User blog comment:Kaido King of the Beasts/Chapter 984: Kaido Said Trans Rights/@comment-124.171.135.206-20200706030224

Well it's not like we havn't had LGBT etc. people in one piece before. Bon-chan, Iva, all the okama's and New-kamas. The key difference is that Yamato appears to be the first major character who is a woman identyfying as a man rather than male identifying as female or both.

Alos just pointing this out, isn't it kinda bad that Yamato thinks she has to be man to be like someone she admires? Personally I think it is. I mean look, Oden was a badass, and Yamato saying she wants to be like him is basically her saying that she wants to be a badass, but that the only way to be badass is to be a man. (which is bullshit, more badass woman please!) Now this might not be a thing and I don't care either way, but I won't complain if by the end of the arc, Yamato decides that she doesn't have to BE Oden to be like him and carry on his will. (Though thinking about it this doesn't necasserily mean that she'll stop identifying as a man, just that she'll start being herself and not Oden.)

Also I think we do have to keep in mind what the Japanese think of this matter. The Japanese have very strong views on this subject and whatever Oda himself believes (whether he toes the party line or not), his publishers may not want him rocking the boat, as popular as One Piece is. So Yamato may very well stop identyfying as a man and 'come to her senses' irregardless of what we in the the west think or want.

Personally I'm more excited for the fact that Yamato can kick major ass. NO MORE WIMPY PRINCESSES! Or princes for that matter (looking at you Momo). And while it probably won't happen, heres hoping Yamato joins the Straw hats no matter what she identifies as. Whether it be man, woman, or whatever ancient/mythological Zoan she's hopefully eaten. Though it would probably be better for shenanigans if she continues to identify as male. That said I do wonder what Sanji's reaction to her in such a case would be? Would he try to use her personal beleifs for his own gain? would he respect her choices and treat her as he would any other man on the crew? or would he just not know how to handle her?

Also to anyone annoyed at my reffering to Yamato with female pronouns I use male pronouns for the Okama's and personally see no difference between the two, they're just coming at the same thing from different directions is all. The only difference I can think of is that Yamato wants to be a specific man (and don't we all want to be like Oden?) While the okama's just want to be true to themselves.