One Piece holds the title of the best-selling manga of all time and is regarded as one of the most illustrious shonen anime series in history. Consequently, when Netflix revealed its intentions to create a live-action adaptation, the skepticism from anime fans was palpable.
This was mainly due to the notorious track record of disappointing live-action adaptations in the past with Netflix’s Death Note movie and the Cowboy Bebop series being particularly disappointing examples.
However, fear not, my friend, because the latest One Piece live-action series on Netflix has remarkably shattered this curse and lived up to the sky-high expectations of fans.
With faithful reproduction and impeccable casting, this live-action iteration has expertly breathed life into the cherished series, delighting both dedicated fans and newcomers alike.
Eiichiro Oda’s Involvement in Netflix’s One Piece Played a Pivotal Role in the Show’s Success
One Piece‘s creator, Eiichiro Oda, served as the executive producer for the live-action series and was resolute in ensuring that the cast perfectly embodied the characters he had crafted.
Oda’s active involvement in the series’ production has been instrumental, and if the One Piece live-action cast has received his endorsement, it goes a long way in explaining why they capture the essence of the original anime characters so well.
This unquestionably played a significant role in the Netflix live-action One Piece cast’s success in winning over fans of the original manga and anime.
X (formerly known as Twitter) user @OP_Netflix_Fan shared behind-the-scenes footage of Netflix’s One Piece, offering a never-before-seen glimpse into the excruciating pain the One Piece stars endured for the Netflix live-action series.
‘Dracule Mihawk’ and ‘Buggy the Clown’ Captured the Audience’s Heart
Steven Ward gets to play the role of the world’s greatest swordsman alive, Dracule Mihawk, in the One Piece live-action series. Dracule Mihawk holds the esteemed title of the strongest swordsman in the series.
His brief yet pivotal appearance in the Baratie arc is set to be a significant moment for the Straw Hat swordsman, Zoro. The fan has enthusiastically shared Steven Ward’s portrayal and makeup as Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
ONE PIECE NETFLIX — Behind the Scenes Season 1
Steven John Ward (Mihawk) pic.twitter.com/hpdjXxugWr
— ONE PIECE NETFLIX FAN (@OP_Netflix_Fan) September 6, 2023
Everyone has to admit that Steven’s resemblance to Mihawk from the source material is striking, and fans are absolutely ecstatic about this casting choice. The production team appears to have achieved perfection in every aspect, from his iconic eyes and mustache to his costume and the legendary sword.
Buggy the Star Clown (played by Jeff Ward) is the second favorite choice for fans in the live-action series (in terms of transformation). Buggy serves as the captain of the Buggy Pirates and will be a central antagonist during the Orange Town arc. The fan shared Ward’s makeup clip as Buggy, accompanied by a caption: The Clown Prince of ONE PIECE, Jeff Ward’s transformation into Buggy, is now forever tattooed in my brain.
The Clown Prince of ONE PIECE, Jeff Ward’s transformation into Buggy, is now forever tattooed in my brain. #OnePieceNetflix pic.twitter.com/FRyn84QHwL
— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) September 5, 2023
With his clown makeup and a big red nose, Jeff Ward bears an uncanny resemblance to the real-life Buggy, and the sneak peek of his Chop-Chop Fruit powers left a truly astounding impression. Jeff Ward appears to be tailor-made for the role of the simultaneously menacing and comical clown Buggy, and fans are eagerly anticipating his further performance in the upcoming seasons.
Source: X/Twitter
