Netflix’s One Piece live-action adaptation was probably one of the best pieces of content we got last year. Now with the filming for season 2 all wrapped up, it might as well be the best we get next year too. Based on a manga of the same name by Eiichiro Oda and anime, the show was one of the most anticipated life actions of all time. It follows the story of a rubber boy who aims to be king of the pirates but can’t swim. He sets out on a journey alone to take the name for himself and slowly on his journey gathers a loyal and iconic crew that the One Piece world has never seen before.
Luffy who has a weirdly stretchy body got the powers after accidentally eating a devil fruit, that gave the eater rubber powers. As any devil fruit eater does, he too is cursed and can never swim or survive in any form of water body. While for any other kid, the dream of being a pirate would end right there, Luffy has different plans. He sets out not just to sail or become a pirate, or join a crew but to build his own which will be the strongest crew of all time and also become the King of the Pirates by finding the one and only ‘One Piece’.
After setting out to sail, he meets many different people at sea, but chooses his crew wisely making him one of the most powerful pirates ever seen. But what sets him apart from all other fictional pirates is his good and innocent heart, which in turn becomes his greatest power eventually. Luffy in season one begins to make a name for himself by freeing a lot of towns, and islands from their oppressors, and the live-action journey has just begun. While we wait for new promo material to drop, here is a look at some of the best moments from the season 1 live-action show.
Gol D. Roger’s Execution – One Piece Opening Scene
Much like the anime, this scene sets the tone for the show and is one of the most influential moments in the series. The show begins with the execution of Gol D. Roger where he also confirms his treasure being hidden at sea. It is the announcement of his treasure and the ‘One Piece’ that sets off the age of pirates as his declaration inspired countless people to set sail for the Grand Line in search of One Piece. The scene also spotlights in this case foreshadows many key characters who at the time were watching Gol D. Roger’s execution but appeared in the anime in later arcs.
Shanks Saying Goodbye To Luffy
This scene has a massive fan following among anime watchers, but the live-action version also made a major impact. This is the last time Luffy sees Shanks before setting out on his own adventure, the man who he admires and wishes to be like. Shanks remains missing from the story for the longest time but has the biggest impact on Luffy’s life and his story. Shanks didn’t just save his life and give him a hat as a keepsake but sealed his destiny as the King of Pirates in this scene.
Buggy The Clown’s Introduction
Among the most freakiest characters in the show is Buggy the Clown. As weird as Luffy’s powers seemed to be in live action, so is Buggy’s who ate the Chop Chop devil fruit. He has the power to cut his body into pieces and join it back like nothing was ever severed. His appearance was also one of the most anticipated ones given his powers and his influence on the story. He is one of the first villains Luffy comes across while out on his journey. While a comic character, the casting was perfect enough to make him look menacing as well.
Zoro Promising To Have A Rematch With Mihawk
Zoro vs. Mihawk is one of the best fights in the show and the anime, but the scene that follows through is another moment that seals the destiny of a character. It is Zoro’s defeat in which he resolves to be loyal to Luffy, to strive to be the best, and to come back for a rewatch with Mihawk and to become the greatest swordsman in the world.
Garp Is Luffy’s Grandfather – Reveal
Another reveal which has a major impact on the show is none other than Luffy’s connection to Grap. It took Eiichiro Oda several years to reveal that Garp, the Marine Vice Admiral was actually Luffy’s grandfather. As for the live-action, it was introduced very early on and will have major implications for the story. This can be said as the biggest change the showrunners made to the OG plot. In the anime, Garp was revealed to be Luffy’s grandfather in episode 314 but the live-action said to have only covered the first 50 or so episodes.
The Barrel Scene
One of the most emotional moments in the show would be Nami asking for help from Luffy, but the best way to end the show was the barrel scene as the crew set off to the Grand Line. The scene sums up the characters, their hopes, dreams and their journey throughout the season seamlessly making it the best in the first season of the live-action.
While the anime and the live action have some differences fans were happy with the debut season after the makers nailed the casting, the action and the wackiness of the anime’s story. One of the best parts is Luffy’s rubber body. May expected the studio to fail but the show not only gave us manga-accurate powers but also villains like fishmen with their weird body forms. Coming back to the anime accurate casting, the show got its early craze thanks to the casting of Zoro played by Mackenyu. But as the show was released and fans got to meet the other actors as their characters, the entire fandom was highly impressed and even more excited about the casting of other crew members.
The live-action has introduced many main characters aka crew members including Zoro, Nami, and Sanji but some of the others yet to be introduced are Tony Tony Chopper, Robin, Franky, and Brook. The cast has been confirmed but there is much anticipation about how their characters will turn out. After the successful season 1, there are higher expectations and the makers may just follow through.
