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Analysis
During my time as a die-hard One Piece fan, I've noticed there are a minority of people who genuinely dislike the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock. It baffled me to learn that people hated her (then again, I thought everyone loved Sanji, Ace, and Sabo...yeah), but I never let it bother me too much. However, some of the reasons as to why people hated her had always left me stunned. This isn't a post to try and make those who hate her stop hating her, but more of a rant-nalysis. So, let's get started.
"Boa has Pretty Privilege."
Let me get this point out of the way. I've seen people mad that Boa has pretty privilege and believe it's the biggest reason as to why people love her so much. And while they aren't wrong, that 'criticism' doesn't add much to the conversation. We know she has pretty privilege; that's how she was introduced to us. You know, the whole "The entire world will forgive me despite any atrocities I may commit. Whether I kick a kitten, bite your ears off, or even slaughter thousands of innocent citizens, everyone shall forgive me! Why is this? That's right...it's because I'm beautiful!" --thing? Yeah. I'm not necessarily saying that you must like this part of her character, but that is sort of the point.
"Boa is Full of herself."
Forgive me if I missed something in the story, but why do people feel this way? When she says that she can get away with everything because she's beautiful, it's not some baseless claim that came from her butt; it's something we've seen for ourselves throughout the time she's been on screen. Of course, not everyone falls to the stunning looks of the Empress (Luffy, Smoker, etc.), but 99.99% of the time, people truly don't care what she does because they are so distracted by her amazing looks. She can't be full of herself if she's right. The first time we saw her, she confronted Vice-Admiral Momonga's crew and told them to give her everything they had on the ship. At first, they were a bit irritated because she was acting like a little child, but when they really focused on her looks, they were infatuated with her beauty, and some soldiers even started to unpack the ship before they snapped out of the trance. An example from another show is Teruhashi Kokomi from the Disastrous Life of Saiki K. She gets a crapload of hate from the Fandom for being some stuck-up, fake, manipulative, self-centered brat who thinks she can do anything she wants to and get away with it because she's 'perfect'...but it's because she can. She's just so breathtakingly gorgeous that she could freaking murder someone and everyone would just help hide the body.
But I digress.
"Boa isn't even that beautiful."
Now I'm not saying every single person in the One Piece Fandom should say she's the most beautiful woman in the series...wait. She is. She may not be the most beautiful woman to you, which is completely fine, but as long as we're in talking about in-verse, she's labeled as 'The Most Beautiful Woman in the World.' As I said, she doesn't have to be the most beautiful to you, it's all up to preference, but to say the least; yes, Boa is that beautiful. Whether you like her or not, it isn't a matter of opinion. She's that most beautiful woman in the One Piece world, and that's that.
"Boa is a Pedophile."
...what?! I mean yes; she did fall for someone who is 12 years younger than her (a very uncomfortable age gap), but that's not why she fell in love. It's not like she actively targets 12-year-old boys all the time; she doesn't even like men! Luffy embodied the freedom that Boa so desperately longed for. The freedom to do what you want, where you want, how you want, without anyone judging you for any reason. He's a reckless idiot who punched the face of a "God" with zero hesitation and zero regret. Something Boa would love to do, maybe even worse than just a mere punch.
Luffy is the part of her that she wishes to awaken, but no matter how much she wants to, she can't. She struggles to talk about her past because of the trauma. Celestial Dragons are about the only group of people that could ever make Boa fall to her knees out of sheer fear and dominance. Then in comes this random rookie who couldn't care less for their status or what the Celestial Dragons are capable of, socking them right in the face, without a care in the world.
Not only that, but she fell for his kind and innocent nature and first noticed it when he covered Sandersonia's back regardless of the fact that she and the rest of her sisters tried to kill him. When she asked him to choose between getting a ship to leave the island and depetrifying Margret, he didn't even pause to think before he thanked her for letting Margaret live, even bowing his head down in gratitude. Grandma Nyon announcing that Luffy was the one who punched a Celestial Dragon was when she truly believed Luffy is a man to be trusted, unlike many others who are shallow and don't even dare to look beyond her beautiful face and figure. Don't get me wrong; this doesn't excuse the fact she fell in love with a seventeen-year-old boy, but to call her a pedophile is a bit much, at least in my opinion.
"Boa only cares for Luffy and mistreats anyone who isn't him."
This. This. This. I hate hearing this because of how untrue it is. She voluntarily affiliated herself with the Government, the ones who ruined her life, in order to protect her subjects of Amazon Lily. It doesn't sound like that much, but when you think about it, it truly weighs down on her a lot to associate with them. She trusts in her sisters and her crew, albeit in a very roundabout way. Wano Act 2 ½ Spoiler! >When the Shichibukai System was dismantled and the Marines raided the island, she told them not to panic, for they must have forgotten why the Shichibukai were in that position to begin with, was because they were strong. Not just her, but the entirety of the Kuja Pirates and Amazon Lily inhabitants. She believes in their strength enough to know that their forces were more than enough to take on a few battleships.!< She helped Luffy infiltrate Impel Down and even participated in the Paramount War just so he could save his brother. Yes, she had fallen in love with him prior to those events, but she still could've declined and explained why she did not feel comfortable doing so, but instead, she assisted him despite her strong resent for the World Government.
A point that is brought up to counter this is the way she treated Margret, Sweet Pea, and Alphelandra when they admitted to helping Luffy enter the island. The thing is, it was mentioned before Luffy's execution that breaking the ancient rule, that older than Grandma Nyon herself, of bringing men to Amazon Lily is punishable by death. Margret had broken that rule, so she was punished accordingly. Now, the whole thing where Sandersonia was about to throw Margret down and break her statue, that was not it, not at all. Then there's the thing where she broke the clay statue of her that the children of Amazon Lily made, I'm not saying she should have, I myself didn't like it when she did that, but she did so to keep up her cold demeanor. Which brings me to my last point...
"Boa has a horrible personality."
I have to agree and disagree with this statement. Yes, her exterior personality is indeed nothing short of despicable, but I also disagree because that isn't her true nature. During her flashback, we see a young Boa Hancock, energetic, cheery, and determined. She seemed like a sweet young girl, then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. When she was finally freed from that hell hole, everything about her completely changed. She became a lot more reserved and stone-hearted, she pushed people away instead of inviting them in, instead of looking at others with a warm expression, she gave them a cold glare. After she told Luffy about her past, she then said: "Even if it means deceiving an entire country, I will not never once think of giving in...! I never wish to be controlled like that, ever again! I am too afraid to let my guard down with anybody...the fear is too great, I cannot face it...!" (Chapter 521)
God, I almost cried while reading that...anyways, I think this explains why Hancock decided to be such a rude person. She believes that if she even once lets down her walls, someone will take advantage of that, and she'll experience what she already has to suffer through for four years, again. It makes complete sense to me why she acts like that. It's a type of defense mechanism that she feels the need to have activated 24/7. Now, would I say it justifies all of her actions? No. The kicking animals is still a bit off-putting to me, but it's not like she pulled a Dio or something, but I've gone on long enough.
----‐------
This concludes my essay, I guess. I hope it made sense and I didn't just go around in circles like an idiot; I'm really bad at arguing and debating, so I don't expect this to make much sense. Even if I didn't make sense, this was something I had to get off of my chest. I apologize if anything came off as rude or offensive, I can assure you that was not my intention. So! With that out of the way, I can post this and stop cramping my fingers.
Good night, my friends.
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![r/OnePiece - [OC] Luffy giving Hancock a piggyback. (swipe for bonus)](https://a.thumbs.redditmedia.com/AcRXH6jwj76sga4susBeRI2Pgwd6Rw-TuNIdG9fpYb8.jpg)
Personally, Hancock makes a very interesting character study. How much are you willing to forgive someone because of their look? This doesn't just apply to beautiful women, but say, if Hancock kicks snakes and spiders instead of cute animals, will there be less resentment towards her? Is the reason why Hancock is still hated despite being an ally to Luffy is because she still kick cute animals? Why Bon Clay is so beloved even though he helped causing a civil war and at some point tried to kill Carue, a cute looking duck, but no one ever mentioned that? Why Hancock willingly put herself in danger for Luffy is so underappreciated but everyone remembers Bon Clay's sacrifice?
Disclaimer, I love both Hancock and Bon Clay. I just thought it was an interesting observation. Sometimes, I feel the reason people hate certain characters has less to do with what they have done, but more of a gut feeling. I have seen a lot of people who are okay with one character doing bad things but not okay when others do it.
Wow...that was really interesting to read.
THISSS This is so true, dangit! Like, make it make sense; Hancock puts aside her trauma and pride in order to help Luffy save his brother when she had every reason not to, but it's completely ignored because she kicks animals?! ...ok
Maybe because Hancock is a beautiful woman and she knows that she’s beautiful, and she utilized it for her own gain.
Most people prefer a beautiful or attractive female characters, but they didn’t know that they’re attractive or beautiful. Much like a born sexy yesterday trope.
I mean honestly its because Bon Clay got caught. If Boa would've sacrificed herself and it ended like Bon Clay, I guarantee people would be singing praises for Boa "she loyal, The future Pirate Queen etc.." Bon's actions are seen as a sacrifice while Boa's is regarded as just helping Luffy. The story doesn't give Boa's "help" any tension, in-verse yeah what she did was a big deal but the way it was shown to us really didn't portray that. If I remember the scenes on the way to Impel Down were filled with food humor and her being pretty.
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I agree with you entirely!
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But of course :D
She was bought as a child sex slave and people don't like that she built a protective emotional shell around herself. She ranks up there with the most traumatic backstories, and then when she meets Luffy starts becoming a better person. Like almost every other character does when they meet Luffy.
It genuinely makes no sense to me.
Boa doesn't even know whats loving a person , marriage or things about sexuality. How you can say was a sex slave she had only 12 years lmaoo you weird asf
yeah dude the world nobles are messed up, they bought a bunch of 12 year old girls to entertain them, and they weren't having them do tiktok dances. parts of this story are really dark
Entertain = they enjoyed beating them or the slaves fought each other just to see kuma was full of blood and swords on his head. Then the boa sisters became ugly because of those snake zoan devil fruits. Look the last episodes of reverie the slaves was used to working, in the koala backstory the chils was used to clean the dishes or house. Its impossible that was sex slave lmaoo the last reason , the celestial dragons are afraid and disgusted by the ,, normal people,, In short the slaves was used to protect themselves
It’s easy to write the trope of the “most beautiful woman fall in love with the only man in the world who didn’t pay attention to her” but the real reason Hancock like Luffy, is just because he’s such a great and wholesome guy
EXACTLY! She was attracted to his kind nature that not many, if any men show to her!
Yep! Having born in Isle of Women and the first man that she saw was Celestial Dragon and her Master — must be traumatic for her.
I agree. Although Boa's actions are not fully justifiable, at least she was not being cold or bad just for the sake of it. She was a victim of her circumstances and her coping mechanisms aren't good or perfect. She is a result of the celestial dragons' unjust ruling. One Piece just goes to show different results of this ruling from sabo becoming a revolutionary (which most people would deem the right reaction), most fishmen becoming racist towards humans (worst possible conclusion) , and a somewhat gray area like Boa and Jimbei who hates the government but is forced to work with them for their people.
I love this explanation 👏🏿👏🏿 it sums everything up wonderfully.
Boa Hancock best girl.
Best girl
I get why people don't like her but it annoys that alot of people just see her as a villain or unredeemable, the one piece world's morality is completely different to ours and in there world most characters aren't good or bad so why is boa different to that rule, people love aokiji even though he took part in the destruction of O'Hara, people love crocodile even though he is responsible for alot of suffering and people love Luffy who caused a mass breakout of criminals. I'm not saying these characters are evil just that most characters have very different morals and seemingly no one is irredeemable in the one piece world so I don't know why people treat boa differently.
Ack, guilty as charged. But I do agree! Maybe they have a problem because she isn't a villain or an antagonist, but she has such a nasty attitude anyways. I don't what people want, honestly.
The Aokiji fan club is something I can not understand - we watched him murder his self-proclaimed "good friend" Saul in front of a child who was close to him. I can not get over that even when a fictional character does that.
That's fair enough
I think she's a great character and I do expect great things of her going forward.
I definitely can't wait to see more of her!
Not reading all that. It’s obvious
It's alright 😭 I stunned myself with how much I wrote too, so I don't blame you
It’s a talent fr. Nothing to ever be ashamed of
Thank you ❤
I think it’s a fault she didn’t get any writers retribution. Most other villains that eventually go to Luffy’s side only do so after suffering something first so it feels earned. Croco, Buggy, and Bon both got beat by luffy (or his crew) and sent to impel down, or Hachi getting beat and showing he can be a good person through helping Camie, making their return feel satisfying and deserved. Hancock didn’t get any of that. She still hates all men but luffy, treats her surrogate mother like trash, animal abuse, etc. No consequences for any of that nor any growth. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
This is the main reason I still feel mixed on her character. Also doesn't help that most of her screen time is her obsession with Luffy .
Before going on this subreddit I also thought everyone loved boa Hancock, sabo, ace, and sanji and I let people’s opinions affect me too much so I literally cried and spent hours searching about it. Hopefully I can get over this soon but yea I love them all so much, they have their faults but they’re just so lovable to me. And carrot as well, just found out there’s some hate for her too.
Holy crap, are you me?
Yes 😂, and I still love them so much but I can’t stop looking at Reddit to try to find people who love them as well. I’m glad I found u
Me too! Also, happy cake day!
Oh thanks I didn’t even notice 😂😊
While I do not hate her, I don't really like her either. Her backstory is great but the "I can do anything because I am beautiful" thing is uninteresting to me.
Agreed. Seems so stupid
Hancock best girl.
Best girl ❤❤
Yeah. Best girl for throwing an old woman from a high building. And the one whom had broke her own statue that were made by the kids in amazon lily. Nice one bro. I didnt know these things are what people called best girl
My main issue with Hancock is I don't like how her character has been consumed by her simphood for Luffy. In most promotional portrayals and in regards to how the character is talked about by fans, her attraction to Luffy seems to be the all consuming, only factor of her character that is portrayed or discussed. And to me I'm not a fan since:
A. I find her attraction to Luffy weird given Luffy being 17 at the time (and her being over a decade older). Oda doesn't seem to think it's a big deal given Kyros-Scarlett and Sanji-Pudding, but it weirds me out.
B. It's the least interesting part of her. I get Oda wants to make critiques and jokes about shoujo tropes, but the gag has kind of consumed the character now.
I like the idea behind Hancock. Hancock using the fruit her abusers forced upon her to her advantage and weaponizing the male gaze is genius on so many levels, I just love it. Unfortunately, that side of her isn't given a lot of emphasis nad instead her primary arc revolves around her being infatuated with Luffy and Luffy not caring (he isn't naive, he knows exactly what she's asking him, he just isn't interested). The punchline of the jokes is her and I am not a fan of that.
I am also not a fan of this type of character and by that I mean "the strong woman who exists to defend and back up her love interest and has little else to offer outside of that". To me, it's just too much of a male fantasy. She's the "most beautiful", "super powerful", untouched by any other man, infatuated solely with the male protagonist so many readers see themselves in and it's just a little... weird to me. This type of character is common in fiction and I've never liked it.
I don't see what this has to do with the character to be honest. It's a title, not objective fact to the reader, or indeed, even to the people in the OP world. Komurasaki and Shirahoshi are both hidden from world recognition and lived in reclusive countries, and both are hyped as contenders to that same title. Garp even says Shirahoshi is more beautiful than Hancock. So this kind of thing doesn't seem relevant.
I'm going to have to disagree with you here. Indeed, her infatuation with Luffy is the one of, if not, the biggest part on her character arc, but she still has a life outside of Luffy. We just haven't seen too much of it because we haven't gotten a chance to focus on that aspect of her life.
This is indeed true, and while I'm not this trope's biggest fan, it still can be enjoyable; for me, at least.
I do agree. I was a bit iffy on adding that in myself. I would say though, that Hancock is the most beautiful woman that everyone knows.
Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's the only thing about her, just that it's the most commonly discussed side of her and the one that gets the most focus. The main issue here is that she hasn't had much of a chance to show growth or character outside of those moments. All positive changes associated with her stem from Luffy and I am not a fan of that. She should be her own character with her own goals beyond winning over a guy who isn't interested in her. I can't help but feel a large part of the love she gets stems from that male fantasy aspect of it.
I don't know why your comments are getting down voting you have great takes. Although I don't agree with all your points all of them were solid.
I agree with everything you said on B.
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Chapter 905, TCB scans.
Don't be a Viz reader son, it's embarrassing.
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Lmao, this was a lot longer than I thought it would be...hope this made sense! 😅
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Yes, it is 😭😭 it isn't something I can or know how to defend, so that's like...the only thing I'll hold against her lol
I agree. She's a Saint. She did what she did to protect her sisters and her people from the world nobles and the world government. She shows no weakness or mercy and acts the villain so no one else can take the blame. Just do a quick Google search for the world nobles. They are literally worse than anyone or anything else in one piece. Just the worst.
I just don't like how her character is written. I don't like the gags involving Luffy, I think it ruins her character. I would have preferred she didn't fall in love with Luffy or if her love was handled more seriously instead of being used for comedy
Why I hate her still is simple:
She kicked a kitten and baby seal for no damn reason. And I don’t forgot
I mean, it's reasonable. I'm not a fan of animal abuse in the slightest. I just prefer to dive into the depths of a character and judge them from there.
Yeah. She also throw granny nyon from a high building. And she did'nt even apologize. A piece of trash i would say
She just bores the hell out of me and the trope of the beautiful but dangerous woman who all the men fall for is lame
That's okay, we all have our personal preferences! I just happen to really love the layers that Oda built up for her character, and she's someone that I thoroughly enjoy!
I hate sanji so I can understand why people dont like Boa, everyone has their own opinion.
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That's true, which is why I said not all of her actions are justifiable.
"...for being some stuck-up, fake, manipulative, self-centered brat who thinks she can do anything she wants..."
I liked Boa the first time I watched One Piece. I liked her a little less when I saw all the movies, and after just watching summit war again, I don't like her. I don't like her because this description of Teruhashi at the start of Saiki K is completely accurate and I didn't like her. When she grew and became a real person with real desires and goals towards the end of the show I liked her.
At the end of the day the fact Boa is those things because it gets her what she wants doesn't mean she stops being those things. Boa is still a rude, often vicious, childish person. She may have been a happy child, and she may be changing due to Luffy's influence so will become a great character in the future, but like Batman said "It's not who you are, it's what you do that defines you." Until Boa gets the actual character development to stop being One Piece's version of cruella deville I'm not a fan.
To be more specific, she needs a redemption chapter like the rest of OP's lovable villains. Hachi was a part of Arlong's detestable crew but showed he could, and did change. Bon Clay did terrible things but showed he had a moral code he would stick to for his friends even at the cost of his 'life'. Crocodile...well Crocodile's a bastard but he's an honest bastard. Basically just a better developed Gang Bege. Even that moist guy from fishman island (caribou) got a redemption story in the cover arc.
She's that most beautiful woman in the One Piece world, and that's that.
I mean, no? Garp says Shirahoshi was orettier
You're not wrong, but Shirahishi hadn't been living in the Surface World for the past 16 years, so I guess Hancock would be the most beautiful woman on the Surface?
I hated her at the begining for her personality. It is more a personal reason but If don't like people who think that they are the best and they can do anything because no one os going to tell them nothing. Basicaly the same reason why Luffy insulted and get mad at her. But after her arc and her "evolution" I think I like her a little bit more but she still being one of the Characters that I don't like but don't upset me anyways.
For me are just personal reasons
If this is the case, that's definitely okay! I can't bash you for your personal preferences.
I think a lot of people did, I just wasn't one of them because I had like before I met her, but those actions did put me off. However when I learned her story, I started liking her again. It's all a matter of preferences, so I won't attack you simply for having one. 🙂
Wow, you are so kind. Obviously I respect your opinion as well :)
Thanks! I try my best 🙂
For the record I like boa took some time but she grew on me but I do have a want from her character and that’s improvement with others outside of luffy who are men.
This idea of mine mostly stems from the post war arc when she snapped at Rayleigh some one who saved her and her sisters with granny neyon after fisher tiger freed them and being rather mean to jimbei who has had a very similar story to his to the point he also became a warlord to protect his people yet the only reason he was given any food was because he helped luffy in the war.
I am not saying that she needs to suddenly get along with all men and they should be free to enter Amazon lily as they wish but in more of a tolerating sense like I’d be okay if she doesn’t like sanji and brook and wouldn’t allow him on the island but jimbei, franky, usopp and zoro I think it would be nice to see her be begrudgingly welcoming.
TLDR: I like boa I just hope she grows further as a character