One of the biggest debates in the One Piece community is simple: is Yamato a boy or a girl? Fans argue nonstop on TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter because Yamato looks masculine, uses male speech, and calls himself “Kozuki Oden” – a man. New viewers get confused fast. This article gives you the straight answer, explains the canon facts, and ends the confusion once and for all.
Is Yamato a Boy or a Girl – Quick Answer
Yamato is biologically female (born as Kaido’s daughter), but identifies and presents as male. In the official One Piece manga (chapter 1052) and the Vivre Card databook, Yamato is listed as “Kaido’s daughter” (娘, musume = daughter). However, Yamato uses the pronoun “boku” (male speech), wants to be called a man, and is drawn with a flat chest after removing the binding. Creator Eiichiro Oda and the story treat Yamato as a woman who chooses to live as Oden – a man. Short answer: female body, male identity.
The Origin of the Yamato Gender Debate
Yamato was introduced in One Piece chapter 971 during the Wano arc (2020). Kaido calls Yamato “my son” because Yamato declared “I am Kozuki Oden” after reading Oden’s journal. Yamato started dressing and acting like Oden, a legendary male samurai. This created instant confusion. Some fans thought Yamato was transgender or non-binary; others thought Oda simply made a tomboy character. The Japanese text and official materials always use “daughter” when talking about biology.
Canon Evidence from Oda and Official Sources
- Vivre Card Databook #2 (2021): Gender listed as ♀ (female)
- Volume 100 SBS (Oda’s Q&A): Oda refers to Yamato as “Kaido’s daughter”
- Chapter 1052 bath scene: Yamato tries to enter the men’s bath saying “I’m a man!” but is stopped and later drawn with other women
- Japanese pronoun use: Yamato uses “boku” and “ore” – only men use these Result: Yamato is biologically female but chooses to live as male because of admiration for Oden.
What Does Yamato Want to Be Called?
Yamato explicitly says “Call me Yamato – just like Oden!” and wants to be treated as a man. Most characters (Luffy included) respect this and use male speech toward Yamato. In real-world terms, Yamato is a trans man or at least heavily gender-nonconforming.
Common Mistakes Fans Make
- Saying “Yamato is a boy” → biologically wrong
- Saying “Yamato is just a girl cosplaying” → ignores Yamato’s clear identity statement
- Using “she” in English translations when Yamato hates it Best practice in 2025: use “he/him” when talking about Yamato to respect the character’s wishes, but know the canon biology is female.
Yamato in Everyday Fan Examples
- Reddit & Twitter: most English fans say “he”
- TikTok edits: 90 % use male voice or “Yamato the man”
- Official Crunchyroll subtitles (Wano arc): use “he” for Yamato
- Japanese raw community: still call Yamato “Kaido no musume” (daughter) but respect the “boku”
Yamato Gender – Google Trends & Usage Data (2025)
Searches for “is Yamato a boy or girl” spiked in 2021–2022 and still get 50k+ monthly searches worldwide. Top countries: United States, Brazil, Philippines, Indonesia, France. Most fans now accept “he” in English communities.
Comparison Table: How People Refer to Yamato
| Source | Biological Sex | Pronoun Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manga (Japanese) | Female (娘) | Boku / Ore | Male speech |
| Vivre Card Databook | ♀ | – | Official gender mark |
| English Fan Community | – | He/Him | Respects identity |
| Official English Subs | – | He | Crunchyroll/Funimation choice |
| Oda’s SBS | Daughter | – | Creator confirmation |
FAQs – Is Yamato a Boy or Girl?
Q: Is Yamato biologically male or female? A: Biologically female (confirmed by databook and bath scene).
Q: Does Yamato identify as male? A: Yes. Yamato wants to live as Kozuki Oden, a man, and uses male pronouns.
Q: Should I call Yamato such as they? A: In English, most fans and official translations use “he” to respect Yamato’s wishes.
Q: Is Yamato transgender? A: The story never uses the word, but Yamato’s behavior matches a trans man experience.
Q: Why did Oda make Yamato’s gender confusing? A: To show deep admiration for Oden and explore identity themes in Wano.
Q: Will Yamato join the Straw Hats as a man or woman? A: No confirmation yet (2025), but Yamato is currently staying in Wano.
Q: Can I still like Yamato if I use “she”? A: Of course, but many fans will correct you because Yamato hates being called a woman.
Conclusion
Yamato is biologically Kaido’s daughter (female), but lives and identifies as a man because of Kozuki Oden. Official sources always note the female sex, while the character and most fans use male identity and pronouns. In 2025 the One Piece community has largely settled on “he/him” in English. Respect the character’s choice, understand the canon biology, and enjoy one of the best-written characters in Wano.
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