Netflix have revealed the main cast for their live-action adaption of Eiichiro Oda‘s manga and anime series One Piece.
As stated in the video from the tweet below, the staff includes Iñaki Godoy (Luffy), Mackenyu (Zoro), Emily Rudd (Nami), Jacob Gibson (Ussop), and Taz Skylar (Sanji). All of them show delight and excitement to be working on the series. Mackeny has acted in live action anime adaptions before, including Rurouni Kenshin, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Tokyo Ghoul, and the upcoming Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac
Oda shared a message on the staff reveal (even hinting it was prompted by fears of the cast being leaked). He states the crew are making steady progress, despite challenges of working with people from different cultures (but in turn it making something special).
https://twitter.com/onepiecenetflix/status/1458192148642234371
“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!”
The character descriptions for the series were previously uncovered; hinting at what the series might do. Most of the characters’ recommend the nationalities match what creator Eiichiro Oda had proposed when fans asked what real-life races the Straw Hat pirates would be. For Nami and Sanji however, the leaked notes list them as “any race” (Oda had proposed they would be Swedish and French respectively).
While Oda was confirmed to be the show’s Executive Producer, everything else about it has been kept under wraps; the Going Merry and other ships being spied under construction not withstanding.
Based on the description for Nami, and what members of the crew will be present, it seems the story will be set around the Arlong Park arc; though depending on the pace of the series this may start with the first chapter of the manga.
Despite the series being overseen by Oda, it may be a hard sell to fans. On top of Netflix’ infamy with their anime adaptions, a poll was issued to Japanese viewers of video distribution service 1Screen, asking what anime titles they wanted to see Hollywood adapt into live-action. The outstanding answer was “nothing.”
