One Piece Thread: The best comic you haven't read

[Bebpo]

Comparing this to Cowboy Bebop Netflix where Watanabe was like

“It started with a scene in a casino, which made it very tough for me to continue,” Watanabe said. “I stopped there, and so only saw that opening scene. It was clearly not Cowboy Bebop, and I realized at that point that if I wasn’t involved, it would not be Cowboy Bebop. I felt that maybe I should have done this. Although the value of the original anime is somehow far higher now.”

Pretty big difference. Whether this turns out good or not, everyone involved is super passionate about it which should be awesome for One Piece fans. Most excited piece of media for 2023 for me. The wait has been tough!

[Beezy]

Most excited piece of media for 2023 for me.

 

[Himu]

I mean I'm getting excited too and I never care about live action adaptations of animes. I just love One Piece too much and the Netflix show seems to be brimming with passion for the franchise.

When it was first announced I was all "yeah, yeah....LOL" and had less than zero expectations but after the trailer and the latest round of teases including the video with Inaki and Oda, I'm sold.

[Bebpo]

Yeah, One Piece is a series that means a lot to me having read it for so long. Was in the same camp of "this is going to be terrible" trying a live-action OP and just laughed it off for years, but seeing all the stuff lately, it looks like a legit attempt by Oda and a bunch of people full of love and passion for the series and I'm excited to see what they do.

If they can pull of some of the major emotional moments in the first arcs like the end of Arlong Park will be really cool to watch.

[Himu]

https://thedirect.com/article/one-piece-reviews-netflix-critics

First reviewers are saying it's good. Let's see if they're paid.

[team filler]

I didn't mind the bebop live action, but it seemed mostly pointless. could they not have commissioned a new animated movie/show in the bebop universe?

even with different characters it would be better.


the one piece live action is crap for me because I don't watch dubbed anime and this shid in a language I understand makes it awful. I need luffy played by a japanese abuela, not some twink idiot pretending like he's emotionally attached to the series 

[Himu]

Japanese abuela

Our abuelita

[daemon]

ODA

IS

COOKING


Chapter out on TCBscans

[Himu]

I know Oda is busy and he's still recovering from the eye surgery. The art was better post-surgery but now it has slipped to sketchy rough draft style of Wan again. I don't want to grieve a hard working man that has brought us entertainment for so many years but it is worrying how bad the art is to me.

Aside from that, get hype.

[daemon]

I know Oda is busy and he's still recovering from the eye surgery. The art was better post-surgery but now it has slipped to sketchy rough draft style of Wan again. I don't want to grieve a hard working man that has brought us entertainment for so many years but it is worrying how bad the art is to me.

Aside from that, get hype.

This is also a byproduct of the WSJ paper/ink quality and the process they go through when cleaning them, which smooths lines. However it is true that there are a few closeups that should be drawn much better, namely the kizaru darkened face-only panel. It's also possible that he'll redraw some stuff for the volumes. Remember this happens quite often.

[Himu]

It has been happening since Wano. I've noticed a dramatic drop in art quality. They've looked like rough draft sketches to me for about two years. I'm glad to get the story but it's definitely a Charles Schulz art degradation situation for me. It's just sad. For a while I figured the Wano sketch style was an aesthetic he chose on purpose to mimic sumi-e artwork, which is fluid and brush-like but nope, it still continues. I didn't know his vision got worse until the eye surgery announcement but it put the last few years into sharp focus. The chapter when he came back after the surg the artwork dramatically better but it has regressed again. I'm hoping he's just pressed for time and still healing.

You can't mention the WSJ ink/paper situation because I've been reading One Piece for decades and this art is only recent.

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to get One Piece, and Oda's health is the most important thing, and he has sacrificed so much but it's definitely something I've noticed.

[Himu]

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/29/arts/television/one-piece-eiichiro-oda-netflix.html?unlocked_article_code=dXPwonuKaVOk6LSC7SIeRbGg16bgAFjrECQ3WRz7q7eV73tJxFaN9iIykzz3l8BHH0Uy-bkqZyFXJta9SttwCcrSlVLuQHrKhDMRWlVaA436iSFnd_0V6IlTusU0_7-XF5aYAYgwO_IMaPW9Bycqzraw_Ik4qY2D9Kjw8ly69tCeCe6kRdo3KhxLTGu8vQNKwXhFikdBe5fn1dowdj8wRaU-jW7ALk0Khb-0gWhs7gknqaYMqNuz6fNTWE-OtmsrEYg8rWmuZ80Wdt5Y6bclpqWmfMdjRggUxXfm6zV--7f_w-88_Ij95ieqeU15o2n_-_PaAi0g7PKVVpKS8OEaw6Og1E1tQM5bYwr-o_mwyz7t&smid=url-share

NYT interview with Oda. Our guy is getting the recognition he deserves. He is a modern day Tolkien and deserves so much more recognition outside of manga.

[Bebpo]

Other than saying King of the Pirates multiple times, great trailer.

[Himu]

I'm fucking hyped.

[Himu]

I can't believe this. The first episode is everything. HOLY SHIT!!!

Nami and Luffy's chemistry in this

Zoro and Luffy's chemistry

Luffy's chemistry with everyone

[Bebpo]

Will start on it tomorrow.

Reviews from the big western media sites are alllll over the place. One Piece/Japanese media is too weird for most Americans.

Rolling Stone review was like "why do all these characters have to have serious backstories??" 

[Himu]

Rolling Stone review was like "why do all these characters have to have serious backstories??" 

edit:

ep 2 was weaker than ep 1 but it was to be expected as it was Buggy and I don't think Buggy entirely translates to live action. Ep 3 is right back on track. Usopp is so good! He's so suave and charming!

[Himu]

I'm on episode 7 out of 8.

My thoughts:

This is excellent. It truly gets One Piece. One Piece is not about the battles and its strengths have always been the adventure, romance, the crew chemistry, world building, storytelling, and characters. Due to the fact it's live action when it does have fights it keeps it limited. In episodes 6 and 7 and it plays out like a television drama, more than a shounen you would think One Piece is supposed to be and it works so well.

If they polish the fight choreography for season 2 but as it is, this show absolutely nails One Piece and does a lot of fitting changes that helps tie the East Blue Saga together and eases some pacing (Mihawk takes out Don Krieg himself and Arlong first fights Luffy at Baratie). The most damning thing it's missing are some of the more silly character moments like this:



But I understand why, for pacing reasons, they left it out. What amazes me is that despite this the crew chemistry is absolutely incredible.

edit:

Finished it.

Loved it. There's some flaws and niggles but I thought this was really fantastic stuff. It really strikes to the heart of One Piece and I enjoyed every second despite having the occasional nitpick.

The best thing about it is that it takes One Piece's greatest strengths, such as its sense of adventure, large world, world building, storytelling, and characters and pushes those to the forefront not only because they're good but because of the limited nature of wacky hijinks in the fights in a live action setting. By putting story ahead of fights, it accentuates and improves on One Piece while taking full advantage of live action filmmakings greatest strengths. That said, this also makes the fights and fight choreography the weakest link of the season. If season 2 has improved fights this could go from B+ to A+. Really good stuff. I've been a One Piece fan almost 20 years now and I'm shocked to see something I love that has been a part of my life for so long so polished and cared for. The live action manga/anime curse seems to have been broken.

[Bebpo]

Watched the first two eps!

Yeah, I think it works because the crew cast are great and have excellent synergy with each other and the important moments land.

The stuff in between is generally good sometimes just ok. I agree with complaints on the cinematography and directing could be better.

But every moment the main crew are on screen it’s golden. Also great casting on Shanks and I enjoy Garp. Coby’s working hard but I’ve never liked Coby lol

[Himu]

I really like putting Coby and Luffy's stories side by side. It gives them both so much more pathos. Also, nerfing Luffy is a good idea but it makes Zoro and Sanji feel like they're stronger than Luffy.

Action and camera work lacks pow. Some zam. Some sizzle.

Like Kuina vs Zoro. Zoro loses the duel and Kuina drives ichimonji into the ground. I expected them to lift Kuina aiming the sword straight at the camera for a nice dynamic shot like in the anime but it was just a standard horizontal. Lazy. They could have done the same shot, done it with a wide lens to distort the sword, make Kuina loom higher than Zoro and just make her look so much cooler.

Mouton shot lacks impact without the sideview.

The action just lacks the brutality of the manga and the anime in general. If they're going to cuss they should be brutal and violent as the manga.



Vs

I can't find the live action version on YouTube but you'll have a reference to what I'm talking about when you see it.


It's not a matter of live action vs anime but the cinematographer being lacking.  This is the main issue with the show. If this gets a season 2 they need someone with a more artistic flair to their cinematography. For 17m an Episode I expected better in this area. This is my only real complaint. They need a better Director of Photography.

[Bebpo]

Finished ep3/4, Usopp is great.

I think ep3/4 was the first time I've ever seen a shounen anime arc brought to life in live-action. Was kinda surreal how much it felt like watching a shounen anime arc.

That said, while I thought ep3 was awesome, ep4 definitely had some pacing issues stretching out the Syrup Village arc for 2 hours and Zoro's flashback there. I haven't read the early parts of the manga in forever, so not sure if that's where Zoro's flashback normally was, but seems like it would've been better saving it for later since it's not like Zoro does anything that makes the Kuro arc Zoro-focused. In fact, it's been so long since I read the first volumes I thought the Zoro flashback was leading up to Zoro vs Kuro since they're both blade users. Luffy v Kuro was kinda disappointing and Usopp really did nothing in that arc so I thought the ending was underwhelming, but maybe it's like that in the manga.

The set design is really good. The mansion was really cool looking.

Excited for the back half since I always thought OP doesn't get great until Sanji/Baratie and then gets awesome at Arlong Park with Nami's flashback and the finale.

[Bebpo]

Also at this point I'm going to say I think Luffy is the weakest actor of the crew. I think he nails the comedy lighter stuff, but when he gets serious and does this serious voice thing it's not really working for me yet. Hopefully it grows on me.

[Bebpo]

Zoro/Mackenyu is surprisingly the star of the show for me. The way he nails the deadpan comedy is so good. That they kept all the Zoro jokes like him constantly getting lost is great.

[Himu]

Zoro flashback is placed differently in anime, manga, and live action. In the manga it's when he's tied up it's revealed he's not being ever let go and that he's being sentenced to die. "I can't die here!" and then flashback.

Zoro/Mackenyu is surprisingly the star of the show for me. The way he nails the deadpan comedy is so good. That they kept all the Zoro jokes like him constantly getting lost is great.

For me it's Usopp. Also Nami steals the show ep 7. Zoro is fantastic and his contrast with Luffy's lightheartedness just rubs off on you. His deadpan is perfect.

[Bebpo]

Ok, watched ep5-6.

This is the one spot I'm gonna pull the "fanboy gripe things aren't 1:1". I don't like the re-work of Baratie and Mihawk.

Mihawk was one of those "oh shit" moments in the manga that you get in stuff like Fullmetal Alchemist or Chainsaw Man where some major shit goes down when you least expect it. The Kreig/Baratie arc ends and then wtf this dude comes out of nowhere on a small boat and fucks shit up.

Setting up Mihawk beforehand and explaining who he is...eh, between that and Zoro's "I'm never going to lose again" speech being the first major drama part that fell flat for me in live-action, plus the lack of Kreig/Pirates attacking the Baratie to give Sanji more of a reason to join...it was all changes for the worse imo. I thought Baratie was a really good arc in the manga, but here it felt like the weakest 2eps yet.

I don't mind most of the changes to focus on Arlong as the big bad for the season, but I think they should've still left Baratie arc the way it was in the manga.

Sanji seems cool though. Like his accent and his bit with Nami was hilarious.

Hopefully Arlong Park is great, that's a great arc in the manga and I think the show needs a strong arc to finish on after ep5-6.

[Bebpo]

Also Zeff/Sanji relationship was good here.

Gotta sleep tonight so will watch Arlong Park tomorrow.

[Bebpo]

Also the Skypiea setup was great. Sure seems like they aren't skipping it if the show makes it a few seasons.

Which is fine. Too many people hate Skypiea. Just shorten it and change somethings and there's plenty of great stuff in that arc. Luffy vs Enel is a really good fight. For a sense of adventure, sky island is a great location.

The Baroque Works setup is good too for S2.

[Bebpo]

And yeah, Mihawk/Zeff's actors are literally the characters.

Show needs to get to current so can have Netflix Mihawk hanging with Goth Ghost Girl.

[Bebpo]

I'm also surprised that most OP fans don't like this Shanks. I thought he was perfect for what Shanks is like in my mind. Kind and silly but can be badass when angered.

Also I see a lot of OP fans saying the comedy is missing from the manga/anime? I don't understand this. I've laughed a ton every ep. There's still plenty of goofy humor.

[Himu]

Tons of OP fans are being nerds expecting a 1:1 translation of something that took the anime literally 50 episodes to adapt to have every detail condensed into 8 eps season.

As for Shanks, he looks like Shanks but he lacks Shanks' swag. That's the main issue.

[Bebpo]

Fair, but we haven't had a chance to see Shanks in action. I thought he was just right for the flashback.

Also I've been reading impressions and I hear a lot of fans complaining that Luffy sucks at fighting, especially in the Arlong fight finale. I think that's a bit valid criticism. As much as One Piece isn't solely about the fights, I remember stuff like bloodied Luffy in the Kreig fight showing his badass side. If that's all missing here and he's just a goofball that gets lucky...eh, if they get a S2 they need to change that approach for Crocodile.

And the soundtrack in the show is really good, but 90% of the time it's mixed super low which is a shame.

[Himu]

Yeah, I said they nerfed Luffy. Zoro and Sanji seem stronger. Luffy has no real strategy when fighting when Luffy is great fighter in the manga and anime. I understand the criticism but I also think it adds more drama to the fights and makes Luffy look even more over his head.

What do you mean haven't had the chance to see Shanks in action? The first time we ever saw Shanks fight in the series happened just a few chapters ago in the manga and this series has been running for thirty years. The problem is that Shanks isn't extroverted enough. He's not loud and boisterous. He's kinda boring. But hey, plenty of opportunities to correct this if it's renewed. I posted the bounty scene because it's in the live action and Shanks still lacks swag.

[Bebpo]

I'm saying we haven't seen Shanks in action in the live action version yet. Let's give it until he gets some badass scenes to see if this actor can pull it off.

[Himu]

I wasn't feeling his Mihawk scene and that was a good opportunity but

[Bebpo]

Oh, I haven’t gotten there yet.

[Bebpo]

Finished it. Ending was surprisingly nice.

I think they flubbed some of the most dramatic moments like Zoro's speech after the Mihawk fight and Nami's "help me" scene, but overall it was still really good fanservice for fans of the series.

I preferred the first half that had more character moments, since the characters are what makes this adaptation shine. The second half was mostly action and the action direction was just ok. Though I thought Usopp's fight at Arlong Park was great and nice seeing a good live-action Usopp moment.

I agree with most takes on this. There's plenty I could nitpick, but for the most part they pulled it off and it's a real joy to see this live-action take on One Piece. Definitely want to see more seasons of it, so hope it's a big success worldwide for Netflix.


That being said for S2 they straight up need new and better episode directors and cinematographers. Some of the dramatic scenes if they were directed better would've had so much more impact. Even little stuff like when they play the vocal song during Nami's goodbye and the song is mixed so.freaking.low, that scene would've worked better if the music was mixed in louder as the scene progressed to be more dramatic. The fights and big moments need to have more impact.

But the little moments worked great here.

Also I thought the Mihawk/Shanks scene was great and still don't see the issue. There is no point in the scene where Shanks is supposed to be BADASS SERIOUS HAKI DUDE, he's him futzing around with his crew and inviting Mihawk for a drink. I think this actor is playing off Shanks' fun and cool dad personality well enough so far. But I'm sure if this gets renewed the showrunnners can take comments into consideration and adjust the tone of the performance. Though would Shanks even be in S2 at all?

Finally even though I think Jeff Ward did a really good Buggy. The show had waaaaay too much buggy. Buggy is fine in small bits as a joke character, but I don't ever want him tagging along with the main crew interrupting the crew palling around anymore.

[Bebpo]

I'm also really confused how they're going to do Loguetown if they get renewed given the ending.

I think when they had to cut Loguetown they just ...rewrote the story beats to skip it. It would make no sense to do Loguetown next. Might be the first arc casualty of live-action One Piece. Which is a shame because it's a good arc, but yeah it just doesn't make any sense. First ep of next season should be Reverse Mountain.

[Himu]

I don't think the problem is Shanks being a badass. My problem is he's not loud enough. Shanks is really similar to Luffy. He likes to party and his party personality contrasts with Mihawk beautifully. In the scene with Luffy's bounty, he's cheerful but not a party loud party dude. I still like him but I understand why others don't.

I thought Nami "help me" scene was perfect.

I thought ep 7 was the best episode. It was nothing but character moments and talking. It was like an HBO drama. The bar scene with Zeff and Garp was excellent.

[Himu]

I'm also really confused how they're going to do Loguetown if they get renewed given the ending.

I think when they had to cut Loguetown they just ...rewrote the story beats to skip it. It would make no sense to do Loguetown next. Might be the first arc casualty of live-action One Piece. Which is a shame because it's a good arc, but yeah it just doesn't make any sense. First ep of next season should be Reverse Mountain.

They'll do Loguetown. Smoker has already been in the season ending teaser. They don't understand how to get to the Grand Line opening and to get to the Grand Line opening you need to go to Loguetown for the lighthouse to help chart your way. Also, the intro had Dragon and Smoker at the execution in it and they've already introduced Loguetown formally in the introduction. They aren't skipping Loguetown, they just switched the order of the cast off ceremony which comes after Loguetown canonically to before. It makes no sense they'd introduce Smoker if there's no Loguetown.

Let's just hope there *is* a season 2. Give the show a high rating on Netflix.

edit: I just rewatched the Shanks and Mihawk scene and it's not Shanks' acting but the script. There's no "drink up, drink up!" with drunk Shanks egging Mihawk on as he stares into his beer.

[Bebpo]

I don't think the problem is Shanks being a badass. My problem is he's not loud enough. Shanks is really similar to Luffy. He likes to party and his party personality contrasts with Mihawk beautifully. I still like him but I understand why others don't.

I thought Nami "help me" scene was perfect.

I thought ep 7 was the best episode. It was nothing but character moments and talking. It was like an HBO drama. The bar scene with Zeff and Garp was excellent.

Yeah, I liked the Zeff and Garp scene. I feel like the Nami "help me" scene doesn't work because of the triple take of Luffy shouting to the sky OF COURSE I WILL. I just didn't think that worked at all and came off as really goofy when it should've been a serious moment impact moment. I also don't like that when Nami collapsed they didn't show the village burning and being attacked, like you get that is what she sees and stops and falls to her knees, but I thought it was weird how it was executed. And Luffy being really slow like he has brain damage to take off his hat and put it on her and say of course I will three times meanwhile her town is burning on fire and he should have more urgency to go and help them.

And sure, I get that complaint that Shanks should be louder party guy. I just think it's ok for him to be a chill fun party guy. Idk, just doesn't bother me.

That reminds me, there's two scenes where the show has character turns that don't feel earned. In ep2 unicycle guy asks Zoro why he believes in Luffy and Zoro says I don't need to believe in him, he believes in himself. But like this is just barely after the end of ep1 when Zoro and Nami are like "We're not your crew" and just met Luffy. That felt weird that suddenly Zoro is dedicated 1st mate, 1 hour later? Felt like that line should've been saved a few eps later.

The other is the Helmeppo turn. At no point didn't asshole Helmeppo seem like he would believe in Luffy and disobey orders when he does with Coby. Felt like it was missing more scenes of Helmeppo bonding with Coby.

Small things.

[Bebpo]

Another thing is I kind of don't like Luffy having like human regrets. I don't want to see Luffy get depressed and pause and think and feel and stumble along like a human being. That's just...not how Luffy is.

I get they are trying to make him more human and relatable for a live-action human audience, but eh, I think Luffy loses a lot of his charm by having doubts.

[Himu]

I thought Nami herself stole the scene but the rest of the moment was bogged down with trying to be like the manga/anime. "Right!" was totally unnecessary for live action.

I agree with the "believes in himself" was too early, but I think that Helpmeppo was earned. Koby spilled something really sensitive to Helmeppo that he didn't have to and I think that Helmeppo was defending Koby, rather than Luffy. Despite all the shit Helmeppo put Koby through Koby was still nice and kind to him. I think it was earned but could have used one more scene, perhaps at the bar. Remember it was Helmeppo who wants to treat Koby to a drink at the bar to begin which shows their relationship was starting to soften.

I really love having Luffy and Koby's stories happen side by side. If season 2 happens I cannot wait to see Garp give these two the clinic. One of my favorite side stories in the series. Koby is a certified G.

[Bebpo]

On a positive note I think doing the Garp stuff and starting the "younger generation is coming up" theme from the start works well.

[Bebpo]

Another thing is I kind of don't like Luffy having like human regrets. I don't want to see Luffy get depressed and pause and think and feel and stumble along like a human being. That's just...not how Luffy is.

I get they are trying to make him more human and relatable for a live-action human audience, but eh, I think Luffy loses a lot of his charm by having doubts.

Eh. Luffy always takes it on the chin when people think he's wrong and have a point.

(Image removed from quote.)

Also remember the lowest point in the series has Luffy in a literal hole of emotion.

It's more that I'm not really used to Luffy sitting and thinking and contemplating like on the roof at Nami's place. Idk, I need to re-read the first volumes again since I haven't read them in like 15 years.

[Bebpo]

Also just kind of a nitpick from the rework of Baratie, but they're like "Luffy came and saved Baratie from the Pirates"


Err...no. He absolutely didn't. He heard Arlong was there looking for him and instead of Luffy, you know, taking the fight outside, he walks in and picks a fight with Arlong and trashes the restaurant in the process, gets knocked outside and left for dead by Arlong and then leaves.

This is where having the Kreig pirates attack and Luffy actually defending the restaurant would've made a hell of a lot more sense like it does in the original.

[Himu]

They humanized Luffy. Luffy can be a dick. In the manga he laughs at Koby and calls him a coward. He also says he hates cowards. When Nojiko tells Luffy and the gang Nami's story he doesn't even want to hear it and walks away. I think they made him more digestible for mainstream audiences.

[Bebpo]

So I went back and re-watched a few parts from the anime. The major scenes I thought were better in the original.
Well, they didn't quite hold up as well as my memories from decades ago haha. That said I think a few things were better.

The Mihawk bit wasn't really any better in the original (at least anime version). I think the new one is fine and the fight itself is better actually.
The Help Me scene is pretty close, rewatching the Netflix version I'm fine with it and it still hits. I actually think the only dumb thing is in the manga/anime it's followed up by the crew getting together to start walking...to Arlong Park to kick ass. But in the show they do the same badass group up walk...and then ep ends and the next ep they're in the burnt remains of the village. Like the whole point of the badass group up walk is to walk up to the gates of the park and break the door down. Just a weird change.

The end of the Arlong fight...I think it's mostly fine because it still has good bits like Luffy breaking the sword and saying he sticks up for his crew and the whole "you're my friend" when he gets out of the rubble.

but...I think they kind of fucked up a bit losing that Luffy's goal is to destroy Nami's navigation room and Nami being outside watching the desks and papers fall down and realizing what Luff'ys doing for her and crying. Instead Luffy's motivation towards the end of the fight is to just take down Arlong and destroy everything he's built. Which is more a boring "I'm gonna kick your ass and take you down" thing than the original which is "I'm going to do things for other people to break them free" which is more the heart of why Luffy is great and what makes One Piece great.

So I think it still mostly plays out well, but it's weird they changed that and lost a big emotional scene. Kinda makes me worried about how they'll handle some of the later scenes in other arcs where Luffy is doing symbolic things for other people and not just kicking ass for kicking ass sake.

But outside a few bits like that, yeah going back to the anime, the Netflix version compares really favorably. I'm seeing a lot of people put the Netflix version over the anime (and obviously under the manga) and yeah I could get on board with that, especially if they do a few more seasons of this quality or better.

[Bebpo]

Also rewatching the anime eps, people who say the pacing was originally fine are full of craaaap. The pacing is still awful even in the old eps. The Mihawk fight ep goes so slow. Back when I was way younger I definitely watched like the first 100 or so eps and I have no idea how I did it.

[Himu]

Yeah like I said. I have nitpicks.

I could go further. Like how the Arlong fight actually ended. Luffy is winding up Gum Gum Battle Axe to its apex and Arlong does this sick ass spin move and BITES LUFFY and it's so raw, and then the battle axe comes down.  But again, nitpicks. What happens in the live action is totally fine although I really wanted the Nami desk crying scene and the freedom of being released from that hell.

FYI the walk to Arlong Park is not in the manga. It was made for the anime.

I have no idea how I watched the first 300 episodes of One Piece multiple times when I was young but yeah it has never been paced that well. I re-read the manga after the joy boy reveal starting from the first chapter and it truly shows that the manga is the masterpiece and the anime really should be considered the marketing campaign for the manga. At this point that's what it is anyhow. The anime isn't made for for people that don't read the manga anymore. It's made for Japanese One Piece fans that already know what's going to happen.

[Bebpo]

The best thing the anime has going for it is that it's always had good music. Plus the voices are the defacto voices because of it. Like I couldn't imagine any other voice for Zoro or Luffy.

[Himu]

The music in the anime

So good

[Himu]

I FORGOT LUFFY BROKE HIS NOSE.

God this fight is so raw. Why did they change this? They need to make the fights more brutal season 2.

[Bebpo]

Yeah, all of the violence is super toned down.

It's weird because when this first came out people were saying it was more violent than the anime. Maybe they were just going by Zoro vs Mr.7 in the first ep.

But all the fights are really tame and almost bloodless. Which is pretty different than the manga where there's a lot of blood and grit. I mean Luffy didn't even get bitten once by Arlong, just knocked around.


It's weird because they're ok with cursing to make it more "adult" but they're not ok with some actual violence in fights. Definitely something they need to work out for S2. I mean doesn't Luffy hit Crocodile by using his own blood to solidify him? Doing that fight non-bloody sounds bad.

[Bebpo]

Started my re-read of the manga from ch.1,

I've always felt Romance Dawn/Ch.1 is my favorite ch.1 in any story. I get why both the anime and the live-action didn't open with the full flashback, but it's such a perfect story that gives so much character setup and Shank's losing his arm is already a major feels scene along with the end with the hat and "that kid's going to be big someday", it's just such a good opening I always think it's kind of a shame to not start with it.

But I understand that shows don't want to lose viewers right away and starting with a little kid (even if it's starting with a kid stabbing himself in the face) is seen as an issue.

[Himu]

Apparently live action has a Japanese dub track with the JP vas. Japanese abuelita is obviously voicing Luffy. I'll rewatch LA in Japanese.

Also chapter 1 in the manga is incredible. Easily one of the best issue number ones in the history of comics. I was riveted from the first page.

[Bebpo]

I was thinking that if this gets renewed, since trying to plan out the entire story for 10-15 seasons and 20+ years seems kinda pointless, it probably would make the most sense that they plan One Piece Live-Action to end at the timeskip.

Basically plan out a good 7 season plan to get through Marinford and the timeskip, and then after that re-evaluate what to do and whether to recast certain people and come back as a sequel series when the manga is done for another 7 season sequel series.

[Himu]

I think the show needs to be on something like HBO. Netflix cancels all the time. After 72-80 episodes they could  license the show out and make a lot of money back. This is something Netflix would struggle to do I would think. At best, the live action will create a new generation of OP fan and put them onto the manga (yay) or anime (ugh).

[Bebpo]

Yeah, though I’m hoping since Oda and Jump and the IP holders have more money than god given how successful OP and its merchandising is that they have a vested interesting in helping fund the show and keep it running even if Netflix is iffy on it. It’s good marketing for the brand and expanding its audience internationally.

[Himu]

The fact One Piece is the top show on Netflix right now means so much to me. I tried to turn people on to OP for years in the 2000's and people couldn't get past the art style being "western" and "cartoony." OP fans in America have gone through so much. 4kids, anime cancellation, lack of popularity, and yet we've persevered and it is now the most popular it has ever been. This fight has been long and hard and the amount of accolades and support coming for this live action truly warms my cold, cold heart. Reminds me how Jojo used to be dead status in USA until the new anime came out and Jojo finally got the recognition it deserved.

[Bebpo]

Yeah, I hear you. Even now it's like pulling teeth trying to get my friends to check this out. Americans just don't want to give it a chance, never have.

It makes me happy to hear people with kids or teachers saying that the younger generation in school now is into One Piece. Feels like it finally made it in America. Hopefully the Live action one gets more adults into it. If it stays #1 for a bit at Netflix and makes enough headlines it'll get people talking and people checking it out.