The success of this live-action adaptation lies in its casting. Netflix’s live-action series based on the popular manga, One Piece, arrives this Thursday. Despite being deemed unadaptable, the series has managed to take creative liberties while still respecting Eiichiro Oda’s original work. One Piece, launched in 1997 and adapted into a successful anime series, is the most popular manga in its category. With a record-breaking 516.5 million copies sold as of August 2022, it has surpassed the famous Dragon Ball series by Akira Toriyama, which has sold around 330 million copies.
This cult masterpiece holds the world record for the number of copies sold, recognized by the Guinness World Records, and has made its author, Eiichiro Oda, the wealthiest mangaka in the world. With such a prestigious reputation, it was a daunting task for Netflix to deliver a live-action adaptation, especially considering their past adaptations of other beloved anime series like Cowboy Bebop and Death Note, which faced criticism. Furthermore, previous adaptations like Dragon Ball Evolution and Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary had also received backlash from manga fans.
However, Netflix attempted to ensure the series’ authenticity by involving Eiichiro Oda, the manga’s author, as a supervisor. The live-action adaptation of One Piece consists of eight one-hour episodes. Similar to the manga, it follows the journey of young pirate Luffy, an enthusiastic and somewhat simple-minded boy, as he searches for a crew to find the legendary treasure of the Pirate King, the One Piece. The story takes place in a whimsical and anachronistic world dominated by pirate captains who possess special powers from magical fruits called Devil Fruits.
Luffy also consumed one of these fruits during his childhood, which gave him the ability to stretch his limbs like rubber. Our straw-hat-wearing pirate will soon be joined by Roronoa Zoro, a swordsman who wields three swords, and Nami, a navigator who is as skilled at lying as she is at thieving. Together, they will face various enemies as they navigate from island to island, on an ocean inhabited by sea monsters, bloodthirsty pirates, and occasionally, new friends.
The Trailer 🏴☠️ – A Sneak Peek Into the World of One Piece
The video on YouTube discusses the adaptation of the series “One Piece” on Netflix. The expert provides an in-depth analysis and critique of the adaptation, evaluating its fidelity to the original source material and its overall quality. The expert draws upon their extensive knowledge of the series to provide a comprehensive review, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the adaptation. They also discuss the importance of staying true to the essence of the original story and characters, while also recognizing the challenges of adapting a long-running and beloved series. Overall, the expert provides an authoritative and informative assessment of the “One Piece” adaptation on Netflix.
A faithful artistic direction and casting
The Netflix version of One Piece, with its young cast and pop aesthetic, seems to be targeted towards a teenage audience. It maintains the “shonen” inspiration, which is a genre of manga that encourages young readers to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams. Iñaki Godoy, the young Mexican actor who plays Luffy, does a fantastic job capturing the character’s zany personality. The rest of the cast also delivers convincing and faithful performances, bringing their assigned characters to life. Netflix’s decision to cast relatively unknown actors is a smart move, as the true stars of the series are the manga characters themselves, and famous faces could have detracted from their authenticity. Iñaki Godoy seems born to play Luffy, perfectly embodying the character’s zest for life.
The series deserves praise for its bold visual choices, particularly in the design of its characters, which was already a strong point in Eiichiro Oda’s original work. From the terrifying fish-man Arlong to the outlandish makeup of Buggy the clown, the show maintains this whimsical spirit on screen, for better or worse. While the manga and anime employed a lot of visual humor and creative storytelling, the adaptation is more restrained. The use of a steady cam, a dynamic camera system that provides an immersive experience, is a common filming technique, but it lacks the inventiveness found in the manga panels. Additionally, despite its massive budget of 144 million, some of the special effects and sets are noticeable.
Adapting is about taking liberties
With 105 volumes and 1,070 animated episodes to date, the One Piece series has enough material for around twenty seasons. The first season, consisting of 8 episodes, covers the entire arc of the first twelve volumes of the saga. The anime remains very faithful to the original manga, with some scenes being almost identical. However, the creators of the series have taken some narrative liberties for pacing purposes while still respecting the spirit of the manga. The emotional moments and revolutionary speeches from the manga are absent in the series, which chooses to focus on the main plot and keep the viewer engaged.
In terms of tone, the series is generally more realistic and sometimes darker than the manga, especially in certain comedic fights. This shift from a cartoonish format to live-action was inevitable and comes with a price. For example, Luffy trades his sandals for shoes, which is a safer choice in terms of practicality.
Considering the unique and whimsical universe created by Eiichirō Oda, it was difficult to imagine how a live-action adaptation would turn out. However, the Netflix version of One Piece proves to be an unexpected success, thanks to its cast and feel-good tone. It serves as an “origin story” that introduces the vast One Piece universe and its colorful characters to a wider audience without betraying the fans. If the series continues to be successful, it has the potential to entertain viewers for several years to come.
The first 8 episodes of One Piece are available for streaming on Netflix since August 31st.
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