Despite nearly featuring a smartwatch in the final cut, Netflix's "One Piece" seems to be sticking closely to the source material, which could pay off in a big way.
For starters, "One Piece" creator and legendary manga artist Eiichiro Oda has been working closely with Netflix on the live-action adaptation the entire time. He even released a statement regarding the production, admitting it was initially difficult for the two sides to see eye-to-eye. However, it's been magical ever since they started working in sync, creating a live-action adaptation that Oda is genuinely proud of and what could be his last chance to bring "One Piece" to a global audience.
If that wasn't enough, Netflix's "One Piece" was made by people who love the source material, which isn't true for all of the streamer's popular shows. In an interview with GamesRadar, Luffy himself, Iñaki Godoy, said, "We love the manga, we love the anime, we think they're great," stating everyone on board the Netflix series wants to honor Oda's work and bring it to new audiences.
Showrunner Matt Owens expressed a similar love for the source material in Netflix's "One Piece" sneak peek, showcasing the massive sets the production built to accurately bring Oda's world to life. "As the biggest 'One Piece' fan, it's been exciting seeing some of my favorite places from the manga become a reality," Owens said. The short video showed many ships the streamer brought to life, including Baratie, the Going Merry, and the Miss Love Duck, proving that "One Piece" may be in good hands with Netflix.
