Netflix’s One Piece may just be the series to break the anime live-action curse going by critics’ early reaction. The series is a week away from landing on the streaming service & in a Tudum-style event, a premiere fan celebration occurred at the Santa Monica Pier. Here is a recap of what Straw Hat fans witnessed at the OPLA fan show.
The social media embargo is up for One Piece so critics who have seen all 8 episodes have begun sharing their non-spoiler analysis of the anime adaptation. Surprisingly, it seems the series could also serve as a starting point for audiences that aren’t familiar with the source material. As @mohooosen from The Streamr notes and applauds the “slick VFX, a killer cast and an understanding of STORY” while even going as far as branding it “KING OF THE NETFLIX SHOWS!”.
Unlike the long-running Oda anime, Netflix has introduced the live-action Pirates with a “fast-paced development”. Others spoke highly of the VFX and the story direction indicating season 1 as an overall entertaining experience. In addition, Attendees’ reviews of episode 1 are positive similar to the early social media reactions from critics.
Meanwhile, the live-action One Piece episode 1 was unveiled rather spectacularly at the Straw Hats Unite: Pirates on the Pier celebration (OPLA) even held at Santa Monica Pier. The premiere event was packed full and the place was glamorized with Straw Hat & other Pirate-themed elements like life-size figures of telepathic snails like Den Den Mushi. However, some folks appear to have been turned down from entering the celebration after the premiere event was reportedly oversold.
#OnePiece is surprisingly amazing. An well-crafted experience that manages to hook you up for all of the 8 episodes. It’s funny, full of action, amusing characters and fast-paced development.
The series premieres on Netflix in one week. pic.twitter.com/3iAKEL7hr4
— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) August 24, 2023
Having seen all 8 episodes of Netflix’s upcoming ‘ONE PIECE’, and having minimal exposure to the source materials, I can say that this is THE show fans of live action manga and/or anime adaptations have wanted. THIS is the real deal.
The dynamic camerawork, with slick VFX, a… pic.twitter.com/2bIDwA1QWr
— Mo (@mohooosen) August 24, 2023
The news is out. I've seen Netflix's One Piece, and while I cannot say much, I can say this before all my coverage goes live:
I've watched season one several times now. It is *good* good.
— Megan Peters (@meganpeterscb) August 24, 2023
As someone who has become much more familiar with the anime in the past year I have to say I was pleasantly surprised to see the series brought to life with so much love. The scale of this show is VAST and so much dedication was put into just about every aspect of it. #OnePiece pic.twitter.com/YglVlsEZIp
— JJ (@WildeePatrol) August 24, 2023
Everyone who has watched Netflix LA of "One Piece" are giving out positive reviews on this adaptation. Waiting to witness it myself 🙌🏻
One Piece on top once again ✅#OnePieceNetflix pic.twitter.com/eAAmamyCsx
— Luffy D. King 👑 (@HollowYt4) August 25, 2023
#OnePieceNetflix with the original Japanese voice actors is just 👨🍳💋 Which version are you watching first? pic.twitter.com/yIejd7r2vJ
— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) August 25, 2023
NEW ONE PIECE TRAILER! #OnePieceLiveAction #OnePieceNetflix https://t.co/JmkEFXXfo1
— Emily Rudd Fan OPLA (@EmilyRuddSource) August 25, 2023
The #OPLA critic reviews being v positive… we're out of the trenches y'all pic.twitter.com/BWmOVYkGRH
— mus (@librafleurs) August 24, 2023
Aside from the special screening, attendees were also treated with a new trailer and later concluding the celebratory premiere with a drone light show. Fans also spotted some new promo artworks like Jandre le Roux’s Kurobi Wanted Dead or Alive bounty poster on a mural board.
A Japanese dub version of the trailer with the original voice actors has also been released. From the looks of it, fans appear to be onboard with Inaki Godoy’s Luffy being voiced by Mayumi Tanaka.
Netflix’s past attempts at creating an acclaimed anime live-action have mostly been misfires with the Death Note movie and Cowboy Bebop show failing to appeal to fans. But fans of the series have remained hopeful since the casting of Emily Rudd‘s Nami, Mackenyu‘s Roronoa Zoro, Jacob Romero‘s Usopp, Taz Skylar‘s Sanji and other prominent characters have appealed to the long-time followers.
Holy shit! The 1st episode was absolutely fantastic. Definitely a must watch for One Piece fans. Right after the show they did an amazing light show with drones.#OnePieceNetflix #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/Ck3PXuqv6W
— Jr Blunts (@OmegaBaki) August 25, 2023
@netflix and @Tixr_ SUCK. Oversold the hell out of the One Piece premiere event at Santa Monica Pier and are turning everyone away.
Got my kid a ticket for his birthday and now we’re standing here SOL.
— Martin Garner (@RJ_MacReady31) August 25, 2023
Netflix went crazy with this #OPLA pic.twitter.com/5lkt14PTM0
— samantha (@samie_maree) August 25, 2023
I hope everyone likes it as much as I do. IMHO, #OnePieceNetflix is a way better way to get into #OnePiece than watching the anime is pic.twitter.com/HF382r1RQM
— K.E.V.I.N. Fenix (@FenixDy) August 25, 2023
One Piece Drone Show at Santa Monica Pier
The first episode was actually pretty goooood! #onepiece #onepieceliveaction#SantaMonicaPier #Streetfoodcinema pic.twitter.com/mqkdakVxzU— S (@andrewduran21) August 25, 2023
More of the #ONEPIECE event in Santa Monica! pic.twitter.com/pwU259lQyM
— Mike Farron (@mrmikefarron) August 25, 2023
Check out this drone show that was shown at the #ONEPIECE fan celebration at the Santa Monica Pier tonight! pic.twitter.com/ld5BhKDMxS
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) August 25, 2023
One Piece Live-Action bounty posters up in Santa Monica ahead of the fan event #OnePieceNetflix pic.twitter.com/tMtwYv7oGQ
— Leon Brill (@LeonBrill) August 25, 2023
The #OnePiece fan event at the Santa Monica pier was epic, with carnival rides and games, an outdoor screening of a fun action-packed pilot that wowed audiences (especially Mackenyu as Zoro), followed by an incredible drone show! Series premieres on Netflix 8/31. pic.twitter.com/uKyFz8Ni2J
— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen) August 25, 2023
So many members of the Straw Hat Crew here in Santa Monica for a special screening of episode one!!!!!#ONEPIECE #onePieceNetflix@onepiecenetflix pic.twitter.com/vn3u7TWPhR
— Kevin D Ross, ACE (@Rossfilms) August 25, 2023
#OPLA#OnePieceNetflix
They nailed this scene omfg 🤯🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/XhiIapm5B3— Sam (@Sam_k_22) August 25, 2023
First look at Kuro's Wanted Poster!! #OnePieceNetflix pic.twitter.com/GnrJlGCJyV
— ONE PIECE NETFLIX FAN (@OP_Netflix_Fan) August 25, 2023
We were blown out of the water at Netflix's One Piece live action premiere! The night ended with an unforgettable drone light show over the Santa Monica Pier!@onepiecenetflix#onepiece #onepiecenetflix #mugiwara #strawhat #luffy #ワンピース #麦わら pic.twitter.com/A2CBCPUWhy
— Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi (@kawaiisugoiblog) August 25, 2023
One piece Santa Monica event. pic.twitter.com/JnAe1y9wxo
— DOSCAR The Great (@Doscar) August 25, 2023
Went to the One Piece Fan Event in LA today and it was so much fun! Lots of fans and hyped emotions it made the event overall a blast! YouTube vlog video of my experience is coming soon on my channel. Episode one is good btw 🙂 #OnePieceNetflix #onepiece #LA pic.twitter.com/aYD2Z69sa9
— Bryanprime (@BryanPrime650) August 25, 2023
Foxy's Wanted Poster!! #OnePieceNetflix pic.twitter.com/X0aITAMn4D
— ONE PIECE NETFLIX FAN (@OP_Netflix_Fan) August 25, 2023
🚨 Mural com os cartazes de procurados em exibição no evento de One Piece live-action em Santa Mônica, Califórnia #OnePieceNetflix https://t.co/KLKGXfILu9 pic.twitter.com/mhuNWAF4Ke
— One Piece Netflix Brasil (@OnePieceNxBr) August 25, 2023
One Piece will begin streaming on Neflix from August 30.
