One Piece has dazzled viewers with phenomenal animation improvements during the Wano Country Arc, delivering iconic scenes like Luffy’s explosive Gear 5 transformations. Yet, behind the visual triumphs, animator Sota Shigetsugu has publicly voiced frustration over another key component: the sound effects (SFX). In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Shigetsugu criticized the SFX as “devastatingly bad,” citing how outdated sound design is dragging down otherwise stunning episodes.
According to a translation shared by @Hatchofly_, Shigetsugu expressed that the gap between the cutting-edge animation and poor sound work was “really sad” and diminished the overall impact. Fans were quick to back his claims, with many pointing out that some effects sounded like reused assets from early Dragon Ball episodes, creating a jarring experience.
Fans Agree: Stunning Animation Deserves Better Sound
It’s not just industry insiders noticing the disconnect. On platforms like Reddit, fans echoed Shigetsugu’s frustrations, noting that the low-quality SFX often feel recycled and outdated, especially when paired with the anime’s upgraded visuals. Some viewers even admitted to watching clips on mute to avoid the distracting sounds, particularly during major Gear 5 scenes.
One piece animator goes off about toei
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Given One Piece’s massive global success and the huge budget available to Toei Animation, many feel it’s time the studio invests more into elevating its audio production. As one of the world’s top shonen titles, fans argue that the soundscape should match the animation’s brilliance—especially now, when the anime is closer to cinematic quality than ever before.
Is It Time for a Full SFX Overhaul?
While Toei’s animators have stepped up to deliver some of the best visuals in franchise history, the outdated sound design threatens to hold back One Piece from reaching its full potential. Fans and animators alike are calling for a comprehensive SFX update to match the evolving animation standard. Whether or not Toei will respond remains to be seen—but the message from the community is loud and clear: it’s time for change.
Also Read: 20 Best One Piece Arcs Ranked (Including Wano)
