One Piecehas proven a harsh reality about live-action anime adaptations that I hope Hollywood learns from in their future attempts at new projects. There have been a multitude of attempts to make live-action anime adaptations, most of which have turned out to be failures. Some famous examples include movies, such as 2009’sDragonball Evolutionand 2017’sDeath Note, the latter of which is considered one ofNetflix’s worst live-action anime adaptations. After many attempts at adapting anime from 2D to 3D, however,Netflix ended up trying their hand atOne Piece, a series adapted from Eiichiro Oda’s bestselling manga.
When thecast ofOne Piecewas announced, it was revealed much care had gone into making the series look like the anime it was pulling from.This included a multitude of details directly from the source material, such as the design of the Straw Hat Pirates' Going Merry ship, to the costumes the lead actors were wearing. This ended up extending to the series' success, with its August 2023 premiere leadingOne Pieceseason 2to be confirmed just two weeks after the series began. It was an unprecedented move, and showcased something no other live-action anime adaptation had.
One Piecewas developed with input from Oda, who aided in creating the adaptation.
One Piece Proved That Live-Action Anime Adaptations Can Be Good
The Show’s Success Is Justified Based On Its Reception
While strong viewership helped the live-action anime adaptation get a quick renewal,reviews forOne Pieceproved its popularity reflected the quality of the series. Many critics praised the show for being a fun adventure TV show, while those familiar with the source material explained how it captures the spirit of the original.This included praise for the cast and their performances, bringing the Straw Hat Pirates to life, alongside those who portrayed major villains like Buggy the Clown, Arlong, and Garp. The whole series coalesced into a well-received reimagining of the anime.
Since then, it’s been confirmed that season 2 will continue the story by following in the footsteps of the source material. This was confirmed by Oda, who revealed thatOne Pieceseason 2’s momentsand storyline wouldmostly be pulled from the Arabasta Saga of the original manga and anime. It was unsurprising news, given just how many familiar elements from the source material were present in season 1. This approach also reflects whyOne Piecesucceeded where other live-action anime adaptations failed, and why it will likely continue to be popular as the show presses on.
One Piece Embraced The Source Material (Unlike Most Live-Action Anime Adaptations)
The Netflix Series Followed The Anime While Taking Very Few Creative Liberties
While Oda’s involvement in the show certainly helped, so too did the decision to adapt the story from the very beginning, hitting all the important story beats from the source material. This story accuracy extends to the characters as well, with the Straw Hat Pirates retaining their personalities from the original. Some elements brought forward, such as Garp’s bigger role, change the story in ways that still honor the source material.Theend ofOne Pieceseason 1also confirmed they won’t be skipping over any story arcs from the anime, with Smoker and Loguetown teased for the forthcoming episodes.
[I]t proves that adaptations that adhere to the source material are more likely to succeed, especially if they capture the essence of what made the original so beloved.
This makesOne Piecestand out among other live-action anime adaptations that haven’t adhered to the source material, including some on Netflix. Examples include theirDeath Notemovie andCowboy Bebopshow altering major story beats, including important character motivations and storylines.These resulted in negative reception, withCowboy Bebopeven getting cancelled after season 1. However, it proves that adaptations that adhere to the source material are more likely to succeed, especially if they capture the essence of what made the original so beloved.
If One Piece Can Get A Great Live-Action Remake, Hollywood Has No Excuses For Future Adaptations
Upcoming Anime Adaptations Have The Perfect Blueprint For Success
The fact thatOne Piecefound success as a live-action adaptation by honoring the source material showsHollywood has no reason for their upcoming movies and TV shows in the genre to be of poor quality.Upcoming anime live-action movieslikeNaruto,Gundam, andMy Hero Academianow have an expectation to embody the source material and deliver accurate stories. The same goes for TV shows like the upcomingKakeguruiadaptation,Bet, which likely won’t succeed without showing an honor for the original. Adaptations are more likely to be remembered fondly if they capture the source material accurately.
SinceOne Piecehas proven what it takes to make a strong live-action anime adaptation, Hollywood has no reason not to follow its blueprint for successful movies and TV shows into the future.All it takes is being accurate to the source material, telling the story of the original in a way that keeps the major plot beats, even if some elements get changed. If studios consider this approach, then the future animated stories they adapt into live-action could be just as good as Netflix’s popular series.
