Thoughts about One Piece live action season 1 (part 1/3)
A little late for the party but I finally managed to watch the Netflix's One Piece live-action! (will call it from now on L-A in this post just to save space at times :p). So, here are some ponders about the first season and spoiler alert ahead, it will be long post and there is lots to blabber so I will divide this first season into two parts :)
I will be mostly focused on Straw hat pirates and into episodes 1-4 on this post :)
Since One Piece is a manga with 1000+ chapters and Netflix made an adaption I kinda expected already that there might be changes, even huge ones compared to the original story, just like in many other adaptations.
Luffy's backstory was well explained and as far as I remember, they didn't make any drastic changes in Netflix. Like how he got his devil fruit powers and how Shanks became so important to him. Shank's actor did well and maybe my favorite scene from the flashbacks was him saving little Luffy from that Sea King.
I also liked that Luffy's and Coby's friendship was also pretty loyal to the manga in general. Him encouraging Coby to join the marines was great especially when Coby said at one point how his life has always been decided by others and now is his time to make his own path.
Yes that was a chef's kiss moment because in just a brief moment, it pointed out well two of One Piece's main themes: freedom and chasing dreams!
First it felt kind of weird that the "original East Blue" trio met basically right away and even teamed up immediately so they could steal a map to Grand Line and get out. On the other hand, I understand this was purely just to save time and resources (since originally Luffy saved Zoro from the Marine base and later in chapter 8 met Nami by a chance before Buggy) but somehow it also made sense at the same time the second time I watched the show.
On the other hand, Rika's appearance would have been a bit more meaningful if they kept it original script (because in manga it was better explained that Zoro was held because he saved Rika from Helmeppo's dog and Rika gave the onigiris as a thanks but in the Netflix version it seemed like Zoro just went to ask captain Morgan for the bounty money and since he attacked Helmeppo in the bar, he was punished).
So, now the reason Netflix's Rika made rice balls for Zoro felt a little random tbh but I still am happy Zoro ate the rice balls in both versions and that little Rika got direct thanks in L-A!
Luffy and Nami roaming around the naval base in L-A was good comedy and well, this introduction was very Luffy like. I mean he pops out of nowhere and goes with his instincts without checking out the surroundings (full of motivation because he is a fresh pirate) whereas Nami has always been someone who plans a lot but decides to stick around so they don't get caught.
Somehow Captain Morgan as a Marine falling for such a bad act seemed a little off. Also due to their short meeting and lack of time to get to known each other compared to the manga, live-action's Nami's reasons to jump to the crew (apart from the Grand Line map) felt a bit vague at the first glance.
The fighting scenes looked nice though but I still kinda wished it would've gone with the original story like Luffy first saving Zoro from certain death and them bonding with shenanigans (that their special bond kind of shows in manga throughout the time how Zoro ends up being Luffy's anchor especially in Water 7) then Nami joining later.
However, I must admit the "not a crew"-thing Nami and Zoro pulled in Netflix and them bickering like siblings the whole season were funny running gags.
Buggy's episode handled well also on the theme of freedom. In Netflix Buggy had captured an entire village and made the villager part of his (freak) circus meanwhile Nami was in shock of seeing how Buggy Pirates have tampered the whole village "just for fun". Probably triggering some nasty flashbacks for her (after all Arlong did basically the same).
Well also I felt that Buggy's and Shanks' common past was just a small scratch on a surface. Compared to manga Netflix's version giving reasons why Buggy was so mad at Shanks was also left a bit vague.
In the manga Buggy tested Nami's loyalty by forcing her to shoot a canonball towards Luffy but in the live-action they did it a bit differently. Both Nami and Zoro were captured but I actually like that setting. How Nami and Zoro interact in L-A right away being sarcastic towards each other but still boding and despite both being really alerted in general when it comes down to people forming trust towards each other and their captain at the same time.
Just like Zoro mentioned, Nami could've have the chance to run away and leave him to die but she decided to stay loyal to her new nakama (partly because of the map but more likely because they've become friends).
Cabaji may have had the reason to be mad at Zoro in the L-A but it still felt a bit random to him having a grudge to Zoro since manga did not ever mentioned him having any siblings but oh well at least it added a bit more tension between them and made their escape attempt a little more interesting whereas Mohji's role in this whole episode was minimal compared to the manga (where he sets the shop on fire) but I kinda understand that animals in live-action can be a hard piece of a puzzle so they left Richie the lion and the tamer out.
I liked the #deepshit- moment where Zoro already in the second episode explains how (quickly) Luffy changed his perspective and basically that due to that Zoro found "his place" in the world (which for me at least interprets he is from now on following his captain and swearing loyalty) and how he already sees Luffy's ideology and accepts it.
(btw either Cabaji just tries to scare Zoro or then he is really bad at aiming).
I also realized that I've been missing a huge reference in the early One Piece! I mean in the manga there is this dog Chouchou who is waiting eagerly for his owner to return to the shop (despite the owner died according to the mayor) and it's heart breaking to see how the dog still tries to protect the shop and Mohji sets the store in fire. It's just like Hachiko waited for his owner HidesaburÅ Ueno near Shibuya station daily after his work even after professor died suddenly at his workplace. So I think Chouchou's story was kind of a tribute to Hachiko. (by the way there is another memorial statue for Hachiko in Tokyo University. The one in Shibuya is cute but perhaps as a dog owner, something in this statue hit even more to feel )
We know Luffy's "idiotism" is a running gag especially in manga and even in anime but he has outsmarted enemies a lot despite being a guy who works by impulses mainly. The captain however has proved both in manga and L-A that he is able to analyze his surroundings (like Chouchou's chapter proved) and then make smart decisions easily out of blue despite he could be missing some major story events (i.e when Nami's past was revealed by Nojiko Luffy said he naps instead).
For example in Netflix he figured in Buggy's episode that best way to get rid of Buggy's power is to shove his parts in to crates with team work (well it kind of was a reference to chapter 20 where Nami single handedly packed Buggy's parts) .
With Syrup Village episodes I had also mixed feelings. In general it was great that Kaya had much more contact to the whole crew instead of just Usopp in L-A (but on the other hand, in manga Usopp sneaking around to her window to tell his stories and communicating Kaya just two of them felt much more intimate between them too).
Even Netflix brought up that Luffy doesn't care or see a differences when it comes down to fancy dressing and Zoro certainly doesn't care. It was a funny moment but also nice to see that Netflix seems to be pretty loyal towards the way Oda-sensei has portrayed his characters.
What I liked too was another discussion between Nami and Luffy in Kaya's mansion (where they didn't go in original manga before Kuro was revealed I think?). I really like that despite coming from similar backgrounds (both having foster parents and growing up without extra cash and stuff) they still view wealth differently in general.
Luffy and Nami pondering about wealth. It points out well that at this point, Nami's character views money as a solution to her problems (and a comfort since all she wanted as a kid was new stuff and not always second hand) and it was also good foreshadowing what's coming out for her soon whereas Luffy certainly does enjoy money and in my headcanons definitely spends it on everything he finds interesting but he also doesn't worry too much of it because he never had to.
Another positive change in live-action that in Syrup Village episodes Nami had a bigger role in the whole thing. I mean I really loved especially how she tried to defend Kaya at that dinner (especially that sarcastic comment towards Kuro with a dead glare *chef's kiss*)
It was an interesting setting There is this rich girl who has all the material and money she could ever have and still feeling locked up in a cage (being sick and isolated and feeling emptiness because of the loss of her parents) and then there is this poor girl who collects money to get her village free.
I think it's a great parallels but still they share the same goal: both crave for freedom in their own ways. I think Kaya even referenced to Nami's āWhat good is treasure if I'm alone?ā-quote from Skypiea. Another little easter egg found!
Anyway, Kaya befriending with Nami in Netflix was pretty wholesome in general. Although it kinda felt odd that Nami as a master thieve would have get caught so easily but it was cute that Nami tries to have her protective walls (well she must've been felt lonely all these years but somehow she also was required to be alerted all the time due to her job) but somehow Kaya managed to gain her trust and girls start to get to talk.
Well it was kind of expected that Nami wouldn't let her walls come down too much so probably she didn't reveal much of herself (even off screen) but one can see that their discussion made an impact to Nami who eventually returned (some) things she stole
Kuro's evil plans unrevealed and the actual fights were also different in the adaption most of the times" and frankly spoken Zoro isn't that kind of a guy who would get fooled out that easily. Well he did suspect Kuro even in the beginning but he could've gotten easily away from that trap imo.
It's good that they still respected the original script and kept the emotional slap-scene between Usopp and Kaya. It was important both in manga and Netflix for Usopp's character development because just like written in Reasons to love Mugiwaras: Usopp- post, Usopp finally was forced to meet the consequences of his lyings (which were originally just to have silly fun) and I like how in L-A despite him being shocked and hurt by Kaya's unexpected response, he still swears loyalty and refuses to run away (he wants to prove her he is a friend worth regaining the trust).
Well it was a bit surprising that Netflix decided that Nami would be the one whom Kaya would believe over Usopp (considering that they've known each other for maybe a day?)
Also, Netflix's Merry had a surprisingly small role in general compared to the manga. I mean he was a financial advisor or something? and on top of that, it felt that killing Merry was pretty much unnecessary (even storywise). Maybe the only valid reason that happened was to make Kuro look scarier but still, giving a minimum screen time, a minimum role and "cutting" Merry out of the scene might've be the biggest minus in Syrup Village adaption!
Well Luffy named their ship to honor Merry's memory but still I wished Merry held more importance in Netflix as he had in manga.
One thing adaption did well was to build more background to Usopp. In manga it's not much told from him apart from him waiting Yasopp to come back and him losing his mother in young age. In manga it's not said does he do something for living or is he just running around for his shenanigans with his "minions" (Ninjin, Tamanegi and Piiman).
Well storywise it isn't important at all how he gets his daily bread but somehow it felt nice to see live-action Usopp was working at the shipyard and that way more connected to Kaya (since we don't know anything else than they've been friends since childhood).
Even if he didn't participated on building Going Merry, he was likely in charge of keeping the ships clean so that might've add more sentimental value for Going Merry in Usopp's eyes (like he helped to create Kaya something that awesome and on top of that she gave it as a present to them).
What comes to captain Kuro, he was a very mediocre bad guy in the Netflix. I don't remember if he tried to poison Kaya in manga but I think it was a tool in L-A chosen to build suspension. Well just like in the manga, he had built his anger trough the years and now pushing it all out (like how he hated to be the butler/servant). On the other hand, he seemed to have a slight moment when he almost broke down for a short moment when he paused after imitating Kaya missing her parents.
I think even Usopp's role in the fight and even in the whole Syrup Village arc was surprisingly small and it was honestly disappointing. It felt like despite it being his arc, Usopp was just overshadowed by the other Straw Hats in those two episodes. For example he felt very invisible when they ran away from Kuro and Netflix didn't even let Usopp hit a perfect shot towards Kuro so he could save the girls although earlier it was shown how good he is at sharp shooting! (well maybe it was because in manga too he tried to protect Kaya but Kuro dodged)
Then unlike in the manga, it was Luffy who almost all alone fought against Kuro (and even had a moment of wisdom when he blurted out that mostly Kuro's anger comes from him giving up on his dream) and Usopp didn't really have even a chance to help him (apart from keeping the ladies safe).
Honestly I also feel the Netflix either skipped out completely one of the most important moments in Syrup village arc. It felt like Kaya and Kuro never had a real discussion about the betrayal (they just were busy running away and Kuro was busy being angry) and on top of that Usopp never got the proper chance to show his potential as a fighter and his dedication towards Kaya in live-action but welll Luffy was already impressed (when they talked earlier) and wanted him to join their crew and that's all that matters.
Later I just realized Netflix gave Merry's role partly to Nami since she ended up being "voice of reason" for Kaya (when in manga it was Merry himself that revealed Kuro's plan to her). Frankly spoken, as much as I liked Nami's and Kaya's interactions in Netflix, I wish that could've been Usopp who was given an opportunity for that.
Anyway, Kuro was defeated finally and I think was funny that Luffy and Nami set a bet in the beginning. It was about how do they get Going Merry and I wouldn't see this scenario impossible in canon (them setting bets of random shite) but somehow I could have imagined that it was actually Nami who would've suggested the talking and Luffy just stealing the boat (but maybe it was just to highlight Nami's occupation as a thief?) but I can't help but laugh at how Luffy smirks out when Nami lost the bet :D
Well Usopp and Kaya fortunately had their moment of reconciliation and I was partly surprised Netflix added even more romance between them (especially when One Piece is shonen) but oh well on the other hand now the show's target was to get also new fans outside Japan and usually these romantic elements might be a good tool. The kissing scene was so darn cute and I loved how the crew reacted. Luffy being his innocent minded self and focusing to the comment about Usopp being the captain, Zoro looking away and not giving rats eye and Nami thinking defitinely it's cute and encouraging Luffy just to give the lovebirds their moment.
In manga it was later explained that despite the villager found it annoying Usopp to having his "pirates are coming"-shenanigans, they immediately were worried when one morning Usopp wasn't there doing that. It was to indicate that Usopp was indeed a important part of Syrup Village's everyday life and I wish they would have added this somehow to the Netflix version too!
I didn't see Kuro's other crewmates, even Jango the hypnotizer apart from the movie poster and I kept wondering why but maybe it's later revealed?
Ok, so as seen I've kinda skipped the whole Marine thing on purpose and I think I will write something about it in the next part since it's a huge part of the live-action version.
Anyway before ending these ponders, I would like to bring up one little thing I love so much about in the Netflix version, maybe the most out of little details. That the main characters especially change outfits a lot during the series but instead of random outfits they reference to the original artwork of Oda-sensei!
And it's good change in general since in manga they tend to keep the same clothes during the arcs (which is probably easier for manga/anime productions) but yeah a little detail that makes a huge difference and at least works for me!
I think all of the outfits seen so far are a reference to their original arcs or the early artworks. For example a small detail but still a big honor that Nami was introduced in an outfit which was directly inspired and a reference to her early art concept (without the axe and cyborg parts)
So all in all, it's still hard to say whether I like this live-action or not. There are certainly adapted things I like a lot but also a lot of changes that makes me raise my eyebrows but in general, so far it's watchable! :)
