One Piece has faced criticism for its unrealistic portrayal of women with exaggerated body proportions, often attributed to its creator Eiichiro Oda's simplistic drawing style. However, despite the sexualization of its female characters, the series manages to empower them by giving them depth, goals, and aspirations similar to male characters. One Piece stands out in the shōnen genre by offering well-written and crucial female characters like Nami and Robin, who play significant roles in the story. Oda intended to create strong female characters to defy common stereotypes in shōnen manga. While the series lacks diversity in its female cast, it still provides empowering role models for young audiences.

The artwork's shift towards hyper-sexualized proportions may not be realistic, but it adds a wacky and creative element to the story, distinguishing it from traditional expectations. Overall, One Piece showcases the possibility of incorporating well-rounded female characters in a genre often focused on male protagonists.