The live-action adaptation of One Piece by Netflix in 2023 has surprised the world by successfully translating the iconic anime series into a Hollywood production. A significant factor in its success is the faithful adherence to the manga created by Eiichiro Oda.
As the first season of the One Piece live-action series wraps up, approximately 95 chapters of the manga have been adapted. However, there remains a long way to go if we want to fully transition Oda’s rich storytelling into film form.
At this moment, the One Piece manga is on chapter 1145, with Oda clarifying that the story is in its final arc, yet there are still many adventures left for Monkey D. Luffy. Even with the series’ current pace, Netflix’s One Piece will need at least a couple more seasons to hope for a comprehensive adaptation from the manga.
The producers of the One Piece live-action series have set a target of 12 seasons, but it remains uncertain whether this goal will be achievable, as Oda continues to release new chapters. The crucial point is that there are still many questions regarding how the live-action adaptation will conclude before the release of One Piece season 2.
Netflix’s One Piece live-action may end without covering the entire manga storyline
To avoid disappointment in the future, we should acknowledge the possibility that the Netflix One Piece series may not be renewed after 20 years, focusing on the conflict between Luffy and Kaido and the shocking reveal about the fate of his brother, the infamous Shanks. Even if the 12-season target for the One Piece live-action series is deemed realistic, achieving such a benchmark seems unlikely due to the uncertainty of the plot’s progression.
While One Piece season 1 has been a resounding success, adapting the entire storyline of the manga would mean a complete departure from Netflix’s established patterns.
Firstly, One Piece must achieve a solid foundation for Netflix. This platform has built its reputation by canceling programs like GLOW, Shadow & Bone, and The OA, all of which are examples of the platform’s “cancellation machine.” However, even the most successful releases on this streaming service do not last as long as One Piece might require. Stranger Things will conclude with its fifth season, Squid Game after its third, and the longest-running series on Netflix is currently Virgin River with just five seasons. One Piece season 1 has been a triumph, but adapting the entire storyline of the manga would mean a fundamental break from Netflix’s existing framework.
Even if Netflix is eager to keep the momentum going for 12 seasons, there is a significant chance that One Piece will end prematurely. The cast of One Piece may begin searching for new opportunities in different projects, or they may leave too quickly compared to the characters they portray.
Therefore, for the live-action adaptation of One Piece to continue “running” until the manga concludes, it will need to address several factors: Oda wrapping up the story sooner than expected, continued success on Netflix, and a solution for the aging cast compared to their younger counterparts in the series.
However, it is clear that the One Piece live-action series could accurately adapt Eiichiro Oda’s manga story, provided it wraps up at some point. A scenario similar to that of The Expanse on Prime Video, where the series continued after several seasons of faithful adaptation, could arise, and even in the final season, it still leaves room for a concluding twist. Netflix’s One Piece could do something similar, but it remains to be seen how they will navigate this story.
According to Screenrant
