(Is)Sho-(Da)Dan

A very specific One Piece crackship blog

[sho-dan]

Hello and welcome to this wild crackship!

In this pinned post I'm going to explain the reason for the name, the reason for the ship, and what I plan to do with this blog.

Why Sho-Dan?

I decided to call it Sho-Dan because it's a play on the name Chō-Han, a Japanese dice game that was a favorite of Zatoichi's, the character that was the inspiration for Issho. It's not hard to imagine Dadan might be a gambler as well, albeit probably not a successful one.

Why did I start shipping them?

Issho has been my favorite One Piece character for years now. It's impossible to know at this point what kind of man Issho was before becoming Fujitora, but I get the impression that he hasn't let his new status in the world change how he views it. Despite being an Admiral, he doesn't follow Sakazuki's orders, nor does he seem to give a damn about the opinions of celestial dragons or whatever punishment they might want to inflict on him. He does what he thinks is right, including letting a certain pirate alliance save a kingdom. He sees the nuance of life.

I always wanted to ship him with someone that would make sense, but he canonically seems like a loner to me. (This isn't meant to be disrespectful to any other ships, this is just how I feel.) I got into the Zatoichi movies because of him, and Ichi always fell in love but always left them behind because his life was too dangerous (he was always on the yakuza's radar) and had to stay on the move. It made sense in my mind that Issho could be similar, making enemies when he acted on his sense of justice, being a wanderer before and after being drafted into the Marines. That he could have left a love behind to keep them safe.

I am fond of Curly Dadan because she's a big, loud woman who swears and smokes, is a coward who makes mistakes, but will be brave when it counts. The characters she interacts with (obviously excluding ASL) treat her like a daughter (Garp saying "I'm leaving these kids with you, raise them well" gives toxic dad vibes) or older sister (her underlings respect her but fear her wrath.) I couldn't help but think she might be lonely, too.

My first thought was shipping her with a woman, but the only woman she's canonically interacted with is Makino. Makino is nice, but I see her dating either a normal person or a great adventurer, not a cowardly mountain bandit.

In 2020 I became part of the Women! Wanted Zine. We had to pick a woman from One Piece and create fanworks for her, so I picked Dadan. This was also during the midst of my Zatoichi movie spree.

It started with a prompt. We were making flash art to spark interest in the zine, and the prompts were based on arcs and movies.

That week's prompt was One Piece Film: Gold.

I drew Dadan. To be honest, hadn't seen Film Gold yet. I looked up character references from the movie, and settled on an outfit I thought was appropriately cool.

This movie had casinos and gambling, though, and of course I had to draw Issho- It's how we're first introduced to him!

Suddenly, things fell into place.

What kind man would love Dadan? What fierce woman would love Issho? What lover would Issho abandon to protect, and what in Dadan's past made her so embittered?

In my mind, it made sense that Issho could've been a wandering swordsman in his youth, maybe catching rides from island to island. He could have met Dadan on Dawn Island, well before the arrival of Ace, Sabo and Luffy into her life. Knowing what we know from SBS 110, maybe he was on the run! Maybe it was before his association with that kingdom!

Now what?

I'm making this blog as a testament to this crackship. I will share art about them, and share things that remind me of them. If I'm ever motivated to continue it, I may share my fanfiction here.

Thanks for reading, hope you liked it 💜🧡

[friar-bones]

They were young, once.

[friar-bones]

Just wanted to thank everyone who voted for Sho-Dan in @onepiece-polls 's crack ship tourney! Even in the final minutes of the poll, I never thought we'd win. The support and validation I've gotten for this ship has been so wonderful. I've felt like a lone goofball for years about this, I'm happy the potential compatibility makes sense to others!

Also wanted give a shout out to Smoking Kills shippers, wish I had thought of a name as cool as that when submitting, and the propaganda was very convincing!

And thank you onepiece-polls for hosting the event! I appreciate you giving niche fandom pairings the spotlight!

I hope everyone has a fun time with this tourney! 💜🧡

[onepiece-polls]

One Piece Crack Ship War - Round 1 Side A

Sho-Dan art by @shepherd-bones. Check out the full post here.

Which crack ship do you prefer?

Sho-Dan (Issho x Dadan)

Smoking Kills (Smoker x Caesar)

Voting ended onApr 21, 2024

Propaganda under the cut.

Sho-Dan: Issho is based on Ichi from the Zatoichi series, so in my mind it made sense that he would've been a wandering swordsman in his youth, maybe running into Dadan during his travels. I think they'd be perfect for each other because I think their personalities are complimentary- Issho is intimidating and powerful but very kind, whereas Dadan is tough and cowardly yet has a secret sweet heart. I think they're both misunderstood characters that have lead lives absent of love, and I think they could find that in each other.

Smoking Kills: Why was Caesar so vindictive when he thought he was stabbing Smoker’s heart? Sure, his plans are crumbling around him, but is that really Smoker’s fault? Law orchestrated everything, Luffy beat him senseless, and Chopper was rehabilitating the kids. Did he just want a victory? Or was it because it was Smoker? What happened before everything? He knew about Smoker. Did he envy his freedom? Sympathize with how he felt ineffective to change anything? Did he feel he wasn’t strong enough to deserve Smoker, and thus put everything into developing his weaponry? It was only when Smoker was right there with him did he learn that Smoker hated what he was doing. He tried not to dwell on it. Vergo could fill the void, right? …no. It wasn’t the same. As he thought his fate was sealed, he made one more choice. If he couldn’t have Smoker in life, then Smoker would await Caesar in death…but for naught. Smoker was alive….and a small part of Caesar felt relief.

[shepherd-bones]

I don't know how to ask you to vote for sho-dan except look at these

I don't know why but they make sense to me.

Please consider throwing a vote their way 💜🧡

[friar-bones]

I missed drawing them so much.

(Just want to clarify this is not a shot at the age gap! I just think Issho would be legitimately surprised hearing that Smoker was dating Caesar, and Dadan's only mentioning it because she's correcting Issho's assumption.)

May the best ship win 🤝

[friar-bones]

(Click for better quality)

Makes sense that this was the last nice thing I drew before my arm got bad. Didn't want to share it at the time because I thought it was too cheesy, but now I'm proud that I drew it. It's my lock screen and it gives me hope that someday I'll draw without pain again.

Happy birthday Dadan, happy belated birthday Issho 🧡💜

[friar-bones]

(it's because she's raising 3 boys without him)

Lost my mind on Twitter. Putting it here in case anybody actually wants an explanation.

[shepherd-bones]

Last one! Unwanted Gift/ Wish. Despite the fact that Dadan never wanted to be a mother, they’re a happy family now. But she can’t help but wish things were different- the guy that dropped these brats off also enlisted her beloved.

Image ID under the cut.

[Image ID start:

Curly Dadan lies on the floor of her bandit hideout, with Luffy’s foot and Ace’s arm/ head by her head. They’re asleep, but she’s awake, looking at a purple translucent illusion of Issho holding her, also asleep. She’s wearing her white shirt, red beads and hoops; Luffy is wearing his red shorts and Ace is wearing his red tank top. The image has a blue hue to it, and the shadows are subdued because it’s nighttime. She also looks melancholic, with a sad smile.

End image ID]

[shepherd-bones]

More fun with lighting! This prompt was mostly Mistletoe, but I like to think it’s also the 2nd one, Miracle, because she didn’t get him with the ax by accident!

Image ID under the cut.

[Start Image ID:

Admiral Fujitora and Curly Dadan are kissing in the doorway of her bandit hideout. He’s in his full uniform, with the robes, jacket and hand guards, and she’s wearing a black shirt and her green/brown plaid pants. A bundle of mistletoe hangs in the doorway, but she looks surprised. She’s holding her ax behind her back, apparently not expecting her beloved to be knocking on her door. He holds her by the shoulders. It’s raining outside in the jungle, and he’s covered in droplets. She has a sweat mark and large surprised white eyes.

This might be the first time I’m posting a kiss?? I’m so nervous???

I hope you’re having a lovely day or night!

End Image ID.]

[shepherd-bones]

#OPMarinesHolidays 2: Snowed In/Nostalgia. In my AU, Dadan at age 24 is working at Partys’ Bar with Makino’s mom. Issho is a wanderer of the world, and finds himself having a fun conversation with an exciting woman. Dadan reminisces whenever she visits Makino. #OPMarinesWeek

Image ID under cut.

[start Image ID:

It’s a dark bar scene in the foreground, with a young Dadan in a red halter dress, red and white striped headband and large gold hoop earrings, serving sake to a long-haired ponytail’d Issho, who wears a loose-fitting robe and chest and arm bandages. In the background between them is a window showing a snowy night over Foosha Village. Over Issho’s left shoulder is the entrance to the bar, where present-day Dadan stands, hands in her pockets and looking sad. Spring daylight floods in behind her. The foreground scene is dreamily blurred while Dadan in the doorway is clear.

End image ID.]

[were--ralph]

not allowed to say Harry Potter, but what was your book series obsession as a teen

mine was definitely Eragon

[shepherd-bones]

#OPMarinesHolidays Day 1: Couldn’t decide between Misfit and Home so I chose both. Maybe Issho visits Mount Corvo for his holiday vacations! Because maybe Dadan is home to him. Tried making it look somewhat aged because it’s their first holiday together 💜🧡

Image ID under the cut.

[Image ID start:

A somewhat filmy/blurred picture of Issho / Admiral Fujitora and Curly Dadan from One Piece, but younger. They’re smiling and blushing, and Dadan is looking up at Issho who, as normal, has his eyes closed. Issho has hair that’s more shaggy than present day, and Dadan has one visible cluster of curly hair on the left side of her head. She’s wearing an indigo top, her red prayer beads and large gold hoops, and Issho is wearing a lavender robe. Behind them are blurred out trees and a blue sky.

/End Image ID]

[shepherd-bones]

It’s August 20th, which means the day equally between Issho and Dadan’s birthdays. Last year I began shipping these two, and I don’t know why. Other people seem to like it though, so I’m back again with more silliness.

After I became a fan of Issho’s, I became a huge fan of Zatoichi. The beginning of the 6th movie, “Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold,” has an iconic opening sequence (seen here: https://youtu.be/nSd_-t-JWTs) and I thought it would be fun making a nod to that.

Except, in this instance, Issho has tripped and been caught mid-fall by Dadan! Lots of unsteady ground in those mountains.

This is going to be my last fanart for a while. It was fun, but I need to work on my goals now! Thanks everybody. ❤️

(image description under the cut)

[Start Image Description:

Curly Dadan holding Admiral Fujitora/ Issho in a dip.

Issho is wearing a shirt purple robe, white shorts, arm and leg wraps, and zōri sandals.

Dadan is wearing a black v-neck shirt, green pants, gold hoop earrings, purple lipstick, red prayer bead necklace, and combat boots.

Both of them look younger- late 20’s early 30’s.

Issho’s face is a look of shock, but he’s blushing wildly.

Dadan looks as equally shocked, but her mouth’s open as if she’s asking if he’s alright.

End Image Description.]

[shepherd-bones]

Soulmate/Historical/Fantasy/Modern/Peace AU for #OPMarinesWeek. I’m not sorry.

[Image Description: Admiral Fujitora/Issho, Curly Dadan, Portgas D. Ace, Sabo, and Monkey D. Luffy posing for an 80’s styled family portrait. Issho has parted hair, purple-tinted shades, and a handlebar mustache. Dadan has her hair in a fluffy hairstyle and is wearing eyeshadow, lipstick, a necklace with a single red bead, and a big red earring. Ace’s hair is fluffed up, Sabo has a normal haircut, and Luffy has a bowl cut that is starting to get unruly. Luffy is smiling so hard he’s hardly recognizable, while Dadan, Issho and Sabo are smiling nicely. Ace is practically grimacing. They’re standing before a smokey green background. End Description.]

[shepherd-bones]

#Samecharacter but oh no, it’s my two favorite ships

[shepherd-bones]

On today’s episode of “What If All The 54-55 Year Olds in One Piece Knew Each Other”, maybe Dadan breaks down to her friend Issho about losing her son.

Not pictured is Issho later deciding that he should destroy the system that killed his friend’s kid from the inside out.

[shepherd-bones]

Issho misses her.

(OP Marines Holidays prompts: Day 5 Missing | Midnight)

Image ID under cut.

[Start Image ID:

Admiral Fujitora sits in a dark room of, presumably, a Marine ship, holding an orange lock of hair. The hair seems to glow in his hand. Outside the porthole over his left shoulder is a starry night sky. He’s wearing his purple robe under his admiral coat, with his hand guards. He looks melancholic.

End Images ID]

[shepherd-bones]

Issho and Dadan’s snowy day out!

Image ID under the cut

From top to bottom and left to right, 1-4:

1. Dadan’s packing a big snowball in the foreground. Over her right shoulder, Issho holds his cane-sword in his right hand, has it cracked open an inch. Power emanates from it, and hovering behind Dadan is a giant ball of snow, also aglow with power. The sky is light blue behind them.

1. Dadan’s packing a big snowball in the foreground. Over her right shoulder, Issho holds his cane-sword in his right hand, has it cracked open an inch. Power emanates from it, and hovering behind Dadan is a giant ball of snow, also aglow with power. The sky is light blue behind them.

2. Issho and Dadan are out on a dark frozen lake, which is surrounded by snowy hills and a light blue sky. Dadan is in the process of falling, but Issho has frozen her mid-fall. Energy radiates from his hands and is cushioning Dadan.

3. Issho and Dadan are sledding through the air away from a steep and snowy jump though a dark pine forest. Issho is laughing as he holds Dadan around the middle, and Dadan is screaming and holding onto the sled for dear life. But Issho will land them safely!

4. Issho and Dadan are trying to hold hands, but Issho can’t thread his glove’d fingers through Dadan’s mitten. Dadan says “Oh, sorry! I’m wearing mittens. But we can still hold hands!” To which Issho replies “It’s not the same”. There’s also a tiny white heart behind them. The background is a smudge of blue, and this picture is only the upper half of their bodies. Dadan looks perplexed, Issho looks sad.

End Image ID]