Based mostly on Eiichiro Oda’s seminal manga — which has additionally been tailored into one of the vital standard and long-running anime collection of all time — Netflix’s live-action One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) who longs to turn out to be the legendary Pirate King. Whereas keen followers had beforehand gotten a teaser for the present, Netflix launched the first full trailer for the collection over the weekend. And whereas it seems to be like a ton of enjoyable, the trailer can also be decidedly missing intimately.
Viewers who’re already acquainted with the collection absolutely acknowledged the enduring Straw Hat Pirates and would possibly even have noticed a few of their most notable rogues who pop up briefly. In any other case, the trailer performs its playing cards fairly near its chest relating to what the expertise of watching the present will really be, and that is most likely the purpose. Following the disappointing reception (and subsequent cancellation) of their live-action Cowboy Bebop adaptation, Netflix is probably going eager to keep away from the identical errors that it made with that adaptation of one other beloved anime collection.
Although it ended up being one of many streamer’s most notable failures, the hype main into the discharge of Cowboy Bebop was immense. Followers had lengthy dreamed of a live-action adaptation, and with a sterling forged, a rating from the enduring authentic composer Yoko Kanno, and a giant Netflix funds, expectations have been off the charts. These have been solely raised when the Netflix Geeked social group launched a promo that showcased the live-action forged taking part in with the famed sweeps, cuts, and dynamic stylized edits which are a part of what make the unique anime collection so visually distinctive. However when the present ultimately dropped, it was clear that aesthetic inventiveness wasn’t part of the live-action collection in any respect; it had as a substitute simply been a extremely good advertising and marketing angle.
So protecting issues easy with the One Piece trailer doubtlessly protects the present from an analogous problem. The simplicity of the trailer — which basically simply acts as a logline for the collection idea: Monkey D. Luffy desires to be the Pirate King and desires a crew — is probably going additionally as a result of the present goes to be taking up the monster feat of adapting a collection that was the best-selling manga on Earth for 11 years working. This can be a story that is arguably much more well-known than Cowboy Bebop and has an engaged and excited fandom with excessive expectations, so taking part in to what they already know and anticipate with out taking any large swings is sensible. (In fact, there’s additionally the prospect that the explanation the trailer is not displaying us that a lot outdoors of the collection’ fundamental setup is as a result of Netflix remains to be engaged on the ending touches in post-production, however absolutely they might tease bits and items from later within the season if the wished to.)
One of many large challenges for the collection is that in simply eight episodes the present is hoping to adapt the East Blue Saga, which takes place over 12 volumes of the manga and encompasses a number of story arcs. It is rather a lot to suit right into a single eight-episode season and will see plenty of nuance, element, and story glossed over. Taking part in the trailer comparatively easy is a brilliant approach to keep away from individuals getting upset about what could or will not be included when the collection lastly hits.
Regardless of the selections that led to the stripped again trailer, one thing that makes the potential of One Piece actually thrilling is simply how concerned creator Eiichiro Oda has been within the course of of making the present. In a letter which was launched together with the brand new trailer, Oda shared that “there have been no compromises on this present” earlier than praising the actors and creatives who introduced One Piece to life. He even alluded to the probability of followers being dissatisfied by what did not make it in, however had a constructive tackle any potential criticism, saying, “I am certain I am going to hear about some individuals mentioning how this character is lacking or that scene is omitted, or this bit is totally different from the manga. However I am certain they’re going to come from a spot of affection, so I intend to take pleasure in even these feedback!”
That constructive strategy is refreshing and hopefully guarantees an thrilling new imaginative and prescient for One Piece, a narrative that is been charming readers and viewers for many years. However with a trailer which will depart newcomers rather less than clear on what the present has in retailer, let’s hope that the collection manages to attraction to those that aren’t acquainted with One Piece in addition to diehard followers.
