The Manga One Piece is Currently in the Elbaf Arc, Sparking Controversy Over a Detail that Has Been a Subject for 27 Years.
Until now, Eiichiro Oda—the creator of One Piece—has not hidden his use of fanservice to attract older audiences. As a result, character designs related to female characters have always been a topic of debate among fans.
Specifically, in the Egghead arc, we have witnessed the introduction of several characters, including Bonney at just 12 years old and York at 16. Now, Oda continues to create controversy with a new character, Gunko.
In Chapter 1134, as the characters are preparing for a banquet to welcome the Straw Hat Pirates to the land of giants, two mysterious characters shrouded in mystery appear on Elbaf.
Chapter 1136 introduces a character named Gunko, who is described as a powerful figure. She arrives in Elbaf to assist Loki in becoming the new King of Elbaf. The giants are the ruling class of the land of Mary Geoise and are ranked higher than other races in the world. However, Loki refuses Gunko’s offer, leading to a confrontation between the two sides.

Despite Gunko’s face being concealed, Chapter 1136 has revealed her character design, which unintentionally sparked controversy.
Fans of One Piece Debate Gunko’s Outfit
It can be seen that Gunko wears a traditional Japanese gakuran uniform, but fans are skeptical about the inconsistency between the top and bottom parts of the outfit. Her design reminds many of Smoothie and other female characters in Egghead, except for Lilith. However, unlike typical outfits from previous arcs, Oda has chosen a more elegant style for her appearance.
One fan commented: “Gunko wears a gakuran, a traditional Japanese school uniform. In some contexts, especially in anime culture, the gakuran is often associated with female characters, such as those wearing short skirts… even though Oda clearly aims to create a distinct style here.”
“Anime often links the gakuran with short skirts (and certain male characters, like Jotaro), but Oda’s choice here seems to be quite unique,” the fan added.

This situation has sparked various discussions, as many feel that the initial design intention has shifted, leading to a design that doesn’t fit well with the fanservice that is not needed. Gunko’s design has been perceived as a blend of Japanese culture and international appeal. Although some fans are critical of it, the controversy continues to grow without any sign of dissipating.
Another reason why fans are not entirely satisfied is that Gunko is portrayed both as a King of Elbaf and a Celestial Dragon. Loki is an outsider, but the King of Elbaf traditionally comes from the Celestial Dragon lineage, holding the highest authority in the world. However, the character’s outfit does not convey the status that fans expect from her connection to the Celestial Dragons.
Moreover, despite Gunko’s young age not being formally stated, she does have a very mature appearance. Oda has previously faced backlash for similar remarks about characters like Rebecca and York, who wore outfits that did not match their age appropriately.
One Piece has consistently been the best-selling manga in history, and its influence continues to grow with new anime adaptations and live-action series. Hence, many fans believe that the series should not rely on unnecessary fanservice.