Summary
The Netflix adaptation of One Piece had to make difficult decisions about which characters to include due to budget and time constraints.
Gaimon and Mohji were excluded due to their complex designs and scenes, which would have incurred a substantial budget. Although Chouchou and Woop Slap only have fleeting cameos, they might play a more substantial part in upcoming seasons of the live-action series.
Netflix's adaptation of One Piece has successfully pleased both longtime fans and new viewers. However, due to the need for condensation and limited resources, major characters have been cut from the series. Making it a significant accomplishment, One Piece has taken on the immense challenge of adapting Eiichiro Oda's manga, which has been ongoing since 1999. Known for its extensive filler content, the anime adaptation had to make difficult decisions in order to streamline the story.
In order to fit the first 95 chapters of the One Piece manga into eight hour-long episodes on Netflix, certain characters that the Straw Hat Pirates encounter had to be omitted. Two key factors that influenced this decision were budget constraints and time limitations. One Piece showcases a diverse range of creative and eccentric character designs. While the Netflix adaptation effectively presents characters like Buggy and Arlong, some of the more fantastical creatures featured in the manga and anime were simply beyond the scope of the show's substantial 18 million dollar per-episode budget. Additionally, the time constraints forced less significant characters to be left out from the on-screen portrayal, although there is a possibility they may return in future episodes.
11 Gaimon
Gaimon, a former pirate, ended up marooned on the Island of Rare Animals while searching for its hidden treasure. In a twist of fate, he is now trapped inside a treasure chest, a result of an accident he had while exploring the perilous cliffs of the island. Eventually, Gaimon encounters the Straw Hat Pirates and becomes the guardian of the island, forming bonds with the unique creatures that inhabit it and safeguarding them from poachers.
Unfortunately, the storyline of The Island of Rare Animals was omitted in the show, which means that Gaimon's encounter with Netflix's straw hats never occurred. Even if they had visited the island, Gaimon's physical appearance, with his body fused to the treasure chest he wears, would pose a significant challenge for a live-action adaptation. Nonetheless, there is a brief nod to the Island of Rare Animals during the end credits as an Easter egg in One Piece, suggesting that the island's protector might still exist in the live-action universe.
10 Mohji & Richie The Lion
In the Manga, Mohji The Beast Tamer serves as Buggy's devoted Chief of Staff and is recognized for his menacing lion companion, Richie. Mohji makes his debut in the Orange Town Arc as a minor adversary who ultimately falls to Luffy's might.
However, in the Netflix adaptation, Mohji, despite his significant role within the Buggy Pirates, does not make an appearance. Furthermore, the live-action version chooses to focus the arc's action within Buggy's circus rather than the streets of Orange Town where Mohji's battles transpire. Additionally, the inclusion of Richie the Lion would entail a substantial budget allocation. Consequently, Iñaki Godoy's Luffy does not encounter the formidable duo of Mohji and Richie, despite them being the first formidable animal adversaries the Straw Hats encounter.
9 Chouchou
Chouchou, a small dog from Orange Town, makes a subtle appearance in a shot of the townspeople in episode 2 of the Netflix series. However, viewers who are only familiar with the Netflix version might not realize the significance of Chouchou to the Orange Town arc.
In the original manga and anime, Chouchou is the guardian of a pet food shop that belonged to his late owner, Hocker. Despite being clearly outmatched, Chouchou bravely confronts Mohji and Richie when they threaten the shop. While Chouchou's courageous act is not depicted in the live-action adaptation, his inclusion as a simple cameo could not fully capture his commendable bravery.
8 Momoo
Momoo, featured in the Arlong Park arc, is a colossal sea creature employed by the Arlong pirates as a strong-arm enforcer. Despite its initially endearing appearance, this mer-cow possesses devastating power capable of decimating entire villages. Interestingly, in both the manga and anime, Momoo displays vulnerability and fear when confronted by Luffy and Sanji. During the Straw Hats' attack on Arlong Park, Momoo even attempts to escape but is eventually coerced into combat by Arlong's sheer determination.
Given its massive kaiju-like proportions, any episode featuring Momoo would require a significant portion of the budget to accommodate the CGI necessary for bringing this creature to life in a live-action adaptation. Additionally, Momoo's primary function within the story is to provide comic relief, a role that One Piece already fulfills abundantly. Considering the character's limited screen time and timid nature as an opponent, it's understandable why Netflix chose not to include Momoo in their adaptation.
7 Woop Slap
The Mayor of Foosha Village, Woop Slap, is a strict leader and protector. Despite disliking pirates and being critical of Luffy's dream of becoming one, he still deeply cares for his village, including Luffy. This is evident when he begged Higuma to spare Luffy's life when he was a child.
Though not a major character in the live-action story, Woop Slap does make a cameo appearance in the Netflix adaptation in Episode 2, standing with the villagers as Shanks departs. Besides being the mayor, Woop Slap is important in the series because he knows about Luffy's parentage. Fans have theorized about his knowledge and his remarks about Luffy fulfilling his destiny as a great pirate, which raises questions. This significance may lead to him having a speaking role later on in Netflix's One Piece.
6 Usopp's Fans
Before becoming a member of the Straw Hats, the Usopp in the original material was seen to have a group of young admirers. Tamanegi, Piiman, and Ninjin make up the Usopp Pirates, a small team led by Usopp himself before he joined the Straw Hats. Rather than functioning as a fully-fledged crew, these three kids pretend to be pirates and enthusiastically participate in Usopp's pranks and stories. They also demonstrate their ability to handle difficult situations, as they notify their village of an impending pirate attack.
Unfortunately, the emotional moment of Usopp disbanding his crew and his tearful decision upon joining the Straw Hats were not depicted in the live action adaptation. While the main events of the Syrup Village arc remain intact, the exclusion of Usopp's "crew" may have been a missed opportunity. This is especially evident when considering the comparatively limited character development Usopp receives in comparison to the other Straw Hats.
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4 Hachi
Hatchan, or Hachi for short, is an antagonist encountered by the Straw Hats during the Arlong Park arc. He is a fish-man with six arms and is known for his expertise in the fearsome Six Sword Style. Hachi holds a significant position as one of Arlong's key officers and is responsible for taking care of Momoo, the enormous sea beast that instills fear in their enemies.
Adapting Hatchan's unique biology into live action would have undoubtedly required a substantial investment of funds and resources. The creation of special effects and the fulfillment of Hachi's distinct appearance and fighting style would have been exorbitantly expensive. Therefore, it is understandable that budgetary constraints led to his exclusion from the final production. Nevertheless, it would have been a delightful spectacle to witness the stark contrast between Hachi's amiable demeanor and his terrifying physicality in a live-action adaptation.
3 Johnny & Yosaku
Johnny and Yosaku, former fishermen who have now become bounty hunters, make their appearance in the Arlong Park arc. They were once companions of Zoro during his time as a bounty hunter, and like him, they are incredibly skilled swordsmen. Their expertise allows them to successfully apprehend dangerous criminals. Despite their outward seriousness, Johnny and Yosaku often find themselves in amusing situations, their facade crumbling under the weight of their emotions. Yosaku, in particular, is known to be prone to shedding tears.
2 Jango
: However, in the process of streamlining the Arlong Park arc, Johnny and Yosaku were among the characters who were unable to make the final cut. Their brief alliance with the Straw Hats began when they crossed paths by chance and directed the crew towards the Baratie upon learning of their need for a chef. Recognizing the crew's strength, they later aided the Straw Hats in their assault on Arlong Park and even provided Zoro with replacement swords for his battle against Hatchan. Despite their assistance, Johnny and Yosaku were ultimately deemed insignificant enough to justify their appearance on screen.Jango, the secondary antagonist, appears in the Syrup Village Arc and serves Kuro in his pursuit of inheriting Kaya's wealth. As a hypnotist, Jango is hired to manipulate Kaya into writing Kuro into her will. However, he meets his demise at the hands of Kuro's Black Cat Pirates. Jango proves to be a formidable adversary, utilizing his expertise in hypnotism and his razor-sharp pendant. This results in Luffy facing one of his more challenging battles early on.
1 Tashigi
Jango, an unusual villain even by One Piece standards, possesses a peculiar background as a dancer. One distinctive feature is the goatee on his chin, which interestingly is the stem of a mushroom. It is believed that the cap of this mushroom grants him the power of hypnotism. Surprisingly, Jango didn't make the cut in Netflix's adaptation of the Syrup Village arc, making him appear insignificant. Nevertheless, his name does make an appearance on a wanted poster in Shells Town, ensuring that he is not completely forgotten.
Tashigi, an integral character in the final arc portrayed by Netflix's One Piece, regrettably didn't make it into the live-action adaptation. As a Marine Officer serving under Captain Smoker, Tashigi possesses remarkable swordsmanship skills that justify her esteemed rank. In both the manga and anime, Zoro witnesses Tashigi's proficient swordplay as she effortlessly dispatches two renegade pirates. This spectacle, coupled with her striking resemblance to Zoro's late childhood friend, Kuina, sparks the commencement of a fierce rivalry.
Moving forward in the live-action series beyond the East Blue Saga, it is highly probable that Tashigi will be incorporated in subsequent seasons, given the importance attributed to the Marines in the series. The narrative potential of her transformation from a minor antagonist to a rival and ultimately an uneasy ally of the Straw Hat pirates cannot be overlooked. Netflix's One Piece faces the daunting task of determining which characters to include and which to omit, but among those potentially overlooked, Tashigi has the greatest likelihood of making a future appearance.