Recently in the anime community, there’s been debate over how accurate live-action adaptations are when compared to the original animated show. The source of this debate: Netflix’s attempt at a live-action adaptation of the beloved thousand-episode anime, One Piece.
I swore to myself that I would never watch an anime with over a thousand episodes, especially when I heard most of them tended to be filler. But when there’s a live-action series (with around only 8 episodes) of that same anime, I figured there would be no harm in watching it. And boy am I glad I started it. I had no prior knowledge of One Piece whatsoever; I went into the live-action completely blind. The only thing I knew about it was that it had pirates, so I thought, silly little show about pirates… might as well. I didn’t have any expectations with the live action, but it had so many things that made me fall in love with it: the characters, the visuals, and the humor. There are so many things that made me love this show, that left me wanting more. It single-handedly convinced me to start the long, treacherous journey of the One Piece anime.
I swore to myself that I would never watch an anime with over a thousand episodes, especially when I heard most of them tended to be filler. But when there’s a live-action series (with around only 8 episodes) of that same anime, I figured there would be no harm in watching it. And boy am I glad I started it. I had no prior knowledge of One Piece whatsoever; I went into the live-action completely blind. The only thing I knew about it was that it had pirates, so I thought, silly little show about pirates… might as well. I didn’t have any expectations with the live action, but it had so many things that made me fall in love with it: the characters, the visuals, and the humor. There are so many things that made me love this show, that left me wanting more. It single-handedly convinced me to start the long, treacherous journey of the One Piece anime.
Characters
Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy)
Starting the show, I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t a stretchy teenager who wanted to become King of the Pirates. The show follows a small island kid—who ate a devil fruit that turned his body to rubber—that has just reached his teenage years and set sail to become king of the pirates.
Keep in mind that when I started the show, I had no previous idea of what Luffy’s character in the anime was supposed to be like; I only knew Iñaki’s portrayal of him. Iñaki is probably one of the funniest actors I know: he put his heart and soul into this production, and it’s reflected in the emotional scenes that make you scream, laugh, and cry with him. At only 18 years old when he was given the role of Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece was definitely Iñaki’s number one hit, and with great reason.
Regarding Luffy’s character, I was only able to judge what Iñaki put into the show. As I went further into the episodes, I started asking myself just how accurate his portrayal was. The live-action was a wild ride of emotions with Luffy: it showed his beginnings, his goals, his hurt, and his best times. But nonetheless, I grew to love Luffy as a character.
Starting the show, I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t a stretchy teenager who wanted to become King of the Pirates. The show follows a small island kid—who ate a devil fruit that turned his body to rubber—that has just reached his teenage years and set sail to become king of the pirates.
Keep in mind that when I started the show, I had no previous idea of what Luffy’s character in the anime was supposed to be like; I only knew Iñaki’s portrayal of him. Iñaki is probably one of the funniest actors I know: he put his heart and soul into this production, and it’s reflected in the emotional scenes that make you scream, laugh, and cry with him. At only 18 years old when he was given the role of Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece was definitely Iñaki’s number one hit, and with great reason.
Regarding Luffy’s character, I was only able to judge what Iñaki put into the show. As I went further into the episodes, I started asking myself just how accurate his portrayal was. The live-action was a wild ride of emotions with Luffy: it showed his beginnings, his goals, his hurt, and his best times. But nonetheless, I grew to love Luffy as a character.
Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu)
Zoro is one of those anime characters where everyone has at least seen or heard of. He was one of the only characters whose existence was somewhat known to me. I knew he had green hair, he was buff, and he had three swords... that was about it.
But seeing Mackenyu’s portrayal of him on the big screen made me realize (to some extent) the hype behind Zoro. Roronoa Zoro was one of the most famous pirate hunters in the East Blue, so you could probably understand my confusion when he decided to join Luffy. Zoro as a character was incredible: his charisma was perfectly portrayed as a loyal broody swordsman who trusted very few. Zoro was unintentionally hilarious. Even though he doesn’t laugh or smile much, his remarks and actions make the viewer laugh. Zoro’s one of those people who will walk with someone to the ends of the earth, which is what he signed up for when he joined Luffy. Because seriously, who follows a crazy wanna be pirate on his endeavors just as a way to say thank you?
Zoro is one of those anime characters where everyone has at least seen or heard of. He was one of the only characters whose existence was somewhat known to me. I knew he had green hair, he was buff, and he had three swords... that was about it.
But seeing Mackenyu’s portrayal of him on the big screen made me realize (to some extent) the hype behind Zoro. Roronoa Zoro was one of the most famous pirate hunters in the East Blue, so you could probably understand my confusion when he decided to join Luffy. Zoro as a character was incredible: his charisma was perfectly portrayed as a loyal broody swordsman who trusted very few. Zoro was unintentionally hilarious. Even though he doesn’t laugh or smile much, his remarks and actions make the viewer laugh. Zoro’s one of those people who will walk with someone to the ends of the earth, which is what he signed up for when he joined Luffy. Because seriously, who follows a crazy wanna be pirate on his endeavors just as a way to say thank you?
Nami (Emily Rudd)
The live action adaptation of Nami was an amazing example of what women from anime should be portrayed as: strong people, both mentally and physically, who are just like any other. No added sexualizing; just a pure, raw human.
Nami’s character was one of my favorites. Mainly due to the fact she was a kick ass pirate thief who doubled as a navigator that listened to no one. But not only that, she had depth to her: she was more than a pretty face with trust issues; she was a strong woman who believed in taking the long road if it meant protecting her village. Emily Rudd was amazing too: her acting makes you believe you know who she is and what she’s thinking one second, then the next she’s doing a complete 180. Rudd put raw emotion into every scene she was in. Her soul was practically visible during the most heart wrenching scenes.
The live action adaptation of Nami was an amazing example of what women from anime should be portrayed as: strong people, both mentally and physically, who are just like any other. No added sexualizing; just a pure, raw human.
Nami’s character was one of my favorites. Mainly due to the fact she was a kick ass pirate thief who doubled as a navigator that listened to no one. But not only that, she had depth to her: she was more than a pretty face with trust issues; she was a strong woman who believed in taking the long road if it meant protecting her village. Emily Rudd was amazing too: her acting makes you believe you know who she is and what she’s thinking one second, then the next she’s doing a complete 180. Rudd put raw emotion into every scene she was in. Her soul was practically visible during the most heart wrenching scenes.
Usopp (Jacob Romero Gibson)
Usopp, our sharpshooter extraordinaire (with a little bit of a lying habit)! Usopp is a wanna-be pirate captain whose goal is to become brave. He’s the good type of comic relief. They didn’t place him in the show just to fill in the hard parts with jokes; he has depth to him, an actual story that helps explain why he is the way he is.
Jacob Romero did an awesome portrayal of Usopp. Every time he made a joke or a situation unintentionally funny, it didn’t feel forced or give me secondhand embarrassment. It felt like he had Usopp’s personality even before he was cast. He wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows; he struggled too, and that just helped solidify his personality.
Usopp, our sharpshooter extraordinaire (with a little bit of a lying habit)! Usopp is a wanna-be pirate captain whose goal is to become brave. He’s the good type of comic relief. They didn’t place him in the show just to fill in the hard parts with jokes; he has depth to him, an actual story that helps explain why he is the way he is.
Jacob Romero did an awesome portrayal of Usopp. Every time he made a joke or a situation unintentionally funny, it didn’t feel forced or give me secondhand embarrassment. It felt like he had Usopp’s personality even before he was cast. He wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows; he struggled too, and that just helped solidify his personality.
Sanji (Taz Skylar)
Sanji is a chef whose motto is to make sure no one goes hungry again. Sanji is one of my favorite One Piece characters from the live-action. Just from the live-action, it seemed to me that Sanji was a respectful man who wanted nothing more but to help out those who helped him. (It doesn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous-)
Regarding Taz Skylar’s adaptation, it was honestly amazing. He was able to showcase his loyalty without forcing it. Sanji is a character whose values center around making sure no one goes through what he went through, and I feel like Taz showed that perfectly. He was able to be serious and then go flirting with Nami in .2 seconds, and I found that hilarious.
Sanji is a chef whose motto is to make sure no one goes hungry again. Sanji is one of my favorite One Piece characters from the live-action. Just from the live-action, it seemed to me that Sanji was a respectful man who wanted nothing more but to help out those who helped him. (It doesn’t hurt that he’s gorgeous-)
Regarding Taz Skylar’s adaptation, it was honestly amazing. He was able to showcase his loyalty without forcing it. Sanji is a character whose values center around making sure no one goes through what he went through, and I feel like Taz showed that perfectly. He was able to be serious and then go flirting with Nami in .2 seconds, and I found that hilarious.
The more I came to love these characters, the more I worried I wasn’t getting the full picture. With all the controversy I’ve heard from the One Piece community and the anime community in general, I feared that I was meeting an entirely new character compared to the ones everyone else knew in the anime. So to take myself out of doubt, I decided to do a little more research.
The more I looked at comparisons between the actors and the original characters, I found myself noticing the intense similarities between them. Iñaki is the spitting image of Luffy both physically and personality wise, Mackenyu is serious but goofy just like Zoro is, Emily is badass and loving as if she and Nami were raised together, Jacob is effortlessly funny with big dreams like Usopp, and Taz is a gentleman whose cooking skills could rival those of Sanji himself. If people enjoy this show so much, there must be a reason behind it, right?
The more I looked at comparisons between the actors and the original characters, I found myself noticing the intense similarities between them. Iñaki is the spitting image of Luffy both physically and personality wise, Mackenyu is serious but goofy just like Zoro is, Emily is badass and loving as if she and Nami were raised together, Jacob is effortlessly funny with big dreams like Usopp, and Taz is a gentleman whose cooking skills could rival those of Sanji himself. If people enjoy this show so much, there must be a reason behind it, right?
The Story
The tales of Monkey D. Luffy through the live-action were those that brought me to the edge of my seat almost the entirety of each episode. So you could understand my disappointment when I realized I was halfway done with the last episode. I worried it would end on a cliffhanger (which it did) and I would have to wait for ages to figure out what happens with the Strawhat Crew afterward. Remembering there was a predecessor lit a new found determination in me. I wasn’t going to wait ages for actors to adapt a story that I could watch in that moment. I’m not going to lie, the thought of a thousand episodes intimidated me, but if the anime is anything like the live-action, I’ll love it right? I can tell you right now that I certainly did.
The Fans
The fandom itself also played a huge part in convincing me to start the journey. I swear I liked one video about One Piece and suddenly my entire feed was covered with silly little videos about the show, both live-action and the anime. I was surprised that people weren’t becoming upset at people who just got into the show, like myself, but they were actually celebrating it. Instead of degrading a show for not being “canon” and how people were “fake fans” for not starting with the anime, they were supporting and excited to show the newbies every reason they loved the show. I have a friend who watched One Piece before the live-action came out and when I told him I started the live-action, I kid you not I had 40+ videos, all One Piece related, within 5 minutes. I think it’s safe to say he was happy I started watching and he had someone to geek out with.
Comments from a newbie
By the time I actually finished the live action, I had my sights set on watching the anime. I wanted to see for myself just how similar the actors are to their anime counterparts. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw their personalities were almost identical. The live-action and the anime are both unique and amazing in their own way, but there are a few comparisons I want to make, Anime Zoro being the first. Mackenyu is an amazing actor and I love all he does and his personality, but I felt as if they didn’t incorporate all that Zoro is. Zoro in the anime is a goofy, snarky, and dramatic swordsman whose value lies in loyalty, but he was too serious in the live action. Hence I prefer anime Zoro over live-action Zoro.
But on the other hand, I love live-action Sanji so much more than anime Sanji. Don’t get me wrong, Sanji in the anime is such a complex character fueled by his passion, but he’s a bit creepy with the amount of attention he gives the females. I mean, I understand he’s a romantic and values them, but the way he shows it sometimes gives me the ick. Live action Sanji, however, I love that man to death. Taz did such an amazing adaptation of what Sanji’s values are supposed to be like. He’s flirty with Nami and respects her at the same time; it’s not the same way he does in the anime. I don’t know if it was Sanji’s personality or Taz himself that made me love Sanji more compared to the other characters.
As someone who’s at the beginning of their One Piece journey, I feel I don’t have the best understanding of the Straw Hats story to tell it myself. But what I could do was talk about the live-action and how it managed to convince me to start down this long road. The live-action, in my opinion, is a good place to start if you’re hesitant about starting the anime. It gives you a taste of their journey without fully committing to the thousand episodes, and it just might convince you to start its anime predecessor.
But on the other hand, I love live-action Sanji so much more than anime Sanji. Don’t get me wrong, Sanji in the anime is such a complex character fueled by his passion, but he’s a bit creepy with the amount of attention he gives the females. I mean, I understand he’s a romantic and values them, but the way he shows it sometimes gives me the ick. Live action Sanji, however, I love that man to death. Taz did such an amazing adaptation of what Sanji’s values are supposed to be like. He’s flirty with Nami and respects her at the same time; it’s not the same way he does in the anime. I don’t know if it was Sanji’s personality or Taz himself that made me love Sanji more compared to the other characters.
As someone who’s at the beginning of their One Piece journey, I feel I don’t have the best understanding of the Straw Hats story to tell it myself. But what I could do was talk about the live-action and how it managed to convince me to start down this long road. The live-action, in my opinion, is a good place to start if you’re hesitant about starting the anime. It gives you a taste of their journey without fully committing to the thousand episodes, and it just might convince you to start its anime predecessor.
