Before Luffy sailed the high seas in One Piece, Eiichiro Oda experienced countless revisions, not just for his story but for his characters. Luffy was no exception, as the main character of One Piece had to undergo a significant change. While Oda chose to draw Luffy with a simple character design, a young and honest editor made a comment that changed Luffy forever.
Eiichiro Oda often changes Luffy’s look to fit the setting, but he remains instantly recognizable no matter the story arc. His youthful face, along with his big black eyes, gives him a carefree and approachable look. However, that wasn’t the original plan, as Oda’s early drafts bothered his editor because of Luffy’s terrifying appearance.
Eiichiro Oda Designed Luffy’s Face Simple on Purpose
Luffy Is an Easy Character to Draw
Oda designed Luffy with a simple and easy-to-draw face.
Luffy’s basic look is iconic.
Without a doubt, Luffy is one of the easiest anime characters to draw. Even those who have no talent for drawing could sketch him with just a few simple shapes and lines, thanks to his simple and easy-to-draw face. In fact, there are countless tutorials out there where one can easily recreate Luffy in just a few simple steps. His face doesn’t require fans to remember complex details.
I’m gonna be the Pirate King! —Luffy
Luffy’s simple design instantly made him recognizable around the world. Fans could tell him apart immediately by his straw hat, red vest, and sandals. This is Luffy’s basic look, matched with his enormous grin, adventurous personality, and boundless energy. Fans have already memorized Luffy’s features, but what most fans didn’t know is that Oda made Luffy’s face simple on purpose.
one piece eiichiro oda and luffy with his tongue out
According to Oda, he could easily draw Luffy’s simple face in the manga, no matter how many new pirates are introduced in the story. It wouldn’t be too difficult for Oda to sketch Luffy’s simple look, making it easier for him to convey Luffy’s wide range of emotions. In addition, Oda won’t take so much time sketching Luffy in autographs, thanks to his easy-to-draw features.
Oda Changed Luffy After Editor Called Him Too Scary
Eiichiro Oda Redraws Luffy’s Facial Expressions
one piece oda and luffy
Oda’s editor said Luffy’s facial expressions were scary.
As mentioned, even a talented manga artist like Eiichiro Oda still experienced revisions on his characters, like Luffy. He was willing to follow the comments of his editors, including a young unidentified editor who made an honest comment about Luffy’s look back in the day. In an article published on the Japanese website Toyo Keizai in 2024, it was revealed that Oda had to change Luffy’s look because of the comments of this editor.
Apparently, the young editor told Oda that Luffy’s facial expressions were “too scary” upon seeing his manuscript. This prompted Oda to adjust Luffy’s design, probably giving him a friendlier and more cheerful appearance without losing his big and bold personality. The funny thing is that the young editor thought he offended Oda with his comment, as the creator of One Piece did not contact him for a whole day.
one piece oda with luffy in shock
In the end, Oda altered Luffy’s design according to the editor’s suggestions. Without this honest comment from the editor, fans might have gotten a different Luffy, someone who is less approachable and youthful. However, it would have been interesting to see an alternate version of Luffy, where he is intimidating and even slightly menacing, even when he’s not angry.
Luffy Is the Best Character Oda Created
Oda’s Masterpiece Is Luffy
Regardless of Luffy’s appearance, he is Eiichiro Oda’s greatest creation in One Piece. This will not change anytime soon, as Luffy continues to touch an entire community with his long, great pirate journey. Without him as the main character, One Piece would never have been the same. In fact, Oda himself revealed that if Akainu was the MC, he would have ended One Piece in just one year.
That said, Luffy has become an inspiration not just to Oda, but to the many fans around the world. His courage, loyalty to his friends, and endless enthusiasm resonate with fans, especially now that One Piece is in its Final Saga. However, for now, more exciting adventures and intense fights await Luffy, which would certainly remind fans why Luffy is the heart and soul of One Piece.
