Eiichiro Oda has been drawing One Piece for over twenty-five years. Think about that. In a quarter-century of serialization, the world of manga has changed drastically, but Oda’s penchant for creating loud, vibrant, and deeply human characters hasn't wavered. When people talk about transgender characters in One Piece, the conversation usually starts and ends with "Okama Way." But it's way deeper than that. Honestly, if you're looking at this series through a Western lens of 2026 gender politics, you’re gonna miss the nuance of how Oda handles identity.
It’s messy. It’s colorful. Sometimes it’s a bit uncomfortable. But mostly, it’s about freedom.
In the One Piece world, being "trans" isn't always defined by a medical transition or a specific terminology we use in the real world. Instead, it’s often tied to the concept of Newkama or the Okama culture, which blends drag aesthetics, gender non-conformity, and genuine identity shifts. You’ve got characters who literally change their biological makeup with Devil Fruits and others who simply live as they feel, regardless of what the World Government says.
The Okama Way and the Legacy of Mr. 2
Bon Kurei, also known as Bentham or Mr. 2, is the blueprint. When we first meet them in the Alabasta saga, they’re a villain. They’re a flamboyant martial artist with a swan-themed coat who can turn into anyone they touch thanks to the Clone-Clone Fruit. Initially, Bentham feels like a caricature. But Oda does this thing where he takes a character who looks like a joke and gives them the most heroic heart in the entire series.
Bentham’s philosophy is "The Okama Way." It’s a path that deviates from being strictly a man or strictly a woman. In the Impel Down arc, Bentham sacrifices everything—literally staying behind in a hellish underwater prison—to save Luffy.
"One may stray from the path of a man, one may stray from the path of a woman, but there is no straying from the path of a HUMAN!"
That quote isn't just a cool line. It's the thesis statement for how transgender characters in One Piece function. Identity is secondary to the "soul." Bentham’s gender fluidity is treated as a source of strength, not a punchline for the sake of cruelty, even if the visual design leans into the exaggerated drag aesthetic common in 90s Japanese media.
Emporio Ivankov and the Power of Hormones
If Bentham is the heart, Ivankov is the literal engine of gender transition in the series. As the "Miracle Person" and a commander in the Revolutionary Army, Ivankov possesses the Horm-Horm Fruit. This allows them to manipulate hormones—growth, mood, and yes, sex.
🔗 Read more: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
We see Ivankov change their own biological sex multiple times. They do it for others, too. In Newkama Land, located on Level 5.5 of Impel Down, gender is treated as a fluid, joyous choice. People change back and forth whenever they feel like it. It’s a party.
Is it a perfect representation of the trans experience? Kinda not. It’s very "anime." It’s loud and over-the-top. But for a series that started in 1997, having a character whose superpower is literally providing gender-affirming care (albeit via giant finger needles) is pretty wild. Ivankov isn't just a side character; they are a pivotal figure in the global revolution against a stagnant, oppressive world order. That’s a huge statement.
The Kiku and Yamato Debate: Nuance Matters
Lately, the discussion around transgender characters in One Piece has centered on Wano Country. This is where things get really interesting and, frankly, where the fanbase gets into the most heated arguments.
Kikunojo of the Lingering Snow
Kiku is, by most accounts, the most "traditional" representation of a trans woman in the series. Unlike the Okama characters who lean into flamboyant non-conformity, Kiku is a samurai who identifies as "a woman at heart."
When she's introduced, she's a quiet, graceful tea-house attendant. When it’s revealed she was born biologically male, the reaction from the other characters is basically... nothing. They just keep calling her Kiku. They respect her identity.
Oda handles Kiku with a surprising amount of grace. Her struggle isn't about her gender; it's about her loyalty to her fallen lord and her brother, Izo. She just happens to be a woman who was assigned male at birth. It’s normalized in a way that feels very modern, yet fits perfectly into the feudal Japanese setting of Wano.
The Yamato Situation
Then there’s Yamato. Yamato is the child of Kaido, the primary antagonist of the Wano arc. Yamato identifies as Kozuki Oden. Because Oden was a man, Yamato lives as a man.
💡 You might also like: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
This is where the "expert" takes often clash. Some fans argue Yamato is a trans man. Others argue Yamato is "roleplaying" a specific person and that the gender identity is a byproduct of that obsession.
Here’s the thing: In the Japanese text, Yamato uses masculine pronouns like boku. Kaido refers to Yamato as his "son." Luffy calls Yamato "Yama-o" (using a masculine suffix). But in the official Vivre Card databooks, Yamato is listed as female, whereas Kiku is listed as "female (at heart)."
Does the databook override the story? Honestly, most readers prefer to look at the page. On the page, Yamato chooses to bathe in the men's bath with Luffy and Brook. Yamato chooses to be referred to as a son. Whether that’s a "trans identity" in the way we define it or a unique "Oden identity," the result is the same: Yamato rejects the gender roles assigned by society and their father.
Why One Piece Stands Out
Most Shonen manga stick to very rigid gender roles. You have the "strong guy" and the "healing girl." Oda breaks this constantly.
Look at the island of Momoiro. It’s the Kingdom of Kamabakka. Sanji spent two years there. Now, some fans find this island problematic because the inhabitants are portrayed as aggressive and "manly" in dresses. It’s definitely a product of its time. But even there, the message remains: these people are living exactly how they want to live, and they are powerful enough to defend that lifestyle against the world.
The Revolutionary Army is another great example. Their core leadership includes Ivankov and Morley (a giant who is also a "Newkama"). These aren't just background characters. They are the ones trying to overrule the gods of their world.
Common Misconceptions About These Characters
One thing people get wrong is thinking Oda is trying to be "woke" by modern standards. He’s likely not. Oda is an artist who values "freedom" above all else. In the world of One Piece, the ultimate dream is to be the freest person on the sea.
📖 Related: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
If you want to be a man but were born a woman, being free means changing that. If you want to be both or neither, being free means doing that.
Another misconception is that the Okama are a joke. While they are used for comedy, they are never just the joke. In One Piece, everyone is a joke. Luffy is a rubber idiot. Buggy is a literal clown. Being funny doesn't stop a character from being deeply respected or incredibly powerful.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Readers
If you're trying to navigate the complex world of transgender characters in One Piece, keep these points in mind to better understand the narrative:
- Look at the pronouns in the original Japanese context. Characters like Kiku and Yamato use specific gendered language (sessha, boku, atashi) that gives clues to their self-perception.
- Differentiate between Okama culture and individual trans identity. The Okama are a specific subculture within Japan (and the manga), while characters like Kiku represent a more personal, quiet transition.
- Pay attention to the bath scenes. In Wano, Oda uses the communal baths to subtly signal where characters feel they belong. Kiku goes to the women's bath; Yamato goes to the men's bath.
- Understand the "Heart" (Kokoro). This is a recurring theme. Oda often writes that what matters is the "heart," a sentiment that usually overrides biological sex in his character arcs.
The portrayal of transgender characters in One Piece is far from perfect. It can be loud, messy, and occasionally rely on tropes that feel dated. But in a medium that often ignores these identities entirely, Oda’s world is one where you can be a giant, a fishman, a cyborg, or a Newkama, and as long as you have a dream, you’re part of the crew.
To truly appreciate these characters, stop looking for a Western clinical definition of gender. Look at their actions. Look at who they fight for. In the Grand Line, your identity isn't what you were born with—it's what you have the courage to become.
For those wanting to explore this further, re-reading the Impel Down and Wano Country arcs back-to-back provides the clearest evolution of how Oda's writing on this topic has matured over two decades. Focus on the dialogue in Chapter 948 regarding Kiku’s identity—it remains one of the most direct and poignant moments of representation in mainstream manga.