Advertisement
The live-action adaptation of the beloved anime series, One Piece, stands out as one of the rare successes in a landscape dotted with failed attempts, such as the recent adaptation of Cowboy Bebop. This achievement provides Netflix with optimism for their upcoming ventures, including the highly anticipated big-budget The Last Airbender series. One Piece garnered critical acclaim and drew in a substantial viewership, swiftly leading to the greenlighting of a second season.
Although work on One Piece Season 2 had already commenced prior to its official approval by Netflix, progress was, of course, disrupted by the writers’ strike. Cinematographer Nicole Hirsch Whitaker shed light on the situation, explaining, “they definitely started writing and then the strike happened.” The mastermind behind this exceptional anime series, Eiichiro Oda, had meticulously plotted out how the live-action adaptation would unfold right from the inception.
Whitaker also underscored a crucial reason why filming for Season 2 should kick off promptly, stating, “For One Piece Season 2, there’s just, there’s so much material to be made based on the show. It’s gonna be like Harry Potter though, they’re gonna have to do it fast before everybody gets too old.”
Commenting on the overwhelmingly positive reception of the One Piece live-action series, Whitaker expressed her elation, saying, “I was so excited when I saw Rotten Tomatoes. 95%. I mean, that’s huge. It’s even higher than Star Wars. It’s amazing. I was really excited.”
According to a Variety interview on September 7, Marty Adelstein, CEO of Tomorrow Studios, confidently stated, “we’ve got scripts ready.” Tomorrow Studios’ president, Becky Clements, further added that once they’re given the green light to proceed, Season 2 could potentially launch as early as next year. “Realistically, hopefully, a year away, if we move very quickly, and that is a possibility. Somewhere between a year and 18 months, we could be ready for air.” This timeline showcases the team’s commitment to delivering quality content in a timely manner.