Fans have been waiting with bated breath for Netflix's live-action series adapted from the One Piece manga to finally hit the platform this Thursday, August 31.
And we were afraid: fans considered One Piece unsuitable, and rightly so.Eiichirō Oda 's colorful, absurd universe is unique and cartoonish. And with the eight episodes that make up this first season, the series signed Steven Maeda and Matt Owens has rather reassured us! In fact, it topped the platform's rankings in 86 countries. Fans can therefore look forward to the announcement of a Season 2.
This first batch of episodes logically adapts the first arc of the manga, and what we can already note is that after the critical and popular failures of Death Note and Cowboy Bebop, Netflix has learned its lesson by offering a show made by fans, for fans. Very faithful to the original manga, certain scenes are transposed almost identically. We discover young Luffy 's first steps in the world of piracy. The big-hearted, cheerful and somewhat simpleton wants to embody the pirate difference by remaining kind and avoiding gratuitous violence, and find the One Piece, the treasure of the king of pirates, Gold Roger, executed 22 years earlier.
And, as in the manga, he'll soon be joined by Roronoa Zoro, a swordsman who's not afraid to get his hands dirty, and Nami, a thieving, lying navigator. The three of them will face a variety of enemies as they attempt to gain a foothold on the Grand Line, an ocean populated by bloodthirsty pirates and sea monsters. And fans of the manga already know they won't be three for long.
The whole is generous, endearing and the impressive manga settings are well recreated. In short, we're hooked, and not just a little!Iñaki Godoy's bonhomie in the role of Luffy is seductive, despite constant overacting (inevitable with such a character), but it's above all the secondary characters who stand out, Baggy the Clown and Zoro in particular. Both are wonderfully played by Jeff Ward and Mackenyu. However, we're expecting a little more directorial virtuosity in season 2, because while the action scenes are well controlled, the tricks and editing tricks used to limit the special effects remain a little too visible. As is the direction, which uses the same focal points and shot styles a little too often.
Fans will appreciate the series, which holds up well right to the end, but what about neophytes? The One Piece universe may be abundant and immensely rich (105 volumes make up the manga, which has been in print for more than 26 years), but you can very well embark on the adventure with the live-action series, which is obviously not just for connoisseurs. It's a series that's accessible to everyone, appealing to children and adults alike, without overloading itself with winks, obscure references or other details incomprehensible to novices of this universe. And who knows, maybe it'll inspire you to start the manga!
Streaming: what are we watching this Thursday May 9th, 2024 on Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ platforms?
Feeling like curling up in front of the TV today? We've got the week's releases on your favorite streaming platforms, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+! [Read more]
Streaming: what are we watching this Thursday May 9th, 2024 on Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ platforms?
