Nouran Ashraf
Gomu-Gomu no–but make it real-life!
At last, Netflix has released the official trailer and release date for the One Piece live-action that they have been cooking alongside the GOAT Eiichiro Oda since the announcement in 2020!
The series is meant to follow the footsteps of Netflix’s Death Note (2017) and Cowboy Bebop (2021) in their project to make live-action adaptations out of famous anime and manga series.
Although Netflix’s anime and manga adaptations have faced mixed reviews, it seems that everyone is anticipating the One Piece live-action since the master Oda himself was at the helm of the production process.
For Non-Anime Watchers, What Is One Piece?
One Piece is a masterpiece (no pun intended) and one of the most beloved pieces of fiction worldwide by the Japanese writer/illustrator Eiichiro Oda that began its serialisation in Shueisha’s manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997. The manga and anime series are still up and running, with the manga just starting the last saga of the Straw Hat Pirate Crew’s story. It is safe to say that One Piece is the biggest manga and anime in the world, with millions of readers and watchers from every small corner of the globe.
One Piece is essentially a story about pirates. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy, an aspiring young rubbery pirate who wishes to be the freest in this world; hence his dream of becoming King of the Pirates, following the steps of the original deceased King of the Pirates himself, Gol D. Roger and finding his treasure, the ‘One Piece.’
The story starts off with a narration of the execution of Gol D. Roger and how he once obtained everything in the world, including fame, wealth, and power. His words before his execution set the ground for the Great Pirate Era, which sent ALL pirates from every corner of the One Piece world into a hunt for his treasure, including our protagonist Luffy.
The story focuses on Monkey D. Luffy and his nakama —crewmates— and their great adventures into the vast seas of the Grand Line and beyond. Although the goal of the story is already revealed from the first chapter, the adventures and encounters —and the many, many tears and laughter— of the Straw Hat pirate crew will keep you hooked for more than 1000 chapters/episodes and multiple non-canon films, and that’s guaranteed!
For One Piece Fans, What to Expect from the Live-Action?
All anime fans know it—most anime live adaptations didn’t go as expected, and most of Netflix’s anime adaptations completely butchered the storyline and the picking of the cast (remember the Death Note live-action and the memes when it dropped?). However, this time, we finally have a reason to have such high expectations from the One Piece live-action, and it is the one and only Eiichiro Oda.
Eiichiro Oda has been writing and illustrating One Piece since 1997 and has also been deeply involved with the anime production since its running in 1999. What makes this live-action series unique is that its creator is deeply involved and is closely overseeing the entire production process.
Anyone who has ever heard of Oda and his success knows how much of a perfectionist he is, and it shows in his dedication to keeping One Piece the best-selling manga for eleven consecutive years (from 2008 to 2018). It doesn’t come as a surprise that the manga set the Guinness World Record for “the most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author” in the years 2015 and 2022, and it’s all because of how meticulous Oda is in delivering the best version possible of his work.
That’s why we want all the manga and anime lovers to rest assured; Netflix and Oda-Sensei promise that the One Piece live-action will truly be something worthwhile.
The One Piece Live-Action: What We Know So Far
Ever since the live-action was revealed back in 2020 by Netflix, we honestly couldn’t wait to see how such a great, heavy story can be adapted into real life. The live-action is one of the most anticipated TV series for the second half of 2023, so here is what we know so far:
When is the One Piece Live-Action Coming to Netflix?
At Netflix Tudum 2023, the cast finally announced that the One Piece live-action is coming on 31 August, unveiling the very first look of the live-action with a teaser. You can watch the teaser here:
Is There an Official Trailer by Netflix of the One Piece Live-Action?
On 22 July, Netflix dropped the first official trailer for the series. We honestly cannot contain our excitement as we see the beloved Straw Hat Pirates sail across the four seas!
The Real-Life Straw Hat Pirates
We truly can’t wait to see the Going Mary sailing on TV, but we first need to know who are the ones riding it through the Grand Line and beyond. Let’s meet the magnificent cast of the One Piece live-action:
Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy
Iñaki Godoy, of Mexican descent, was born on 25 August 2003. The young actor is best recognised for playing Bruno in Netflix’s Who Killed Sara? and the network’s 2022’s The Imperfects.
As seen from Tudum 2023 and other interviews, Iñaki is a cheerful and energetic young man. He showed such energy at Tudum 2023 that proved him as the perfect Luffy, our beloved stretchy Straw Hat captain.
Iñaki showed huge gratitude to Oda-Sensei in his IG posts and at Tudum 2023, expressing how grateful and happy he is to be given the chance to play the one and only Monkey D. Luffy.
This story means the world to me. I feel so honoured to be your Luffy and to be able to tell this story
Iñaki, Netflix Tudum 2023
Take an exclusive look at the meeting of Iñaki and the original Luffy—the Japanese voice actor behind the anime’s Luffy, the one and only Mayumi Tanaka!
Not only will the legend herself voice Luffy for the Japanese dubbing of the live-action, but the entire original Japanese voices of the Straw Hats will also join her! Is there any more reason to anticipate this production?
Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro
Mackenyu Maeda, professionally known as Mackenyu Arata or simply Mackenyu, is a rising Japanese actor born on 16 November 1996. He will be playing the charismatic but always-lost Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro. Choosing Mackenyu for the role was spot-on for two reasons, the first being that Mackenyu is the son of actor and martial artist Sonny Chiba, so it is in his blood that he knows how to fight and handle swords, truly like Zoro.
The second reason is that Mackneyu is synonymous with Japanese anime and manga live actions. The young actor got recognised immediately after playing Arata Wataya in the Chihayafuru live-action trilogy in 2016. He then portrayed several characters in live adaptations, including JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Chapter I (2017), Tokyo Ghoul S (2019), and the recent portrayals being the villain Yukishiro Enishi in Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021) and the protagonist Pegasus Seiya in Knights of the Zodiac (2023). It’s safe to say that the man himself is anime!
Emily Rudd as Nami
I feel lucky to be living my dream, and I cannot wait for you guys to see the dream come true.
Emily, Netflix Tudum 2023
Emily Rudd is a fine young American actress born on 24 February 1993. She is best known for her role as Cindy Berman in Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy. Emily will be playing the one and only orange-haired navigator and cat burglar Nami.
Emily fought hard to land the role for Nami, as she had been lobbying for the role for three whole years! She is a dedicated anime fan who revealed that her ultimate favourite was Made in Abyss, alongside Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and more. We honestly can’t wait to see her portrayal of the wittiness of our beloved Nami!
Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp
The one and only Captain Usopp is played by the young Jamaican-American actor Jacob Gibson, born on 11 July 1996.
Jacob is best known for his participation in the longest-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Jacob shows such a resemblance to our dear Usopp, “who is willing to say anything to save his friends,” even lies, as he gave us a short introduction of Captain Usopp in one interview.
Taz Skylar as Sanji
Taz Skylar is a Spanish-English actor and screenwriter born on 5 December 1995. The young man appeared in multiple war and crime movies, such as The Kill Team (2019), Villain (2020) and the 2021’s drama Boiling Point.
Taz plays Sanji, the ship’s cook and essentially one of the future King of the Pirates’ (We are talking about Luffy, of course) wings. With his Diablo Jambe (devil’s leg), his kicks are as spicy as his dishes. Taz revealed that he especially got lessons in martial arts and cooking for the role, and we surely cannot wait to see the product of his hard work come to life.
During their interactions at Tudum 2023, interviews, promotional videos, and Instagram posts, the young cast showed us their similarities with their respective characters and proved why each one of them deserved their roles. So wear your straw hats and get ready to meet the Straw Hat Pirates in the flesh on 31 August 2023!
More Members of the Stellar Cast and Their Roles
- Morgan Davies as Koby
- Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida
- Aidan Scott as Helmeppo
- Jeff Ward as Buggy
- Vincent Regan as Monkey D. Garp
- Peter Gadiot as Shanks
Episode Titles for Season 1
- Romance Dawn
- The Man in the Straw Hat
- Tell No Tales
- The Pirates Are Coming
- Eat at Baratie!
- The Chef and the Chore Boy
- The Girl With the Sawfish Tattoo
- Worst in the East
Season one will cover Luffy’s recruitment of Zoro, Nami, Usopp and Sanji and will give us a chance to watch them get reminded of their dreams and how they will join their captain to achieve his and their ambitions. The season will end with Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji’s fight with Arlong’s Pirates.
Will There Be Season 2?
Since there is a huge amount of source material, and the manga itself is still ongoing, it’s highly possible that there will be season 2 of the One Piece live-action.
As everyone is anticipating and sitting patiently till the first episode drops on 31 August, the One Piece live-action has got a lot of expectations to meet and hopes to fulfil. Join us and millions around the world at the premiere of the series on Netflix at the end of this month and witness the Great Pirate Era for yourself!