Netflix’s new One Piece series: Are we finally getting a successful anime live-action adaptation?

By Alma Fabiani

Published Aug 31, 2023 at 04:46 PM

Reading time: 1 minute

48807

When it comes to live-action adaptations of anime and manga, Netflix—along with many other streaming giants who dabble in production—has often struggled to hit the mark. Remember 2017’s widely criticised Death Note? Yeah, there’s a reason it was so badly received. It was terrible.

Fast forward to 2023, and it seems like finally, we’re getting one successful attempt from Netflix with the new live-action series One Piece, which hit our screens today, Thursday 31 August. The show is based on Eiichiro Oda’s bestselling manga.

The series follows a group of pirates on the hunt for some mythical treasure, known as the ‘One Piece’, mirroring Oda’s original storylines. “[It’s] a candy-coloured confection with a childish glee,” said Variety when reviewing it.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood Reporter agreed that “the series neither takes itself too seriously, nor apologises for its silliness.”

But not all critics were as complimentary. Mike Hale from The New York Times called the show “bland and generic,” and went on to explain: “It may satisfy fans of the original, who are happy to see events more or less faithfully replicated, but most of the verve and personality of the anime are gone, replaced by busyness [and] elaborate but uninteresting production design.”

That being said, the live-action adaptation should be praised for its clear attempts at replicating anime or manga’s ultra-expressive physicality and explosive fight scenes. As stated by Mashable, “One Piece certainly tries its best, with some efforts working better than others. For example, when it comes to filming, One Piece tends to over-rely on extreme close-ups and canted angles to achieve an anime feel.”

As you can imagine, things get trickier when you bring in Luffy’s rubber powers. And yet thankfully, the Netflix show only uses them here and there, meaning that by the end of the season, Luffy’s ever-expanding arms no longer seem odd.

One Piece is now streaming on Netflix.

Keep On Reading

By Malavika Pradeep

Inside the problematic undertones of yaoi and fetishisation of queer people in anime

By Sam Wareing

These top 10 most hated anime characters of all time will blow your mind

By Monica Athnasious

Netflix announces new ‘Squid Game’ reality TV show, turning themselves into real-life VIPs

By Charlie Sawyer

Outrage as male students rip up Australia campus sexual violence report in viral video

By Abby Amoakuh

Would you drink mayonnaise? New viral Japanese drink by Lawson divides the internet

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Australian erotic novelist charged with child abuse material offenses after backlash over latest book

By Abby Amoakuh

Who would you call in case of an emergency? TikTokers contemplate their choice in new viral trend

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Why are so many women dying in jail? Reports point to inadequate medical care and systemic neglect

By Abby Amoakuh

A lawyer breaks down Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battles. Here’s the verdict

By Abby Amoakuh

South Asian creators call out influencers for cultural appropriation after seeing scandi scarves at Coachella

By Charlie Sawyer

Health experts urge male college students to stay away from honey packets that enhance sexual performance

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Are Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins feuding? Fans freak out after The White Lotus co-stars unfollow each other

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

I had to sign away my freedom to tell their story: A photojournalist on documenting Afghan women under the Taliban

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Is Millie Bobby Brown going to play Britney Spears in a new biopic?

By J'Nae Phillips

From it girl-coded headphones to unsnatchable phone cases, techwear is Gen Z’s new obsession

By Charlie Sawyer

Young men are turning to testosterone boosters in new TikTok trend linked to right-wing rhetoric

By Charlie Sawyer

Why Alex Cooper’s new drink Unwell Hydration is being called problematic and inauthentic

By Abby Amoakuh

#swiftieracism begins trending on X after Taylor Swift fans hurl racist abuse at Beyoncé

By Lucy Skoulding

The US death penalty under Donald Trump: Why executions are on the rise again

By Charlie Sawyer

Bianca Censori to become the new face of SKIMS? Sources hint at Kim Kardashian alliance