One Piece creator says Netflix show is a ‘last chance’ to get it right

While May 4 has become closely associated with Star Wars thanks to the “May the Fourth/Force” pun, manga and anime fans regard it in a different way: as the eve of Luffy’s birthday. The One PieceThe character canonically was born on 5 May, and to celebrate the event, Eiichiro released an update that is very welcome on the Netflix live action anime adaptation. In keeping with the spirit of mangakas, the note is quirky and blunt.

“I’ve been working with Tomorrow Studios and Netflix for quite some time now,” Oda writes in his new message to fans. “Even though they understand each of the characters, we obviously come from very different cultures so, when it comes to entertainment, we have different codes, skill sets, and aims. It could sometimes be frustrating on both sides. It felt like, ‘We’re all trying to get to the same place so how come we’re not on the same wavelength?’ There was even a time when I thought, ‘Is a foreign production even possible?!’”

Oda’s sentiment is likely shared by fans of the One Piece Manga, which dates back to 1997, has surpassed 1,000 episodes. Netflix’s anime adaptations have been a hit, but not as much as the original material. The year 2017 Death Note movie is barely remembered in the collective conscious and many wish they could forget 2021’s live-action Cowboy Bebop series. So there’s reason to be skeptical of if the One Piece show will clear the bar with fans — especially if you are Eiichiro Oda. But he assures fans it’s going smoothly, and that he’s completely invested in getting it right, in whatever time he has left on this planet.

“Considering my expected life span, I believe this is the last chance to bring One Piece to the entire world,” he writes, perhaps nodding to his various health issues over the years. “If we’re going to do it, I want to be able to supervise things while I’m still active. That’s why I agreed to the live-action adaptation of one piece back in 2016.”

Oda said that the entire production team came to a consensus on his live-action vision. One Piece to life, and that “Netflix has committed enormous resources to the production.” While the show is slated for a 2023 premiere, the creator also insists that the streaming service won’t launch the show “until I’m satisfied.”

Netflix is still able to offer most of the original content. One Piece under guard. In late 2022 the streamer showcased some character/cast photos and released a teaser. As for when season 1’s eight episodes will actually premiere, it’s anyone’s guess, but it sounds like Oda gets to make the final call. He says fans won’t have to wait The same goes for the other way around. long.

“We’ll be setting sail very soon!!” he promises. Luffy’s birthday and all those who are celebrating is a joyous occasion.