The live-action series of One Piece by Netflix has proven to be a success. This series is a film that fans have long awaited to experience in a different way. The plot closely follows Luffy’s journey in the One Piece manga by Eiichiro Oda. One of the key elements that makes this live-action adaptation stand out from other adaptations is its adherence to the original source material, maintaining fidelity without deviating too much from the anime/manga.
However, there are still some necessary changes to make the story flow better in this live-action version. Although some of these changes are minor and generally not significant, they do impact the narrative in various ways.
Important Details Regarding the Gomu Gomu no Mi Fruit
Luffy’s Devil Fruit, the Gomu Gomu no Mi, also has a significant detail altered in his backstory in the live-action film. When Luffy sails with Koby after escaping from Alvida, the story delves into his backstory as a rubber boy. The transition into this backstory is very well done, allowing fans to see how Luffy meets Shanks and how he consumes his Devil Fruit.
Moreover, the Devil Fruit box symbolizes the fight against the Marines. This is something that fans can only discover in the manga during the Wano arc. In the Netflix adaptation, fans will quickly notice this detail and conclude that Shanks may have fought with the Marines to retrieve the Gomu Gomu no Mi fruit.
The Role of Axe-Hand Morgan
Compared to the manga, the character of Axe-Hand Morgan is portrayed quite differently. In the live-action film, Morgan does not embody the same villainous nature as in the manga. Most notably, Morgan is the one who has a base in the Grand Line in the live-action adaptation.
This is entirely different from the manga, where the character’s base is related to Buggy the Clown. Additionally, Morgan’s battle against Luffy and Zoro is much more intense than in the manga, making him appear stronger than before.
Koby Joins the Marines
Koby’s enlistment in the Marines is also very different in the Netflix live-action series of One Piece. In the manga, Koby and Luffy fight after Luffy encourages him to join the battle. This allows the Marines to realize that they are not united. Koby, after being interrogated, is allowed to join the Marines.
In the live-action adaptation, Koby has already enlisted in the Marines and later gets recruited by Garp.
Luffy and Nami’s First Encounter
One of the biggest changes in Netflix’s live-action One Piece is that Nami is introduced to fans at Shells Town. In both the anime and manga, Zoro is the only member of the Straw Hat Pirates who appears in Shells Town. In the live-action version, Nami infiltrates the Marines at base 153 to gather information on the Grand Line.
She collaborates with Luffy, and the two meet for the first time at the Marines’ base. In the manga, Luffy and Nami’s first meeting occurs in Orange Town, after Luffy captures a bird that leads him to a treasure.
First Encounter of Zoro and Luffy
The first encounter between Zoro and Luffy is also quite different in the live-action adaptation of One Piece. Their first meeting occurs in a bar at Shells Town. When Helmeppo causes chaos, Zoro cannot notice the reward, as he is tied up and subjected to punishment for attacking the Marines.
At that moment, Luffy bursts into the area where Zoro is tied up and immediately frees him. In the manga, Luffy finds Zoro’s sword before both engage in a fight against Morgan.
The Role of Garp
One major difference in the live-action Romance Dawn arc is that Garp has a much more prominent role. Although Garp is a very important character in the story, he does not play a significant role in the original source material during the Romance Dawn segment.
In this adaptation, Garp is forced to act when he realizes that Buggy the Clown has infiltrated the Marines at base 153 and is gathering intel on the Grand Line from there. Garp immediately recognizes that his grandson is responsible for this and begins to pursue Luffy, which is a subplot not present in the original manga.
