Announced back during the summer of 2017, we learned that the One Piece property had been optioned by Tomorrow Studios and now things are moving forward more formally with it. The show has been picked up by Netflix with a 10-episode first season getting the green light with original creator Eiichiro Oda listed as an executive producer on it.
At the time, it was certainly easy to be wary because we’d seen many projects like this get picked up and start development but falter. Tomorrow Studios was really just getting underway at that point with a few projects but in the time since they’ve brought out Hanna and the Snowpiercer TV series. They’re also behind the production of Cowboy Bebop, which took longer to get done initially because of John Cho’s accident and then the pandemic. That project ended up being canceled after one season. It’s also worth noting that because Cowboy Bebop was done the way it was doesn’t mean One Piece will be. Each project is its own thing.
We got the good news during Anime Expo that the anime cast will be reprising their roles in Japan for the dub of it there and now we’re just getting closer to that August 31st, 2023 debut of the series. The promo we got during SDCC actually won me over as it gave me some great 90s syndication vibes in a way that I am not saying in a damning with faint praise thing.
With the show making its debut and doing quite well around the world, Netflix Japan has confirmed that a second season is in the works and dropped it via an amusing promo featuring Eiichiro Oda announcing it below.
Now, when we do get some functional snail phones?
Check out our review of the first live-action season here.
The previously announced cast includes:
- Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy
- Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro
- Emily Rudd as Nami
- Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp
- Taz Skylar as Sanji
- Morgan Davies as Koby
- Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida
- Aidan Scott as Helmeppo
- Jeff Ward as Buggy
- McKinley Belcher III as Arlong
- Vincent Regan as Garp
- Peter Gadiot as Shanks
A message from Eiichiro Oda was released previously with:
“We’ve been working with NETFLIX and Tomorrow Studios on the massive project that is the Hollywood live action series adaptation of ONE PIECE! How many years has it been since it was announced, right? I know, I know! But rest assured we’ve been making steady progress all along! It’s not easy when you’re working with people from different cultures! But it’s precisely that process that can yield something special! For now, we’re able to announce the main cast! Rather, we need to hurry and announce it or else it’ll be leaked, apparently! Hilarious, lol. Their face, the size of their mouths and hands, their aura, the way they carry themselves, their voice, their acting skills, their height, the balance amongst the Straw Hat Crew, etc…!
We decided on this cast after numerous discussions involving people around the world! These are the people who will be our Straw Hat Pirates! It’ll take a bit more time to get this show done, but we’ll continue to do our best to deliver a show that we’re confident will be enjoyed by everyone around the world! Look forward to more updates in the future!”
“I’ve been a fan of One Piece for 20 years. I am so honored that Shueisha and Oda-san have entrusted me with such a cherished iconic property,” said Adelstein back in 2017. “I will do everything in my power to make the One Piece TV series an absolute success. While I expect this to be one of the most expensive shows ever done in television, the worldwide interest is tremendous and will be well worth the financial commitment.”
Hiroyuki Nakano, Editor-In-Chief of Weekly Shonen Jump at Shuiesha, added also back in 2017, “It is a great honor for Shueisha to collaborate with Tomorrow Studios on the One Piece live-action TV series. Marty understands the original comics and has the same vision as us for the live-action adaptation. We trust that he and his team at Tomorrow Studios will be able to produce a TV series reflecting Eiichiro Oda’s vision.”
Crunchyroll streams the anime series in the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. FUNimation streams it to the USA and Canada. Viz Media releases the manga in print and digital form.
Series Premise: Monkey. D. Luffy refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become the king of all pirates. With a course charted for the treacherous waters of the Grand Line and beyond, this is one captain who’ll never give up until he’s claimed the greatest treasure on Earth: the Legendary One Piece!
Previous promos and visuals:
