Manga Mastermind! How the Involvement of One Piece's Creator Shaped Netflix's Show

Summary

Eiichiro Oda's involvement in the development and creative decisions of the live-action One Piece show was crucial, as he is the creator.

Previous adaptations of the beloved manga series, Cowboy Bebop and Death Note, received significant fan backlash for a range of issues, including whitewashing and deviations from the source material.

Although the Cowboy Bebop adaptation did have involvement from the original director and composer, their influence was restricted, resulting in negative reviews and ultimately leading to the show's cancellation.

Director Marc Jobst emphasizes the significance of having Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, involved in the live-action adaptation. Jobst believes it would be insane to exclude Oda from the development process and creative decisions for the show.

He is the ultimate source! Why wouldn't you consult him directly? He is the creator behind One Piece, a masterpiece that is beloved by the world. It would be foolish not to involve him in every decision and ensure that we stay faithful to his vision and honor his work. Of course, when adapting from manga to live-action, some changes are necessary, and he was always understanding of that as long as we remained true to the essence of his incredible creation. He played a vital role in guiding this show and was an amazing collaborator. He wanted us to do justice to his work, and we were dedicated to achieving that goal.

Editor's Note: This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and it is important to acknowledge that the writers and actors from both unions played a crucial role in bringing this show to life. Without their talent and hard work, this project would not exist.

Oda's One Piece Involvement Avoids Cowboy Bebop's Biggest Mistake

Netflix's adaptation of the popular manga series, One Piece, follows their previous adaptations of Cowboy Bebop in 2021 and Death Note in 2017. However, both Cowboy Bebop and Death Note received heavy criticism from fans due to various issues. Death Note faced backlash for potentially whitewashing the story and characters, while Cowboy Bebop's writing, pacing, and deviations from the original anime were universally criticized.

Despite these shortcomings, the Cowboy Bebop adaptation had some redeeming qualities. The original composer Yoko Kanno returned for the show, and director Shinichirō Watanabe joined as a creative consultant during the hiatus caused by John Cho's injury. However, Watanabe's involvement in the show was limited, with him only offering ideas and reference materials to the Netflix team. Watanabe later revealed that he did not watch beyond the opening sequence of Cowboy Bebop, as he felt it did not align with his original vision.

Death Note received positive feedback from its original creators, who acknowledged its deviations and faithful adaptations of the manga. On the other hand, Cowboy Bebop faced cancellation less than three weeks after its release due to its high production cost and a significant decline in viewership during its second week. It is uncertain whether co-showrunners Steven Maeda and Matt Owens were already drafting scripts for a potential second season of One Piece before the ongoing Writer's Guild of America strike. However, if the live-action show proves to be Netflix's first successful manga/anime adaptation, it is hopeful that the duo and Oda will swiftly commence the next steps once the strike concludes.

One Piece will be available for streaming on Netflix starting from August 31.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.