If you’re looking for the next breakout hit, start streaming One Piece on Netflix immediately. That may sound like we’re gushing about this new epic live-action pirate adventure, but for good reason. One Piece is inventive, original, and thoroughly engaging, holding your interest throughout its festive eight episodes. It’s what some would have hoped to feel while watching some of the recent Star Wars’ series on Disney+, but alas that’s another story. (But thank God for Ahsoka.)
Pulling off One Piece was no easy feat. The series is based on Japan’s immensely popular and highest-selling manga series, created by Eiichiro Oda, and attempting to reimagine a classic is tricky. Knights of the Zodiac attempted to forge ahead with that IP in film, but the verdict is still out on whether there will be traction on that front. There should be no doubt with One Piece. It’s a sprawling spectacle — lush, rich in detail, creative in the way it’s executed, perfectly cast, and it’s bound to generate buzz as we head into fall.
The legendary high-seas adventure follows Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom ever since his turbulent childhood. When he leaves his small village, he embarks on a dangerous journey to obtain a fabled treasure, called “the One Piece.” Surely that will grant him the title of king of the pirates. And boy, is it fun to watch him try to achieve that goal.
One Piece Pulls Out All the Stops
One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda had said that there would be no “compromises” in the streaming version of his hit manga. And he meant it. The team behind the scenes is extensive and viewers will immediately sense how much work went into creating this memorable outing. One Piece was buoyed by a partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix. Matt Owens and Steven Maeda’s combined talents as the show’s writers, executive producers, and showrunners pay off. This series packs a punch. Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein (Hanna), and Becky Clements (Physical, Showpiercer, Hanna) also executive produce.
The plot is relatively straightforward yet delivers surprises galore in every episode. Our dear Luffy will stop at nothing until he reaches his goal. But the road is filled with plenty of mysteries and dangerous villains at every turn. When Luffy assembles the crew he’s always wanted, the trio all share a common thirst for adventure. There’s Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), a brooding, fierce pirate hunter on a mission to become the world’s greatest swordsman, and Nami (Emily Rudd), a sassy cartographer who’s secretive, often takes to thievery, and dreams of mapping the entire world.
Luffy and his new pals jive for the most part and they each take note of the others’ unique skills. But it’s Luffy that stands out. Before his sea-faring adventure began, Luffy consumed the mysterious devil fruit, which turned his body into rubber. More on that later, but the great surprise is watching Luffy come to terms with his special powers, which allow him to stretch his limbs as far as he can imagine and, well, maybe punch a bad guy or two. Netflix's One Piece production does an exceptional job with those particular special effects without making it look cheesy.
And without a doubt, fresh face Iñaki Godoy (The Imperfects) will be the talk of the internet. Let the fandom begin. The showrunners found a rising star in Godoy. His acting is believable, his expressions on the mark, and he embodies the sense of joy and desire for adventure that allows this unique series to sail toward success. Take note of Luffy’s straw hat, which has a unique tie to his past. So much so, that he calls his new crew The Straw Hats.
World Building at Its Finest
If it seems as if there is a lot to unpack in One Piece, that’s because there is. Like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings, viewers are taken into a fascinatingly elaborate world filled with a variety of intricacies. The series does a fine job at introducing different sets of characters that we’re bound to follow throughout the show and, perhaps, watch them crisscross into each other’s experiences.
There are the Marines (Vincent Regan, Morgan Davies, Aidan Scott), protectors of the world’s waterways. They arrest the pirate factions who steal from the rich and powerful. Look for Davies’ Koby to warm your heart as a young recruit who longs to be a power player in the Marines, similar to Luffy’s quest on the other side of the so-called law. Ilia Isorelýs Paulino offers a nice brief turn as crusty pirate captain Alvida. Shanks (Peter Gadiot) is bound to become a fan favorite as the captain of Red-Haired pirates for the sheer fact that he ultimately becomes Luffy’s go-to, a pirate mentor to trust. Their flashback scenes build well as these episodes play out.
Then there’s Jeff Ward as Buggy, a formidable antagonist for Luffy. Buggy — and, in turn, Ward — will no doubt become one of the more talked about villains to have graced the screen this year. Think crazed clown with plenty of circus-y, pirate-y angst. This foe is head of the Buggy Pirates, and he’s as maniacal as he looks. Jacob Romero is another scene stealer as the open-hearted Usopp, a slingshotter who eventually becomes part of The Straw Hats. Taz Skylar rounds out the Straw Hats crew as Sanji, the ship's honorable chef who has dreams of his own. Still, with his orderly demeanor, he's a perfect foil for Luffy.
It's a testament to the writers and directors — Marc Jobst and Emma Sullivan were at the helm of the first four episodes — to effectively take viewers into this vibrant world without having it feel overwrought with details and overwhelming at every turn. To the contrary, One Piece moves along at a zippy pace, and you want to learn even more about its luminous characters.
Special Effects and Action Scenes
There’s so much fun to be had throughout One Piece. Filmed in Cape Town, South Africa, the entire series is breathtakingly scenic. Directors of photography Nicole Hirsch Whitaker, Michael Swan, Trevor Brown, and Michael Wood worked wonders with production designer Richard Bridgland here to take us into a world we haven’t inhabited with this much detail. The overall design and tone of the show mirrors the colorful spirit of the source material.
Costume designer Diana Cilliers’s modern spin on some of the pirate and town folk attire should be noted, and Jaco Snyman is a wizard with prosthetic makeup, particularly with the character of Buggy. VFX supervisor Victor Scalise strikes the right balance between spectacle and believability, which adds another layer of professionalism to this production.
Let’s talk about the fight sequences. Those who are faint of heart and believe everything here is a cheery and fantastical, take note: Luffy’s journey is a dangerous one, so it’s refreshing to see that the showrunners spared little detail when bringing this story to life. It’s not overtly graphic by any means, but it’s a far cry from Muppet Treasure Island. Luffy’s fight scenes dazzle the eyes — as they should — and Zoro and Nami’s are formidable in their battle sequences. Nearly every battle scene is thrilling.
Take note of episode two, which truly stands out. Luffy meets Buggy here. Episode four, the season’s midpoint, is engaging as Luffy, Zoro, and Nami fight their way through Kaya’s (Celeste Loots) mansion, which has now become a prison. Kaya, yet another fabulous character to pop in, is a sick shipyard heiress with an overbearing staff. Look for a great milestone for Luffy in this episode, but also danger ahead.
As the series rolls out, we learn more details about things you may not have thought would boomerang back. Learning more about the devil fruit is great fun, for instance, and the showrunners do a great job at uncovering mysteries and presenting new ones with equal measures spunk and ease. With its bold spirit, continuous flow of thrills, and unique plot twists One Piece aims to be an unforgettable epic pirate adventure. That it is. So, hop on board. Sail away. This show is a treasure.
One Piece streams on Netlfix beginning Aug. 31.
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