Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, which is based on one of the biggest anime shows and mangas not just in Japan but globally, has quickly ascended the ranks to become the streaming giant’s most-watched show in its initial two weeks. This surge in popularity comes even without a formal announcement of a Season 2, although it’s all pretty much confirmed that at least one more season is coming with the scripts for the next one already finished.
As fans wait for Netflix to give One Piece the green light, the show’s producers, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements, are feeding into the hype.
The two, who are obviously huge fans of the source material, could barely contain their enthusiasm for the show and its future in a brief sit-down with Deadline. Adelstein, in particular, expressed hope for as many as 12 seasons, emphasizing the immense content available: “We have hopes for 12 seasons, there’s so much material.” This sentiment was mirrored by Clements, who highlighted that the manga has a whopping 1,080 chapters, suggesting that even six seasons might only utilize half of the available material.
The manga’s longstanding popularity is indisputable. Serialized in the Weekly Shonen Jump since 1997, it’s still ongoing. Alongside the manga, the anime version aired its first episode in 1999, and over 1,072 episodes have been broadcasted since, not to mention the 13 specials and 15 full-length films that followed.
Clements elaborated on the planning process, explaining how the production team is united on crucial elements of the manga that are irreplaceable. This unity, along with Eiichiro Oda’s watchful eye, ensures that the series stays true to its roots, keeping the narratives and characters that resonate deeply with fans. She stated, “The stories that we know and the characters that we know are important to the fans… but we feel lucky to have the roadmap.”
The Season 1 finale of the live-action series left fans in high anticipation, teasing the introduction of a significant One Piece villain, setting the stage for what could be an exhilarating next season.
Despite the considerable success, it’s noteworthy that One Piece has been one of Netflix’s costliest projects. But, if a show could have potential to last for a hundred episodes or so on Netflix, it’s this one.
After several failed attempts, Netflix finally hit it big with the live-action adaptation of One Piece as it managed to win over both ardent fans of the original series and those new to the universe of One Piece. It’s very rare for any adaptation to do to both. And, while it isn’t perfect, the show’s numbers, no matter how you look at it, suggest that Netflix will be akin to a Devil Fruit user swimming to their deaths in the open ocean if it doesn’t let the showrunners cook, as the kids as these days.
As the production embarks on this ambitious journey, one challenge that persists is the portrayal of time. The events in the One Piece narrative occur over a surprisingly short period. The story itself might have been told for close to three decades now, but the actual time that has passed in the universe is closer to a couple of years. As a matter of fact, the Straw Hat Pirates haven’t really been together for over a year. This rapid timeline might be a point of contention for a live-action adaptation, especially given the likely longer production periods between seasons. But, if the showrunners and Oda, who’s the mastermind behind the source material, can compress a hundred chapters into a single season, who’s to say that they won’t find a way around this?
Modern technology has evolved to the point that it’s become possible to de-age actors with little to no effort, with the help of AI. The show can even incorporate the aging of the characters into the storyline, something even hardcore fans of the show should’ve done. Embracing the Straw Hats’ aging could add depth and realism. Such an evolution would make the journey feel even more monumental, transforming it into a life’s work for the characters.
As for how to integrate the gap between seasons, a lore-based solution lies in the use of Log Pose. Instead of days or weeks, the show could take another creative liberty and say that the Log Pose takes months if not years to register new islands.
Regardless of the challenges, there’s ample reason to remain optimistic. The fact of the matter is, as long as Eiichiro Oda is alive and the source materials keep on coming, the live-action adaptation isn’t going to run out of material to adapt anytime soon.
Presently, all eyes are on Netflix, awaiting an official announcement regarding Season 2. Marty Adelstein hinted that an announcement might be just around the corner.
In the meantime, fans can stream Season 1 of One Piece on Netflix.
