Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the beloved manga One Piece, recently spoke in an interview with The New York Times about his change of heart regarding the possibility of a live-action adaptation of his iconic work. Oda initially believed that there was no point in creating a manga that could be translated into live-action. However, his perspective shifted after watching Stephen Chow’s movie, Shaolin Soccer, which he felt brought a manga-esque world to life. Oda also noted that he realized technological advances had made a live-action adaptation of One Piece a possibility. With this newfound belief, he set out to find the right partner to bring his manga to life.
One Piece tells the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a teenager with a body that possesses the properties of rubber after consuming a Devil Fruit. Alongside the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy embarks on a journey to find the treasure known as the “One Piece” and fulfill his dream of becoming the next Pirate King. The manga debuted in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine in 1997, and its anime adaptation premiered in 1999. One Piece has also been adapted into video games and films, with the most recent film being One Piece Film: Red. However, Netflix’s live-action interpretation of the series is the first of its kind, following several unsuccessful attempts to adapt popular manga like Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, and Death Note.
Recognizing the history of failure when adapting manga into live-action, Oda took on the role of a “guard dog” during the production of the Netflix series. He made it clear that the show would not move forward until he felt satisfied with the adaptation and had given his input on the scripts. Oda’s dedication to preserving the essence of One Piece was evident throughout the process, as he even requested reshoots of scenes that didn’t meet his standards. Despite his thorough involvement, Oda acknowledged that there will always be changes when transitioning to live-action, but he believes the show’s team are professionals and One Piece super fans who understand the source material.
In an earlier message to fans, Oda expressed that he made “no compromises” during the show’s seven-year development. He is aware that some fans may voice their concerns about the changes made in the live-action adaptation, but he trusts the team’s ability to bring the characters to life. Oda was especially impressed with actor Iñaki Godoy’s portrayal of Luffy, despite initial reservations about the character’s lines on paper. The production team also put in significant effort to ensure that the live-action adaptation didn’t look too unnatural.
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While reviews for the Netflix series are not yet available, Oda emphasized the importance of staying true to the characters and their dynamics in any successful live-action manga adaptation. He believes that a live-action adaptation should encompass what fans love about the original material without changing the story too much. Oda expressed his satisfaction with how the adaptation turned out and hopes that audiences will accept and enjoy it.
In conclusion, Eiichiro Oda’s change of heart about a live-action adaptation of One Piece was inspired by watching Shaolin Soccer and recognizing the technological advancements that made it possible. He took on an active role in the production to ensure that the adaptation stayed faithful to the source material and provided a satisfying experience for fans. With the series set to premiere on Netflix, Oda’s dedication to preserving the essence of One Piece gives hope that this live-action interpretation will stand out from previous manga adaptations and be embraced by audiences worldwide.
