively settles the debate and marks a significant step in recognizing and accepting Yamato for who he truly is.

how can people watch this and still think yamato isnt trans😭 pic.twitter.com/yIQ4vebGqr

— Tmoy (@tmoy090) October 15, 2023

The bottom line

This process of embracing a different gender identity sets the stage for an intriguing exploration of gender diversity within the One Piece universe. It raises important questions about identity, self-acceptance, and societal expectations. 

Yamato's story becomes a powerful vehicle for tackling these themes, allowing readers and viewers to engage with complex issues surrounding gender.

HE’S ONE OF DA BOIS pic.twitter.com/SL6WwS6cA1

— Legend Unfound (@LegendUnfound) October 15, 2023

One Piece's handling of Yamato's trans/gender-fluid identity represents a significant milestone in the series' commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Yamato's journey of self-discovery and the acceptance of his gender identity by characters and fans alike not only adds depth to the narrative, but is very simply a fulfilling segment to his traumatic arc. 

You don't have to fall prey to any sort of supposedly 'woke agenda' to admit that on a very fundamental level, Yamato seems happy and satisfied with who he is. Yamato is a trans icon and we should be pride of him for it.