Article Overview
Netflix's live-action One Piece accurately adapts the anime and stays true to the manga, but one scene is darker than its animated counterpart.
In the sixth episode of the first season of One Piece, a significant and somber event from Sanji's past is unveiled, presenting a distinct deviation from its portrayal in the manga.
Unlike the anime's more subdued approach, the live-action series remains faithful to the intense and graphic aspects depicted in the manga.
Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece excels at faithfully bringing the anime to life, but it ventures into even darker territory than its animated counterpart. Retelling Eiichiro Oda's story in a live-action format, the show follows the journey of Luffy D. Monkey (played by Iñaki Godoy) as he strives to become the Pirate King. Season 1 of One Piece introduces his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, and their adventures across the East Blue aboard the Going Merry.
While One Piece season 1 generally maintains a hopeful and lighthearted tone, both the live-action series and anime have their share of darker moments. In particular, a scene in Netflix's One Piece takes a darker turn compared to its anime counterpart, although it aligns more closely with Oda's original manga.
Zeff Ate His Leg In The One Piece Live-Action (Unlike In The Anime)
In episode 6 of season 1 of One Piece, titled "The Chef and the Chore Boy," viewers gain insight into Sanji's past and his relationship with Zeff, which includes some darker moments. Sanji opens up to the rest of the crew and shares the story of how Zeff saved his life. According to Sanji's recollection, they were stranded on a rock for almost 100 days, and when Sanji went to search for food, he discovered that Zeff had sacrificed his own leg and given all the food to Sanji.
This differs from the One Piece anime, where Zeff's leg becomes trapped in chains after jumping into the ocean to save Sanji. Due to his injuries, Zeff is compelled to amputate his own leg in order to survive. Although the anime still portrays Zeff as a heroic figure in Sanji and Zeff's backstory, it does not fully convey the horrifying experiences that Zeff endured for the sake of saving Sanji. The live-action adaptation of One Piece emphasizes this aspect, with Sanji expressing to the others, "He could have let me die on that rock." This is not the only instance in which the live-action series deviates from the manga and anime adaptations, but it stays more faithful to the original manga.
Why Netflix’s One Piece Is Closer To The Manga Than To The Anime
Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece stays true to the original manga by incorporating elements like Zeff eating his own leg. Unlike the anime, which toned down the violence and gore, the live-action series embraces the darker aspects of the source material. This decision to closely follow the manga is because the manga is the original story, and the anime itself is an adaptation. While the anime makes its own alterations, the live-action series takes a different approach, providing viewers with a glimpse into the dark backstory of characters like Sanji and Zeff. It is likely that the upcoming season 2 of One Piece will explore even darker storylines.
Editor's P/S
As an One Piece fan, I am thrilled to see that the live-action adaptation on Netflix stays true to the original manga. The scene where Zeff devours his own leg is a prime example of how the live-action series captures the darker tone of the manga. In the anime, this scene is toned down, but in the live-action, it is depicted in all its gruesome detail. This makes the scene more impactful and shows the true desperation of Zeff's situation.
Overall, I appreciate that the live-action series is not shying away from the darker aspects of the One Piece story. This makes the show more mature and appealing to a wider audience. I am excited to see how the live-action series continues to adapt the manga and bring the world of One Piece to life.