Binge or Cringe: Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Brings the Manga And Anime To Vibrant Life
After years of adapting popular anime series into live action and only having flops like Death Note (2017) and Cowboy Bebop (2021) to show for it, it seems Netflix finally got it right. The live action One Piece adaptation sticks close to its source material, bringing it to glorious life in a more accessible format than the original manga’s over 100 volumes or the anime’s over 1,000 episodes. The series follows Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they travel the seas searching for the legendary treasure called the One Piece. The success of this newest iteration of One Piece lies at least partially in creator Eiichiro Oda’s extensive involvement with the adaptation. Director Emma Sullivan shared that “everything went through Oda,” with editor Tessa Verfuss adding that “having his blessing is absolutely critical to delivering the show the way fans want it done.” The commitment of the cast and crew to the source material and tot he fans paid off. With an 85% critical score and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the live action adaptation is a welcome addition to the One Piece world that brings its own spectacular aesthetic and charming character portrayals.
Meet the Straw Hat Pirates
The cast sticks close to their animated counterparts in appearance and energy (the Japanese dub is even voiced by the anime’s original actors). Iñaki Godoy brings a bright, whimsical spirit to optimistic captain Luffy, while Mackenyu Arata and Emily Rudd bring the stoic suavity as first-mate swordsman Roronoa Zoro and navigator Nami, respectively. Jacob Romero Gibson is introduced a bit later as the tall-tale-telling crewman Usopp, as well as Taz Skylar, who plays the smooth-talking cook Sanji. The acting is theatrical at times, but this adds to a grand atmosphere as opposed to feeling disingenuous. Arata and Rudd also bring a good amount of nuance to their performances, showing pain and love beneath their cool exteriors; however, Godoy, while quite fun, could stand to add layers to his optimistic portrayal.
Even with no prior knowledge of the franchise, each character feels well defined. The characters fit into relatively predictable boxes — typical of the adventure genre and its animated source material — without falling into stale archetypes. Flashbacks throughout the season flesh out each character’s backstory, making their individual motivations clear and adding complexity. Each character also gets at least one dedicated episode, so viewers have something to look forward to no matter who their favorite is. That being said, the eight-episode first season naturally condenses the storylines quite a bit. Some plotlines are abridged, some characters are given more screen time while other minor characters are cut, character introductions are pushed up, and a few story elements are rearranged. These changes mostly serve to keep the series at a brisk pace. Introducing more characters faster and going into their backstories earlier help keep the plot moving. The series also drops foreshadowing and teases secrets here and there, which, while not the main plot drivers, keep the audience hooked. The only aspect that might have benefited from being slowed down is the exploration of Usopp’s character; he is not given much time to play an active role, making him feel underutilized.
Was it Binge or Cringe?
The One Piece live action series feels like the anime came to life. The aesthetic matches the anime to uncanny, almost grotesque lengths in the most delectable way. For example, the evil clown pirate Buggy has the same bright makeup and blue hair as in the anime, made much more disturbing by the fact that it’s live action. He can also split into pieces and come back together. Luffy can similarly stretch like rubber, making the action scenes over the top, but entertaining and well-choreographed with decent CGI. The insane character designs, especially of the villains, and the larger than life sets — which are all practical — make this adaptation unique and worth watching in its own right. The cinematography highlights the live elements well. The camera moves fluidly, tracking the animation-level action clearly, and artistic close-ups and a lovely use of sunlight give the series an alluring aesthetic unique from previous iterations.
While a tad more mature than the anime with middle fingers and mild nudity shown in the first episode, the live action series maintains the same optimistic tone fans are familiar with. It is rather predictable, but in a satisfying way; the action, heart, and character depth of the show effectively hold the audience’s interest. One Piece is about dreams, friendship, sacrificing yourself for loved ones, and defying all odds. These are definitely not gritty themes, and the show doesn’t get deep into real life issues, but there is plenty of conflict, a balance of suave and goofy moments, and characters viewers can root for.
Who will like it?
If you like the manga and anime — and aren’t too much of an originalist — you’ll likely enjoy the live adaptation. Even if you have no connection to the source material, One Piece has solid heart and a unique, vibrant aesthetic. The show is adventure-filled, has fleshed-out characters, and moves at a steady pace. If you’re looking for something deeper or darker, this might not be for you. But then again, if you give it a chance, you just might fall in love with the extended world of the Straw Hat Pirates. All eight episodes can be streamed on Netflix and renewal for a second season has just been announced.
