Eiichiro Oda, the celebrated yet reclusive creator behind the global manga phenomenon “One Piece,” has officially endorsed the upcoming Netflix live-action adaptation of his work. The series is set to premiere on August 31, bringing the high seas adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew to screens worldwide.
In a unique communication via a “snail phone,” a whimsical nod to the devices used in the “One Piece” series, Oda shared his thoughts in a video posted on the show’s verified Instagram account. The message was conveyed using a device gifted to him by the star of the series, Iñaki Godoy, along with other cast and crew members. In his message, Oda expressed his satisfaction with the Hollywood adaptation, particularly praising the series’ action sequences, visual effects, and the performances of the cast.
“The action and VFX are great, as you would expect from a Hollywood production. But what I really want to highlight is the cast portraying the Straw Hat pirates. They are perfect,” Oda remarked. “It’s like you’re watching the Straw Hats in real life, which I’d love for you to savor.”
“One Piece” follows the story of the youthful protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, who embarks from his small village on a dangerous quest across the vast oceans to locate the legendary treasure known as One Piece. His ultimate goal is to claim the title of King of the Pirates. To achieve this, Luffy must form the ultimate crew, acquire a ship, and outsmart both the Marines and numerous foes.
The cast of the live-action series features Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. The show also includes an extensive supporting cast with Vincent Regan as Vice Admiral Garp, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida, and many more contributing to the rich tapestry of Oda’s world.
The production is a collaborative effort between Shueisha, Tomorrow Studios, and Netflix, with Matt Owens and Steven Maeda at the helm as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Oda himself, along with Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements, are also serving as executive producers, ensuring that the original vision of “One Piece” is faithfully translated to the live-action format.