ONE PIECE Analysis! – What is Crocodile’s “Weakness”? Is His Gender Female? Suffering from a Disease that Turns Him into a Woman? Rescued by Ivankov with a Gender Change? Foreshadowing by the Seven Heroes and Wagnas? A Past of Nearly Being Killed by Douglas Bullet?

In “ONE PIECE,” the Seven Warlords of the Sea were considered a force equal to the Four Emperors. Currently, due to efforts by figures like “Fujitora” Issho, the Seven Warlords system has been abolished at the Levely.

As a result, Dracule Mihawk and Boa Hancock are no longer Warlords. Some, like Buggy, have even risen to the status of an Emperor, but generally, they are now treated like regular pirates.

The first of the Seven Warlords to be defeated by the protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, was Sir Crocodile. However, there has long been a theory among ONE PIECE enthusiasts that Sir Crocodile’s gender was actually female.

In this analysis, we will thoroughly explore the theory that “Sir Crocodile’s gender was female.” In other words, could Crocodile have originally been a woman?

Could Crocodile’s Weakness Held by Ivankov Be a Gender Change?

First, let’s explore the reasons behind the speculation that Crocodile’s original gender was female.

This idea stems from the statement made by Revolutionary Army officer Emporio Ivankov, who claimed to know a “weakness” of Crocodile. Although details are unclear, it is hinted that Crocodile was once saved by Ivankov during his rookie days.

In response to this, Crocodile could not strongly refute the claim.

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

Indeed, Ivankov calls Crocodile “Crocoboy,” suggesting a relationship where Ivankov holds power over Crocodile. Currently, Crocodile is 46 years old, while Ivankov is 53. With an age difference of about 7 years, it seems Ivankov had done Crocodile a significant favor.

Given that the Revolutionary Army may not have existed about 25 years ago, it is unlikely that Crocodile was a former member. Therefore, the connection might be of a personal nature.

Is Crocodile Hiding the Fact that He Was Once Female?

But what exactly is Crocodile’s “weakness”? Is it simply a matter of pride, not wanting to reveal a past defeat?

Ivankov’s Devil Fruit is the Horm-Horm Fruit, a Paramecia-type that can manipulate hormones, effectively allowing gender change.

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

Therefore, it is speculated that Ivankov changed Crocodile’s gender to male, meaning his original gender was female. For Crocodile, who aspired to be the Pirate King, reverting to a woman would indeed diminish his fighting capabilities.

In fact, Ivankov threatened Crocodile by saying, “If you quietly lend me your strength, I’ll keep quiet.” Notably, the word “strength” was emphasized, which could imply a previous use of Ivankov’s hormone-manipulating ability to help Crocodile.

Was the earring on the right ear proof of being a woman?

Let’s analyze the clues suggesting that Crocodile was originally female.

First, there’s the “earring on the right ear.” Typically, men wear earrings on the left side.

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

This is because an earring on the left ear signifies a “protector,” while an earring on the right ear signifies “being protected.” Thus, the former symbolizes men, and the latter symbolizes women. Consequently, homosexual men often wear earrings on their right ears.

Indeed, in ‘ONE PIECE,’ Roronoa Zoro wears an earring on his left ear.

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

Therefore, it can be inferred that Crocodile wearing an earring on the right ear is a remnant of “having been a woman.”

The Seven Heroes’ Wagnas was a “feminine man.”

Additionally, the Seven Warlords of the Sea are modeled after the Seven Heroes from the RPG game ‘Romancing SaGa 2.’ For instance, the Fish-Man Jinbe’s model is the merman Subier, among other similar settings. Crocodile’s model is said to be Wagnas, the leader of the Seven Heroes.

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In ‘Romancing SaGa 2,’ Wagnas plotted to control the Varennes Empire, much like Crocodile plotted to take over the Alabasta Kingdom.

Though Wagnas is male, his character design was “a feminine figure that transcends gender.” Hence, if Crocodile had been transformed by Ivankov, the ambiguity of Crocodile’s gender would share much in common with Wagnas’s characteristics.

Baroque Works and Sir

Crocodile’s official title is “Sir Crocodile.” However, “Sir” is a nickname or epithet, and his real name is unknown.

In English, “sir” is a term of respect used by a subordinate addressing a superior. The famous military phrase “Yes, sir” implies strict obedience to a superior. This applies to Crocodile as well.

In British English, “sir” is also a title for nobility, such as a baron or a lord, used with a first name. Thus, “sir” is a term used for someone of high social status and is also a word that emphasizes “male.”

Therefore, it could be that Crocodile, a former woman, is “deliberately using a male honorific.” Furthermore, since “No, Sir” is used as a phrase to deny something, it can also be seen as strongly denying his former female identity.

Crocodile is also the founder of Baroque Works. “Baroque” in Japanese translates to “distorted” or “twisted.” This could symbolize the “distorted gender” of Crocodile.

A Woman’s Secret and Virgo

After the Marineford War, Crocodile was revealed to be traveling the New World with Mr. 1 (Daz Bonez). Although his appearances have since decreased, he occasionally appears in cover stories.

For example, in the cover story of volume 93, Crocodile appears again, and chapter 938 is titled “A Woman’s Secret.” In this chapter, Komurasaki’s true identity as Hiyori Kozuki was revealed. Why was Crocodile specifically featured on this cover?

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

Moreover, in volume 56, chapter 544, titled “The Lid of Hell’s Pot Opens,” there is a scene where Crocodile and Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach) converse.

When Blackbeard says, “At that time, I was aiming to take the place of a Warlord,” Crocodile responds, “I heard a nameless pirate from Whitebeard’s ship took my place…”

In the cover illustration, Sanji is depicted enjoying life in Kamabakka Kingdom, and the “pot” is emphasized. If the pot is interpreted as a reference to “okama” (a Japanese term for a man who dresses as a woman), it subtly hints at Crocodile’s secret of having a mixed gender identity.

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

Crocodile’s zodiac sign is Virgo. Considering the previous clues, this zodiac sign may further support the theory that Crocodile was originally female.

It is unlikely that Crocodile was originally a woman

In conclusion, it is regrettable but likely that Crocodile’s gender was never female.

For example, Ivankov calls Crocodile “Crocoboy.” If Ivankov were the one who changed Crocodile’s gender, it would be natural to refer to him as “Crocogirl.” Ivankov also calls Luffy “Straw Hat Boy” and Ace “Ace Boy,” indicating that their genders were male from the start.

Additionally, the piercing on his right ear seems to hold no special significance. For instance, the change in the direction of Sanji’s hair parting in the Vinsmoke family also had no particular reason.

Furthermore, considering the foreshadowing in Chapter 544 of Volume 56, the term “okama” refers to “former men who are now women.” If Crocodile were a “former woman who is now a man,” it would be natural to use the term “onabe.” Even in terms of zodiac signs, “Aokiji” Kuzan is also a Virgo.

Therefore, all the theories we have considered so far are weak in supporting the idea that Crocodile was originally a woman.

Crocodile’s childhood as a boy

Let’s take a look at Crocodile’s childhood. As mentioned earlier, Crocodile met Ivankov during his rookie pirate days. Since young Crocodile hadn’t met Ivankov (or at least wasn’t blackmailed by him), his original gender should be discernible.

Here’s young Crocodile. At first glance, he looks completely like a boy. While there are theories that the shine of his hair suggests he might be a girl, considering his clothing and other aspects, it’s natural to think he’s male.

Moreover, there was a question submitted to the SBS asking, “What would happen if the Seven Warlords of the Sea used the powers of the Horm-Horm Fruit to change their genders?” The answer, which is central to this discussion, is already depicted in the ONE PIECE volumes.

Here is Crocodile’s gender-swapped version.

In the original, Crocodile, a schemer, believes in fortune-telling and uses heart marks, which shows a completely female version. The other Seven Warlords of the Sea also have heart marks in their speech when shown in female versions, so it goes without saying.

When looking at the male version of Boa Hancock, we see a completely masculine figure. If Crocodile’s gender had originally been female, it would be natural to depict him as masculine. Therefore, it seems unlikely that Crocodile was originally female.

Did Crocodile suffer from a “disease that turns you into a woman”?

Next, let’s consider the theory that Crocodile suffered from a “disease that turns you into a woman.”

In Chapter 1063 of ONE PIECE, it is revealed that there is a “disease that turns you into a woman.” The image shows Trafalgar Law of the Worst Generation being infected by Doc Q of the Blackbeard Pirates with a germ that changes his gender to female using the Sick-Sick Fruit.

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

So, could it be that Crocodile once suffered from a disease that changed his gender to female? And the savior who rescued him (turning him back into a man) was none other than Emporio Ivankov.

When Law was feminized, he was praised as “cute” by his subordinates in the Heart Pirates, so Crocodile must have received similarly “humiliating reactions.”

Awakened with Haoshoku Haki, Law nullified the Sick-Sick Fruit’s effects, but in his rookie days, Crocodile’s bounty was only 80 million berries. In contrast, Law’s current bounty is 3 billion berries. Crocodile’s current bounty exceeds 1.9 billion, but the gap is still significant.

Therefore, it is possible that young Crocodile, with weak Haki, couldn’t overcome the “disease that turns you into a woman.”

Even for Law, he could only nullify it because it was a Devil Fruit ability. If it were a “pure disease” from the start, it’s uncertain if even Haki could cure it. For instance, Gol D. Roger, the strongest Haki user, couldn’t overcome his incurable disease, which is a good example.

Thus, Crocodile, struggling with feminization, might have had no choice but to rely on Ivankov’s Horm-Horm Fruit. Being feminized again by Ivankov would remind him of “humiliating past traumas,” so Crocodile might still be unable to defy Ivankov.

Did Crocodile lose his left arm to Douglas Bullet?

Finally, let’s consider other “weaknesses of Crocodile” besides gender transformation.

Crocodile has been defeated by Whitebeard (Edward Newgate), but he also has a past grudge with Douglas Bullet.

Douglas Bullet is a great pirate who appears in the 14th movie, ‘ONE PIECE STAMPEDE,’ and serves as the final boss in this film.

He is a former member of the Roger Pirates, known for his exceptional strength even among the crew of some of the most powerful figures in the series. He was regarded as Roger‘s successor and was called the “heir of the demon.”

Crocodile is one year older than him, but considering their power difference, Douglas Bullet would easily win.

ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda / VIZ Media LLC

In fact, the one who loses doesn’t usually hold a grudge against the winner. This is the mentality of a loser.

However, Douglas Bullet’s personality is tyrannical, partly because of his history as a former Marine. So, it is possible that Crocodile’s left arm was cut off by Douglas Bullet. In other words, Ivankov might have saved Crocodile when he was on the brink of death.

For Crocodile, who has a high pride, being saved by an okama like Ivankov would indeed be a “stain on his life and a black history.” Thus, Crocodile’s weakness might not be as significant as ONE PIECE readers imagine.

For example, Kaidou owed a “huge debt” to Big Mum. According to Big Mum, it was a “lifelong debt.” Initially, it was expected to be a significant matter, but it turned out to be just that Big Mum had given Kaidou the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit.

Therefore, Crocodile’s weakness might not have deep significance either.