Fletcher had always been fascinated by the character of Lady Eboshi and when he met with Hayao Miyazaki, asked him for the character’s back story. “Miyazaki explained that her robe is not a kimono, but a man’s coat, specifically a pirate’s coat. He saw her as having been stolen by pirates in order to be a concubine and forced to marry the head of the pirate band. Later, she killed her husband, took over the ship and began sailing around the world freeing slaves and prostitutes.