Wit Studio is currently developing a new remake of the beloved anime series One Piece, and the character designer behind the project has shared insights into the intricate process of redesigning the iconic Straw Hat Pirates. This remake, which is set to offer a fresh take on Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, marks a significant departure from the original anime, with a completely new team and studio bringing it to life for its upcoming release on Netflix.
Kyoji Asano, the character designer leading the remake, discussed his approach during a special presentation at One Piece Day 2024 earlier this month. Asano described the challenge of reimagining the Straw Hats, stating, “When I was tasked with creating the design, I felt it was crucial to incorporate Oda-sensei’s unique drawing style. I immersed myself in Oda-sensei’s work, essentially ‘becoming’ him for two months.”
Asano explained that this intense focus was essential to capturing the essence of the characters while updating them for a modern audience. “For two months, I locked myself away, dedicating myself solely to drawing One Piece. I’ve taken a similar approach with other projects, where you confine yourself and start by reproducing the original art. It’s about absorbing the style and making it your own.”
However, Asano and his team also faced the challenge of selecting which era of Oda’s evolving art style to emulate for the remake. With One Piece having been serialized for 25 years, Oda’s drawing style has naturally changed over time. “We had to decide which version of Oda-sensei’s art to adhere to for The One Piece,” Asano explained. “It was a daunting task, and there were moments when I wondered if we could even begin.”
As of now, there is no official release date for The One Piece remake, but it will be available for streaming on Netflix upon completion. Netflix has described the remake as a collaboration between Wit Studio—known for its work on SPY x FAMILY and the first three seasons of Attack on Titan—Shueisha, Fuji Television Network, and Toei Animation Co. The goal is to provide a “fresh yet familiar” experience, utilizing advanced visual technology to reimagine Luffy’s adventures through the East Blue Saga.