Law's Feminine Face: Why The Change?

In the anime series One Piece, Trafalgar Law, one of the strongest characters, temporarily transforms into a woman during a fight with Blackbeard. This unexpected change occurs when Doc Q, a member of the Blackbeard Pirates, uses the powers of the Sick-Sick fruit to infect Law and his crew with the feminization disease. The transformation raises concerns about reinforcing gender stereotypes, particularly in battle. While some fans express offense at the implication that womanhood is a disease, others view it as a fun gender-bending trope common in Japanese entertainment. Law's ability to quickly reverse the effects and return to his original form showcases his strength and mastery over Haki.

Trafalgar Law's gender-swapped form was first drawn in 2013

This gender-swapped form of Trafalgar Law, also known as "Female Law", was not just a recent creation for One Piece Chapter 1063. In fact, it was officially shown in Chapter 1063, adding depth to the character in a surprising way. This was the first time it had been officially used in the main story, although it had previously appeared in other One Piece media.

The gender-swapped form of Trafalgar Law was inspired by earlier concepts from non-canon sources. One such source was a collectible figure distributed by MegaHouse, a subsidiary of Bandai, in 2016. Female Law was the first in their Portrait Of Pirates Informal Request ONE PIECE (I.R.O.) line, which focused on genderswapping popular One Piece characters. While Oda only provided a headshot of Female Law, MegaHouse showed the character in full, with her nails done.

The implications of Trafalgar Law's sudden genderswap have raised concerns about reinforcing stereotypes about gender roles, especially in battle, within One Piece. However, it has also been argued that the momentary nature of the transformation negates the possibility of it being a component of fan service.

The 'feminization disease' was spread by Doc Q

Trafalgar Law's transformation into a woman was not a choice but the result of a disease. The "feminization disease" was spread by Doc Q, a member of the Blackbeard Pirates, who used his Sick-Sick Fruit to infect Law and his crew. This devil fruit allows its user to create and spread diseases that can hinder an opponent. In this case, the disease caused Law to transform into a woman.

The implications of Law's sudden and involuntary genderswap are controversial. Some have criticised it for reinforcing stereotypes about gender roles and physical strength, as well as implying that being a woman is a weakness. However, others have dismissed these concerns, arguing that it is just a joke or a trope commonly used in Japanese entertainment.

It is important to note that Law's transformation was temporary. Despite the effects of the disease, Law was able to quickly regain control of his body and turn back into a man using his superior Haki. This highlights Law's strength and resourcefulness, even in the face of an unexpected challenge.

Doc Q's intentions in spreading the feminization disease were likely twofold. Firstly, by turning Law and his crew into women, Doc Q assumed that they would be easier to defeat in battle, suggesting that being a woman is inherently weaker. Secondly, the disease may have caused confusion and distraction, especially given the attraction that Law's female form generated among crewmates.

The impact of Law's transformation extended beyond the narrative. The introduction of a female Law has been well-received by fans, with many taking to Twitter to express their appreciation for this new version of the character. This enthusiasm for female Law has resulted in a wave of fan art and increased engagement with the series.

Law's superior Haki allowed him to reverse the effects of the disease

Trafalgar Law, one of the twelve pirates referred to as the "Worst Generation", temporarily transformed into a woman during his fight with the Blackbeard Pirates. This was due to the actions of Doc Q, a member of the Blackbeard Pirates, who used his Devil Fruit powers to infect Law and his crew with a "feminization disease". Law's superior Haki allowed him to reverse the effects of the disease and turn himself back into a man.

Law's Haki was strong enough to counter the Devil Fruit powers, a lesson he learned during the Wano Country arc when fighting Kaido and Big Mom. During that battle, Law was unable to use his Devil Fruit powers effectively against them, as their strong Haki completely overrode his abilities. However, in his fight with the Blackbeard Pirates, Law was able to use his superior Haki to nullify Doc Q's powers and turn back into his original form.

This moment in the story served as a reminder that Law is not a weak character, despite his reliance on an overpowered Devil Fruit. It also showcased the importance of Haki in the One Piece universe, as it can be used to counter even the most powerful Devil Fruit abilities.

The portrayal of Law's female version was well-received by the fanbase, with some joking that Law only needed a few seconds to claim the title of the "most pretty" character in the series. This moment of fanservice was not the first time Oda had drawn a female version of Law, having previously done so in a non-canon sketch in 2013.

The implications of the genderswap raise concerns about reinforcing gender stereotypes

The implications of the gender swap from the traditional male embodiment of law to a female personification have sparked concerns about reinforcing gender stereotypes. This is a complex issue with a long historical context. The genderswap of Lady Justice, or Justitia, has had a varied and controversial history, and the implications are worth examining.

The female embodiment of justice as a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword has its roots in ancient Greek mythology with Themis, a Titan goddess of justice, and her daughter Dike, the goddess of moral justice. In Roman mythology, Themis became Justitia, the goddess of justice and the moral order. The ancient personification of justice as female is an important context as it demonstrates a long history of associating justice with feminine virtues, such as fairness, equity, and wisdom.

However, the modern revival of the female personification of law has been criticized for reinforcing gender stereotypes and contributing to a gendered view of justice and the legal profession. The critique argues that the female embodiment of law can inadvertently suggest that justice is inherently feminine, implying passivity, emotionality, and a nurturing nature, while also potentially othering male legal professionals and judges. This could perpetuate the stereotype of women as naturally more suited to care-giving and supportive roles, which could be problematic when applied to the legal context, as it may undervalue the agency, assertiveness, and leadership qualities required in the legal profession.

Furthermore, the critique highlights the potential for the genderswap to contribute to a gender binary view, where justice and law are seen through a male/female lens, neglecting those who identify outside of this binary. This critique is especially pertinent given the increasing recognition of gender fluidity and non-binary identities. The implication here is that a genderswapped symbol may fail to represent a diverse and inclusive legal system, potentially excluding those who do not identify with traditional gender roles or expressions.

The concerns raised by the critique are significant as they suggest that the genderswap, while perhaps well-intentioned, could inadvertently contribute to a narrow and limiting view of gender roles and identities, reinforcing stereotypes rather than challenging them. This could have implications for how the legal profession is perceived and who feels included and represented by it. It is important to acknowledge these complexities and use them as an opportunity to foster a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of gender representations and their implications.

Law's transformation was inspired by earlier non-canon concepts

The design of Law, a central character in the manga and anime series *Death Note*, as a woman in the live-action film adaptations diverges from the original source material and was likely influenced by earlier non-canon interpretations. While the creative choice to gender-bend Law in the movies might seem unexpected, it didn't come out of nowhere. It drew on a rich history of non-canonical creative explorations that offered alternative visions of this iconic character.

One of the earliest and most influential non-canonical interpretations of Law as a female character was in the *Death Note* musical stage plays. In these productions, Law was portrayed by renowned actress and singer Kumiko Mori, who brought a delicate balance of intelligence and vulnerability to the role. This interpretation of Law as a woman added a layer of complexity to the character, exploring themes of femininity, empathy, and emotional depth that complemented the character's formidable intellect.

Additionally, fan art and fan fiction communities played a significant role in normalizing the concept of a female Law. Artists and writers in these spaces often explored gender-bending as a creative tool, reimagining Law as a woman and examining the implications of such a transformation on the character's relationships and interactions with other characters. These non-canonical explorations further cemented the idea of Law's gender fluidity in the imaginations of fans and creators alike.

The impact of these earlier interpretations extended beyond the live-action film adaptations. They influenced a range of derivative works, including video games and merchandise, which sometimes featured Law in a more androgynous or explicitly female presentation. This fluid approach to Law's characterization added to the character's mystique and provided a rich tapestry of interpretations for fans to engage with and discuss.

The decision to transform Law into a woman in the live-action films was therefore not made in a vacuum. It built upon and drew inspiration from these earlier non-canon concepts, demonstrating the iterative and collaborative nature of creative processes. By embracing Law's gender fluidity, the filmmakers not only paid homage to these earlier explorations but also contributed to a more inclusive and diverse representation of one of the most iconic characters in modern manga and anime.

Frequently asked questions