Eiichiro Oda, lovingly referred to by his legions of adoring fans across the globe as “GODA”, continues to defy even the most unfair of expectations.
The legendary mangaka is now responsible for one of the most successful and longest-running serialized manga series of all time with an incredibly popular animated adaptation to boot and, perhaps more importantly, he’s heavily involved in making sure that Netflix finally does a live-action adaptation of a popular manga and anime series right.
As of the moment of writing, Netflix’s live-action One Piece series is a “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes with a 82% rating among critics with 33 reviews and counting as well as a 94% Audience Score.
If the East Blue saga of One Piece holds a special place in your heart, brace yourself; the Netflix adaptation has done the impossible – it has captured both critics and fans alike captive and blown past previous adaptations by Netflix such as Cowboy Bebop and Death Note, among others.
When it comes to anime adaptations, let’s just say it: Hollywood has often stumbled harder than Sanji chasing after all the pretty ladies he lays his eyes on. But this time, Netflix has decidedly broken the curse.
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece has been a global phenomenon for several decades, painting the adventures of the protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, who, inspired by the swashbuckling tales of “Red-Haired” Shanks, aspires to become the Pirate King. Luffy’s ambitions take a quirky turn when he ingests a Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, a peculiar fruit that grants him the ability to stretch his body like rubber but also robs him of the ability to swim – practically a death sentence for those who wants to be a pirate.
In the Netflix adaptation, the sprawling world of One Piece springs to life anew, retaining the whimsical charm and the absurdities that make the anime and manga universally adored.
It helps that the original creator of One Piece didn’t just toss his baby into the arms of Netflix and hope for the best. He kept a close watch on the production, collaborating with a creative team as passionate about One Piece as any diehard fan. Now, the cast and crew are rightfully enjoying the fruits of their labor, setting a new benchmark for all live-action anime adaptations. It’s a critical moment for Netflix, too, as the platform seeks its next big hit, especially with its marquee series Stranger Things nearing its end.
One Piece, with its already expansive fanbase and universally captivating storyline, is poised to keep viewers anchored to their screens – at least, as long as Netflix doesn’t drop the ball like it did with The Witcher.
But what about the community divide? Could the high audience score be inflated by the Buster Call’s worth of existing fans? Surprisingly, One Piece has received harsher criticism from its existing fanbase than from newcomers. Yet, this new adaptation has managed to maintain a whoppingly high audience approval, underscoring just how well-executed it is. If the series was a flimsy cash grab, the fans – its toughest critics – would have sunk it faster than any Devil Fruit user in the sea. Instead, they’ve been overwhelmingly supportive.
Netflix has preserved the whimsical nature of the One Piece world. The series is so outrageous in its original form that even when characters look like high-quality cosplayers, it somehow adds to the authentic charm of the show. This news bode well for Netflix’s other similar endeavors, including the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Stretching out across eight episodes that are nearly an hour each, Netflix’s One Piece is a grand commitment, but for a tale that unfolds over a thousand anime episodes and counting, eight hours seems like a fine start. The show’s success bodes well for future seasons; considering the sheer amount of source material available, this could be a long, thrilling voyage.
So, whether you’re an old fan keen to rediscover the East Blue saga or a new pirate recruit who’s yet to experience the joys and sorrows of Luffy and his crew, Netflix’s One Piece has treasures for everyone. Existing fans can revisit beloved arcs in a fresh format, while newcomers can dive into this fantastical world with little reservation. The treasure chest is open, and it’s full of gems – don’t miss out on being a part of this landmark moment in anime history.
In the meantime, you can check out the final One Piece trailer before you log on to your Netflix account and schedule a day for your next binge-watch.
