, creator Eiichiro Oda has famously stated that the series will not focus on romantic storylines between the main characters [10, 18, 31]. Instead, the concept of "romance" in the series refers to the "Romance Dawn"—the romanticism of high-seas adventure, pursuing grand dreams, and the mystery of the unknown [3, 26].

Unpopular Pairings, or UPDs, have become a phenomenon in modern media, particularly in the realm of romantic storylines. In recent years, audiences have witnessed a significant shift in the way unconventional relationships are portrayed on screen and in literature. The traditional, cookie-cutter romantic narratives are slowly giving way to more diverse, complex, and nuanced explorations of love and relationships.

Step 5: Implement Updates

In local contexts, UPD serves as a backdrop for various romantic narrative themes: Proximity and Habitat

Not all UPD storylines are created equal. Some become infamous for their mishandling.