Summary
The success and positive feedback from Netflix’s adaptation of the belovedOne Piecehas warranted discussions of a potential second season, and its ending has set the pace for it. In the aspect of taking the source material and bringing it to life as its own entity separate from what fans are familiar with, Netflix has managed to produce one of the bestlive-action anime adaptations among the rare few.
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While this is the case, to push Eiichiro Oda’s story closer to its source material, there are multiple changes and adjustments that will be needed to do so. Considering Oda’s involvement with the series' production, fans areconfident a second season will continue the good form, learning from what has worked well and what has not.
Warning: Some anime and manga spoilers ahead
5Stronger Luffy
Based on both the manga and anime, fans will knowhow strong and formidable Luffywas even within the early stages of the story. Without discovering Haki or the potential of his Devil Fruit, Luffy made his name known by defeating some of the world’s well-known pirates, more notably Crocodile. While it is clear that Luffy still defeats foes in the same manner that most fans are familiar with, some of these sequences portray Luffy in a much weaker and less capable fashion, especially against Arlong.
As the live-action adaptation changes some aspects of the source material’s sequences, Luffy on this occasion has two encounters with Arlong, where the initial confrontation is left with Luffy being completely dominated, unlike the anime. In the second season, Netflix’sOne Piecewill benefit hugely by allowing Inaki Godoy to fully showcase just how powerful Luffy was in the story’s early stages.
4Less Serious Tone
While many moments depictbothOne Piece’s comedicand serious moments perfectly, there are often too many moments of seriousness that can feel opposed to the full-fledged fun and joyous vibe the anime provides even in moments of crisis. This is precisely the case during Luffy’s first encounter with Buggy when he is drowning and unable to move, or when Luffy begs Zoro to wake up after his defeat to Mihawk.
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Despite the fact thatOne Piece’s serious segments are of vital importance to the overarching story, it is important that this live adaptation sticks closer to its source material by keeping most sequences, especially the serious ones, the same as what fans have seen in the anime and manga.
3Less Serious Garp
With a complete change to Garp’s number of appearances here also comes a change in his attitude for better or worse in the eyes of fans. While the portrayal of Garp on this occasion still works and blends in with Luffy’s back and forth with him, complaints remain regarding his serious attitude, which opposes the easy-going nature of Garp in the anime.
Since he is almost identical to Luffy appearance-wise and personality-wise considering the fact that it is his grandfather, the change here appears to be a drastic jump to what fans are accustomed to. If Garp is set to appear again in Season 2, Netflix would do best to depict a more comedic and non-serious attitude within Garp, furtheraligning the clear similarities between him and Luffy, and not one who is adamant about hunting down his grandson.
2More Anime-Inspired Soundtracks
A pivotal and fundamental aspect ofOne Pieceas all fans of the anime will be aware of, is its incredible and unique soundtracks that set the tone instantly. Themes for eachcharacter, arc, sequence, and location, the anime provides an experience that rivals the manga for many fans of the series and is part of why it has been successful throughout all the years it has aired.
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While it comes down to the rights of composers of each soundtrack and whether these will be allowed to be implemented inOne Piece’s live-action adaptation, it will be integral to the series' improvement and can single-handedly elevate Season 2.
1Eyecatchers
In the aspect of bringing the live-action series closer to life while still maintaining the aspects of anime that make it the success that it is, Netflix’sOne Piececould do something special with the wanted posters just as it has done already with the character reveals. Keeping in line with the aforementioned addition of implementing the anime’s OST, Toei’s eyecatchers inOne Pieceare minor, but ones to behold.
This could be an opportunity for special scenes that won’t have much time such as Oda’s cover pages making their appearance, or potentially sequences with Netflix’sStraw Hats on a separate adventure of their ownaway from the canon events of the story. Many of these elements will contribute towards allowing fans to easily recognize and gather the essence of theOne Piecethat they are accustomed to, while also realizing that it stands as its unique rendition of the famous story. Fans should expect changes as such for the better if season two is set to arrive.
