Did One Piece Break the Curse of Live-Action Anime Adaptations?

This piece may discuss suicide, a topic that might distress certain readers. Please tread carefully.

Summary

Netflix’s One Piece adaptation received positive reception, potentially breaking the trend of poorly-made live-action adaptations.
Eiichiro Oda’s involvement in the project allowed for changes that enhanced the series, showing respect for the original creator’s vision.
Other live-action adaptations faced backlash and tragic outcomes due to disrespecting the original work, unlike the careful approach of the One Piece adaptation.

It’s a common observation that death, taxes, and disappointing live-action versions of anime, cartoons, and video games are unavoidable aspects of our lives, particularly the latter. For decades, every popular anime or manga series has been reimagined in different forms with varying levels of success. However, it’s undeniable that bridging the gap between animation/drawings and live-action film adaptations often feels like an insurmountable challenge.

From the disappointments like the flawed Dragon Ball Evolution, the tainted legacy of BLEACH, the blunder that was Attack on Titan, and the misstep known as Ghost in the Shell, live-action adaptations have been a source of frustration for anime enthusiasts worldwide. In stark contrast, Netflix’s version of One Piece has been warmly received. Could this be the adaptation that marks the beginning of an era where well-crafted live-action adaptations of anime become the norm?

Some Background Information on Netflix’s One Piece

How One of the Most Ambitious Live-Action Attempts Came to Be

In July 2017, Hiroyuki Nakano, editor-in-chief of Weekly Shōnen Jump, revealed plans for an American television version of Eiichiro Oda’s “One Piece,” to be co-produced by Japanese publisher Shueisha and Tomorrow Studios (a collaboration between ITV Studios and Marty Adelstein). This live-action adaptation was part of the 20th anniversary celebrations for the manga’s serialization.

Back in January 2020, it was disclosed that Netflix had commissioned ten episodes for a live-action adaptation of One Piece. The production, originally scheduled to commence filming in Cape Town, South Africa, in August 2020, was postponed to September due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. By September of that year, the series’ cast had not been chosen yet, with casting initially planned for June. Filming finally kicked off in March 2021, and by September, the logo was unveiled. Marc Jobst, who has directed other Netflix shows like Luke Cage and The Witcher, was announced as the director of the pilot. In November 2021, the cast for the series was officially revealed through familiar “Wanted” posters similar to those featured in the manga and anime.

Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy
Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro
Emily Rudd as Nami
Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp
Taz Skylar as Sanji

The first set of additional cast members announced for the live-action One Piece include:

Morgan Davies as Koby
Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida
Aidan Scott as Helmeppo
Jeff Ward as Buggy
McKinley Belcher III as Arlong
Vincent Regan as Garp
Peter Gadiot as Shanks

Translating that into easier-to-understand language: The live-action version of “One Piece” is one of the most challenging attempts to convert an anime or manga for television, as Adelstein had predicted years ago that it would surpass production cost records. However, persuading the series’ creator to agree to any changes from his original concept was a significant obstacle in itself.

Are Live-Action Adaptations Really That Bad?

From Terrible, To Downright Deplorable

Live-action adaptations often struggle to remain faithful to the source material, sometimes even failing to do so entirely, which can lead to disappointing results. Regrettably, this was the experience with the live-action adaptation of the late Hinako Ashihara’s romantic comedy manga “Sexy Tanaka-san,” originally published digitally in Shogakukan’s Anekei Petit Comic from August 2017 to December 2023. In some instances where the original author’s vision is not considered, adaptations can cause significant letdowns, even potentially damaging the enjoyment of the story.

The original manga was transformed into a 10-episode television show that aired between October and December of 2023. For the first eight episodes, events largely mirrored those depicted in the manga, but the last two were reportedly written by the author herself as per her contract with the broadcaster, NTV, to have creative control if she was unhappy with the script. However, due to her lack of experience in screenwriting, the series ended up being rushed, and she apologized for its quality in a blog post on January 26, 2024. She expressed disappointment that NTV did not remain faithful to the manga’s storyline as agreed upon. The production team was thanked for their efforts, but she later deleted the blog post and issued another apology. Tragically, she was found dead in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture on January 29th, 2024, under suspected circumstances of suicide.

Upon hearing about her passing, NTV swiftly released a statement on the same day, asserting they had adhered to proper procedures; that she had endorsed and agreed to the script, which Ashihara contended deviated significantly from the original plotline. Following an internal inquiry, the findings, disclosed in June 2024, revealed a breakdown in communication between Sexy Tanaka-san manga publisher Shogakukan and NTV. Regrettably, none of Ashihara’s concerns and stipulations for accurate adaptation were communicated to the broadcaster.

disregard for the original creator’s vision, storyline, themes, and characters; coupled with the assumption that animated works lack a certain “completeness” which can only be achieved by replicating reality more closely in live-action adaptations.

The Difference

What About Netflix’s One Piece Series Makes It Different?

Showrunner Steven Maeda found it necessary to convince Eiichiro Oda to make certain changes in the storyline, modifications that the manga author later appreciated as more effective portrayals of specific story elements compared to the original. Despite numerous hurdles that needed to be overcome before even discussing visuals, fans remained confident due to Oda’s active participation in the project. In July 2023, Oda penned an open letter expressing his genuine thoughts and emotions about the production of the live-action “One Piece,” questioning if a Hollywood adaptation could truly capture the spirit of the series.

There were several points that required some convincing, and if there was something that Oda-san strongly disliked, we managed to alter it. However, there were certain ideas that we suggested and eventually made it into the show, which initially gave him a bit of apprehension. One such example is moving certain events forward in the storyline that don’t occur until later chapters.

– One Piece showrunner Steven Maeda, in an interview with Screenrant

In a nutshell, Iñaki Godoy had the power to influence certain elements of the Netflix adaptation of “One Piece” if he felt they weren’t accurate to the original source material. However, he was also open to persuasion. Godoy’s dedication to the project is encapsulated in his statement, “I read the scripts, provided feedback, and acted as a watchdog to make sure the material was being translated correctly.” This commitment to authenticity, coupled with the production’s respect for the author and his views, is believed to be a significant factor that allowed “One Piece” to surpass the limitations of live-action adaptations in the past. With the second season confirmed and rumors of a third, it seems that Netflix’s “One Piece” adaptation may well become legendary as the series to finally break the curse of disappointing anime live-action adaptations.

One Piece (live-action) is available on Netflix.

2025-03-12 18:24