Netflix’s live-action One Piece adaptation has become a smash hit upon release, breaking the streamer’s long-time curse related to anime adaptations. Originally a manga that was adapted into an anime and now a Netflix original, One Piece tells the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate chasing his lifelong dream of becoming the King of the Pirates, as he assembles an unlikely crew and sails off in search of the coveted “One Piece,” a legendary treasure that will secure his place as King.
According to Netflix Tudum, within its first week of premiering, One Piece amassed a staggering 18.5 million views, topping the streamer’s TV chart and significantly surpassing the viewership of other titles. This is a groundbreaking achievement, as Netflix live-action anime adaptations have historically been critical and commercial failures, with notable examples being the panning of its 2017 film adaptation of Death Note and the negative reception and subsequent cancellation of live-action Cowboy Bebop after only one season.
How One Piece Succeeds Where Other Anime Adaptations Failed
One Piece’s success is especially impressive in light of Netflix’s poor track record with adaptations. The show is being celebrated on multiple fronts, speaking to the many aspects of it that make it stand out from its predecessors. Director Emma Sullivan spoke about how she tried to translate the emotion of the anime to live-action while recognizing the latter’s limitations. Acknowledging that live-action does not allow for the “big actions and faces that we can get in anime,” Sullivan said that the One Piece team opted for a more “grounded approach” to keep the beloved characters relatable in their new presentations.
The creative team also worked closely with the original One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda to ensure the show remained faithful to the original. Its casting is an especially strong point, as every actor works diligently to embody the traits that made the original characters so beloved while giving them added depth and emotion to capture live-action audiences.
One Piece also delivers impressive visuals, with the costuming, hair, and makeup translating really well on the screen to encompass the essence of the original anime. The CGI is also spot-on for the more fantastical moments, such as Luffy’s stretching or Buggy the Clown’s bodily dismemberment, appearing very smooth and lifelike. Therefore, One Piece‘s faithfulness to its source material, stellar performances, and strong visuals allow it to break the curse of disappointing anime live actions for Netflix.
