One of the most anticipated live-action adaptations of a manga series is finally here. Netflix’s One Piece, based on the bestselling manga by Eiichiro Oda, will premiere on August 31, 2023. The series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of pirates, who are searching for the legendary treasure One Piece and the title of King of the Pirates.
The creator of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, has been closely involved in the production of the live-action series as an executive producer. He has been working with Tomorrow Studios and Netflix for quite some time now, and has been overseeing every aspect of the adaptation, from the casting to the script to the visual effects.
In a video message shared on the show’s official Instagram account, Oda expressed his satisfaction and approval of the live-action series. He praised the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication, and especially highlighted how perfect the actors who play the Straw Hat pirates are. He said that they are like watching the Straw Hat pirates in real life, and he urged fans to savor their performances.
One Piece live-action faces many challenges and expectations
One Piece is one of the most popular and successful manga series of all time, with over 490 million copies sold worldwide. It has also spawned a long-running anime series, several movies, video games, merchandise, and a loyal fan base. Therefore, adapting such a massive and beloved franchise into a live-action format is no easy feat.
Oda himself admitted that he faced many challenges and difficulties during the production of the live-action series. In an interview, he said that his biggest challenge was not betraying the expectations of One Piece fans, who have been following his story for over two decades. He said that he rejected many previous offers to make a live-action adaptation, because he felt that manga and anime were not meant for that medium. However, he decided to give it a try with Netflix and Tomorrow Studios, because he believed that they had the technology and the vision to make it work.
Oda also revealed that he had the final say in everything related to the live-action series, and that Netflix assured him that he could cancel the project if he was not satisfied with the results. He said that he took this responsibility seriously, because he did not want to disappoint his fans or tarnish his reputation.
One Piece live-action aims to capture the spirit and essence of the manga
Despite the challenges and expectations, Oda and the team behind the live-action series have tried their best to capture the spirit and essence of One Piece. The series will follow the original story arc of the manga, starting from Luffy’s departure from his home village to his recruitment of his crew members. The first season will consist of 10 episodes, each lasting about an hour.
The cast of One Piece live-action includes Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, Taz Skylar as Sanji, Vincent Regan as Vice Admiral Garp, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida, Morgan Davies as Koby, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo, Langley Kirkwood as Captain Morgan, Jeff Ward as Buggy, Celeste Loots as Kaya, Alexander Maniatis as Kuro/Klahadore, McKinley Belcher III as Arlong, Craig Fairbrass as Chef Zeff, Steven Ward as Mihawk, Chioma Umeala as Nojiko, and Michael Dorman as Gold Roger.
The showrunners of One Piece live-action are Matt Owens and Steven Maeda, who are also writers and executive producers. Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements are also executive producers. The series is created in partnership with Shueisha, the publisher of One Piece manga.
One Piece fans can watch the final trailer here, and catch the premiere of One Piece live-action on Netflix on August 31.