TV Review: One Piece

Review by: Drew Hoffmaster

Creators: Matt Owens & Steven Maeda

Rating: 3/5

In 1997, the first-ever chapter of the manga One Piece was released. Two years later, it was adapted into an anime. Now, 24 years later, Netflix’s live-action version has come out with a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. One Piece is an action-packed high-seas adventure following Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. The live-action covers the first 12 volumes of the manga, or the first season of the anime.

The live-action did its best to remain faithful to the source material, but took some liberties that both benefit and hinder it. In the live-action version, Koby, Helmeppo and Vice Admiral Garp have their own arcs, which they do not receive until later on in the manga. This gives them a larger roles, enhancing the series’ pacing. The live-action combines the multiple little fights into one big fight, too, which makes the crew feel more like a connected unit.

Still, the live-action keeps the characters true to the source material. The writers even did additional research into what race the author of the manga thought the live-action versions of the characters should be, and the cast followed suit. The live-action also amazingly adapted Luffy’s stretchy powers, something past live-action television shows have failed at. The background score did not fail either. The intense, ominous theme helped make the audience fear the villains more.

Even though the live-action is not perfect, it is a wild sea adventure I would recommend you do not pass up on.