Buckle up, One Piece fans, because the anime world just got rocked by some serious drama! Sota Shigetsugu, a heavyweight animator who’s worked on Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and, of course, One Piece, dropped a bombshell on April 28, 2025, when he took to social media to slam Toei Animation’s sound effects (SFX) team. In a now-deleted post, Shigetsugu didn’t hold back, calling the team’s work “unprofessional” and straight-up demanding that Toei “fire” them. Yeah, you read that right—this guy went there. While the post is gone, screenshots are circulating like wildfire, and the One Piece fandom is losing its collective mind. So, what’s the deal? Let’s dive in.
Why the Sound Effects Are Making Waves (and Not the Good Kind)
If you’ve been keeping up with One Piece’s Egghead Island arc, you know the animation has been straight-up fire. Episodes like 1125 and 1127, with Luffy throwing hands against Admiral Kizaru, have fans screaming about the jaw-dropping visuals. But here’s the thing: the sound effects? Not so much. For years, fans have been grumbling about Toei’s reliance on the same old SFX—think sword clashes and punch sounds that feel like they were ripped straight out of a ‘90s Dragon Ball episode.
Shigetsugu’s post, shared under his X handle Hone_Hone, called out these dated sound effects as a major weak link, especially in Episode 1127’s epic Luffy-Kizaru showdown. He reportedly wrote, “Toei needs to dismiss the One Piece sound team ASAP,” and described their work as “devastatingly bad.” Fans who’ve been begging for a sound design glow-up were like, “PREACH!” Meanwhile, others were shocked that an animator would publicly drag his own studio like that. The post vanished quickly, but accounts like @animeupdates__ and @theanimeflow snagged screenshots, and now the internet is buzzing.
Fans Are Split: Nostalgia or Nah?
This whole fiasco has One Piece fans picking sides faster than Luffy scarfing down meat. On one hand, plenty of folks agree with Shigetsugu. They’re fed up with sound effects that sound like they belong in a retro video game, especially when the animation is serving next-level quality. Some fans have even gone full DIY, posting re-edited clips of One Piece scenes with fresh SFX on X, and let me tell you, they slap. One Reddit user admitted, “I watch Gear 5 clips on mute because the SFX are so distracting.”
But not everyone’s ready to ditch the old-school vibes. Some fans argue that those iconic sound effects—like the whoosh of a sword or the thud of a punch—are part of One Piece’s charm. One X user clapped back, “Changing the SFX would be like swapping out the Naruto run. It’s about identity.” Others say the music and voice acting are so good that the SFX aren’t a big deal. It’s like the fandom’s split between wanting a shiny new soundscape and clinging to the nostalgia of their childhood pirate adventures.
Shigetsugu’s Big Swing: Courageous or Career Suicide?
Let’s talk about Sota Shigetsugu for a sec. This guy’s no small fry—he’s a key animator on One Piece and the action director for the upcoming Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc movie. For him to call out Toei’s sound team like that? That’s some serious guts. Or maybe a serious lapse in judgment, depending on who you ask. Either way, it’s a risky move in an industry where public criticism of your employer isn’t exactly a career booster.
Toei Animation hasn’t said a peep about the controversy as of May 2, 2025, which has fans speculating like crazy. Will Shigetsugu face heat for this? Could his outburst push Toei to finally revamp their sound department? Or will the studio just sweep it under the rug? The silence is deafening, and with Shigetsugu staying mum since deleting the post, we’re all just waiting for the next chapter of this saga.
This isn’t the first time Toei’s been in hot water lately, either. Fans have been vocal about other creative choices, like how Sanji was handled in Episodes 1123 and 1124, with some accusing the studio of butchering his manga moments. Animators like Henry Thurlow and director Megumi Ishitani have defended Toei’s adaptation process, explaining how tough it is to translate Eiichiro Oda’s manga to the screen. But Shigetsugu’s SFX rant has poured gasoline on the fanbase’s frustrations.
What’s at Stake for One Piece’s Future?
With Episode 1128 dropping soon, featuring some intense battles and the creepy debut of Saint Saturn’s demonic form, all eyes are on Toei’s sound team. Fans are crossing their fingers for audio that matches the visual hype—something that could rival the legendary Episode 1015, which still gives us chills. But will Toei step up, or will we get another round of recycled Dragon Ball-era sound effects?
Shigetsugu’s outburst has shone a spotlight on a problem fans have been griping about forever, and it’s got people talking about whether Toei’s ready to evolve. One Piece is a global juggernaut with a massive budget, so there’s no excuse for cutting corners on sound design. Animator Piccolo Damayonnaiz, who’s worked on Dragon Ball, chimed in on X, saying that while ‘90s SFX can be “timeless,” Toei’s overuse in One Piece feels stale. Even he’s throwing shade!
The Bottom Line: A Wake-Up Call for Toei?
Whether you’re Team Shigetsugu or Team Nostalgia, one thing’s clear: this controversy isn’t going away anytime soon. The One Piece fandom is passionate, and they’re not afraid to call out what’s not working. Shigetsugu’s bold stand has given voice to a lot of fans who want the anime to be the best it can be, but it’s also stirred up a debate about loyalty, legacy, and how much change is too much.
As the Egghead Island arc keeps delivering banger episodes, the pressure’s on Toei to listen to the fans—and maybe even to their own animators. Will they finally give the sound team the boot or at least invest in some fresh SFX? Only time will tell. For now, grab your straw hat and brace yourself for more One Piece drama, because this ship’s sailing through some choppy waters.
