I think about how emotionally aware Sanji is way too often. Like. He gets people.
First off, that moment with Chopper?? When he tells him that Luffy is also a monster like him?? That’s literally the first time Chopper hears someone say that about someone else and not in a bad way. Sanji doesn’t make it weird or scary. He just says it like it’s normal, like it’s okay. And you can see how much that means to Chopper.
Then there’s the scene with Usopp. Sanji doesn’t tell him to step aside or act like he’s useless he tells him that everyone has something they can and can’t do. He reminds Usopp that he still matters, that he still has a role. He uplifts his crew instead of brushing them off and I love that so much.
Also. The kick. THE KICK. When Luffy was about to say something he was gonna regret to Usopp, Sanji didn’t hesitate. He knew how Usopp felt because Sanji was Usopp once. He’s been in that place. And he couldn’t stand seeing Usopp get hurt like that. So yeah, he kicked Luffy. And yes Luffy absolutely needed that kick. Sanji snapped him out of it before he said something that would’ve haunted him. That kick was protective. It was love.
And this one’s subtle, but it sticks with me: when he asks Momo if he’s okay. Because Sanji noticed that Momo turns into a dragon when he’s scared. He didn’t ignore it or make fun of it he checked in. Quietly. Gently.
All of these moments show how emotionally intelligent Sanji is. He’s not just cool or strong he sees people. He understands them. And he cares. There are so many other examples, but these are the ones I think about the most.
Stereotypical mindset through the lens of Sanji's character.
I know it will come off a bit uncomfortable for some fans, but I don't like people calling sanji a "malewife"
It's so misogynist and stereotypical. Why is he considered a malewife or a female kind of character? He is a male for fuck's sake.
He is
A man,
A dude,
A brother,
A son,
A chef.
The fact that people associate provider, cook, and emotional person with feminine characteristics is wrong in so many ways.
Sanji is a provider. A lover. An emotional mess. A chef. A romaniticist.
That doesn't make him associated with feminity in any way. This shows how people see women and men, respectfully.
As much as it is about feminine stereotypes, it is also about masculinity stereotypes.
Sanji, as a character, questions both of them very openly. His character is a bridge between both, allows you to talk about both.
He, in the story, always sees women as people who have to sacrifice themselves. And he doesn't support that fact, he wants women to be free, to be happy, to be safe. He conveys each and every aspect of female struggles without being one. His understanding of people, as person's, allow us— viewers a deep dive into these things people perceive as "normal".
He romantising life itself by cooking good food, eating good food and relishing every moment of it. He doesn't just romantise it, he lives it— to the fullest.
He also breaks the stereotype of sacrifing your own dreams for your parents by refusing to give on his passion— cooking. (Will make a dedicated one to it).
Why can't a man be expressive like Sanji is?
Why can't a man be a provider like Sanji?
Why can't a man cook like Sanji does?
Why can't a man show his emotions like Sanji does?
Think for yourself. Question yourself.
Stories are not for just entertainment, they are to bring out questions rarely asked, question how certain things are perceived. This shows your mindset, your perspective, your thoughts.
Why is Sanji considered feminine for being expressive? Can't men be expressive? Don't they have emotions? What's so wrong about showing your emotions as a man? Who set the ground rules?
Why is Sanji considered feminine for being a provider? Why can't men be providers— cooking, doing households chores? Why is it always a woman?
Sanji isn't just a chef and a provider but also a protector and fighter. While embracing his soft and sweet sides, he can also be bold and fierce.
Re-define masculinity, re-define feminity. Because it definitely deserves to be re defined.
Work and chores shouldn't associated with such terms. Stop using them for it.
When Pudding kissed Sanji, she picked the cigarette between his lips and threw it away, right?
So, Sanji, as the perceptive smart man that he is, could not connect the: “can I ask you for a favour?”and his cigarette being on the floor AND Pudding running away? Especially because he is aware of her powers of manipulating one’s memories.
was he not even a bit sus or did he just shake it off, realised that his cigarette was not between his lips anymore and just casually lighted up another one without thinking why and how was it thrown away unfinished? Did Sanji not contemplate about her running away before asking for a favour or did he just decide to think that ‘oh well she must have changed her mind’ AJABDBDJEIKW-
It’s so ironic that one of the smartest men in the story turns completely oblivious at the idea that he can be loved let alone KISSED by a woman. I mean, in his defence she did try to kill him
I think that Sanji's pervert and simp side is a side effect of the experience that produced the Germa powers. Enhanced by the fact that during his childhood , the only ones to be kind to him were women . Without forgetting his will to be a gentleman .
More specifically I think that the side effect is a higher rate of testosterone production. And has only effects on men. All of his brother are simps but not their parents.
I have another theory is that Reijuu do not have this effect because the experiment " failed " on her. Even though it is the less probable of them.
I’ve always felt like Sanji is one of the ones in the crew whom steps into the role of a leader the most and also one who is the most suited to lead. I just wanted to analyze a few of the moments and charactaristics that make me feel this way. However, this is not a competition, I’m simply trying to highlight some of Sanji’s qualities as a leader.
Which is why I decided to make a series of posts that all focus on different sides to Sanji that I think are worth discussing in relation to the leadership skills that I personally see in him.
This is the first part, and I’ll be talking about Sanji’s position as a chef and how it’s one of many things that has contributed to Sanji being good at leading.
This is basically a long character analysis that I had to devide into different parts! Enjoy~
Sanji’s position as a chef
Of course Luffy is the captain, but I think everyone can recognize that he’s not always the most suited to make a decision. And from what I’ve seen Sanji and Nami seems to be the ones that challange him the most. I think this is probably because both of their jobs are important for the crew’s survival and they often have to be harsh on Luffy in particular. Of course they trust their captain and they both recognize him as their leader when it comes to the big decisions and beating the strongest opponents. But at the same time we often see them taking command over the crew. Because Luffy is the way he is it’s often nessaccary for them to stop him and to overrule him, or things would probably end very badly. Sanji knows what can happen if you’re not strict with food on the sea and it’s his responsibility to make sure it doesn’t happen to the strawhats.
Even before Sanji joins the strawhats, as a chef he’s the second in command at Baratie. Of course he’s been there the longest and also has incredible skill as a chef, but fact remains that as a sous chef, if it’s anything like in the real world, Sanji would have a lot of responsibilities and would most definitely be the one to make sure the kitchen runs smoothly. I can only imagine how, especially in a place like Baratie, it would require some strong actions to keep the pirate-like chefs in check. We can tell that Sanji has authority just by the way he speaks and how the other chefs listen to him, despite their rather tsundere ways.
Sanji is used to ordering people around, and when he’s introduced he’s actually Luffy’s superior for a short while. Thanks to his job Sanji is already used to ordering people around and this includes Luffy as he definitely act as a boss over him while he “works” at the Baratie. He berates Luffy and Luffy listens.
Basically I’d say that Sanji being the chef in combination with who Luffy is makes it so that Sanji has to challange their captain on a regular basis. Sanji has a responibility over everyones’ well-being and that makes some of his decisions absolute for everyone, including Luffy. Whenever Luffy goes against this Sanji gets incredibly frustrated because in a sense he has the lives of everyone on his shoulders.
Having the position as a chef also puts Sanji in a position where he sometimes deals out jobs and make sure all of the crew follows his instructions. “Obey the chef or starve” might sound harsh, but it’s the truth and the rest of the crew are aware of how important Sanji’s position is. He deals with the other members in different ways, but in the end they all listen to him. They respect him and his knowledge, and therefor takes his orders in the moments he steps up as the chef responsible for the crew’s health.
Being an expert will obviously bring some authority in that particular area, but I think these moments still showcase how well Sanji can lead by showing his leadership skills as he uses his knowledge and confidence in cooking to execute orders.
Sanji also lead a whole team of chef’s in WCI which really just shows Sanji in his element as a sous chef.
It’s also interesting to note that when he knows he doesn’t have enough knowledge he trusts and listen to someone who has. Basically Sanji is also very adaptable and knows his own limits, even when it comes to knowledge about food. As seen when the desert climate changes the normal rules and he listens to Vivi who knows better what to do.
He has also shown that he is capable of changing people’s minds, while using food as a tool. It’s more about Sanji’s compassion and kindness, but because it was first highlighted through his encounter with Gin I thought I should mention it. So while it’s used in regards to food a lot it’s ultimately is a big part of Sanji’s character that makes him have good leadership skills that I will talk about more in another part of this series.
So what I’m trying to say with this post is that because he’s a chef, not only is Sanji most likely already used to ordering people around, but it is a position that even requires him to take charge from time to time due to the importance of his skills at sea. Maybe especially with a captain like Luffy. We have also seen that since his introduction Sanji has from time to time ordered Luffy around, which isn’t because of disrespect for their captain, but rather because being the expert as well as the one responsible he knows when to put his foot down, and Luffy and the rest of the crew acknowledge this as well (mostly) respecting Sanji’s choices and at time orders.
So this is part one of a series I started making but never finished, and I should say I wrote this years ago but never ended up posting it. So if I didn’t include something more recent that could have fit it’s because I felt I rather post this as it was than not post it at all. If someone has something to add feel free to comment. I hope you had fun reading it. :)
Luffy loves Sanji’s kindness just as much as I do. And that means everything.
Sanji’s “family” spent years trying to beat the kindness out of him. They treated it like a weakness. Like something to be ashamed of. But Sanji loved being kind. He was never ashamed of it. He just kept showing it, over and over, even when it hurt. And what I love is how Luffy sees that. From the very beginning. Like when Sanji feeds Gin an enemy, someone who literally threatened him but Sanji still gives him food. Because Sanji has so much empathy. He will never let someone starve. That’s who he is. And Luffy watches that happen. He hasn’t even tasted Sanji’s cooking yet, but he already decides: this is my cook. Not because of the food. Because of the heart behind it. Because of Sanji’s kindness.
Then in Whole Cake Island, when Sanji says he wants to save his “family”the same people who hurt him Luffy just smiles and says, “Of course. Because that’s who you are.” And that line?? That’s Luffy telling Sanji that his kindness is seen. That it’s valued. That it’s loved. It goes all the way back to why Luffy chose Sanji in the first place. Because while other people tried to shame Sanji for being kind, Luffy made it clear: it’s his favorite thing about him. And he would never want Sanji to change. And that means everything to Sanji. Because he wasn’t ashamed of being kind but he was always shamed for it. Just not by Luffy.
People seriously sleep on this line and it drives me crazy.
When Luffy tells Sanji “I can’t become King of the Pirates without you”—HELLO??? That’s the first time in the entire series Luffy admits he can’t do something. And he says it to Sanji. Not Zoro, not Nami, not anyone else. SANJI. It’s the first time Luffy shows that kind of vulnerability. And he chooses to show it to Sanji. That alone says everything about how much he values him not just as a crew member, but as family. Luffy doesn’t think he can move forward without Sanji because he loves him and needs him (platonically, obviously). And in the anime, his voice cracks when he says it. That line hurts. It means so much to him.
And then he tells Sanji “you can kick me all you want but you’re the one feeling the pain.” Luffy knows Sanji doesn’t want to do this. That Sanji isn’t doing anything wrong. Luffy sees him. He knows him. That moment shows how closely Luffy pays attention to Sanji’s feelings, even when Sanji’s trying to hide them. And I have to mention the part where Nami tells Luffy to leave Sanji behind and Luffy straight up tells her to shut up. Like yeah, she’s worried, but Luffy would never abandon his precious nakama. Not ever. And honestly? Nami needed to be told to shut up in that moment. Because Luffy wasn’t just being stubborn he was seeing through Sanji. He knew Sanji didn’t mean any of it. He knew Sanji was hurting. And he wasn’t gonna walk away just because things looked bad on the surface.
And THEN we get the scene where Luffy says he’ll starve waiting for Sanji. Because he doesn’t want another cook. He doesn’t want anyone else’s food. He wants Sanji’s food. Because it’s made with love. Because it’s his. That’s how much Sanji matters to him. That’s what makes Luffy so real. He doesn’t just hear what people say he feels what they mean. And when it comes to Sanji, he knows him. Deeply. That’s why he fought so hard for him. That’s why he waited. That’s why he refused to eat. Because Sanji isn’t just “the cook.” He’s family. And Luffy would rather starve than accept anyone else’s food, because Sanji’s cooking is made with love. And Luffy loves him back.
So yeah. Sanji isn’t just “the cook.” He’s important. He’s essential. He’s loved. And some bums have the nerve to say Luffy could just find another cook?? Yeah okay. Go touch grass.
