One Piece, Live-action adaptations of anime, manga and video games have often been regarded as risky endeavors, frequently stumbling in their efforts to capture the essence of beloved source material. However, 2023 is shaping up to be a turning point for this trend, with successes like HBO’s “The Last of Us” and the box office triumph of “The Super Mario Bros.” movie. Netflix, recognizing this wave of potential, is now setting sail with its adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s iconic manga, “One Piece.”
Netflix’s history with adaptations has been a mixed bag, with notorious flops like “Death Note” and the short-lived “Cowboy Bebop” series. Nevertheless, the streaming giant’s deep pockets and global reach position it ideally to repackage cultural phenomena like “One Piece” for a diverse and expansive audience. However, Netflix is well aware of the challenges posed by possessive fans, cautious stakeholders and the unique qualities of animation. Fortunately, the success of “The Last of Us” provides a glimmer of hope and a best-case scenario to strive toward.
One Piece with Netflix-
Netflix’s approach to “One Piece” is thorough and well-planned. Eiichiro Oda has publicly endorsed the project, instilling confidence in fans and creators alike. The co-showrunners, Matt Owens and Steven Maeda, have developed eight hour-long episodes from the first 100 chapters of the manga, providing both a primer for newcomers and a nostalgic experience for long-time fans. With 15 seasons of the “One Piece” anime available to stream, Netflix aims to capitalize on the fervor generated at this summer’s Tudum fan event.
“One Piece” follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, portrayed by Iñaki Godoy, a young pirate with aspirations of becoming the Pirate King. Throughout the season, Luffy assembles a crew with their own dreams and goals. These include Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), who seeks to become the greatest blade fighter, Nami (Emily Rudd), an ambitious cartographer, Sanji (Taz Skyler), a culinary expert in search of legendary ingredients and Usopp (Jacob Romero Gibson), who is mostly focused on impressing his crush. Luffy’s unique approach to piracy is to inspire and support his crew members in their individual pursuits, even when they clash with his own, like Koby’s (Morgan Davies) desire to join the marines.
The world of “One Piece” is a vivid and whimsical nautical fantasy, characterized by its cartoony aesthetic. It features fantastical elements, such as Luffy’s ability to stretch like rubber, fishmen, snail phones and peculiar characters like a clown (Jeff Ward) who can disassemble his body. The Straw Hat Pirates, named after Luffy’s iconic headgear, navigate this world with their ship adorned with a giant goat skull on the bow.
The visual aspects of “One Piece” in the live-action adaptation are a unique blend of CGI and practical effects, creating a deliberately discordant yet captivating symphony. The hand-to-hand combat sequences are meticulously choreographed and the prologue featuring former Pirate King Gold Roger (Michael Dorman) captures the story’s grand scale. At its zenith, “One Piece” becomes a vibrant, candy-colored confection, embodying the youthful exuberance of its coming-of-age narrative.
However, the adaptation occasionally grapples with the challenge of bringing a two-dimensional world into the realm of live-action. Some scenes feel unnatural and the acting style, while enthusiastic, struggles to replicate the fluidity of the original characters. These moments can be unsettling, prompting questions about what the live-action version offers that the original doesn’t.
Netflix’s “One Piece” stands alongside the streaming giant’s other successful adaptations like “Wednesday,” “The Witcher,” “The Sandman,” and “The Umbrella Academy.” These series are immensely popular but tend to maintain a familiar tone, potentially sacrificing novelty for preservation. Nevertheless, as Luffy would assert, all goals are valid as long as one perseveres.
Netflix’s “One Piece” embarks on a thrilling voyage in the world of live-action adaptations. While grappling with the challenges of translating a beloved manga into live action, it manages to capture the essence of Eiichiro Oda’s vibrant world and its beloved characters. This colorful journey invites both fans and newcomers to set sail, proving that in the realm of adaptations, persistence can lead to success.
